SAP E-Invoicing: The Solution
for the e-invoicing obligation from 2025

From 2025, the e-invoicing obligation will come into force in Germany
– a challenge for many companies. But don’t worry, we offer you
The solution with the SAP E-Invoice add-on:

Easy creation and dispatch of e-invoices directly in SAP
Receiving and processing e-invoices in the SAP system
Integrated SAP solution for a seamless process
Minimal configuration effort
Flexible framework for implementing additional standards

Success Stories Schedule a live demo

SAP e-invoicing: Simple processing and legally compliant implementation

Creation and dispatch in XRechnung and ZUGFeRD format

Since the beginning of 2025, companies in Germany have been obliged to create and receive e-invoices in accordance with EU Directive 2014/55/EU. Our solution helps you meet regulatory requirements while driving digital transformation.

Advantages of electronic invoicing:

Legal Compliance: From 2025, German companies will have to create and receive e-invoices. The implementation of an appropriate solution becomes essential to meet the legal requirements.
Efficiency: Manual invoice processing is error-prone and time-consuming. Automated systems for e-invoice processing minimize errors, speed up processes and reduce administrative costs.
Sustainability: Going no longer using paper helps to reduce the ecological footprint and supports the sustainability goals of many companies.
Digital networking: By integrating the SAP e-invoicing solution, you not only optimize internal processes, but also improve collaboration with partners and suppliers.

The processing of digital receipts will become essential for companies in the coming years to remain competitive and compliant.

The SAP solution for electronic data interchange: MailCenter

With MailCenter , you can easily create and receive electronic invoices in SAP. Our solution is easy to integrate and requires only a short configuration. If you want to use ZUGFeRD, you also need an invoice template in ADOBE Forms.

Advantages of MailCenter:

Easy implementation: Quickly and without major adjustments in your SAP system.
Versatility: Ideal for electronic invoicing in SAP ECC or S/4HANA.
Compatibility: Supports both XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats.

Background and Introduction – Video

Schedule a demo

Recommended by SAP customers

“The fact that we can combine invoices and attachments within one e-mail is a major advantage of the solution for us.”

Duisburger Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbHWolfgang Scheffler | SAP Senior Consultant (Project Management)

“Thanks to the dialog options, the MailCenter simultaneously ensures optimized accounts receivable management and clean, always up-to-date master data in our accounting.”

Pneuhage Management GmbH & Co. KGLuigi Borella, Application Support WWS Team/ Corporate Controlling

★★★★★

XRechnung and ZUGFeRD – “With the MailCenter, we are advancing digitization in our company.”

Wolfgang Scheffler, SAP Senior Consultant Logistics/Accounting (Project Management) | Duisburger Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH

Success Story

Relationship management by sending invoices.

Pneuhage Group | Read the success story >

Success Story

Advancing digitalization and meeting legal requirements.

DVV | Read the success story >

Companies trust MailCenter

Application example – Sending and receiving electronic invoices in SAP

Sending e-invoices from SAP

Screenshot of the SAP E-Invoice add-on MailCenter Repeat Processing with invoice and message details from different companies.

View MailCenter XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoices in dispatch

Invoice Receipt Cockpit in SAP

Screenshot SAP E-Invoice Add-on - Invoice receipt cockpit interface with invoice details, supplier names and order data.

E-invoice receipt

E-invoices in the SAP system are structured, standardized, and meet all legal requirements. They can be flexibly adapted to the individual needs of your company.

Example 1: Electronic invoicing standardised

The electronic invoicing document contains all relevant information:
✔ Invoice number & date of issue
✔ Sender and recipient data
✔ Detailed information on products and services

The SAP add-on supports formats such as ZUGFeRD and XRechnung, which enables smooth processing and easy exchange with customers and authorities.

Example 2: Individually adapted to your business

With this SAP add-on, you can adapt electronic invoices to the specific needs of your company, e.g. by integrating additional fields such as project numbers or cost centers.

