The Accounts Payable Network, the resource for Accounts Payables (AP) finance people in the USA, have launched their own solution to the ongoing problem of how to handle supplier inquiries concerning the status of unpaid invoices. The cost includes not only salaries, benefits and taxes, but also equipment, supplies, phone lines and the lost productivity that comes from AP staff having to answer the phone rather than concentrate upon the tasks at hand. (Not to mention the distractions caused by the occasional unpleasant caller.)

Instead of concentrating on issuing e-invoices, TAPN has focused solely on how to solve the problem of answering supplier queries. How it works:

• company provides TAPN with a daily file of payables transactions, including both invoice and payment information
• ‘Supplier IQ' formats the data and updates the database
• vendors and vendor relationship managers access vendor-specific invoice and payment status information in the TAPN portal
• company receives usage reports showing which vendors are using the service, how frequently and number of inquiries. TAPN will review the reports with you and make specific management recommendations, when applicable, to help improve service and reduce the cost.

This service is available for TAPN members in the USA.