What is PEPPOL?

PEPPOL is a standard that aims to promote the development of an interoperable environment for public procurement in the European Union.

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PEPPOL, Pan European Public Procurement On-Line

PEPPOL stands for Pan European Public Procurement On-Line. A set of specifications to facilitate public procurement between companies and administrations regardless of where the systems they use are located. 

It is a standard that is consolidating as a communications network increasingly used by European public bodies. Its acceptance is due to its effectiveness in aligning communications between entities in different countries.  

What is openPEPPOL?

OpenPEPPOL is an international non-profit organization responsible for the development and maintenance of the PEPPOL specifications.

It has both public and private members with the idea of ensuring interoperability in public procurement and B2B environments, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the development of a single digital market.  

What are PEPPOL's objectives?

  • Solve the problem of interoperability in e-procurement and promote transparency.

  • Automate business processes, both with the public and private sectors.

  • Help companies, especially SMEs, to be more competitive globally.

  • Achieve a single digital market.

PEPPOL Infrastructure

PEPPOL is built on 3 essential pillars:

PEPPOL Network (PEPPOL Transport Infrastructure)

This infrastructure connects the systems of public entities for e-procurement using common and compatible standards. These are the components of the PEPPOL infrastructure:    

Access Points (APs): Access points must be certified by OpenPEPPOL. Specific protocols and defined standards are used to create electronic documents. Any transaction issued from an AP must be received by another AP so that communication through this infrastructure can only be done via Access Points.

Service Metadata Publisher (SMP): This decentralized registry provides information on the access points and types of messages that a PEPPOL recipient can receive. These services contain the addresses and available metadata of the users connected to the PEPPOL network. 

Service Metadata Locator (SML): EU central registry that defines the SMP containing the information of each business partner in an electronic data exchange. Each partner has a unique identifier in the form of a URL through which Access Points locate the SMP and the access point to the receiver of the transaction. 

PEPPOL Interoperability Specifications (BIS - Business Interoperability Agreements)

This standard adopted by the PEPPOL Network is known as PEPPOL-UBL, which is a variant of the "Universal Business Language" developed in XML. 

PEPPOL has developed a series of interoperability specifications between companies to standardize the exchange of documents: electronic catalogs, purchase orders, shipping notices, and e-Invoices. These requirements are contained in the PEPPOL-BIS (Business Interoperability Specifications) document, based on the analysis of the CEN BII (CEN Workshop on Business Interoperability Interfaces).

Agreements and Legal Frameworks (PEPPOL Transport Infrastructure Agreements)

These are agreements between the parties involved in the infrastructure to implement the PEPPOL specifications. In particular, the agreements will ensure that the parties involved in the network act responsibly and transparently for the benefit of the community. In addition, they ensure that adequate information is provided through the SMLs and SMPs so that any user can perform the exchange processes correctly.

What to consider when hiring a PEPPOL Access Point provider?

In addition to accreditation as an Access Point to operate with other PEPPOL access points, EDICOM is part of the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework agreement, the British government's trade agency. This gives us the ability to work with any British public sector organization.

SMP servers contain the addresses and available metadata of users connected to the PEPPOL network. All those who are part of this network must be registered with an SMP. EDICOM has the SMP (Service Metadata Publisher) server certification, which allows it to manage its own identifier infrastructure in the PEPPOL network connected to the SML (Service Metadata Locator).

EDICOM has its own AS server, accessible to all clients who need to connect with their business partners via this protocol. OpenPEPPOL and CEF have confirmed that the introduction phase of the AS4 data exchange protocol has been successfully completed.

Furthermore, it has obtained certification of its AS.x server (EAS Server) by the European Union. EDICOM is now ready to use the AS4 protocol with clients who want or require it.

EDICOM specializes in the development of international projects. Thanks to its certification as Access Point for the PEPPOL network, and its broad portfolio of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), technology services and solutions, EDICOM is present in pioneering e-Procurement projects being developed in Europe.

Choose a partner that offers a globally scalable solution with the capacity to extend to B2B projects as well. EDICOM offers you a comprehensive solution with different EDI, e-Invoicing, and VAT compliance capabilities worldwide. Our clients have access to various services and can apply them to their business management according to their company's needs.

Companies tend to subdivide complex projects and assign each area to a different provider. However, it is best to look for a provider capable of offering an integral, flexible and scalable solution to be more efficient. With EDICOM, it is possible to centralize all electronic communications, even if the company operates in several countries. Thus, an Italian company can participate in an electronic public procurement tender in Spain, France, or another country using a single solution.

Benefits of PEPPOL

Reduces Economic Costs

With the use of PEPPOL, there is no need to have different solutions to adapt to the technological specifications of business partners, which represents an economical cost-saving.

Allows You to Connect with Any Business Partner in the PEPPOL Network

Interconnections and document exchange is possible with any company or public entity. In addition, data security is guaranteed. 

Simplifies, Streamlines, and Automates Business Processes

PEPPOL and EDI open the door to automation. Sales and administrative departments reduce their workload and can focus on tasks that add value to the company. 

Increases Global Business Competitiveness

On the one hand, companies using PEPPOL can exchange data with business partners in other countries without difficulty. On the other hand, PEPPOL adoption is just the tip of the iceberg. Once businesses make the technological leap, they continue to move towards other paperless processes.

EDICOM, PEPPOL Access Point certified

EDICOM Access Point accreditation qualifies us as an access point to the PEPPOL platform and the rest of the network's Access Points. Through this platform, private companies and public entities in the European Union can exchange electronic documents of any kind (invoices, purchase orders, shipping notices, price catalogs, etc.). These business processes are performed in a standardized or interoperable manner.

EDICOM PEPPOL Access Point

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