Esker, Fuji Xerox Team Up For APAC Accounts Payable

Cloud-based accounts payable solution provider Esker is teaming up with document services unit Fuji Xerox to deploy accounts payable solutions across the Asia Pacific region, the companies announced on Wednesday (Feb. 13).

Fuji Xerox, a joint venture between Fuji and Xerox, will link its own corporate customers in Japan to Esker’s cloud-based accounts payable technology. Moving forward the firms will expand the offering to Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The deal expands Esker’s reach across the Asia Pacific region and broadens its existing partnership with Fuji Xerox that links businesses in New Zealand across the construction, retail, business and education sectors with AP automation tools.

“Fuji Xerox is thrilled to partner with leading process automation partner Esker,” said Fuji Xerox Smart Work Innovation Business Group Corporate Vice President and Executive General Manager Toshiharu Yoneyama in a statement. “Combining Esker’s innovation and Fuji Xerox’s expertise in document solutions will enable us to provide our customers with an AP experience like never before.”

In another statement, Esker CEO Jean-Michel Bérard noted Fuji Xerox’s existing offerings across the sales and consulting spaces.

“Together, though this strategic partnership, we will help companies increase AP process efficiency and improve cash flow performance,” he said.

Document management is a key focus for AP automation technology providers, particularly when it comes to collecting and managing data from documents like invoices and purchase orders. Last December, Kodak Services for Businesses revealed it would integrate invoice process automation into its own accounts payable offering.

Other solutions providers have targeted the actual transaction component of accounts payable, with Yooz partnering with SnapCheck late last year to integrate digital check payment solutions into its AP tool, combining it with invoice management to allow businesses to pay suppliers via check while still obtaining digital data.