Electronic outgoing invoices are becoming the mandatory standard in European B2B business. Through the EU initiative “VAT in the Digital Age” (ViDA), the European Union is gradually requiring companies to use structured, machine-readable invoices. This requirement will apply EU-wide by 2030 at the latest. Germany has already taken the first step: As of January 1, 2025, companies in the B2B sector must be able to receive electronic invoices. In Austria, mandatory e-invoicing currently applies only to the public sector, but an expansion to the B2B sector is also on the horizon.
For businesses, this development means much more than just a new invoice format. What is needed are end-to-end digital processes: from structured creation through validation and transmission to status feedback, audit-proof archiving, and, where applicable, communication with government agencies. Formats such as XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, and PEPPOL are based on the European standard EN 16931 and lay the foundation for automated, seamless invoicing processes. INFORMATICS offers two approaches for integrating e-invoicing into existing systems, tailored to your individual requirements and system landscapes.
SOLUTION 1: SAP DOCUMENT AND REPORTING COMPLIANCE (DRC)
With SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC), SAP provides a comprehensive standard solution for regulatory requirements. In addition to creating and processing electronic invoices, the platform also enables digital communication with tax authorities and supports compliance with statutory reporting requirements in numerous countries. Technically, SAP DRC integrates directly into SAP S/4HANA or SAP Cloud ERP. Using the central eDocument Cockpit, companies can generate documents, validate them, transmit them to external platforms, and track their status seamlessly.
Companies with a strong international presence benefit particularly from this approach. They manage diverse legal requirements centrally within their SAP system landscape and respond more quickly to new regulatory requirements. At the same time, the SAP standard offers long-term security when implementing country-specific compliance rules.
SOLUTION 2: DIG + INFORMATICS EFW (E-MAIL FRAMEWORK)
For companies looking for a streamlined e-invoicing solution, INFORMATICS, in collaboration with its partner DIG, offers a highly integrated alternative. This enhancement to our E-Mail Framework (EFW) is a solution that integrates directly with SAP and can be flexibly expanded; it generates structured e-invoice formats such as XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, or PEPPOL from SAP data. The conversion is handled by DIG’s cloud service, while process control remains entirely within the SAP system.
This approach reduces system complexity and enables rapid implementation. Companies implement the solution in established or hybrid system landscapes. At the same time, the solution remains flexibly expandable. This solution offers a pragmatic and cost-effective implementation of e-invoicing processes, particularly for SMEs or companies with heterogeneous IT structures.
SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION AT THE BAMBERG-BASED COMPANY WEYERMANN
The Mich. Weyermann® malt factory in Bamberg, the global market leader in specialty malts, has been consistently pursuing the digitization of its business processes for years. A key step was the automation of outgoing invoices to reduce paper-based processes and send invoices to customers more efficiently. To achieve this, the company worked with INFORMATICS to implement the E-Mail Framework (EFW) directly within the SAP system. The solution automates document delivery and allows for flexible email design, including attachments and recipient logic. Thanks to its seamless integration with SAP, the solution could be implemented with minimal effort and quickly put into production.
On this basis, Weyermann® was able to further develop its own invoicing processes and successfully go live with electronic invoicing in early 2026.
A STRATEGIC DECISION WITH A LONG-TERM VISION
Whether it’s comprehensive compliance standardization with SAP DRC or targeted e-invoicing with DIG + EFW: Both approaches support XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, PEPPOL, and the necessary integration with government agencies. Choosing the right solution depends on international scope, system architecture, process complexity, and strategic direction. INFORMATICS supports you both technically and strategically—for secure, efficient, and future-proof e-invoicing processes in SAP.
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