Gartner defines the accounts payable applications market as cloud-based applications that enable corporate controllers and their teams to automatically manage supplier invoice processing, facilitate payments and support supplier master data management across one or more ERP applications. Organizations use accounts payable applications to improve their supplier invoice processing, payments and supplier master data management activities. They allow organizations to efficiently and confidently pay supplier invoices. These applications are modular cloud-based tools that customers can configure to deliver standard processes and integrate with one or more ERP applications. Additionally, they integrate with other operational tools, such as source-to-pay suites, partner networks, banks and payment service providers, while creating flexibility for suppliers to deliver supplier invoices. An example would be the collection and processing of supplier invoices using a digital mailroom, whereby data (structured and unstructured) is extracted from scanned documents and validated prior to approval for payment.
Gartner defines document management as the tools and practices used to capture, store, process and deliver documents and information in support of personal, team and enterprise needs. Gartner estimates that 70% to 90% of enterprise data is unstructured, posing a significant challenge for organizations that need to unlock its potential using AI and also mitigate the risks of poor information governance. Document management platforms are critical to enterprise application strategies that require AI-ready, unstructured data (aka enterprise content).