You can already receive eInvoices. Here’s why you should consider sending eInvoices

Electronic invoicing, or eInvoicing, has emerged as a powerful tool for streamlining business operations and improving efficiency. In countries like Australia and New Zealand, Government has already embraced eInvoicing for receiving invoices. However, there's a compelling reason to also start sending eInvoices too. With Australia and New Zealand already mandating government agencies have the ability to receive eInvoices, government suppliers will continue to be encouraged to send them eInvoices. The sweetener for suppliers is getting payment sooner. New Zealand is now looking to ramp up government agencies sending eInvoices. This comes off the back of comments made by the New Zealand Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, Hon Andrew Bayly. No doubt there are a lot of benefits to receiving eInvoices. So why send eInvoices?

Digitise your invoicing process

One key benefit is making it easier for customers and other agencies to do business with you. As more of your customers sign up to eInvoicing, you’ll likely receive more requests to start sending eInvoices. Government agencies can make customer experience more seamless by sending eInvoices directly into the recipient’s software.

Faster payment processing

Sending eInvoices to customers’ makes the process more seamless. There’s no need to send emails or PDFs – eInvoices are sent straight from your software to the recipient’s software. This accelerates the invoicing cycle by delivering invoices instantly to recipients, ready for them to be approved and paid, faster than manually-received invoices.

An eInvoicing standard makes it easier to exchange eInvoices with everyone

Australia and New Zealand have teamed up to develop one standard for exchanging eInvoices with businesses across both countries. This means once a business is setup, it can send eInvoices to any other business who receives eInvoices. Unlike some other forms of exchanging data, you can set and forget. Want to learn more about sending eInvoices to your customers? Get in touch with our team with the form below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

What to think about when onboarding customers to eInvoicing

For many Australian and New Zealand businesses, the shift towards electronic invoicing (eInvoicing) can feel like an uphill battle. While the potential benefits – faster payments, streamlined processes, and reduced costs – are undeniable, achieving widespread adoption can be a challenge.

Understanding customer needs and concerns

Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and their eInvoicing readiness varies greatly. It's crucial to understand your customers' individual needs and concerns. Consider gaining insights by asking customers directly or send an informal survey about their:
  • Current invoicing processes: What pain points do they experience receiving traditional paper or PDF invoices?
  • Level of technical expertise: Are they comfortable using new technologies? What level of support would they need?
  • Concerns about eInvoicing: What hesitations or reservations do they have about adopting eInvoicing?

Addressing customer concerns and making eInvoicing easy

Once you understand your customers' perspectives, you can tailor your approach to address their concerns and make eInvoicing a smooth transition for them. Here are some key strategies:
  • Offer flexible options: Don't force a one-size-fits-all approach. Provide a variety of eInvoicing solutions, including web portals and integrated solutions, to cater to different preferences and technical capabilities. MessageXchange offers customer a free portal for partners to use, Colladium.
  • Prioritise education and support: Provide clear and accessible resources, such as user guides, FAQs, and training webinars, to help your customers understand and implement eInvoicing. Offer ongoing support to answer questions and address any issues they encounter, or be able to refer them to someone who has the answers.
  • Focus on the benefits: Clearly communicate the value proposition of eInvoicing to your customers. Highlight the faster payment cycles, reduced costs, and improved efficiency they can expect.

Building a collaborative ecosystem

Remember, eInvoicing isn't just about your individual business; it's about fostering a collaborative ecosystem where all participants benefit. By working with your customers, industry partners, and government agencies, you can create a smoother and more efficient invoicing experience for everyone.
  • Engage with industry associations: Collaborate with industry bodies and peak organisations to advocate for eInvoicing standards and best practices.
  • Advocate for government support: Encourage government initiatives that promote widespread eInvoicing adoption across the economy. This could be working with Government for them to motivate others towards eInvoicing.
By prioritising your customers and building a collaborative ecosystem, you can unlock the true potential of eInvoicing and create a more efficient and prosperous business environment for all. Remember:
  • Tailor your approach to the specific needs and concerns of your Australian and/or New Zealand customer base.
  • Offer flexible options, provide education and support.
  • Focus on the benefits of eInvoicing and build a collaborative ecosystem with industry partners and government agencies.
By taking these steps, you can turn eInvoicing adoption from a challenge into a win-win for your business and your customers.Want to learn more about how to work with your customers to get them onto eInvoicing? Get in touch with our team with the form below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Still using PDFs, emails and AI for invoice processing? Think about eInvoicing instead

