
Managing accounts payable (AP) has long been a time-consuming and error-prone process. Enter AP Automation, a game-changer that transforms the way businesses handle vendor invoices, approvals, and payments. Below we will compare: NetSuite vs. Bill.com.
While many companies turn to third-party solutions like Bill.com, NetSuite AP Automation offers a fully integrated alternative that eliminates the need for external software, ensuring greater efficiency, accuracy, and visibility.
How NetSuite AP Automation Works
NetSuite’s AP Automation leverages Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to scan, read, and process vendor bills automatically. Using a dedicated accounting email, incoming invoices are captured, interpreted, and transformed into digital records—without manual data entry.
💡 Key Features of NetSuite AP Automation:
✔ AI-Powered Learning – NetSuite’s system continuously improves, recognizing patterns and reducing errors over time.
✔ Automated Bill Creation – Invoices are digitized and converted into NetSuite bills, linked directly to purchase orders and item receipts.
✔ End-to-End AP Visibility – Full transparency into PO approvals, invoice matching, and payment execution within NetSuite.
✔ Integrated Payments – No need for third-party integrations; payments can be initiated directly from NetSuite, offering greater control and security.
💡 NetSuite vs. Bill.com: A Smarter Choice
Many businesses have relied on third-party AP tools like Bill.com, but NetSuite offers a fully integrated alternative that provides greater efficiency, security, and control.

Why Businesses Are Choosing NetSuite Over Bill.com
🔹 One Unified System – No need for multiple software solutions; AP, procurement, and payments are all within NetSuite.
🔹 Stronger Controls – Built-in approval workflows and audit trails ensure financial accuracy and compliance.
🔹 Faster Processing – AI-driven automation means less manual work, fewer errors, and faster vendor payments.
🔹 No Third-Party Costs – Unlike Bill.com, there’s no additional software subscription required.
Upgrade Your AP Process Today: NetSuite vs. Bill.com
Bill.com may have been a go-to AP solution, but NetSuite’s built-in AP Automation offers a smarter, more seamless way to manage your accounts payable.
From invoice capture to payment execution, NetSuite eliminates inefficiencies and improves financial oversight—all within a single ERP platform.
Example: How NetSuite's AP Automation Streamlines Accounts Payable for a Growing Wholesale Distributor
Company Profile:
📦 ABC Wholesale Supply is a mid-sized distributor that sources inventory from multiple suppliers and fulfills orders across the country. Their accounting team was struggling with slow, manual invoice processing, leading to delayed payments, lost early payment discounts, and compliance risks.
Before NetSuite AP Automation:
Invoices were received via email and manually entered into NetSuite.
Matching invoices to purchase orders (POs) and receipts required tedious manual cross-checking.
Approval workflows were inconsistent, often leading to payment delays.
Payments were processed manually, requiring additional time and oversight.
High risk of data entry errors and duplicate invoices due to lack of automation.
After Implementing NetSuite AP Automation:
🔹 OCR-Powered Invoice Capture: Vendor invoices are automatically extracted from a dedicated AP email inbox using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). No more manual data entry!
🔹 AI-Driven Bill Matching & Learning: The system intelligently matches invoices to POs and item receipts, flagging discrepancies for review. Over time, AI improves accuracy in recognizing vendors, amounts, and payment terms.
🔹 Automated Approval Workflows: Approval rules ensure invoices route to the right person based on thresholds, eliminating bottlenecks and reducing processing time.
🔹 Seamless Payment Execution: Payments are issued directly from NetSuite, providing full visibility into approvals and reconciliation—without relying on third-party tools like Bill.com.
🔹 Real-Time Visibility & Compliance: The finance team gains a centralized view of all payables, ensuring timely payments, better cash flow management, and compliance with vendor agreements.
Results:
✅ 50% faster invoice processing
✅ Reduced late payments & captured early payment discounts
✅ Improved vendor relationships with timely and accurate payments
✅ Enhanced financial visibility and control
With NetSuite AP Automation, ABC Wholesale Supply eliminated inefficiencies, reduced human error, and empowered their finance team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than tedious data entry.
👉 Ready to simplify AP and improve cash flow management? Let’s talk about how NetSuite AP Automation can transform your business! 🚀
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