Combat Supplier Payment Challenges with an Embedded Solution

Finance teams often find themselves managing supplier payment operations built on disconnected systems and manual steps. When payment demands grow as companies scale, AP teams inevitably spend more time on tedious tasks that take them away from more strategic work. What should be a streamlined payment process turns into a cycle of re-entry and status chasing that slows down the business.

At the same time, rising invoice volume and a broader supplier mix introduce more chances for mistakes and make it harder to maintain clear insight into cash flow. Many teams turn to spreadsheets or bank portals in search of control, yet those stopgaps often add complexity without improving accuracy or supplier communication.

To create a more stable foundation, many finance teams are turning to embedded payment technology that consolidates AP activity within their ERP. This shift strengthens internal controls and helps teams complete invoice approval and reconciliation flows with far less friction. 

Key takeaways

• Embedded supplier payment solutions address common challenges by removing manual steps and scattered data.
• Centralized workflows improve visibility, strengthen internal controls for accounts payable, and reduce fraud risk.
• Businesses gain payment flexibility, faster reconciliation, and mobility without adding new systems that employees need to learn.
• Vendor Payments powered by MineralTree delivers an embedded solution that adapts quickly and supports growth across industries.

How embedded payment solutions solve common supplier payment challenges

Supplier payment issues often stem from workflows that rely on too many tools and too little coordination. AP teams may enter invoices in the ERP, route them through email for approvals and then move to a bank portal to release payments. The constant shifting slows work and increases the chance for error.

Embedded supplier payments remove the following challenges by consolidating all payment steps within one environment: 

Manual tasks & duplication

• Challenge: AP teams often print checks, handle ACH files, and key payment information into multiple systems to complete one supplier run. These repetitive steps introduce errors and slow operations as payment volumes rise.
• Solution: An embedded payment solution eliminates duplicate entry by pulling approved invoice data directly from the ERP and carrying it through to payment without manual re-entry. Payment details auto-populate, approvals stay in the same system, and payments move through one workflow. This leaves little opportunity to introduce errors and reduces hours spent on administrative work.

Visibility & audit fragmentation

• Challenge: When payments occur outside the ERP, supporting documentation ends up scattered across bank portals, shared folders, and email threads. AP teams must piece together information from each source to answer status questions or prepare for audits, which slows reviews and increases the chance of missing details. 
• Solution: Embedded payments within the ERP retain the entire record in one system, including check numbers, timestamps, and approval paths. This creates a cleaner audit trail and stronger internal controls for accounts payable.

Reconciliations & status sync issues

• Challenge: Disconnected workflows often create mismatches that lead to supplier disputes or inaccurate reporting. Suppliers may request updates that AP cannot verify at the moment because bank confirmations and ERP records do not sync in real time.
• Solution: When payment tools are embedded in the ERP, supplier records update automatically when payments clear, which streamlines reconciliation and reduces the follow-up required to resolve discrepancies.

Security & fraud risks 

• Challenge: Manual banking processes expose businesses to preventable risks. When files are downloaded and passed between systems, payment details may be edited or mishandled, and approvals can occur outside standardized controls.
• Solution: Embedded workflows keep every action inside the ERP and enforce approval steps consistently. This creates a more secure environment and helps organizations maintain compliance with internal review and authorization policies.

Payment type flexibility 

• Challenge: Suppliers often expect payment through their preferred method, yet finance teams typically manage ACH, checks, and virtual cards across different systems. Meeting these preferences can create extra steps for AP and introduce inconsistent workflows.
• Solution: Vendor Payments by MineralTree allow all payment types to move through the same process, which supports integrated payables and reduces confusion for staff. Suppliers receive payments through their preferred method without added complexity for AP.

Remote access & mobility

• Challenge: Distributed teams need flexibility, but traditional payment systems often tie users to office locations or bank-specific access points. This limits the ability to initiate or approve payments on time and slows down the supplier payment process.
• Solution: Embedded solutions like MineralTree allow employees to approve and release payments from any location through secure ERP access. This supports continuity and reliability for organizations with hybrid or fully remote environments.

Adoption ease & affordability 

• Challenge: Many businesses hesitate to upgrade payment systems because they anticipate long implementations or expensive upfront requirements. Some solutions also introduce payment minimums or onboarding steps that interrupt the AP workflow.
• Solution: MineralTree integrates directly with Sage Intacct and follows existing invoice processes, lowering adoption barriers and shortening the time needed to get up and running. Organizations can begin realizing value quickly without major disruption to staff or budgets.

Did you know? The onboarding cycle for MineralTree’s embedded payments solution averages just 12 business days and there is no minimum volume requirement.

An overview of embedded Vendor Payments powered by MineralTree

Sage and MineralTree launched an embedded payment experience, Vendor Payments powered by MineralTree, that brings invoice-to-pay activity directly into the Sage Intacct ERP. The integration eliminates the need to switch between tools, reduces the risk of entry errors, and provides finance teams with consistent visibility into each stage of the payment lifecycle. 

Our solution supports multiple payment types through a single interface and presents real-time status information to stakeholders. Our users experience fewer exceptions, reconciliation issues, and supplier communication hurdles.

Modernize supplier payments with MineralTree

MineralTree gives businesses a simple, secure way to modernize supplier disbursements through a workflow that remains consistent at any scale. Many bank or third-party tools place payments outside the ERP, forcing teams to navigate redirects and fragmented approval paths. MineralTree enables your organization to avoid those disruptions with a native embedded design that keeps the entire invoice-to-pay experience in one environment. 

Learn how Vendor Payments powered by MineralTree transforms supplier payments with a fully embedded workflow that brings clarity and efficiency to AP operations.

FAQs about how Vendor Payments can help combat common supplier challenges

What risks do embedded payments eliminate compared to manual bank processes? 

ERP embedded payments reduce exposure to internal fraud, accidental file changes, and inconsistent approval activity. Keeping every action inside the ERP creates a controlled environment with complete audit visibility. Teams operate with clearer accountability and fewer points of failure.

Can embedded payments support multiple payment methods (ACH, checks, cards)?

Yes. ACH, checks, and virtual cards all run through one ERP-native payments workflow, so AP teams don’t have to switch between portals or tools. Suppliers still receive their preferred payment method, but staff follow a single streamlined process.

How quickly can businesses adopt an embedded payments solution?

With Vendor Payments powered by MineralTree, most teams are fully live in approximately 12 days with minimal disruption. The transition is seamless because your existing AP workflows remain intact when payment execution shifts into the ERP. Many businesses experience immediate efficiency gains when manual invoice-to-pay processes are eliminated. 

Are embedded payments suitable for both SMBs and enterprises?

Embedded payments work for any organization that uses an ERP, no matter the size. Smaller teams gain structure without heavy setup, while enterprises benefit from scalable controls and consistency across departments. Both see a more stable supplier payment process that adapts as payment volume grows.