Supplier-First AP Automation: Why Traditional AP Automation Falls Short
Updated: Apr 21
According to recent Shared Services & Outsourcing Network (SSON) research, most AP functions remain less than 50% automated, even after decades of technology investment.
The problem isn’t automation itself. It’s how it’s been designed.
Traditional AP automation focuses almost entirely on buyer efficiency, often overlooking suppliers in the process. The result is familiar: fragmented supplier portals, limited invoice visibility, extended payment terms, and rising inquiry volumes that slow everyone down.
But a Supplier-First AP Automation platform, centered on the supplier experience, transforms invoice accuracy, cycle time, and working capital outcomes.
To explore this shift in more detail, Direct Commerce partnered with the (SSON) on the SSON Essentials Guide to Supplier-First Automation.
The guide covers:
Why traditional AP automation underdelivers
The hidden costs of “free” supplier models
Practical principles for building supplier-first AP processes
Five actionable steps AP leaders can take today
Download the SSON Essentials Guide to Supplier-First Automation ⬇︎