What is invoice automation?

Invoice automation is the use of software to automatically capture, extract, validate, and process invoice data without manual intervention. It uses technologies like OCR (Optical Character Recognition), AI, and machine learning to read invoices in any format, extract line items, prices, dates, and vendor information, then route them through approval workflows and sync with accounting systems. Invoice automation reduces processing time by 80-90%, eliminates data entry errors, and provides real-time visibility into accounts payable.

What is touchless invoice processing?

Touchless invoice processing (also called straight-through processing) is when invoices are received, extracted, validated, approved, and posted to accounting systems completely automatically without human intervention. Using AI, OCR, and business rules, the system: receives invoices from any channel (email, portal, EDI), extracts all data fields with high accuracy, performs 3-way matching against POs and receipts, routes for exception handling only when needed (discrepancies, over budget), auto-approves invoices that pass all validations, posts to ERP/accounting system, and schedules payment. Typically 60-80% of invoices can be processed touchless, with only exceptions requiring human review. This dramatically reduces processing costs and cycle time.

How does invoice approval workflow automation work?

Invoice approval workflow automation routes invoices to the right approvers based on predefined business rules without manual intervention. The system: captures invoice data, applies routing rules based on criteria (amount, department, vendor, GL account), sends to appropriate approver(s) via email or portal, escalates if not approved within time limits, supports multi-level approvals for high-value invoices, allows approvers to approve, reject, or request more info from any device, maintains complete audit trail of all actions, and automatically moves approved invoices to payment queue. Advanced systems use AI to learn approval patterns and predict optimal routes. Benefits include faster approvals (hours instead of weeks), full visibility, no lost invoices, and compliance with approval policies.

What is invoice exception handling?

Invoice exception handling manages invoices that fail automated processing due to discrepancies or issues. Common exceptions include: (1) Missing PO Number - invoice lacks purchase order reference; (2) Price Variance - invoice price exceeds PO price by threshold; (3) Quantity Mismatch - invoiced quantity differs from received quantity; (4) No PO Match - invoice cannot be matched to purchase order; (5) Missing Receipt - goods not yet marked as received; (6) Duplicate Invoice - invoice number already processed; (7) Low Data Confidence - OCR extraction has low confidence scores. Exception workflows: automatically identify and categorize exceptions, route to appropriate resolver (buyer, AP clerk, manager), provide context and tools for resolution, track resolution time and bottlenecks, learn from resolutions to reduce future exceptions. Goal is to resolve exceptions quickly while maintaining control, using AI to predict and prevent common exceptions.

How does invoice processing handle recurring invoices?

Recurring invoice processing automates regular, predictable invoices from suppliers: (1) Pattern Recognition - AI identifies recurring invoices based on vendor, amount, frequency (monthly utilities, rent, subscriptions); (2) Auto-Approval Rules - configure automatic approval for recurring invoices within expected variance (e.g., ±10%); (3) Predictive Capture - system anticipates when recurring invoice is due; (4) Exception Detection - flag unusual amounts or dates for review; (5) Contract Matching - validate against service agreements; (6) Auto-Payment Setup - schedule automatic payments for approved recurring invoices. Setup involves: identifying recurring invoice patterns, defining approval rules and variance tolerances, establishing contracts/service agreements for validation, configuring auto-payment preferences. Benefits include: touchless processing for 90%+ of recurring invoices, reduced processing costs, guaranteed on-time payment, freed up staff time, and improved supplier relationships.

UK's #1 AI Invoice Processing Software

AI-Powered Invoice Processing & Automation

Automate invoice data extraction in 30 seconds with 99% accuracy. Stop wasting 20 hours per week on manual invoice processing—let AI handle supplier invoices from Sysco, US Foods, Costco automatically.

90%

Faster

99%

Accurate

Zero

Setup

Sample Invoice Data:

Supplier: Sysco Foods Ltd

Invoice #: INV-2024-10847

Items: 47 line items extracted

Total: £2,847.39

Processed in 4.2 seconds ⚡

Built for UK Small Businesses

50+

Invoice Templates

Industries Supported

99%

OCR Accuracy

24/7

AI Processing

SOC 2

Security Ready

100%

UK Compliant

Google Cloud

Next.js

OpenAI

Stripe

Manual Invoice Processing Challenges

Common challenges businesses face when manually entering supplier invoice data.

Time-Consuming Process

Manual invoice data entry requires typing supplier names, dates, amounts, line items, and VAT details for each invoice.

