This announcement is the latest example of American Express’ strategy of accelerating its investments in the B2B payments space through partnerships with brands like SAP® Concur® to help better serve customers and offer best-in-class solutions.

The first offering, an integration with Concur® Invoice for American Express Business or Corporate Card customers, helps automate the invoice management process. Concur Invoice1, allows businesses to capture and automate paper and electronic invoices using machine learning, then integrates those payments into a single system that reduces processing times and allows for greater control and visibility. The second solution offers small businesses access to digital expense reporting that enables American Express Business Card transactions to seamlessly flow into Concur® Expense2, creating a more efficient way for employees to manage and streamline expenses.

A recent study3 conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of the SAP Concur organization found that a focus on tools that employees use on a regular basis is critical to enhancing their overall satisfaction. A majority of those surveyed named travel and expense (T&E) management software (63%) and accounts payable (AP) automation tools (68%) as one of the most important tools when it comes to creating a good employee experience.

“Operating a business is always challenging, and it is especially so in today’s highly uncertain economic environment,” said Trina Dutta, Vice President/Group Manager B2B Payments Automation, Global Commercial Services at American Express. “American Express knows businesses are pressed for time and looking for ways to operate digitally, and our offerings with SAP Concur will help businesses operate more efficiently.”

By integrating American Express’ B2B payment capabilities with Concur Invoice, finance and accounts payable departments can:

• Pay suppliers efficiently and securely. Businesses can pay eligible suppliers using American Express Business or Corporate Cards directly through Concur Invoice. Each card transaction uses a unique single-use virtual card number, which can help protect accounts from fraudulent charges.
• Simplify processes and save time. Concur Invoice digitizes the invoice capture and workflow process to help streamline reconciliation by reducing manual data input errors, processing times and costs, while helping avoid late payments.
• Readily manage cash flow. Users can view transaction details in the American Express B2B Payments App and take advantage of the benefits of their American Express Business or Corporate Card. Within Concur Invoice, businesses also have access to in-depth spending data, helping them to spot trends and manage unnecessary costs.

The new Concur Expense integration allows businesses to sync their American Express Business Cards and benefit from:

• A streamlined expense report process. Employee expenses made on American Express Business Cards flow automatically into their expense report with Concur Expense, which can help reduce the time and manual input needed.
• A means to help decrease errors. By automating these aspects of the expense report process, the integration may help reduce data entry errors and accidental fraud, such as duplicative credit card entries. Employees can see expenses that need to be submitted, helping to ensure the appropriate reconciliation of their card transactions.
• Greater spending visibility and reporting. Expense reporting that is accessible, accurate, and comprehensive is essential to the operations of any business. Through the American Express Business Card integration, business owners receive detailed reporting of expenses incurred, which can be leveraged to improve overall spend management decisions for the business.

Additionally, the integration of American Express GoTM virtual cards with Concur Expense, helps Corporate Card customers manage purchases made by contractors and employees. Enrollment fee may apply.

The new integrations are part of a recent extension of a longstanding partnership between the SAP Concur organization and American Express, demonstrating their commitment to innovating around AP automation, expense management, and spend analytics.