This month we've put together a comparison eInvoicing with PDFs, emails and AI to see how efficient each is. Take a look at the infographic below that shows how they both compare when it comes to invoice processing.Want to learn more about eInvoicing and how it can create more efficiency for your business? Get in touch with our team below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Suppliers to Government: How to use eInvoicing

In recent years, the governments of Australia and New Zealand have been driving forward a digital transformation agenda, and with good reason – the savings to businesses and therefore the economy, can be huge. A significant part of this transformation involves the adoption of electronic invoicing, or eInvoicing. For businesses that engage with government agencies in these countries, understanding and complying with eInvoicing mandates is important. In this blog, we will delve into the eInvoicing mandates in Australia and New Zealand, providing a comprehensive guide for suppliers looking to navigate this landscape.

Understanding the mandates as they are now

Both Australia and New Zealand have introduced eInvoicing mandates to accelerate the adoption of digital invoicing practices and streamline government procurement processes. In Australia, the eInvoicing mandate is set by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). All federal government agencies are required to ne able to receive eInvoices. In New Zealand, the mandate is driven by the New Zealand government's Digital Public Service (DPS) initiative. Government agencies are mandated to be able to receive eInvoices as of last year, and it's encouraged for suppliers to use eInvoicing to interact with the government.

How suppliers can use eInvoicing

Complying with eInvoicing mandates can seem complex, but breaking it down into a series of steps can simplify the process:
  1. Assess your current software: Begin by evaluating your current invoicing software. Determine if it can generate eInvoices in the required format (usually PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0) and if it is compatible with compatible with eInvoicing in Australia and New Zealand.
  2. Choose an Access Point provider if your software doesn’t already: If your software doesn't have an Access Point in the background, select an accredited Peppol Access Point Provider to facilitate your eInvoicing transactions. These providers act as intermediaries, ensuring secure and compliant transmission of eInvoices between your business and government agencies.
  3. Upgrade your software: If necessary, make the required adjustments or upgrades to your invoicing software to generate eInvoices compatible with the Peppol eInvoicing framework. Your software Provider can guide you in this process.
  4. Register on the Peppol network: Register your business on the Peppol network. This involves obtaining a Peppol ID which is normally just your ABN or NZBN, which uniquely identifies your business for eInvoicing transactions. You should already have a Peppol ID.
  5. Test Transactions if your software isn’t already eInvoicing enabled: If your software isn’t already eInvoicing enabled, you may need to conduct test transactions with your chosen Access Point Provider to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.
  6. Communicate with your government clients: Inform your government clients that you are ready to send eInvoices through the Peppol network. Coordinate with them to ensure a smooth transition.
  7. Implement eInvoicing as standard: Once you've completed these steps, make eInvoicing your standard invoicing method for government transactions. You may also have other customers, not in government, who can also receive eInvoices.

Benefits beyond compliance

eInvoicing can enhance your efficiency, reduce administrative costs, minimise errors, and facilitate faster payments. Plus, it positions your business as a forward-thinking and compliant partner, potentially opening doors to more government contracts and business opportunities.Want to learn more about signing up to eInvoicing with your government customers? Get in touch with our team below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Getting the most out of your onboarding for eInvoicing

Onboarding your suppliers to eInvoicing can be a challenge – there’s often little knowledge about it, suppliers are time-poor and it’s just not high on their priority list. Some of our customers have been hugely successful, achieving and even exceeding their onboarding goals, so we know that being prepared for your onboarding project is critical.

Segment your suppliers

We often suggest staging your onboarding. Businesses often start with their larger-volume suppliers, or if they know who, those who are already eInvoicing enabled. This is often a quick win and can provide insights to improve the process with your other suppliers. For example, stage 1 could be those already eInvoicing enabled and setting a timeline of up to three months.

Find out more about your suppliers’ eInvoicing capability

It pays to find out what software your suppliers are using. By finding this out you can learn if the software they’re using is eInvoicing capable already. There are a few ways you can do this:
  1. Take a look at the emails they use to send you PDF invoices today
  2. Survey your suppliers
  3. Search for you supplier’s ABN or NZBN in the Peppol directory.

