Dynamics AP Automation: Dynamics AP Automation Analyzed: 5 Solutions & 500+ Reviews
Microsoft Dynamics finance is an ERP vendor with a finance automation solution including capabilities in:
Though Dynamics provides a broad range of AP automation capabilities, these capabilities can be improved with add-ons such as PairSoft that can increase AP automation levels and ease of use.
Explore Dynamics’ key features, insights from case studies and reviews, and how to utilize native ERP integrations to improve accounts payable process automation.
5 Solutions integrate with Dynamics in AP automation
Vendor | Key Features | Product Integration | Price |
---|---|---|---|
PaperSave for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations | -Document capture -Document storing in cloud -Data extraction -Validation -Approval | -Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management -Dynamics 365 Operations -Dynamics 365 Finance | Not publicly shared |
Basware Accounts Payable Automation | -Network with 220+ e-invoicing partners -Offers e-invoicing or PDF invoices -Process both PO or non-PO invoices by matching standard PO, blanket PO | -Dynamics 365 Finance -Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management -Dynamics 365 Business Central | Not publicly shared |
AvidXchange AP & Payment Automation | -PO Matching (2-way and 3-way) -Variety of payment methods -Create an unlimited number of custom workflows | -Dynamics 365 Business Central -Dynamics GP | Not publicly shared |
Medius AP Automation for Dynamics | -Invoice capture with single user interface -Multi-POs and PO lines matching -For non-PO invoices: learn as you go AI -Mobile capability to review and approve invoices | -Dynamics 365 Finance -Dynamics 365 Business Central | $2,499/month |
Esker Accounts Payable Automation for Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O | -Supplier management tools -mobile reach -analyzes data from RFQs/IFBs | -Dynamics 365 Finance | Not publicly shared |
Overview of Microsoft Dynamics
Accounts payable automation is crucial for the continuity of financial processes. Deploying AP automation constitutes 41% of the incoming agenda of businesses. 71% of AP leaders see it as one of the most important factors affecting AP performance.1
Dynamics GP
Dynamics GP is a business management solution for small to mid-sized organizations. Its focus is mainly on financial management and automation. It offers capabilities in AP automation such as:
- invoice processing
- payment scheduling
- vendor management.
Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 is one of the key players in the ERP market. It has contributed $5.4 billion to Microsoft’s revenue as of 2023, growing faster than most other product categories.2
Features & key capabilities in AP automation
Dynamics 365 Finance improves accounts payable processes by accommodating invoice capture in various formats, both digital and manual. As with some of the other AP automation software, its main focus is invoice processing & automation. Features such as coding, and error resolution are also included in their catalog. Some of the key capabilities regarding Dynamics AP automation are:
Invoice automation
Dynamics Finance can automatically process vendor invoices received in various formats, including email and electronic invoicing networks. In the cases where Azure AI & integrated platform environments are not involved, Dynamics 365 offers embedded invoice capture solutions with OCR like APAI solutions. For the options available in the current version of Dynamics 365 finance, see Figure 2:
Source3
Figure 2: Options available in Dynamics 365 finance for invoice capturing.
Vendor management
Dynamics’ system allows for management of vendor information such as payment terms, agreements, and historical data. Users can also benefit from features such as creating vendor groups (Figure 3).
Source:4
Figure 3. A sample action of creating a vendor group through Dynamics 365 finance.
Three-way matching
Dynamics supports a three-way match system. Purchase orders (POs), receipts, and incoming invoices are basic components of the process.
Payment automation
Dynamics 365 finance automates payment processing by scheduling payments, electronic fund transfers (Figure 4). It also allows the management of multiple payment methods and currencies.
Source:5
Figure 4: An example of scheduling payment processes through Dynamics 365 finance.
Workflow approvals
Dynamics mostly offer customizable workflow capabilities. This way, invoice data and payments go through the proper approval processes.
Expense management
The module includes tools for managing and reimbursing employee expenses.
Financial insights
Dynamics 365 Finance provides real-time insights and analytics on financial data. Businesses can track their & vendor actions through business central. (See Figure 5)
Source:6
Figure 5: Dynamics 365 Business Central
For overall services provided by Dynamics 365 finance, see:
Source:7
Figure 6. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance overall features.
Native integrations to improve Dynamics’ AP capabilities
Sponsored: PairSoft with its native Dynamics integration can increase automation levels in different Dynamics ERP solutions such as Dynamics SL, GP, NAV and Dynamics 365:
- Dynamics SL: Optimized for project-based businesses, offering strong project and financial management tools.
- Dynamics GP: For small to mid-sized businesses, providing broad financial and HR management capabilities.
- Dynamics NAV: Currently Dynamics 365 Business Central, targets small to mid-sized businesses as well, but with a focus on adaptability to support various industries with business management features.
