When the German government announced a sweeping mandate requiring all businesses to receive structured electronic invoices by January 1, 2025, many finance teams braced for disruption. For Vertiv, a global leader in digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, the move wasn’t a crisis, it was an opportunity. Thanks to their long-standing partnership with DataServ, Vertiv was already ahead of the curve.
A Partnership Built for Adaptability
Vertiv’s journey with DataServ began in 2004 under their former name, Emerson Network Power. What started as a standard AP automation initiative has evolved into a strategic collaboration focused on scalability, compliance, and performance. As the business landscape shifted and Vertiv continued to expand globally, their financial operations needed to keep up, especially in highly regulated countries like Germany.
That’s where e-invoicing came into sharp focus. Germany’s upcoming requirement is part of a broader European Union push toward standardized digital tax reporting and real-time invoice validation. In practical terms, it means businesses must be ready to receive structured electronic invoices (typically in formats like XRechnung or ZUGFeRD) and integrate them seamlessly into their AP systems.
Vertiv didn’t wait until the last minute.
Getting Ahead of the Mandate
Vertiv Germany was already using DataServ’s AP automation platform, but the shift to structured e-invoicing required an upgrade to ensure compliance and preserve operational flow. Working together, Vertiv and DataServ are currently deploying e-invoicing capabilities tailored for the German market, including complying with the 10-year retention requirements. With native support for regional requirements and integration into Vertiv’s existing ERP environment, the transition so far has been remarkably smooth.
“DataServ is constantly upgrading the services they provide and keeps up with the business need. In an environment with constant change and where speed is essential, DataServ is the ideal tool for accounts payable processing. It helped us improve the efficiency and performance. The dashboard is a great tool for AP Clerks.”
– Financial Shared Services Manager, Vertiv
This is exactly why DataServ builds for agility. Regulations change, geographies expand, payment preferences shift, but the platform adapts without disrupting your team’s workflow.
Efficiency That Scales
Central to this success is DataServ’s ability to simplify complex document handling. Whether it’s PDFs, XMLs, EDIs, or Germany-specific formats like ZUGFeRD, DataServ normalizes the data, automates the routing, and ensures audit-ready documentation. No data silos, no manual bottlenecks.
In fact, DataServ increased Vertiv’s touchless invoice processing rate from 30% to 60% in just a few months, demonstrating how quickly and effectively the platform can drive measurable improvements in efficiency.
What This Means for Other Businesses
If your business operates in Germany (or plans to), the clock is ticking. As of January 1, 2025, you must be able to receive structured electronic invoices. Requirements to issue those e-invoices will phase-in through 2028, so the earlier you modernize, the smoother the next milestones become. But this isn’t just a Germany issue, it’s a preview of what’s coming globally. Mandates in France, Italy, Mexico, and beyond are already in place or on the horizon.
You don’t need to be an expert in every country’s tax schema or file format. You just need a partner who is.
Be Like Vertiv
Vertiv’s proactive approach to compliance and efficiency isn’t just a case study, it’s a playbook. Here’s what other organizations can take away from their experience:
- Start early: Don’t wait for the deadline. Prepare now and avoid the end of year rush.
- Think beyond compliance: Use mandates as a catalyst to modernize and streamline.
- Pick the right platform: One that evolves with regulations, markets, and business needs.
With DataServ, you’re not just meeting requirements, you’re building a smarter, more scalable finance operation.
Want to learn more about how we can help your AP team get future-ready in Germany or anywhere else? Let’s talk.