Prepare your communications

You’ve segmented your suppliers now it’s time to get in touch with them. It’s important to use different channels and focus on educating your suppliers and giving them time to prepare. So in your communications you should include a few things:
  • what eInvoicing is and what the benefits are
  • explain how they can get started, mention what software is eInvoicing enabled and don’t forget we provide a free service, Colladium
  • be clear about what you need them to do like the date you want them to start sending eInvoices and the fields they need to include
  • stick to simple terminology
  • promote incentives that you can offer suppliers to entice them to implement eInvoicing.

Now, start writing

There are a few types of communications that you need to put together. You have a communication for each of these stages:
  • First email describing what eInvoicing is and the benefits and what’s next in the eInvoicing implementation.
  • Another email about when you’re ready to onboard a supplier
  • When a supplier hasn’t started sending eInvoices

Go beyond just email communications

Get help from others

Determine the touch points of your suppliers within your business – your procurement team, your finance team, account managers or someone else. Educate these people so they know what eInvoicing is, its benefits to your suppliers and any other important information, so they can reiterate the message when speaking with suppliers. Not only does this help with creating more transparency of the process internally but also helps get more insights from those who are dealing with suppliers on a day to day.

Use various communication methods

Think about using communications methods such as:
  • Webinars to teach suppliers what eInvoicing is, its benefits and how to get started. It could be worth even going through the process for those who use the major accounting packages, so they can see just how easy it is.
  • Create an email signature that reminds suppliers to send eInvoices.
  • Adding a note to your purchase orders, like a banner in the PDF and/or a message in the email you send, is a good way to get the message across to the right person.
  • Add a page on your website about eInvoicing.

Consider your business-as-usual plan

You’ll need to consider your business-as-usual plan, or your plan for onboarding new suppliers. Make sure to include that eInvoices are used so this is clearly communicated to new suppliers.Want to learn more about onboarding suppliers to eInvoicing? Get in touch with our team below or download the our whitepaper here.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Ensuring Secure eInvoicing: Safeguarding Your Financial Data

In today's digital world, eInvoicing has emerged as a cutting edge technology for businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Streamlining the invoicing process, it offers numerous benefits such as faster payments, reduced errors, and improved efficiency. However, with the growing adoption of eInvoicing, ensuring the security and privacy of financial data has become more crucial than ever. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of security and data privacy in eInvoicing, shedding light on the measures businesses should take to safeguard their financial information and build trust in this transformative invoicing method.

The importance of data security in eInvoicing

In an era of advanced cyber threats and data breaches, prioritising the security of sensitive financial data is paramount. eInvoicing involves the electronic exchange of confidential financial information between buyers and suppliers. But the Peppol network, which is governed by the ATO and MBIE here in Australia and New Zealand, govern the eInvoicing network and have measures in place that each Access Point must adhere to. At MessageXchange, we take security even further to maintain the integrity of your business and protect your stakeholders' trust.

Encryption: the first line of defence

One of the fundamental security measures in eInvoicing is encryption. This process involves encoding the data during transmission, ensuring that only authorised parties can decipher the information. Implementing robust encryption protocols helps prevent unauthorised access and eavesdropping during data transfer, safeguarding your financial data from potential breaches.

Secure data storage

Beyond secure transmission, it’s equally important to focus on secure data storage. Access Points in particular should adopt secure servers and data centres that comply with industry standards for safeguarding data. Regular backups and stringent access controls must be in place to minimise the risk of data loss or unauthorised access. All MessageXchange data is securely stored in Australia and regularly backed up by our Australian-based team.

Compliance with data protection laws

Compliance with data protection laws, such as the Australian Privacy Act and the New Zealand Privacy Act, is non-negotiable. Businesses engaged in eInvoicing must understand and adhere to the legal obligations regarding the collection, storage, and use of personal and financial data. Being compliant not only ensures data security but also enhances your reputation as a responsible entity.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a powerful way to enhance the security of your eInvoicing system. By requiring users to provide two or more forms of identification before accessing the system, MFA adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorised access attempts. MessageXchange uses MFA, giving more security to our customers’ accounts.

