As a part of the drive towards electronic invoicing, the Department of Health aims to use PEPPOL to eliminate inefficiencies in its procurement processes. Across all suppliers, this could save between £0.48 and £5.40 per transaction each year, and reduce the 150 different formats of purchase order numbers it accepts at present.

Basware, the global leader in purchase-to-pay solutions, e-invoicing and innovative financing services, has been awarded a place on the Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Framework RM3784 PEPPOL Access Point Services, a standardised protocol that allows for the electronic exchange of procurement documents between public sector organisations and their suppliers across Europe. Working with Basware to implement PEPPOL will allow public sector organisations to streamline their procurement processes whilst saving money in the mid-term. For the supplier it will lower their costs and create a level playing field for the SME, as informed by Basware.

Commenting on the announcement, Stephen Carter, Regional Network Business Area Director at Basware, said: “We are very excited to be added to the CCS PEPPOL framework agreement and support the government in achieving greater efficiencies in the NHS and other crucial public services.”

With pan-European roots, Basware has supported PEPPOL since its launch and already facilitates millions of such transactions on its Basware Network each day. Organisations with PEPPOL-enabled commerce systems can benefit regardless of whether their trading partner uses the system or not, as it can standardise any inbound PDF or paper invoices. With the PEPPOL adoption drive, public sector organisations will have access to more suppliers and transactions will take much less time, which will result in significant cost savings.