Small and medium-sized enterprises often operate with lean structures, organically grown processes, and an IT landscape that is built pragmatically rather than to a standard. As a result, the rollout of e-invoicing meets conditions that are only partly geared toward structured data processing. In practice, the challenges show up above all in a lack of resources and IT expertise, in inconsistent or outdated systems, and in poor master data quality. Manual processes and media discontinuities further complicate end-to-end automation. At the same time, there is often uncertainty about which legal and technical requirements actually have to be met, while differing specifications from customers and business partners drive up the implementation effort even more.

The “SMEs” Industry Center brings together companies that know these very questions from their day-to-day work with the industry association and application developers. Working together, typical challenges are addressed in a structured way and translated into a clear, comprehensible catalog of requirements. On this basis, concrete implementation recommendations are developed that are geared to the actual capabilities and conditions of SMEs. Companies that take part ensure that their own challenges are specifically taken into account. At the same time, the work produces practical results that give other SMEs a clear and reliable foundation for rolling out e-invoicing.

Key Focus Areas

Developing practical implementation approaches with limited resources

Assessing suitable system solutions for heterogeneous IT landscapes

Harmonizing master data and reducing manual processes

Clarifying legal and technical requirements in the SME context

Managing varying customer requirements and transmission channels