Example – SAP XRechnung

Example – SAP ZUGFeRD Invoice

Do you have any questions about the product? We would be happy to advise you in a personal conversation.

TALK TO US NOW!

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about SAP e-invoicing

What is e-billing?

An e-invoice (electronic invoice) is a digital invoice in a structured format that is created, sent and received electronically. It streamlines the invoicing process and reduces manual intervention.

E-invoices are created in XML or EDIFACT format and sent via electronic channels. The recipient can automatically read and process the document, which minimizes manual intervention and speeds up the entire process.

What role does the Growth Opportunities Act play?

The Growth Opportunities Act makes electronic invoicing mandatory for B2B transactions in Germany from January 1, 2025 . Invoices must then be issued, transmitted and received in a structured format, for example as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD.

Paper invoices and simple PDFs without structured data are no longer considered e-invoices. Companies should adapt their processes at an early stage in order to remain compliant with the law and benefit from the advantages of digital invoice processing.

What is the difference between e-invoice, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?

The terms refer to different formats for electronic invoices. Here is a brief description of the differences:

“E-invoice” is the short form for electronic invoices. It is created in various formats such as PDF or XML.
“XRechnung” is an XML-based format that meets the requirements of the EU Directive 2014/55/EU for the public sector.
“ZUGFeRD” defines a hybrid format of PDF/A-3 with embedded XML data. This format is both human- and machine-readable. It is primarily used in the B2B and B2G sectors.

What is the role of the PEPPOL network?

The PEPPOL network (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) is becoming increasingly important for electronic invoicing within Europe. While in Germany the transmission of e-invoices by e-mail is sufficient, PEPPOL offers a standardized, secure and efficient way to transmit invoices in an internationally legally compliant manner. In combination with the SAP add-on, PEPPOL enables seamless, automated invoice processing, especially for companies with cross-border business relationships or public clients. Learn more about the benefits and integration of the PEPPOL network on our PEPPOL network page.

Functions of the SAP add-on for e-invoices?

Dispatch

✔ Creation of XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoices directly in SAP
✔ Visualization & control in the MailCenter Cockpit
✔ Shipping to customers and authorities
✔ Automatic archiving

Reception & Processing

✔ Automatic capture of incoming e-invoices
✔ Validation Service
✔ Forwarding to release
✔ Archiving in the SAP system
✔ Optional automatic booking

Advantages of our SAP solution

✔ Digital & automated invoicing processes
✔ Simple & user-friendly operation
✔ Fast implementation without additional hardware
✔ Meets the EN 16931 standard for B2B and B2G

What does the solution contain?

The application is available in German and English.
We take care of the provision of the programs in our portal and the initial setup.
Available for outgoing and incoming invoices.
The program is easy and quick to implement.
You don’t need any other hardware or software.

Our services

Installation via the Transport Management System
Technical Settings in SAP
Configuration of the application according to the needs of your users
Functional instruction, handover and support
Technical documentation
Documentation for users
Update Management Support
Support hotline, helpdesk and portal

In addition to technical implementation, we offer business solutions, individual service options and sound advice.

How is the introduction and implementation carried out?

Implementation – Quick setup of the integration through standardized procedure

The initial setup takes place after the delivery of the application based on our standardized project roadmap.

Based on our predefined questionnaire, we determine your exact requirements. This information will be used to adapt the product to your needs. We have incorporated the experience gained from a variety of customer projects into this implementation guide. More specifically, the standardized approach speeds up implementation and conserve your resources.

After the import of the transports and the configuration in your test system, the briefing takes place.

You will receive extensive documentation of the technical settings as well as a compilation of the application functions.

During the test phase, the go-live and the operational phase, you will receive support from our team.

With our development services, we provide regularly updated versions of the program. Every customer gets access to our customer portal. Here you will find all documents and documentation as well as the patches.