Learn about Singapore's Digital Transformation: A Case Study on PEPPOL Adoption Worldwide

E-invoicing has become an increasingly popular method of invoicing for businesses across the world. In Singapore, the adoption of e-invoicing has been accelerated by the introduction of the Pan-European Public Procurement Online (PEPPOL) framework. In this blog post, we will explore what PEPPOL is, its benefits, and how it can be used in Singapore.

PEPPOL (Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line) is an international network for electronic procurement (e-procurement) established by the European Commission and the PEPPOL consortium. This global network simplifies cross-border procurement by providing technical and semantic standards for electronic document exchange. To get a detailed understanding, you can read our comprehensive blog post about What is PEPPOL?

Singapore has made history by becoming the first non-European nation to adopt the PEPPOL e-invoicing network, which was launched by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in May 2018. IMDA has since become the first National Authority outside of Europe to join OpenPEPPOL as a PEPPOL Authority.

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The PEPPOL Business Interoperability Specifications (BIS) for e-invoicing and the PEPPOL eDelivery Network have been implemented and are now fully operational in Singapore. IMDA has developed an extension on the PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0 to ensure that Singapore's GST tax requirements are met, making it easier for companies to comply with Singapore tax laws through PEPPOL. To further encourage the adoption of PEPPOL, IMDA and Enterprise Singapore have collaborated to offer an E-Invoicing Registration Grant, which is available to every company that registers on the Peppol network before the end of 2020. The grant aims to help businesses improve efficiency, reduce overall costs, enable faster payments, and promote environmentally friendly practices.

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As of 2023, Singapore has registered over 50,000 businesses on the PEPPOL network, with transactions steadily increasing. The country has launched several new initiatives to encourage the adoption of PEPPOL, including providing new government incentives, building ecosystem capabilities, and creating new value-add on the network.

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The implementation and regulation of the PEPPOL network in Singapore are overseen by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). IMDA is a statutory board of the Singapore government, under the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI). Their goal is to build a competitive and sustainable 'infocomm' media industry, with Singapore serving as a nucleus for media content, services, and applications.

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The Accountant-General’s Department (AGD) also plays a role in the PEPPOL e-invoicing network, as it has prepared an E-invoice Submission Guide outlining how to use the system and the requirements to comply with.

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Together, the IMDA and AGD are ensuring that Singapore's businesses are able to effectively and efficiently use the PEPPOL network for their e-invoicing needs.

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To get started with PEPPOL in Singapore, businesses need to create a PEPPOL ID. This ID is obtained through a Certified PEPPOL Access Point Provider. Once this ID is created, businesses can send e-invoices to government agencies and other businesses via the PEPPOL Network.

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Furthermore, to support the exchange of invoices within Singapore, the IMDA has developed an extension on the PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0. This extension is designed to be compliant with Singapore’s GST tax requirements and helps companies adhere to these laws through the use of PEPPOL.

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It's important to remember that PEPPOL is based on the four-corner model. This means that businesses (sellers) send their e-invoices to their Access Point (AP). The AP then converts the invoice into the standard format (PEPPOL BIS) and sends it over the PEPPOL network to the buyer's AP. The buyer's AP converts the e-invoice into a format preferred by the buyer (receiver), who then receives the invoice.

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It's also noteworthy that setting up a profile and sending and receiving e-documents over the PEPPOL network is typically free, although costs may be associated with the services of an Access Point.

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Choosing a PEPPOL Access Point Provider is an essential step in the process of adopting PEPPOL e-invoicing. These providers act as the gateway for your business to send and receive e-documents over the PEPPOL network.

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When selecting an Access Point Provider, you should consider the following factors:

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• Certification: Ensure that the provider is fully AS4 compliant and certified to offer PEPPOL access. This guarantees that they are recognized by the PEPPOL Authority and can effectively connect your business to the PEPPOL network.
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• ‍Service Offerings: Different providers may offer different services. Some, provide unique global invoice format conversion and delivery services. This means that they can convert your invoices into the required format for any receiver, regardless of their location.
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• ‍User Experience: The provider should offer a user-friendly platform that allows you to easily manage your e-documents. This includes the process of sending and receiving documents as well as managing your PEPPOL ID.
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• ‍Support and Assistance: Your provider should provide adequate support and assistance. This includes helping your business understand how to use PEPPOL and troubleshooting any issues that may arise.
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• ‍Cost: While the PEPPOL network itself is free to use, some providers may charge for their services. Consider the cost of the provider's services and what is included in that cost.

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One such provider you can consider is Supply Lens, which seamlessly connects PEPPOL to essential business applications, offering a user-friendly platform for businesses of all sizes. You can learn more about their services on their PEPPOL Access Points page.

Faster Invoicing and Payments

With e-invoicing, the time taken to create and send invoices is significantly reduced. This means that businesses can send invoices more quickly and receive payments faster. As a result, cash flow is improved, and businesses can focus on other important tasks.

Shorter Processing Time Without Manual Paperwork

By adopting e-invoicing, the need for laborious and erroneous manual paperwork is eliminated. The digital nature of e-invoicing ensures quicker processing times and minimises the likelihood of errors.

Compliance with Government Regulations

For businesses operating in Singapore, compliance with government regulations is essential. PEPPOL's adoption in Singapore allows businesses to comply with national rules and specifications that meet Singapore’s domestic requirements. IMDA is responsible for implementing e-invoicing rules and ensuring that specifications meet national requirements. The IMDA also holds sole responsibility for approving and certifying any business looking to become Peppol Access Point (AP) provider in Singapore.

Improved Trading Partner Identity Verification

PEPPOL helps improve trading partner identity verification by providing a secure and trusted network for exchanging electronic documents. This means that businesses can be confident that the documents they receive are legitimate and from a verified source.

Get Connected with Supply Lens

Getting connected with Supply Lens is a straightforward process that entails four main steps. These are:

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• Sign Up: The first step is to sign up with Supply Lens. This typically involves providing some basic information about your business, including the name of the business, the type of industry you operate in, and your contact information.
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• Register: After signing up, the next step is to register your business with Supply Lens. This involves providing more detailed information about your business, such as your business address and tax identification number.
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• Upload/Integrate: Once registered, you can begin the process of uploading your existing invoices or integrating your current invoicing system with the PEPPOL network. Supply Lens provides support for integrations with many popular business applications. You can view the full list of supported integrations on their Integrations page.
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• Send: After completing the integration, you can start sending e-invoices to your clients through the PEPPOL network. You can manage this process through the user-friendly dashboard provided by Supply Lens.

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By following these steps, your business can quickly and easily become part of the PEPPOL network and start reaping the benefits of e-invoicing. You can get started by visiting the main PEPPOL page on the Supply Lens website.

Summary of the Benefits of PEPPOL and InvoiceNow

In conclusion, using PEPPOL and InvoiceNow in Singapore provides numerous benefits for businesses. Faster invoicing and payments, shorter processing times, compliance with government regulations, and improved trading partner identity verification are just some of the advantages that come with adopting e-invoicing in Singapore.

Call to Action for Companies to Adopt E-Invoicing in Singapore

With so many benefits and the support of IMDA, now is the perfect time for companies in Singapore to adopt e-invoicing through PEPPOL. By engaging with an approved Access Point Operator, registering for a Peppol Business Identity, and learning how to send and receive Peppol E-Invoices, businesses can streamline their invoicing processes, improve cash flow, and focus on growing their operations.