Automating the purchase-to-pay process with Document Capture and Continia Banking

  • 09/03/2026
  • 4 minutes to read

The purchase-to-pay process (also called procure-to-pay) includes all the steps from ordering goods or services to paying the vendor. This process typically involves:

  • Creating purchase orders
  • Receiving and registering vendor invoices
  • Validating invoice details
  • Obtaining approvals
  • Processing payments

When performed manually, these steps are time-consuming and prone to errors, such as duplicate entries, missing approvals, or incorrect payment details.

Continia provides two integrated solutions in Business Central to address these challenges:

  • Document Capture - handles incoming vendor documents such as invoices, credit memos, and contracts. It uses OCR (optical character recognition) to extract data and provides tools for validation, matching, and approval workflows.
  • Continia Banking - manages outgoing vendor payments. It connects Business Central directly to your bank, applies approval workflows, and provides real-time payment status updates.

Together, these solutions provide an automated workflow that reduces manual work, improves data accuracy, and ensures consistency across all stages of the purchasing cycle.

Overview of the automated process

When configured, the combined workflow proceeds as follows:

  1. Purchase order creation
    • A requisition is converted into a purchase order and sent to the vendor.
  2. Order receipt and invoice import
    • When goods or services are received, the vendor’s invoice is imported into Business Central.
    • Document Capture uses OCR (optical character recognition) to extract invoice data, minimizing manual entry.
  3. Invoice registration and matching
    • The invoice is registered in Business Central.
    • Automatic three-way matching compares the invoice to the related purchase order and receipt.
  4. Invoice approval
    • The invoice is routed through an approval workflow.
    • After approval, it is posted and ready for payment.
  5. Payment preparation and approval
    • Continia Banking generates a payment suggestion in the Payment Journal.
    • Payment details are validated and sent to approvers.
  6. Vendor payment
    • Once approved, payments are sent directly to the bank.
    • Payment status can be monitored in real time from Business Central.
    • Vendors receive notification when payment is completed.

Document Capture capabilities

  • Extract invoice data automatically with OCR.
  • Register and validate invoices against purchase orders and receipts.
  • Route invoices through approval workflows.
  • Store documents in a fully indexed, searchable archive.
  • Manage and track vendor contracts.

Continia Banking capabilities

  • Exchange payment data directly between Business Central and your bank.
  • Validate vendor payment information, including IBAN details.
  • Consolidate multiple payments to the same vendor.
  • Reconcile accounts efficiently with Statement Intelligence.
  • Track payment statuses in real time within Business Central.
  • Apply approval workflows to outgoing payments.