---
title: How it Works
description: Transform your accounts payable process with Ascend's automated platform, ensuring efficient invoice management, seamless payment processing, and real-time analytics for your team.
---

# AP Processes are Complex. Your Software Shouldn't Be. 

**How Ascend works to make AP Effortless.**

![How it Works Page Image 1](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/How%20it%20Works%20Page%20Image%201.png)

## Step 1

### We handle the invoices.

Ascend's platform is designed with cutting-edge technology to function seamlessly right from the start, regardless of complex business needs. In just a few days, your invoices can start being automatically captured and processed in Ascend, regardless of their format and without any custom coding. Whether dealing with hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of invoices, Ascend efficiently scales to automatically receive and route invoices and related documents.

## Step 2

### The Technology 

### Ingested invoices are then processed leveraging a combination of OCR and AI technology to validate, extract, and cross-reference data from both the invoice itself as well as predefined business rules, purchase orders, vendor records, and historical information. Ascend guarantees 97% header recognition rates - results your team can trust.

### [Learn more about our technology ](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/blog/ocr-software-vs-ap-invoice-automation?hsLang=en) 

## Step 3

### That's it - for Workday

### Invoices that meet the threshold for accuracy are directly processed into your Workday tenant, without having ever been touched by an AP team member. For invoices or suppliers your team knows they want to see, workflows can be easily customized so additional approvals are included before processing.  

## Step 4

### Payment Processing

### Invoices that are approved are then queued for payment. Ascend serves as a payment partner for your team, handling supplier payments via ACH, wire transfer, or checks. With a large network of suppliers already on board, no initial implementation or set-up work is necessary to complete your ap workflow with automated payments. This workflow opens the door to realizing rebates, reducing your risk of fraud, and more. 

## Step 5

### Reporting & Analytics

### While invoices are being processed and paid in the background, your AP Team can dig into the details that matter with real-time dashboards and reports for monitoring invoice statuses, approval times, spending trends, compliance records, cost savings and more.

 See Ascend in Action

## Don't Just Take Our Word for It:

![Screenshot 2024-12-18 at 12.49.07](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/Screenshot%202024-12-18%20at%2012.49.07)

![Screenshot 2024-12-18 at 12.51.29](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/Screenshot%202024-12-18%20at%2012.51.29)

![Screenshot 2024-12-18 at 12.58.46](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/Screenshot%202024-12-18%20at%2012.58.46)

![Screenshot 2024-12-18 at 12.51.14](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/Screenshot%202024-12-18%20at%2012.51.14.png)

[ Customer Stories](https://www.ascendsoftware.com/en/ascend-resource-center)

---

[ Download 4-Minute Demo Video ](https://www.hubspot.com)

![Screenshot 2024-12-18 at 13.21.39](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/Screenshot%202024-12-18%20at%2013.21.39 "Screenshot 2024-12-18 at 13.21.39")

## Additional Resources

Ask us about talking to a customer in your industry

[![wesual-click-rsWZ-P9FbQ4-unsplash](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/wesual-click-rsWZ-P9FbQ4-unsplash.jpeg?width=2000&name=wesual-click-rsWZ-P9FbQ4-unsplash.jpeg)

### Innovation & Efficiency at Panera

Processing over 400,000 invoices across more than 2,000 locations boasts complexity. Learn how Panera increased their processing time by 40%

](##)

[![luis-melendez-Pd4lRfKo16U-unsplash](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/luis-melendez-Pd4lRfKo16U-unsplash.jpeg?width=2000&name=luis-melendez-Pd4lRfKo16U-unsplash.jpeg)

### From Manual Processing to Touchless at Sturdy Memorial

Prior to Ascend, Sturdy Memorial estimated they manually touched an invoice 4x before it was processed. Now, they have rates of 98% automatic entry and 65% touchless invoice processing. 

](https://test.ascendsoftware.com/hubfs/Ascend%20Software/Healthcare%20Campaign%20Fall%202024/Sturdy%20Memorial%20Case%20Study%20Final?hsLang=en)