For a lot of suppliers, "connect to Peppol" sounds like code for "new project, new software, new headache." But Peppol isn't one of those projects.
Here is what actually happens when a business connects and why it is a much smaller undertaking than it sounds.
What people usually assume
Before getting into how it works, it is worth naming the misconceptions directly because they are the reasons a lot of suppliers are reluctant to get onto Peppol.
Myth 1: "We will have to replace our accounting or ERP system"
No. Peppol connects to whatever you are already using – Xero, MYOB, Odoo, NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or something more niche. The connection sits alongside your existing software, not instead of it.
Myth 2: "Our team will need retraining"
No. Your team keeps creating invoices exactly as they do now, inside the same system, using the same process. The only thing that changes is what happens after they hit "send".
Myth 3: "It will mean downtime while it is set up"
No. Because the connection runs alongside your current invoicing method rather than replacing it outright, there is no need to pause operations while it is being configured.
Myth 4: "It's a big, drawn-out IT project"
For most suppliers, it isn't. It is closer to setting up a new integration than commissioning new infrastructure.
What actually needs to happen
Getting connected involves three things:
- Choosing a Peppol Access Point provider: an accredited business (such as Pacific Commerce) that handles the technical side of joining the network on your behalf. You can't connect to Peppol directly. You connect through a provider.
- Registering your business on the network: your provider sets up your Peppol ID, which is how other businesses and agencies find and exchange documents with you.
- Confirming how invoices flow from your system to theirs: for most suppliers using mainstream accounting software, this is a straightforward configuration step rather than custom development work.
None of these steps touch your existing invoicing process. Your team keeps working the way they always have and the difference happens in the background in how the invoice gets delivered once it is created.
What to expect, timeline-wise
Exact timing depends on the complexity of your systems and how many document types you want to send (invoices only, or invoices plus purchase orders and other documents).
For most suppliers using standard accounting software, connection can be completed within days rather than weeks.
The bigger driver of timeline is usually testing. Most providers will run a short validation period to confirm their eInvoices are formatted correctly and arriving as expected, before going fully live.
A note on choosing a provider
Since Peppol is a shared network rather than a single vendor's platform, it is worth comparing providers on fit rather than assuming any one option is the default. Questions worth asking:
- Does it work with the accounting or ERP system you already use, without requiring you to change platforms?
- What support is available during setup – is there a person to call or just documentation?
- What security accreditations do they hold? ISO27001 is a common benchmark to look for.
- Is pricing transparent and does it scale with your invoice volume rather than locking you into a flat enterprise fee?
In summary
Connecting to Peppol doesn't mean new software, new training or downtime. It means adding a delivery mechanism behind the invoicing process you already have.
If a customer has asked you to get connected and the idea has been sitting on your to-do list because it sounds like a bigger job than it is, it is worth getting a straight answer on what is actually involved for your specific setup.
Reach out to our friendly if you have any questions.