Does Sage 100 software have AP Automation? A full guide 

Hunting for overdue invoices and untangling approval delays can make managing accounts payable an error-prone and exhausting process. That’s why many businesses turn to ERP solutions with essential AP capabilities to overcome these challenges.

Sage 100, as an ERP solution, simplifies financial workflows, including accounts payable, financials, and payroll. But how exactly do ERP solutions like Sage 100, along with third-party AP software, optimize accounts payable?

We walk through how Sage 100 ERP works, its AP features, and how complementing it with third-party tools like Ramp can elevate your AP processes even further.

What is Sage 100 ERP software?

Its advanced tools include the ability to reconcile accounts, streamline manufacturing operations, and vendor invoice processing, all while maintaining clear visibility into financial liabilities. Sage 100 also automates complex tax updates to help businesses stay compliant and offers customizable financial reports, enabling data-driven decision-making with minimal manual effort.

For accounts payable, Sage 100 provides foundational capabilities such as invoice tracking, payment scheduling, and cash disbursement management, ensuring vendor payments are accurate and timely.

Does Sage 100 provide accounts payable automation?

Sage 100 includes foundational features to manage essential accounts payable workflows but it’s not designed to serve as a standalone Sage AP automation solution. Sage's core capabilities are well-suited for standard AP processes and businesses can opt for its direct integrations to expand its functionality and optimize their workflows even more.

Why do businesses integrate AP automation software to ERPs?

Automating accounts payable with advanced AP software helps businesses address inefficiencies and reduce manual errors, allowing for smoother operations and improved accuracy. By automating repetitive tasks like data entry and payment scheduling, companies save valuable time and shift their focus to higher-value activities. This leads to better cash flow management, fewer delays, and stronger relationships with vendors.

Many third-party AP automation tools are designed to complement ERP systems like Sage 100. For instance, Ramp's AP software provides advanced automation features such as OCR that auto-fills bills down to each line item, AI-driven auto-coding, and detailed AP aging reports. These tools allow businesses to manage complex AP workflows with great precision and reduce the administrative burden of manual processes.

Essentially, with Sage 100 as a trusted ERP at the core of your operations, integrating third-party AP automation tools adds another layer of efficiency.

How to set up AP automation tools with Sage 100

Using AP automation software with Sage 100 is a straightforward process, but proper planning is essential to ensure a smooth setup without the need for rework. Before syncing your software with Sage 100, consider these key prerequisites:

• Update your Sage 100 software to the latest version
• Choose a third-party AP automation tool that integrates with Sage 100, such as Ramp or another supported platform
• Ensure you have administrative access to both Sage 100 and the selected AP automation tool to configure settings

How to sync third-party AP automation software with Sage 100

The exact steps may vary depending on the AP automation tool you choose, but most integrations follow this general process:

1. Enable API connections: Access Sage 100’s integration settings and activate API access to allow data exchange with the third-party tool.
2. Configure integration credentials: Enter the API keys or credentials provided by the AP automation software into Sage 100’s integration module.
3. Map general ledger (GL) accounts: Align Sage 100’s GL accounts with the corresponding categories in the AP automation software for accurate data synchronization.
4. Import vendor data: Transfer vendor details from Sage 100 into the AP automation tool to enable invoice processing and payment tracking.
5. Test data synchronization: Conduct test transactions to verify that invoices, approvals, and payment data flow smoothly between Sage 100 and the automation tool.

Once the integration is complete, configure workflows to suit your business processes. Set up multi-step approval hierarchies, assign roles to team members, and define triggers for automated actions such as payment scheduling or invoice categorization.

What to do after setup

Once your Sage 100 integration is live, you can fully use its features to optimize your accounts payable operations. Here are a few practical best practices to keep in mind:

• Invoice management: Upload high-quality invoice files (e.g., PDF, JPEG, PNG) to minimize data extraction errors. Periodically cross-check extracted data with original invoices to maintain accuracy.
• Payment scheduling: Use automation tools to strategically time payments based on cash flow forecasts. Regularly reconcile payment records in Sage 100 with bank statements for consistency.
• Approval workflows: Review and update approval workflows to reflect any organizational changes. Set up automatic alerts to avoid approval delays.
• Real-time reporting: Monitor key metrics, such as Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), and identify trends like recurring late payments. Export reports regularly to refine your AP strategy.

By using Sage 100 with third-party AP automation tools, you create a system that enhances accuracy, minimizes manual intervention, and scales with your business needs.

Using Ramp alongside Sage 100

Ramp Bill Pay is an advanced accounts payable automation software designed to simplify invoice processing, enhance payment workflows, and provide real-time financial insights. Through Ramp's standard Universal CSV or custom API build, you can use Ramp to complement your Sage ERP to layer on advanced AP features.

Here’s what Ramp AP software brings to the table:

• Automated invoice processing: Ramp’s AI-powered OCR technology captures and codes even the most complex invoices and line items with precision.
• Streamlined approval workflows: Create intelligent approval flows with multi-layer routing rules that automate reviews and trigger alerts only for key updates or changes.
• Integrated payment management: Manage all domestic and international vendor payments—via check, card, ACH, or wire—on one platform while maintaining full visibility into payment statuses.
• Optimized routine tasks: Simplify recurring bills, batch payments, and vendor onboarding with automation. Use bulk editing to save time and minimize repetitive work.

By using Ramp alongside Sage 100, businesses can achieve a streamlined AP process that keeps you hands-off on manual tasks and hands-on for business growth.

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Case study: How Ramp can reduce AP processing times by 80%+

Ramp has numerous success stories with a variety of top ERPs and accounting platforms, highlighting the transformative results businesses can expect when using Ramp. More specifically, we’ve had great success with integrating Ramp with Sage ERP software, such as Sage Intacct.

Here’s one story showcasing how Ramp synced with Sage Intacct for REVA Air Ambulance, a leader in air medical transportation

Ramp and Sage Intacct: REVA Air Ambulance’s experience

REVA Air Ambulance faced significant inefficiencies in its AP workflows. The finance team relied on outdated, manual processes for receipt uploads and month-end expense reporting, leading to delays in reimbursements and reconciliation.

Integrating Ramp with Sage Intacct transformed REVA’s AP operations. Ramp’s automation tools streamlined workflows and enabled real-time transaction syncing, while Sage Intacct provided centralized, real-time financial visibility.

“We were able to mold Ramp to our company to set it up as needed within departments. But the biggest selling feature to us was the automatic, real-time integration with Sage,” said Seth Miller, Controller at REVA Air Ambulance.

The impact? Ramp was able to provide an efficient system that resulted in:

• 80%+ reduction in AP process time: Invoice processing time dropped from 15–20 minutes to under 3 minutes per invoice.
• 6 weeks saved on reimbursements: Same-day reimbursements became possible through automated receipt uploads and transaction matching.
• 2 weeks faster month-end close: Month-end reconciliations were completed by the 4th or 5th of the month thanks to frequent reconciliations.

Ramp and Sage Intacct work together by enhancing automation and providing robust financial visibility. It’s evident that businesses can save time and money when combining Ramp with their ERP or accounting systems.

Maximize your Sage 100 software with Ramp Bill Pay

Sage 100, when paired with Ramp, adds another layer of efficient accounts payable management by addressing common challenges like manual data entry, approval delays, and missed payments. Ramp is able to provide AP capabilities with advanced automation and real-time insights, making it easier for businesses to manage their accounts payable with precision and control.

Get started with Ramp Bill Pay.