Since the beginning of 2024, there has been a lot of noise about the Growth Opportunities Act, e-invoicing, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD. Yet the topic is basically old hat. Solutions for electronic invoice exchange have been around for a long time and many companies are already using them. So why the hype? Perhaps it's because many are only now realizing that efficient inbound and outbound solutions can really save money.
One standard that has become established here is ZUGFeRD (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland). But how do you convert a conventional PDF invoice into the ZUGFeRD format? And what does this have to do with the Growth Opportunities Act to do?
The importance of the Growth Opportunities Act for eInvoices
The Growth Opportunities Act, which was introduced by the federal government in March 2024, aims to Digitization of the economy to push ahead. An important component of this law is the promotion of electronic invoicing. Companies are encouraged to digitize paper-based processes and use standardized e-invoice formats such as ZUGFeRD.
What is ZUGFeRD?
ZUGFeRD stands for "Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland" and is a hybrid format that contains both machine-readable XML data and a human-readable PDF document. This enables companies to process invoices efficiently without the need for manual data entry. For B2B companies, this offers significant advantages as it allows the Invoicing process accelerated and errors minimized. However, ZUGFeRD is not new, but is already a proven standard that must now be used consistently from 2025.
The challenge of conversion
Many companies continue to use PDF invoices because they are widely used and easy to create. The challenge, however, is to convert these PDF invoices into the ZUGFeRD format in order to benefit from the advantages mentioned above. This is where specialized tools that automate this conversion process come into play. Our version of such a tool is in the Cloud at home.
Our Cloud Invoice Conversion Service (CICS)
We offer an innovative solution for converting PDF invoices into the ZUGF e-invoice format. Our conversion tool in the cloud can be used by customers through a pay-per-use model. You only pay for what you use!
Our tool is linked to the customer's SAP system, regardless of whether the customer uses SAP ERP on Premise, S/4HANA or another version. This integration is done via an API that enables seamless and fast conversion. By using our cloud tool, you can make the transition to electronic invoices simple and efficient without having to make extensive changes to your existing systems.
It's all half as wild!
Converting PDF invoices to the ZUGFeRD format does not have to be a complex IT project. However, it can be a good opportunity to Putting document processes to the test and to see whether there is potential to work more efficiently beyond invoice conversion. We are happy to be a reliable partner at your side. With the support of Consult-SK GmbH and our cloud-based conversion tool, you can make the transition to the ZUGFeRD format a smooth one. Seize the opportunity!