Human Error Risk

Typing errors in amounts, dates, or VAT codes can occur when manually entering invoice data.

Processing Delays

Manual data entry can create bottlenecks when handling multiple supplier invoices simultaneously.

Repetitive Tasks

Staff time spent on repetitive invoice data entry could be redirected to higher-value business activities.

What Elora Does

Upload

PDF, image, or email

Extract

AI reads invoice data

Export

To your accounting system

Automated invoice data extraction for UK businesses.

How Our Invoice Automation Works - Stupid Simple

From invoice upload to automated data export in 4 simple steps. No technical skills required for invoice processing automation.

Upload Your Invoice

Drag & drop PDFs, images, or email invoices directly to our platform. Works with any supplier format.

AI Extracts Everything

Our AI reads line items, prices, quantities, dates, and categorizes products automatically in seconds.

Review & Approve

Quick visual review with 99% accuracy. Edit anything if needed, or approve with one click.

Auto-Integrate

Data flows directly to QuickBooks, Xero, your POS, or inventory system. Zero manual entry.

Advanced Invoice Processing Features - Built for UK Businesses

Everything you need for automated invoice processing and data extraction, from OCR scanning to QuickBooks integration.

Lightning Fast Processing

Process invoices in under 5 seconds. 90% faster than manual entry.

Bank-Level Security

SOC 2 Type II compliant. Your data is encrypted and protected 24/7.

Smart Analytics

Track spending trends, supplier performance, and cost savings automatically.

99% Accuracy Guaranteed

AI learns from corrections. Gets smarter with every invoice processed.

Auto-Integration

Syncs with QuickBooks, Xero, POS systems, and inventory management.

Multi-User Collaboration

Team approval workflows, role permissions, and activity tracking.

Manual vs Automated Processing

Compare traditional manual invoice data entry with AI-powered automated extraction.

Manual

Typing Required

Each field entered by hand

Automated Extraction

Software reads invoice data

Export

Direct Integration

To accounting systems

Manual Data Entry

•Type each invoice field manually
•Typing errors can occur
•Requires staff time per invoice
•Data entry is repetitive work
•Manual export to spreadsheets
•Multiple data transfer steps

With Elora

•Upload invoice document
•AI extracts key data fields
•Review extracted data
•Staff verify, not type
•Export to accounting software
•Reduced manual steps

Invoice Processing Software Pricing - Simple & Transparent

Start free with unlimited invoice generation. Upgrade to Pro for watermark-free templates, AI parsing (100/month), and priority support. No credit card required.

Free

Perfect for unlimited invoice generation

£0/forever

Unlimited invoice generation

All 43 invoice templates
Unlimited invoice generation
PDF download with watermark
All required invoice fields
UK VAT & CIS compliance
Professional design
Community support

No credit card required

Pro

Watermark-free + AI parser + priority support

£29.99/month

or £23.99/mo paid annually

All 43 templates (no watermark)
Unlimited invoice generation
Elora AI parser (100/month)
Priority support (1hr response)
✨ Coming Soon:
• Invoice history (1 year)
• API access
• Advanced branding (colors, fonts)
• Recurring invoice automation
• Word & Excel export
• Team collaboration

✅ Available now!

Need Enterprise-Level Invoice Processing?

Unlimited invoices, custom ML training, white-label options, dedicated support, and more.

Designed for UK Industries

AI-powered invoice data extraction for UK restaurants, warehouses, and construction businesses.

Restaurants & Hospitality

Processing supplier invoices manually?

→ AI-powered invoice data extraction

Designed for restaurants processing food, beverage, and maintenance supplier invoices

Features:

•
Upload invoices (PDF, image, email)
•
Extract key data automatically
•
Export to Excel, CSV, or accounting software

Warehouses & Logistics

High volume of carrier invoices?

→ Batch invoice processing capability

Built for warehouses handling multiple carriers and suppliers

Features:

•
Process multiple invoices at once
•
Extract supplier, amounts, dates, VAT
•
Compatible with warehouse management systems

Multi-page document support

Construction & Trades

Need UK CIS compliance?

→ CIS deduction field extraction

Designed for UK construction businesses with subcontractor invoices

Features:

•
Identify CIS deduction fields
•
Extract gross/net amounts
•
UK-specific VAT and date format handling

Built for UK HMRC requirements

Free

Tier Available

Powered

Formats Supported

Live

Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know. Still have questions? We're here to help.

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