PairSoft, with products like PaperSave can enhance AP automation and document management in Dynamics family of products by:
- capturing documents in numerous different ways (e.g. ScanLater allows matching multiple physical documents to existing transactions, Outlook integration enables capturing invoices in emails)
- establishing connection through APIs that will allow you to build a workflow between different SaaS applications
- tracking changes on documents
- exporting query specific document data to excel
- scanning invoices with mobile phones thanks to OCR
- enabling structured & unstructured searches
Explore PairSoft’s AP automation capabilities in Dynamics 365 or Dynamics GP and other Dynamics solutions.
Pros of Dynamics 365
Integration with other modules: Dynamics 365 is integrated with other modules and third-party applications. As pointed out in customer stories, this can improve the overall functionality and data coherence.
Source:8
Figure 7: Integration capabilities of Dynamics 365.
Apart from its comprehensive tools, users also liked the features below.
Source: 9
Figure 8: Dynamics 365 Business Central pros.
Cons of Dynamics 365
Manual process in POs: Users stated that some processes still include manual tasks such as PO data entry and removing completed POs. Other than this, the most complained features of Dynamics 365 are given below:
Source:10
Figure 9: Dynamics Business Central cons.
Dynamics 365 pricing structure
Although Dynamics 365 offers different payment plans in some processes, the overall payment plan is as follows:
Source:11
Figure 10: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance.
The AP automation process can sometimes result in the use of other services in Microsoft environments. The pricing of related products are given in the figure below:
Figure 11: Dynamics 365 Pricing in related products.
Analysis of 5 vendors
1- PaperSave for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations
PaperSave natively integrates with various Dynamics 365 products as given in table above.The features of PaperSave that can extend Dynamics AP automation are:
- PaperSave offers 13 different ways of capturing documents. It can deliver documents through scanners, fax, email, printing, recapturing, drag and dropping, attaching and Microsoft Office/Outlook integration.
- You can retrieve documents with relevant queries with a click. Information, including hyperlinks to each document, can be exported to Excel. This can facilitate the audit process.
- PaperSave allows you to search content whether structured and unstructured. It has a similar mechanism of Google search engine that uses record & user values.
- PaperSave can be used in mobile devices. You can control documents & capture invoices with OCR via your mobile device.
Figure 12. User Review on PaperSave & Dynamics AP integration. Source: G2.12
2- Basware Accounts Payable Automation
Along with invoice scanning and procurement solutions, Basware offers an AP automation specific solution for Dynamics.13
The prominent features offered for Dynamics are:
- With SmartCode, users can route invoices to the authorized people with PO and invoice data. Feature also includes automatic coding templates that can help with validation
- Users can set up automatic payments for recurring non-PO invoices using schedules, budgets, or self-billing payment plans.
- Basware offers a global network with 220+ e-invoicing partners. This can help receiving invoices from different vendors in a centralized way.
Figure 13. User Review on Basware’s ERP Integration Capabilities. Source Gartner. 14
3- AvidXchange AP & Payment Automation
Avidxchange offers an API integration with Dynamics. The features can extend Dynamics’s AP automation are:
- You can create as many custom workflows as you need to replicate your existing approval process.
- With the API integration, the data between Dynamics and Avidxchange is automatically synchronized.
- You can convert your checks to e-payments.
- Avidxchange offers a variety of payment options including MasterCard; AvidPay checks; or AvidPay Direct.15
Figure 14. User Review on Avidxchange & Dynamics integration. Source: Microsoft Marketplace.16
4- Medius Accounts Payable for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations
Medius offers built-in integration with Dynamics. The solutions offered for Dynamics AP automation are:
- Medius offers a mobile application with OCR that allows users to capture invoices & create requisitions with mobile devices.
- Medius automatically distributes invoices for review and approval
- Users can manage invoice periods with automation for monthly recurring routines
- Medius integrates with all Dynamics ERPs, including AX, GP, NAV, and D365.
Figure 15. Medius integration with Dynamics Review. Source: Gartner. 17
5-Esker Accounts Payable Automation
Esker offers end-to-end & pre-built integration with Dynamics 365. Solutions that can extend Dynamics AP automation includes:
- Esker’s mobile app, Esker Anywhere™, allows managers to review, approve, and reject purchase requisitions and supplier invoices.
- Within a Dynamics 365 workflow, Esker allows for the electronic processing of both PO and non-PO invoices, including invoice verification, approval, and automatic posting. It can also automatically generate and confirm sales orders.
- Esker offers a suite that can directly integrate with: Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (cloud) and Dynamics 365 Business Central.
5 things to consider while choosing AP automation solution for Dynamics
Integration: The AP automation software should integrate with -several- Dynamics products. This can facilitate synchronization and data accuracy across systems in cases such as managing multiple invoices and pending vendor invoice lines.
Automation capabilities: Evaluate the software’s ability to automate the entire tasks embedded in the accounts payable process to avoid manual data entry and vendor-lock-in.
Scalability: Consider whether the AP automation solution can scale with your business needs and if they can handle an increasing volume of transactions and data without performance loss.
Compliance: Assess the software’s compliance with industry regulations
Support and usability: Determine the level of customer support offered and the software’s ease of use. Adaptability for your accounts payable team with a minimum training is also a pro.
