FlexTecs unveils AI-powered AP Inbox Assist to boost control

FlexTecs has announced the launch of AP Inbox Assist, a new module for its FlexTrap platform designed to automate Accounts Payable (AP) inbox management using artificial intelligence.

The AP Inbox Assist module addresses the challenges faced by AP teams whose shared inboxes are regularly inundated with invoices, supplier statements, payment queries, and bank notifications. According to the company, manual management of these inboxes can result in invoice processing delays, duplicate submissions, unreconciled statements, and overlooked suspicious requests, all of which pose operational and financial risks.

FlexTecs states that AP Inbox Assist integrates directly with FlexTrap to ingest all AP inbox messages, where AI then classifies and routes them, drafting responses that leverage live data from enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This shift is intended to enable AP teams to move from manual sorting and response to a controlled, automated workflow with improved audit trails and risk detection.

Capabilities

Key features of AP Inbox Assist include automated invoice routing to the correct workflow, statement reconciliation by identifying and processing supplier statements, and automatic drafting of responses to payment status queries for review by AP staff. The module also incorporates risk detection by flagging suspicious activity such as bank account changes, supported by context on the supplier in question.

Additionally, the solution provides dashboards and tracking for service level agreements (SLAs), supporting audit compliance and providing management visibility across all inbox activities.

"Most AP inbox solutions stop at efficiency by sorting messages or reducing vendor queries," said Tom Cook, CEO of FlexTecs. "With AP Inbox Assist, we've gone further. By embedding inbox automation into the FlexTrap payment accuracy platform, we ensure every invoice, statement, and inquiry is handled with the same rigor and financial control that FlexTrap is known for. This is about giving AP leaders smarter inboxes and ultimately, stronger AP."

According to FlexTecs, automating inbox triage with AP Inbox Assist is intended to save considerable time for AP staff, reduce the risk of payment fraud, and ensure that invoices and statements are processed promptly and accurately. The system aims to improve vendor satisfaction through faster response times and accuracy, while also providing CFOs and Controllers with the data and oversight tools needed for governance and compliance.

Context

FlexTecs positions this latest module as part of its ongoing efforts to deliver solutions that support efficiency while also mitigating risks and protecting company cash flow. The company notes that combining its experience in recovery audit with AI-based automation supports rigorous payment accuracy practices throughout the payables process.

The company's FlexTrap platform is built to help AP departments proactively identify payment errors, avoid duplicate payments, and prevent financial leakage. Its existing functionalities include alerts for duplicate payments, identification of unclaimed statement credits, detection of potentially fraudulent activity, and process automation to reduce manual workload and reliance on third-party audits.

With AP Inbox Assist, FlexTecs continues focusing on integrating automation technologies to support AP operations and financial controls, offering visibility and risk protection within a comprehensive payment accuracy system.