In a world where digital transformation is increasingly important, Peppol is the standard for secure and standardized electronic invoicing. A Peppol Access Point is your gateway to this international network. But what exactly does this mean, and why is it essential for your business? In this article you will discover all about Peppol Access Points and why Nymus is the ideal partner for your e-invoicing needs.
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What is a Peppol Access Point?
A Peppol Access Point is a certified service that connects businesses and governments to the global Peppol network. It ensures that electronic documents, such as invoices, can be exchanged securely, quickly and in a standardized manner. The main tasks of a Peppol Access Point are:
- Ensuring compatibility: It uses open standards, such as UBL, to allow different systems to communicate seamlessly with each other.
- Secure data: It encrypts communications so that documents are protected from unauthorized access.
- Optimize processes: It automates document processing, minimizing manual errors and increasing efficiency.
How does a Peppol Access Point work
A Peppol Access Point is the technical intermediary that connects businesses and governments to the Peppol network. It ensures that electronic documents, such as invoices, can be sent and received securely and quickly in a standardized format (such as UBL or CII).
Each Access Point is tasked with facilitating communication between different systems, ensuring data security and compliance with Peppol specifications. Once a document reaches the Access Point, it is verified, validated and passed on to the recipient, be it a supplier, customer or government.
Peppol allows companies worldwide to communicate in a standardized way, regardless of their internal systems or software.
The benefits of a Peppol Access Point
With a Peppol Access Point, you benefit from:
- Cost reduction: automation saves time and money.
- Interoperability: communicate easily with partners regardless of their system.
- Regulation: effortlessly comply with international e-invoicing standards.
- Global reach: connect with customers and suppliers around the world.
Not every Peppol Access Point is the same: what are the differences?
Many organizations assume that every Peppol Access Point offers the same functionality. In reality, however, there are major differences in what an Access Point can and does. The tasks and capabilities depend heavily on your specific billing system and the level of integration you need. Below we explain the most important options:
Choice 1: provide Peppol-compatible documents yourself
If your IT teams themselves are responsible for delivering documents in the appropriate Peppol format (for example, UBL or CII), the Access Point only needs to forward these documents over the network. In this case, the Access Point acts as a pass-through point that ensures secure transmission and reception within the Peppol network.
Note that the Peppol format changes regularly, and your IT teams are responsible for keeping document formats up-to-date. This means they have to correct any errors and perform updates themselves to ensure that documents meet the latest Peppol specifications.
Choice 2: conversion by the Access Point.
If you don’t want to put an extra burden on your IT team to convert documents to a Peppol-compatible format, the Access Point can perform this conversion for you. This means:
- Your system provides an invoice or document in a proprietary format (e.g., XML, CSV or PDF).
- The Access Point converts this document to the standardized Peppol format, such as UBL.
This is an additional service not offered by all Access Points, so it is important to check if your chosen Access Point supports this functionality.
Choice 3: end-to-end automation
More advanced Access Points offer full integrations with your ERP or billing system. This means:
- The Access Point not only sends and receives documents, but also provides automated processing, including mapping and validation of data.
- The system feeds error messages or confirmations directly back to your ERP.
- Payment solutions and dunning solutions can be integrated into the same flow, so you only need to maintain one integration and one flow for both billing, payments and collections.
Peppol Access Points comparison: which one fits your organization best?
Choosing a Peppol Access Point depends on your specific needs:
Deliver documents yourself: is appropriate if your IT team is able to generate and maintain documents in the appropriate Peppol format.
Conversion by Access Point: is ideal if you want to relieve your IT team of the burden of converting and keeping Peppol formats up-to-date.
End-to-end automation: is the best option if you are looking for full automation of the process, including payments and thinning.
With Nymus, you can count on complete flexibility. Whether you just need a pass-through point, are looking for support in converting documents to Peppol format, or want complete integration and automation of your processes, we offer a solution that perfectly suits your specific needs.
Peppol ID and billing
When you choose a Peppol Access Point, your company is registered on the Peppol network. During this registration process, you will be assigned a unique Peppol ID. This ID is essential to comply with the upcoming Belgian e-invoicing legislation.
What is a Peppol ID
A Peppol ID is a unique identification number that companies and governments use to recognize each other within the Peppol network. The Peppol ID acts as a kind of digital address, allowing you to securely send and receive documents such as invoices. This ID is linked to your organization and is provided when you register at a Peppol Access Point.
The Peppol ID can be found in the Peppol directory, a global registry of all Peppol participants. This ensures that your organization can be easily found by other Peppol users, such as customers, suppliers or governments, and that invoices are sent to the correct address without confusion. The Peppol ID thus plays a crucial role in the efficient and reliable exchange of electronic documents within the Peppol network.
In our Peppol Lookup you can look up whether your Belgian customer is already registered on Peppol.
Why choose Nymus as your Peppol Access Point
Rapid implementation
Within 4 to 6 weeks you will be fully operational, with flawless ERP integration, with no interruptions.
Always compliant
Nymus automatically keeps your billing in line with the latest legislation and Peppol requirements, so you don't have to worry.
Full control
With our dashboard, you always have visibility into the status of your invoices and can make quick adjustments where necessary, so you don't miss any opportunities or risks.
Cost savings
Automate repetitive tasks and reduce costs while significantly speeding up and making your financial processes more efficient.
Local support
Our support team in Belgium is always readily available for fast, personal assistance - with no waiting times or call centers.
Want to know more about our Peppol Access Point?
Want to learn more about our Peppol Access Point and how it can support your organization? Contact us for a personal discussion, and we'll be happy to help you find the best solution for your business.
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