Procure-to-Pay in 2025: From Bottlenecks to Touchless Processing
Discover how AI, RPA, and analytics are transforming Procure-to-Pay (P2P) from a complex, error-prone process into a seamless, efficient, and fully governed business function.
Why P2P Still Struggles in 2025
Even in 2025, Procurement-to-Pay (P2P) remains one of the hardest business processes to automate end-to-end.
Despite decades of investment in ERP platforms, outsourcing, and digital transformation, many organisations still face:
Manual invoice exceptions.
Supplier onboarding delays.
Disconnected systems between procurement, contract management, and accounts payable.
Frustrated end-users and suppliers.
The reality? While consulting firms and system integrators have long promised seamless PR-to-PO-to-payment processes, few organisations have truly achieved touchless P2P.
The Root Causes of P2P Inefficiencies
Through years of procurement transformation work, I’ve seen common failure points emerge:
System Limitations - Outdated or overly complex software that is not user-friendly or lacks integration with other business platforms.
Supplier Selection Gaps - Poor controls for non-strategic or off-contract spend.
Compliance Issues - Inconsistent application of procurement and contract policies.
Invoice Processing Breakdowns - Invoices not matching POs, delays in approvals, or failure to upload correctly into accounts payable systems.
Fragmented Ownership - Disconnected roles between procurement, AP, and supplier management functions.
These challenges not only slow the process but also drive up operational costs and create unnecessary risk.
The AI & Automation Advantage
The game has changed. The new wave of AI-powered and RPA-enabled P2P tools are delivering:
Touchless Invoice Processing - Using OCR and AI to capture, validate, and post invoices automatically.
Predictive Supplier Risk Monitoring - Analysing supplier behaviour and performance in real time.
Smart Approvals - Routing POs and invoices for approval based on intelligent business rules.
Self-Service Supplier Portals - Reducing manual admin and improving supplier experience.
Integrated Spend Analytics - Providing finance and procurement leaders with real-time visibility.
This isn’t just about reducing human effort — it’s about making work smarter, more compliant, and more strategic.
Designing a Future-Ready P2P Ecosystem
A high-performing P2P model in 2025 combines systems, processes, and people in the right proportions:
Cloud-Integrated ERP for scalability and global reach.
AI-Powered Automation to handle repetitive, rules-based tasks.
Centralised Governance to ensure compliance and policy adherence.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) to drive value and collaboration.
Continuous Improvement Culture - P2P is never “done”; it evolves as your business grows.
At Global Oneira GB – GBS London Procurement, we’ve helped clients in financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and higher education design P2P ecosystems that deliver:
Faster cycle times.
Lower transaction costs.
Higher supplier satisfaction.
Full audit readiness.
Why People Still Matter
AI is not here to replace procurement and AP teams - it’s here to extend their capabilities.
When deployed with the right leadership mindset:
Procurement professionals can focus on strategic sourcing and supplier innovation.
Finance teams can prioritise value analysis over data entry.
Compliance teams gain better oversight with less manual chasing.
The Road Ahead
The future of P2P lies in hyper-automation - integrating AI, RPA, and machine learning into every stage of the process:
Predictive sourcing.
Automated contract compliance.
Supplier risk alerts before issues occur.
End-to-end, touchless invoice-to-pay cycles.
But technology alone isn’t the answer. Clear governance, process discipline, and cross-functional collaboration remain the foundation of any successful P2P transformation.
Call to Action
If your organisation is ready to transform its P2P process into a cost-efficient, AI-enabled, and compliant operation, let’s talk.
Connect via LinkedIn or contact us here to start building your future-ready P2P ecosystem.