Selecting trusted eInvoicing partners

When choosing an eInvoicing Access Point, it is crucial to conduct due diligence. Look for reputable companies with a proven track record in data security and compliance. Seek out providers, like MessageXchange, that adhere to industry standards and certifications, such as ISO 27001, to ensure the highest level of protection for your financial data.Want to learn more about eInvoicing for you business? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

The role of access points in eInvoicing

eInvoicing has emerged as a game-changer in streamlining invoicing processes around the world. One key element facilitating the adoption of Peppol eInvoicing is the presence of service providers, or Access Points. Read on to see what they are and why they’re important.

Facilitating connectivity

Access Points act as intermediaries, connecting businesses to the eInvoicing network. They provide the technical infrastructure and expertise to integrate with the Peppol network and exchange eInvoices between trading partners.

Ensuring compliance

Access Points play a vital role in ensuring compliance with Peppol eInvoicing standards set by the OpenPeppol and the local Peppol authorities, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). This ensures that eInvoices exchanged between you and your customers and suppliers meet the required standards, including data structure, formatting and security protocols.

Data validation and enrichment

Some Access Points offer features that enhance the quality and accuracy of eInvoices. Through automated validation, they can check invoice data for accuracy, ensuring that it meets the necessary requirements and is error-free. Access Points may also offer enrichment capabilities, such as automatically populating missing information or validating invoice line items against relevant catalogues, improving efficiency and reducing manual efforts.

Integration with existing systems

Integrating eInvoicing with existing accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can be seen as a challenge. Service providers understand this challenge and offer solutions that seamlessly integrate with businesses' existing software infrastructure. This integration enables businesses to generate eInvoices directly from their existing accounting systems, eliminating the need for manual data entry or switching between multiple platforms.

Supplier onboarding and support

Service providers assist businesses in onboarding their suppliers onto the eInvoicing network. They offer guidance and support, helping suppliers understand the benefits of eInvoicing and providing tools for seamless onboarding. We offer our customers and their suppliers a free eInvoicing portal, Colladium, so suppliers can easily create and send eInvoices from a web browser. MessageXchange also use dedicated customer support teams based in Australia to address any technical issues or queries that businesses or their trading partners may encounter during their eInvoicing journey.

Access Point providers are crucial enablers in the successful adoption of eInvoicing in Australia and New Zealand. Their expertise, infrastructure, and support facilitate connectivity, ensure compliance, enhance data quality, enable system integration, and provide assistance throughout the onboarding process. By partnering with a reliable Access Point, businesses can accelerate their eInvoicing implementation, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen relationships with trading partners.

Why choose MessageXchange?

  • Experience
    Over 20 years' experience in eInvoicing and EDI, providing automation services for some of Australia's largest companies.
  • Onboarding solutions
    We offer Colladium for free so you can easily onboard your suppliers and customers to send and receive e-invoices.
  • Based in Australia
    Local support, account management and technical teams.

Getting started

[vc_column width="1/3"]

Check your software

[vc_column width="1/3"]

Our team connects you to the Peppol eInvoicing network

[vc_column width="1/3"]

Go live!

Ready to implement eInvoicing in your business or want to learn more? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Understanding the eInvoicing Framework in Australia and New Zealand

Being introduced to any new form of technology can be confusing. It can sometimes seem like a magical sphere where things just happen. So, let’s learn about the eInvoicing framework used here in Australia and New Zealand.

How eInvoicing works

eInvoicing enables organisations to send and receive invoices electronically, directly to and from their software. It removes the need for unnecessary data entry and inaccurate OCR scanning. eInvoicing in Australia and New Zealand is provided through a network of interoperable Access Points, like MessageXchange, conforming to the Peppol standard that has been adopted around the world. More on that later. eInvoicing happens through a four-corner model, where corners one and four are the supplier and customer, and corners two and three are Access Points. Access Points connect to each other to exchange eInvoices. You can think of it like a telephone network – your phone and your friend’s phone are corners one and four, and your network provider (like Telstra, Optus or Vodafone) are corners two and three.

How eInvoicing works

There are a few different parties involved in eInvoicing in Australia and New Zealand, so it helps to know what each does.

