Understanding Continia eDocuments

"I know we need to start working more with eInvoicing. It sounds so technical and confusing, so I hope there's a way that it can just be integrated with what we already do."

Ester, Accountant at Cronus

eDocuments are XML files that are exchanged between customers and vendors via electronic document networks such as the Peppol eDelivery Network and the NemHandel network. Depending on the document type, eDocuments are also known as eOrdering and eBilling documents.

Document Output creates XML files as alternatives to the PDF attachments sent via email from pages such as the Posted Sales Invoice page. See the Document Output Learn unit about sending unhandled emails and attachments.

Document Capture imports XML files into the document journal alongside documents that you receive by email as PDF, where you can process them for registering just like other received documents. See the Document Capture Learn unit about receiving and importing files.

In these ways, you can work with XML documents exactly as you're used to working with other documents in Document Output and Document Capture.

• The conversion of files to and from Business Central is handled by the Continia eDocuments module in both Document Capture and Document Output.
• The network transfer is handled by the Continia Delivery Network (CDN).

Understanding document formats and document types

XML documents use a structured format, which includes information about the type of business document. Depending on your country and the network you are required to use, the document formats will follow different standards.

Document Output supports sending a range of the most widely used document formats. See the Docs article about document validation in the CDN.

Document Capture accepts a range of document formats through the CDN. See the table of supported formats on Continia Docs. Document Capture applies an identification template to find this information, and then it applies an appropriate template for each document type.

eDocument flows with updates and responses

As well as orders and invoices, Continia eDocuments allows you to exchange document responses and updates between you and your customers and/or vendors. You see these updates and responses in the status field of the original order or invoice document.

The video below shows how both customers and vendors are kept updated throughout the ordering flow.

Whether a document is for selling or purchasing products and services, you can use the Continia eOrdering flow and eBilling flows that starting with the customer's purchase order, and concluding with the vendor receiving payment notification. All major steps and any updates by either the vendore or the customer are handled through the Continia Delivery Network.

These flows are covered in more detail in the Continia Docs article about eDocuments flows.