What is Procure-To-Invoice (P2I)? Definition

Procure-to-Invoice, or P2I, is a process in which a company buys goods or services and then raises an invoice to the customer. P2I usually starts with a purchase order (PO), which is an agreement between the buyer and seller that details the products or services being procured, the price, and the delivery date. Once the PO is accepted, the seller will begin work and send an invoice to the buyer when the work is completed. The P2I process can be simple or complex, depending on the size of the company and the nature of the goods or services being procured. For example, a small company might have a single P2I process for all its Procurement activities, while a large company might have separate P2I processes for each type of good or service it buys.

What is Procure-To-Invoice (P2I)?

Procure-to-invoice, or P2I, is the process of purchasing goods and services and then issuing an invoice to the vendor. The procure-to-invoice process usually includes creating a purchase order, receiving the goods or services, and then creating an invoice to send to the vendor.

P2I can be a time-consuming process, especially if you are manually processing invoices. However, there are software solutions that can automate and streamline the P2I process. By automating P2I, you can save time and reduce errors.

The Different Types of P2I

There are three different types of procure-to-invoice: direct, indirect, and services.

Direct procure-to-invoice is when a company purchases goods or materials directly from a supplier and then records the purchase as an invoice. This is the most common type of procure-to-invoice. Indirect procure-to-invoice is when a company purchases goods or materials indirectly from a supplier. This can happen if the company uses a purchasing agent or if the company buys goods or materials through another company. Services procure-to-invoice is when a company purchases services from another company. This can include things like consulting services, training services, or any other type of service that is not related to the purchase of goods or materials.

Pros and Cons of P2I

When it comes to Accounts Payable and Procure-To-Invoice, there are pros and cons to consider before automating your AP process.

On the plus side, P2I can help reduce processing time and improve accuracy by automating data entry and matching invoices to purchase orders. This can free up time for your AP staff to focus on more strategic tasks, such as supplier relationship management. In addition, P2I can provide visibility into spending trends and help you identify cost-saving opportunities.

There are a few potential drawbacks to P2I to keep in mind as well. First, it requires a significant upfront investment to implement an automated solution. Second, you’ll need to have systems in place to track purchase orders and match them up with invoices – if your systems aren’t already integrated, this can be a challenge. Finally, P2I won’t work well if you don’t have good data discipline – if your data is inaccurate or incomplete, the automation process will only magnify those problems.

Overall, the pros of P2I outweigh the cons for most companies. If you’re considering automating your AP process, speak with a solution provider about how P2I could work for you.

What Are the Steps in a P2I Process?

The procure-to-invoice or P2I process refers to the set of activities and tasks associated with procuring goods or services from vendors and suppliers and issuing invoices to customers for those goods or services.

The first step in the P2I process is to identify the goods or services that are needed by the organization. This can be done through a variety of means, including market research, customer surveys, and input from employees. Once the organization has a good understanding of what is needed, they can begin to develop criteria for vendor selection.

Once potential vendors have been identified, the organization will need to request quotes or proposals from each one. The quotes should be evaluated based on a number of factors, such as price, quality, delivery time, and terms of service. After narrowing down the list of vendors, the organization can choose one and enter into a contract.

The next step in the P2I process is to purchase the goods or services from the chosen vendor. The organization will need to provide the vendor with all of the necessary information, such as purchase order numbers, delivery addresses, and payment terms. Once the vendor has received everything they need, they will ship the goods or provide the service as agreed upon in the contract.

Once the purchased goods or services have been received by the organization, it is time to issue an invoice to the customer. The invoice should include all relevant information such as purchase order numbers, itemized charges,

How Can You Implement P2I In Your Business?

P2I, or procure-to-invoice, is a business process that encompasses the purchase of goods or services and the subsequent creation of an invoice for those goods or services.

The P2I process begins when a company identifies a need for a good or service. The company then sources suppliers and solicits quotes for the good or service. Once a supplier is selected, the company places an order with the supplier. The supplier ships the good or service to the company, and the company receives it and inspects it to ensure that it meets quality standards. Finally, the company creates an invoice for the good or service and sends it to the customer.

P2I can be implemented in any business that purchases goods or services from suppliers. To implement P2I, businesses should develop policies and procedures for sourcing suppliers, placing orders, receiving goods and services, inspecting them, and invoicing customers. They should also train their employees on these policies and procedures so that everyone understands how P2I works and knows how to properly carry out each step in the process.

Conclusion

Procure-to-invoice, also known as P2I, is a business process that encompasses the entire lifecycle of a purchase, from identifying a need or opportunity to receiving payment for the goods or services procured. In other words, it’s everything that happens between the time you identify something your business needs and the time you get paid for it. While procure-to-invoice might sound like a complex process, it can actually be broken down into a few simple steps: identifying a need or opportunity, sourcing suppliers, negotiating contracts, placing orders, receiving goods or services, invoicing customers, and collecting payments. By understanding and following these steps, you can streamline your own procure-to-invoice process and make things run more smoothly for your business.