Peppol/OpenPeppol

Peppol is the international framework for eProcurement developed by a not-for-profit association, OpenPeppol. Think the four-corner model described above. The framework describes the file format that will be exchanged between Access Points (UBL) and the way that access points will connect to each other (AS4). It also outlines finer details, like how the SML and SMPs are used in the process. These are databases that are looked up to determine where to send the invoice to. The Peppol framework is used in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific. In 2019, the Australian Government adopted the Peppol framework.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

The ATO acts as the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the implementation and compliance of eInvoicing practices. The ATO has worked closely with industry stakeholders and government agencies to establish standards and guidelines for eInvoicing.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

MBIE in New Zealand plays a significant role in promoting and facilitating the adoption of eInvoicing. MBIE is responsible for developing policies and regulations related to eInvoicing. It operates in a similar way to the ATO in Australia.

Software providers

Software providers, in this case those who handle invoices, can develop and update their software to integrate with the Peppol network, enabling businesses to generate, send, and receive eInvoices seamlessly. These software providers often work in collaboration with the ATO and Access Points to ensure compliance and interoperability. Want to learn more about eInvoicing basics? Check out our whitepaper.Ready to implement eInvoicing in your business or want to learn more? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

eInvoicing benefits

Electronic innovation is becoming more and more prominent in recent times as we see businesses look for ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. One of the innovations with prominence at the moment is eInvoicing. Here's how eInvoicing works: It involves sending and receiving invoices electronically, directly to and from their software. It removes the need for unnecessary data entry and inaccurate OCR scanning.

Benefits for buyers

Most businesses think eInvoicing only benefits the seller, but that’s not true. There’s a lot of good stuff for buyers too:
  • Time and cost savings eInvoicing eliminates the need for manual data entry because invoices pop straight into your software. This also reduces the likelihood of errors, which can lead to further costs and delays.
  • Improved accuracy eInvoicing helps ensure invoices are accurate and complete , reducing the likelihood of disputes between buyers and suppliers. How? Well, eInvoices go straight into your software, so there’s no need to manually enter them in. Not only is it harder to make errors, you reduce the risk of fraudulent invoices too! Anyone who sends an eInvoice via the Peppol network needs to be registered.
  • Increased visibility eInvoicing makes it easier for businesses to keep track of invoices and reduces the chance of losing invoices, which can delay payment and impact your supplier relationships . This is because your software keeps your invoice activity and purchase orders all in the one place.
  • Reduced environmental impact eInvoicing reduces paper usage and helps to lower carbon emissions associated with paper-based invoicing, which can be important for buyers looking to reduce their environmental impact.

Benefits for sellers

In the current economic climate, efficiency is key so here are some of the main benefits eInvoicing can bring:
  • Faster payment processing eInvoicing allows sellers to send invoices to their customers quickly and easily, which can lead to faster payment processing and improved cash flow.
  • Reduced manual processing eInvoicing reduces a lot of manual processing by using your software to create and instantly send invoices to your buyers. No need to create invoices in your software then download a PDF and then put together an email. The other good thing is that eInvoicing shows the status of an invoice so the need for your customers to follow up with you is reduced.
  • Increased visibility eInvoicing provides sellers with real-time access to invoice status and payment information, like when an invoice has been approved and when it has been paid.

Steps to get started

  1. Find out if your existing software is eInvoicing-capable
  2. If not, talk to an eInvoicing service provider like MessageXchange
    • Fill in a form with your business details and choose which products works best for you
    • Get connected to MessageXchange
    • Start exchanging eInvoices
Need more help getting ready for eInvoicing? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Setting your business up for eInvoicing

The benefits of eInvoicing are becoming more and more enticing to businesses in these tricky times. Understanding the benefits is one thing but taking the next steps to getting started is a different story, at least that’s what businesses may believe. Here are steps, in straightforward terms, to set your business up for eInvoicing.

Look at your business

Define your objectives

There are a few things to do when getting started. The first is to define your objectives for implementing eInvoicing. These could be reducing manual processes, complying with partners’ eInvoicing requests, increasing cash flow or something else. Knowing these from the get-go will help keep your business on track.

Review your business processes

The next thing is to look at your business processes. Think about:
  • How many invoices are you processing?
  • Do you plan to send invoices, receive them, or both?
  • Do you exchange invoices with suppliers or customers who are overseas?
  • What are your current processes for receiving invoices, approving them, making payments, reporting and reconciling?
You can then use this information to tailor your eInvoicing solution to best suit you.

