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　(HQ: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Osamu Hata; hereafter "WAP") has released a user survey report. This survey aims to clarify awareness and usage of cloud invoice sending/receiving services, what is important to them, and their level of satisfaction with the services and the issues they face. Users who are considering adopting the service can use the survey report as a reference when selecting a product, while those who have already adopted the service will be able to identify issues and clarify points for future improvement. The survey was conducted via the Internet, targeting companies on WAP's client list, which consists mainly of large companies, and on the membership list of the Japan CFO Association. Responses were received from departments such as systems, finance and accounting, and corporate planning.

Details of this survey report can be found here

1. 90% awareness and satisfaction with the service

　With regard to cloud-based invoicing services that can streamline and automate tasks such as creating and sending invoices, an increasing number of companies are switching from paper invoices to cloud-based invoicing services in anticipation of a postage rate increase in the fall of 2024. The recognition rate of this service is very high, totaling 89%, including those who "currently use" the service, "know its contents," and "have heard of its name. (Graph 1)

　The percentage of companies currently using (introducing) the service was 36%. Of the companies that do not use the service, one-third (34.7%) have expressed an intention to introduce the service and are taking action to do so. When "interested" is included, the percentage rises to more than 75%, indicating a high level of interest in the service and its introduction. (Graph 2)

Graph 1 Graph 2

2. System integration is the key to efficiency

　When companies using the service were asked about their overall satisfaction with the service, "satisfied" and "somewhat satisfied" totaled 89%, also high. In terms of satisfaction with each function (multiple responses), the most common response was "Paperless as the basis for business reform," followed by "Establishment of business processes that enable receipt of invoices even when working from home" and "Large volume of forms printing, enclosing and sealing, and postal costs.

　On the other hand, the most common item (multiple responses) that respondents wished to see improved in the service was "Inability to automatically integrate with existing accounting systems. This was followed by "Undecided support for digital invoices (*) = Peppol" and "No smooth linkage from payment application to approval and journal entries". (Graph 3) Resolving these issues can make a significant contribution to improving business process efficiency and reducing costs, and these factors should be a key consideration when selecting a system.

Graph 3

　As a domestic ERP vendor, WAP has been working to solve issues in the accounting departments of major companies. WAP already offers a unique solution that can respond to the improvement requests received in this survey. Furthermore, with HUE Digital Invoice, which enables direct digital completion of invoice data exchange via Pepol, we aim to radically change the very nature of invoicing operations by enabling frictionless integration with accounting systems.

About HUE Digital Invoice

　The HUE Digital Invoice is a cloud invoice sending/receiving service that allows for intuitive operation of invoice receipt/issuing operations, and is expected to resolve various areas of improvement identified in this survey.

　Hybrid operation that mixes paper and electronic file exchange is of course possible, as well as support for Pepol, so it can continue to be used for full digitalization. In addition, by using the receiving agent service together with the business support center to receive invoices that are currently received in paper form, it is possible to realize an in-house paperless system with less burden on the client.

• HUE Digital Invoice Product Page

Digital Invoice

Using Pepol, a global standard for exchanging digital documents, invoices can be issued and received as digital data. Since the data is linked from the issuing system to the receiving system, a significant improvement in operational efficiency can be realized. In Japan, the Digital Invoice Promotion Council (EIPA), under the leadership of the Digital Agency, is working to promote digital invoicing from a private-sector perspective, and WAP serves as the secretariat of EIPA.

About Works Applications

Works Applications was founded in 1996 as an ERP package vendor in Japan. With innovative solutions such as no-customization and free version upgrades, we have supported the growth of our customers, mainly major Japanese companies. Believing in the potential of each individual, we aim to be a "growth engine" that maximizes the value of companies and individuals, and we will continue our pursuit of turning "work" into "creation" and making "work" fun.

*Company names, product names and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*The information in this release is current as of the date of publication, and is subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Please be aware that the forecasts and other forward-looking information in this release are based on uncertainties and may differ from actual results.