Dynamics 365 case studies
Columbia Sportswear Company
Columbia Sportswear, dedicated to equipping people for the outdoors with its range of apparel, footwear, and accessories has adopted Microsoft Azure along with Dynamics 365 Finance, and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management to streamline its operations. Columbia utilized tools such as IT data centers, warehouse inventory and point-of-sale systems. This move proved beneficial during record-breaking holiday sales in 2019 and provided corporate resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment in cloud technology has enhanced Columbia’s business performance overall.18
Bel Fuse
Bel Power Solutions switched from a relatively costly ERP system to Microsoft Dynamics 365. This move automated their financial operations and improved supply chain visibility, saving them nearly $2 million annually in IT services. Dynamics 365 also allowed Bel Fuse to handle more finance tasks in-house, like managing an Italian site’s finances from Slovakia, leading to further cost reductions. This new system is less customized, ensuring future flexibility.19
Alterra Mountain Company
Alterra Mountain Company, which initially merged four companies with seven different ERP systems, adopted Dynamics 365 to unify its financial and operational management. This transition allowed them to have a single financial system and a consistent view of customer interactions across various locations.
They standardized on a single chart of accounts, and thus achieved consistent financial reporting throughout the company. Alterra further streamlined their procure-to-pay process using Dynamics 365 with the aim to improve buying efficiency and implement centralized procurement, which increased POs and reduced supplier numbers significantly. This system provided a comprehensive view of procurement across all units. Additionally, the use of Dynamics 365’s expense management features has simplified expense submissions for about 900 users.20
Kinara Capital
Before implementing Dynamics 365 finance, Kinara was uploading 100,000 transactions that took nearly two hours each day. After the implementation, the company was able to handle four times as many transactions in the same duration without needing additional resources. Tasks such as managing prepaid loans, fixed assets, and fixed deposits were also automated. Rojinn Anto, VP-Accounts at Kinara Capital, highlights another feature of Dynamics 365 as a crucial tool: transition to remote work in the pandemic. The platform ensured cloud integration, maintaining timely deliverables and quality standards.21
Hampton Products
Hampton Products utilized Dynamics 365 Finance in the accounting procedures such as:
- speed up the financial transactions
- improving precision and security in transactions
- accessing real-time financial and operational data
This way, the company eliminated the need to wait for offline business cycles. Dynamics also helped Hampton in accurate forecasting and detailed inventory cost models with a clear view of the total inventory value, including items in warehouses or in transit. Further benefits of Dynamics 365 Finance were the management of fixed assets, revenue deferment, and year-end closing processes.22
Further Reading
- In-Depth Guide to Accounts Payable (AP) Automation
- Accounts Payable (AP) Automation Tools Benchmarking
- 5 AI Applications in Accounts Payable (AP) Processes
- Automated Invoice Validation: Benefits & Use Cases
- Finance Automation: What It Is, Best Tools & 6 Processes
- Enterprise Invoice Processing: 4 Guidelines & 3 Solutions
- 7 Vic.AI Alternatives to Automate Accounting
- Top 10 ReadSoft Alternatives / Competitors
- Top 10 Kofax Alternatives/Competitors
- 14 Rossum AI Competitors/Alternatives
External Links
- 1. “Ardent Partners’ Accounts Payable Metrics that Matter in 2023” January 24, 2024.
- 2. “Microsoft is touting the size and growth rate of its Salesforce rival Dynamics” January 24, 2024.
- 3. “ Install the Invoice capture solution – Finance | Dynamics 365 | Microsoft Learn” January 24, 2024.
- 4. “Create vendor groups” January 24, 2024.
- 5. “ Payment Days” January 24, 2024.
- 6. “Payables Reports” January 24, 2024.
- 7. “ Contoso Coffee Demo Dataset (US)” January 24, 2024.
- 8. “ Enhance business performance agility with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance Premium” January 24, 2024.
- 9. “G2 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Reviews 2024: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2 ” January 24, 2024.
- 10. “G2. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Reviews 2024: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2 ” January 24, 2024.
- 11. “ Dynamics 365 Finance pricing” January 24, 2024.
- 12. “Pairsoft & Dynamics Review” Retrieved on May 14, 2024.
- 13. “Dynamics Basware Integration” Retrieved on May 14, 2024.
- 14. “Basware ERP Integration Review” Retrieved on May 14, 2024.
- 15. “Avidxchange Dynamics integration” Retrieved on May 14, 2024.
- 16. “Avidxchange Reviews” Retrieved on May 14, 2024.
- 17. “Medius AP integration with D365” Retrieved on May 14, 2024.
- 18. “Microsoft Customer Stories Search” January 24, 2024.
- 19. “ Microsoft Customer” January 24, 2024.
- 20. “ Microsoft Customer Stories Search” January 24, 2024.
- 21. “ Microsoft Customer Stories Search” January 24, 2024.
- 22. “ Microsoft Customer Story-Hampton secures warehouse efficiency with Dynamics 365” January 24, 2024.
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