Get relevant internal departments involved

One internal department taking control over your eInvoicing project is not ideal. One, it prioritises the needs of one team over others, that’s not very collaborative. Two, there’s no transparency and understanding across the organisation about the project. There are three main departments that are generally involved in an eInvoicing project: Finance
  • They’ll be working directly with eInvoicing by switching from receiving paper or PDF invoices. They’ll be acting on the eInvoices that end up in your software so it’s important for them to have a say and understand how it works.
IT
  • eInvoicing works through your software so your IT team needs to be part of the process. They can help with a lot of the technical stuff working directly with your eInvoicing provider.
Management
  • Those involved in compliance and reporting or the handling of master data can benefit from eInvoicing. It gives these decision makers visibility of procurement and payment information.

Getting your software ready

Have a look at your software to see if they already provide Peppol eInvoicing as an option. If so, find out whether it would require and update or an additional cost. If your software isn’t ready, that’s not a problem, you can work with an eInvoicing service provider and Access Point like MessageXchange. They’ll be able to help you with all the file and connection protocol requirements to get you connected. All you generally need is the ability to import and/or export some sort of invoice file.

Testing messages

For businesses implementing e-invoicing there is some testing required before you can send and receive e-invoices. This is where help from your IT team will come in handy. One requirement is connectivity testing with your Access Point to ensure you can both exchange messages correctly. Testing is also performed on your file to ensure it is correctly structured.Need more help getting ready for eInvoicing? Ask our experts by getting in touch below.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

Five automated checks in MessageXchange to get the invoices you need the first time around

Many large organisations have processes setup in their accounts payables systems to review invoices and approve them for payment. Often the rules are quite complex and can rely on certain information being present on the invoice for the process to run effectively. Introducing eInvoicing can appear to throw a spanner in the works here, but with MessageXchange, it can make it even easier in automating the presence and validity of the data. Have a look at these tips to help you get the invoice you need the first time around.

1. Ensure a purchase order number is present

If your invoice matching requires a purchase order number to be present, MessageXchange can check that it’s there before sending the invoice onto your software. If it’s not, MessageXchange can automatically reject the invoice and send feedback to the supplier with information as to why it was rejected. Another alternative is to still receive the eInvoice in your software but send a notification to the supplier to ask them to include the order number on their future eInvoices.

2. Ensure the purchase order number is correct

This can be done in a couple of ways – you can check that the order number has the same format of those you issue, like always 10 digits, or starting with certain numbers, or you can even share (automatically, of course) a list of your order numbers from your software, and MessageXchange will check that it matches, before sending the invoice onto you. We can even go one step further and check that the purchase order number and ABN combination are correct.

3. Only receive eInvoices from ABNs you know

Our customers can provide a list of their suppliers’ ABNs. When an eInvoice for the customer comes in, MessageXchange can check the sender ABN against this list. Again, if it matches, we’ll send it onto you. And if not, we can reject it and notify the supplier, or continue to send it onto you while notifying the supplier.

4. Check the BSB and account number

Some invoice approval processes check the BSB and account numbers on the invoice. You can check for correct formatting, or even ensure they match those you have on file. When an eInvoice comes through, MessageXchange can check for these to make sure you get only the eInvoices that you’ll be able to process.

5. Mandate attachments from certain suppliers

If you use an outsourced HR company, for example, and expect timesheets with your invoices, MessageXchange can check that eInvoices from certain ABNs always have an attachment. We can even go one further to specify that the attachment must always be an Excel sheet, for example.All of these checks, and more, can be implemented in your eInvoicing Gateway. These are just some examples, but the only real limitation is your imagination. Have a chat to our team today about how to make sure you get the invoices you want the first time around.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.

eInvoicing with MessageXchange in a nutshell

If you’re just starting out with eInvoicing, or looking for an eInvoicing provider, the process can be pretty daunting and confusing. The good news is, this blog is just for you. Keep reading to find out the A to Z of eInvoicing with MessageXchange.

What is eInvoicing?

