The SpendMatters blog has run an interesting piece, setting out a 5-step plan for how organisations can extend their AP function to cover their entire supply chain finance, in turn helping to better manage capital (through measures such as early settlement discounts) and create value for suppliers and buyers.

Fundamental to these steps are investing in an electronic invoice automation solution that enables AP staff to be reassigned to more strategic tasks than hunting down lost documents or chasing up POs.  It’s well worth a read for its no-nonsense approach: 

http://www.spendmatters.com/index.cfm/2011/9/2/Friday-Rant-A-FiveStep-Plan-to-Turning-Accounts-Payable-Into-Supply-Chain-Finance