This is in line with what Basware finds in its latest survey. Manual systems represent waste among respondents in terms of time spent entering/scanning invoices, time spent on approval, and missing and lost invoices.

"E-invoicing is just a much more efficient system. You reduce delays and the potential for human error," says Bob Cohen, vice president of Basware. However, he warns that the government must be firm in the mandate for it to take hold. "People are afraid of change. If they think they can get away with not doing something, they will," he says.

Another possible stumbling block: the hundreds of various invoice systems and proprietary formats available today. Individual companies and industries have different definitions of what e-invoicing means and the government will have to be clear on its standards. "E-invoicing is in its infancy, in terms of inter-operability, so more open models will be necessary," Cohen says.