For those really new to eInvoicing, have a look at this whitepaper that explains in layman’s terms what eInvoicing is, how it’s used, its benefits and more.Ok, now you’re all up to speed with the basics…

It doesn’t matter what software you use for invoicing

The good news with our eInvoicing service is that it doesn’t matter what invoicing software you use. Our service is software-agnostic, which means we can connect to any software. In the diagram above, your software will be corners 1 or 4. We’ll handle all the nitty gritty between corners 1 and 3 (for sending invoices) and corners 4 and 2 (for receiving invoices) so you don’t have to worry about any added stress of finding new software. After all, we all know what a process and investment changing software can be.

Your software doesn’t support UBL files? No worries

Now that you’re all up-to-date with eInvoicing, you’ll know that UBL is the file format used between Access Points (corners 2 and 3) to exchange eInvoices. In reality, many software packages don’t support this file format. And this is something we’ve catered for. We can take your software’s native file format and translate, or map, this to and from the eInvoicing UBL file. For those non-technical people reading this – usually a software package exports an imports one specific file format, like XML or JSON.

MessageXchange provides both Access Point and SMP services

The introduction to eInvoicing whitepaper describes how the eInvoicing process works. When an eInvoice is received at the sender’s Access Point, it looks up where to send the eInvoice to. This lookup is done in an SMP, or service metadata publisher. So, when you register to receive eInvoices, you’ll need to register your ABN, NZBN or whatever identifier you use, in an SMP. MessageXchange provides this service for free for all its eInvoicing customers so it’s one less thing you need to worry about.

Options to suit every business

We offer a couple of different eInvoicing options, which should suit most, if not all businesses out there.

eInvoicing Connect

This is the perfect option if you want to get up and running quickly and cost-effectively. This product can be used for sending and receiving eInvoices, or just one or the other. It also caters for business response messages, which is sent from a recipient of an eInvoice to a sender to update them on the status of the eInvoice, for example, whether it’s been accepted, rejected, paid and more. We’ve got an existing integration with TechnologyOne CiAnywhere, but if you’re not using that software, you can connect to MessageXchange via SFTP or our AS2 to exchange UBL, XML or CSV files. We have a message implementation guide for our XML and CSV files so you can familiarise yourself with the structure. When it comes to pricing, get setup for as little as $950, which includes registration of one ABN or NZBN. Then it’s just $50 per annum (this covers the subscription to our Access Point) and $50 for a pack of 1,000 credits. One credit covers 1MB of data or part thereof of a single message, including attachments. eInvoicing Connect users get access to a portal, which allows you to view a log of the invoices you’ve sent and received and you can see your credit balance too. Find out more about eInvoicing Connect here.

eInvoicing Gateway

If you’re going to be an eInvoicing power user, or are looking at eInvoicing more strategically, our eInvoicing Gateway is for you. It’s got much more flexibility in that we can connect to any software using any secure connection protocol to exchange any file format (MessageXchange configures maps to translate your format to/from the UBL format). Plus, it’s got additional functionality. Our Gateways allow you to implement business rule validation, which can do things like reject an invoice if it doesn’t have the data you need. It can also enrich invoice data, like adding an internal vendor number based on the ABN it’s sent from, to make sure the invoice data your software receives is what you need. The data enrichment can also cater for outgoing invoices. This helps if your software doesn’t populate all the mandatory eInvoicing information, or the information that your customers require from you. Another benefit of our eInvoicing Gateways is it’s reporting and analytics functionality. Get access to custom reports based on any data in the invoices and even call on data from other sources. One case we’ve seen is top-level reporting on multiple business units. The functionality is all there, but how you use it is really up to your imagination and your business’ needs. Find out more about our eInvoicing Gateways here.

Onboarding suppliers

Yes, getting setup for eInvoicing is the thing we think about first, but onboarding your trading partners is what you’ll turn your attention to once that’s done. With our 20+ years in supply chain trading, we’ve got a few tips at the ready. We’ve developed a guide to help you engage and onboard your supply chain. Plus, we’ve got no- and low-cost solutions for your trading partners to send and receive eInvoices. Just ask us more.

Security is a top priority

We know invoice data is commercially sensitive and that’s why we do everything within our power to keep it secure. We’re ISO27001 accredited, we use encryption in transit and encryption at rest plus a range of other security, DR and BCP processes. Have a look here for more info.Ready to find out more? Have a chat with one of our eInvoicing experts.

Request a call

Chat with one of our experts

Just fill out your details below and we'll be in touch within one business day.