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Resources   /   Glossary

What is an Automated Billing System

An automated billing system enables users to automate their billing process. Rather than having to stamp and mail paper bills, you can pay your vendors online with the click of a button. Your billing and invoicing process can be vastly simplified with automation tools, which is why most businesses pay their bills electronically. With automated billing systems, you can eliminate manual processing costs and manage your bills in a single, centralized platform, instead of having to sort through stacks of paper invoices.

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What is an Automated Billing System?

An automated billing system is a software-based solution that automates the process of invoicing and collecting payments from customers. This system replaces manual billing methods, such as paper invoices and manual data entry, with automated workflows that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and speed in the billing cycle. Automated billing systems are commonly used by businesses of all sizes to manage their invoicing, payment, and revenue collection processes.

Types of Automated Billing Systems

There are many types of automated billing systems. For instance, you can choose between a stand-alone or a bundled package. Stand-alone software can be used independently, while bundled systems offer integration options and a wider range of features. Also, different types of software offer different tools. Invoice software is specifically designed to help users sort and approve invoices, while billing software is used to actually make payments. Some types work best for large businesses, while others are geared towards smaller companies. Researching different software types and comparing your options can help you make the best decision for your business so that you can get started automating your accounts payable process and, ultimately, improving your workflow.

Automated Billing Systems Example

Billing automation can be achieved in several ways, but the most common way to automate the billing process is through an automated billing system. One billing system example would be a software platform designed to sort bills by type so that users can get their bills paid according to due date, vendor, or otherwise. As opposed to a manual billing system, an automated system completes tasks electronically. For example, you can schedule payments so that they are automatically approved on a certain date. This prevents you from having to go into the system and manually pay each bill every time a deadline rolls around. Needless to say, you can save a lot of time by managing your AP process with an automated system.

Automated Billing System Software

There are several uses for automated billing system software, but its main purpose is to help users automate their billing process via scheduled payments, quick transfers, and more. It can also be used to automate invoices. While automated software can be useful for many types of businesses, it is perhaps best utilized by companies with complex AP processes. The more bills you have to manage, the more you can benefit from automation tools.

When shopping around for the best recurring billing software, it’s important to pay close attention to the details. For instance, what features are offered with each platform, and do they allow for scalability? You want to be able to scale your software as your business needs evolve. You might also check to see whether or not the software in question is compatible with your existing systems. Some platforms, like AvidXchange, integrate well with other accounting systems. It can be helpful to make a list of the features that are most important to you, ensuring that you prioritize them when looking for automated billing software.

Advantages of an Automated Billing System

The advantages of automated billing system software are extensive. First and foremost, you can save on paper. This is especially good for climate-conscious companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. In an increasingly digital world, it’s important that companies can keep up with the growing demand for electronic payment methods offered by an automated billing system. Automation also helps businesses move through their workflows at a quicker pace. When you mail a bill, it can take several days for your vendor to receive their payment. With automated software, they can receive funds instantly.

If you want to get even more out of your software, you might consider launching an automatic billing system project where you can identify pain points in the system and look for ways to improve your workflow. One of the great things about most automated billing systems is that they’re highly customizable to different work styles, meaning that you can make adjustments according to your unique needs. You can also get full visibility into your workflow, so even though you may offload your manual tasks, you still remain in control of what happens with your AP process. You can still see what’s happening at any given moment and make changes to the system if necessary. In this way, you get the best of both worlds.

Online Billing System

The primary difference between an online billing system and an offline system is that online systems are cloud based, whereas offline systems can be accessed even if you aren’t connected to the internet. You might look at a billing system example to see how these systems operate differently online versus offline. At the end of the day, however, both types of computer billing system software provide tremendous benefit to users and can work wonders for their accounts payable process.

If you work in the B2B space, you will want to look for B2B billing software specifically. This can allow you to exercise greater control over your cash flow and automate payments to different vendors. It can also help to reduce some of the costs and fees that come with traditional banking. B2B billing software can be especially helpful for businesses that regularly receive large volumes of invoices, as the invoice sorting and approval process can be extremely tedious and time consuming. Managing your invoices electronically is a great way to stay organized and catch errors that you might have otherwise missed.

SaaS Billing Software

Software as a service (SaaS) is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and centrally hosted. If you deal at all in the SaaS space, you can benefit from SaaS billing software. Those looking for this type of software should compare SaaS billing models to determine what kind of software is going to work best for their business. It’s also important to consider SaaS billing best practices, such as developing clear and logical pricing structures, simplifying your billing process, and using data to implement changes as needed. Doing this can help your SaaS billing process flow as smoothly as possible.

Finding the best SaaS billing software for your business is key to improving the way you manage your billing process overall. You want something that’s going to be compatible with your business as it currently is while also offering scalability so that you can adjust the system as your needs evolve. Remember that the ultimate purpose of billing software is to simplify the way you pay your bills, and choosing the wrong software will complicate your process rather than promote efficiency. This is why it’s so important to do your research to find the software that’s best aligned with your business goals and that can scale up and down alongside you.

About AvidXchange Automated Billing System

AvidXchange provides AP automation software for the middle market. With AvidXchange, you can promote greater efficiency among your teams and get them aligned on common billing objectives. The platform’s cloud-based software is great for receiving and approving invoices, as well as making quick, secure payments. AvidXchange is backed by one of the largest mid-market supplier networks and has built over 200 integrations with popular accounting systems, offering users several options for managing their AP process. The platform allows users to cut manual processing fees, increase efficiency, and improve relationships with their vendors. What’s more, AvidXchange allows for round-the-clock access so that you can quickly find what you need, wherever and whenever you’re working.

One of the most important aspects of billing software is invoice automation. AvidInvoice is among the best invoice management software solutions for the middle market, allowing users to automate and streamline their entire invoice management process. With AvidInvoice, you can code your invoices, assign them to the appropriate workflow, and route them for approval. This is much easier than having to go through each invoice by hand to determine where it should be sent.

With AvidPay you can reduce, if not totally eliminate, paper checks and manual processing costs. The platform also enables users to create custom workflows and get complete visibility into what’s happening with those workflows at all times. As such, they remain in control of the process, even as the system works to automate their tasks.

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