Nippon Gases Deutschland, the German business unit of Nippon Sanso Holdings Corporation (NSHD) an industrial and medical gases company, is partnering with OpenText™ to expedite the implementation of mandatory B2B e-invoicing in Germany, ahead of the January 1, 2025 deadline. By leveraging OpenText™ Active Invoices with Compliance, Nippon Gases Deutschland will equip its tax and invoicing teams with innovative tools to confidently navigate, document, and manage the complexities of e-invoicing regulations and industry-specific challenges, ensuring both transparency and full compliance throughout.
“The absence of a universally accepted international standard for e-invoicing is a critical issue for us. Managing the diverse e-invoicing regulations across various markets, particularly Germany’s specialist and evolving requirements, creates substantial hurdles,” said Stephan Keysselitz, Finance Director at Nippon Gases Deutschland. “The lack of standardization means that each market can enforce its own rules, heightening the risk of non-compliance, which could lead to severe penalties and significant operational disruptions. Given these complexities, adopting a proactive strategy to stay ahead of regulatory changes is crucial. Partnering with a trusted provider like OpenText enables us to implement a flexible and comprehensive solution that safeguards compliance while streamlining our processes and effectively mitigating risks.”
Germany’s e-invoicing regulations differ from other European countries by not mandating a specific method for exchanging and reporting invoices. Instead, the focus is on approved formats for electronic invoices and the requirements for their issuance and receipt. OpenText will support Nippon Gases Deutschland in adapting to these distinctive requirements, facilitating a smoother transition and process adjustments for its tax and invoicing teams.
OpenText’s fully managed business network cloud and e-invoicing platform is designed to streamline operations by automating manual processes. This highly scalable platform integrates with industry-standard ERP, e-procurement, order management, and accounts payable systems, accelerating payment processes while ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple global markets.
Keysselitz continued: "Choosing OpenText as our partner was a strategic decision. Their expertise and adaptable e-invoicing solutions provide the confidence we need to meet Germany’s complex regulatory requirements effectively. This partnership not only promises compliance but also boosts the efficiency and reliability of our invoicing processes. By implementing OpenText's advanced technology, we can improve operations, reduce errors, and empower our team to focus on strategic initiatives, ultimately driving greater value for our business.”
The OpenText cloud suite, including OpenText Active Invoices with Compliance and OpenText™ Business Network Cloud Foundation, simplifies e-invoicing compliance across more than 50 countries and offers B2B integration for small and mid-sized businesses. With these comprehensive solutions, OpenText will help Nippon Gases Deutschland reduce invoicing time, minimize errors, expedite payments, and mitigate non-compliance risk.
“E-invoicing is not a new concept,” said Muhi Majzoub, EVP & Chief Product Officer at OpenText. “The real challenge lies in the varying digital capabilities of trading partners are the increasing complexity of regulatory requirement. A one-size-fits-all solution cannot address the multifaceted needs of a business and its diverse trading partners, therefore, to navigate these difficulties, a tailored and flexible approach – that can be scaled - is essential.”
Majzoub concluded, “Our suite of business network solutions is carefully designed to simplify compliance and address ever evolving regulatory requirements with ease. By utilizing these tools, we enable Nippon Gases Deutschland to focus on their core operations while OpenText’s smart technology removes the burden of complex regulatory red tape. Our proven approach not only ensures robust adherence but also increases operational efficiency, empowering businesses to navigate developing regulations with confidence and precision.”
