Redefining AP automation: the next step in SAP finance

How leading companies connect efficiency, compliance, and ROI in one process

Finance automation is the use of digital technology to manage and optimize financial operations, from invoice capture to reporting, within ERP systems like SAP. It goes beyond Accounts Payable (AP) automation by connecting the entire financial workflow to deliver higher efficiency, visibility, and compliance.

From accounts payable to full finance automation

Accounts Payable automation is often the first step toward digital transformation in finance. Yet, leading organizations are going further, connecting invoice processing with broader financial workflows to gain real-time visibility, lower costs, and stronger compliance.

In SAP environments, finance automation integrates invoice capture, approval, posting, and reporting in one connected process. It eliminates manual data entry, accelerates closing cycles, and provides the foundation for intelligent finance operations.

Why finance automation delivers measurable ROI

Automating invoice processing alone can reduce the cost per invoice by up to 70% and shorten approval times by 80%. But the real value appears when finance automation extends across the Source-to-Pay (S2P) or Order-to-Cash (O2C) chain, linking procurement, payments, and analytics.

• Cost efficiency: lower processing costs and fewer errors
• Process transparency: real-time dashboards in SAP
• Compliance readiness: automatic audit trails and e-invoicing formats
• Scalability: adapt easily to new entities, mandates, or ERP versions

Companies using SAP automation solutions such as Process Director or Routty achieve faster returns through reduced exceptions and smarter approval flows.

From AP to process automation

True transformation happens when AP automation evolves into process automation. Instead of optimizing single tasks, organizations design end-to-end workflows that connect systems, departments, and data sources. This creates a future-proof finance architecture.

Example architecture:

• Document input layer: ERP, Peppol, e-invoicing platforms, email portals
• Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) and validation
• Process automation (workflow, approval, matching)
• Finance system integration (SAP, Coupa, Oracle)
• Compliance & reporting (ViDA, Peppol, XRechnung, Factur-X)

Such an architecture can be realized with the Dynatos ecosystem: Routty for multi-channel invoice management and Process Director for native SAP automation.

Customer success in practice

Organizations like Angelini Pharma and Vink Kunststoffen demonstrate the impact of finance automation:

• Near 100% recognition rate in document capture
• 30% faster processing within three months
• Fully auditable and compliant workflows

These results confirm that connecting automation across finance, procurement, and compliance creates measurable, lasting impact.

Ready to take the next step?

Finance automation goes beyond efficiency; it builds the foundation for connected, compliant, and intelligent finance operations. Explore how Dynatos can help you design your finance automation journey.

See also

• 5 steps to a fully automated invoicing process
• Intelligent Document Processing
• Source-to-Pay automation

This blog was originally published in 2017. We’ve updated this article to reflect today’s SAP finance automation landscape; where organizations move beyond Accounts Payable automation toward connected, intelligent finance operations.