Supplier-First AP Automation: Why Traditional AP Automation Falls Short

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 ⬇︎

SSON ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO SUPPLIER-FIRST AUTOMATION.

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