HandsFree ERP is a dramatically different approach to the data capture and automation market for Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions.  It includes AP Automation but is so much more.  In the following series of blogs we lay out these differences.

Blog Number One

Beyond AP Automation - The Tip of the Data Capture Iceberg

• RPA or robotic process automation was in fashion for a while because it evoked the image of robots doing data entry rather than people.
• RPA, at some point, morphed into IPA or intelligent data automation. The primary driver for that change is the requirement that everything in the software world utilizes AI or artificial intelligence. Of course, fancy name changes usually allow for higher pricing. As a prime example, accounting software was a lot cheaper than ERP software.

• Data Capture and Automation is the industry that revolves around reading documents, manual and electronic documents, and creating data that is then used anywhere as needed.
• Data Capture and Automation for ERP involves explicitly taking data from manual and electronic forms that need to be input into an accounting or ERP system.
• AP Automation specifically deals with taking invoices from vendors, again electronic or manual invoices, and capturing the data in the invoices and loading it into the ERP system without the need to type the data. Again, hands-free .

• AP is relatively easy to automate in comparison to other business flows.
• Many vendors are enjoying success with their AP automation tools, and the market is not saturated.
• The AP automation solutions in the market are not flexible or portable.