A July 2026 report says tech staff now help choose bill-paying software, and 92% of organizations expect automation to free finance teams for bigger work.
Companies that want to automate how they pay suppliers are letting their technology staff weigh in on what to buy. A July 2026 report from PYMNTS Intelligence and WEX says the main reason is practical: the new software has to work with the systems a business already uses.
The report is called "Who Decides Now: How Developers and Tech Teams Are Reshaping the Future of AP Payments." AP means accounts payable, the part of a company that handles supplier bills and payments. The report finds that connecting systems and getting software running now matter alongside the money a tool might save.
The authors compare it to buying an appliance. Its features do little good if it does not connect properly to the building's wiring. Developers and IT specialists can help finance leaders check those needs before a purchase.
Research cited in the report finds 92% of organizations believe automating invoice management and supplier payments would let finance teams focus on more strategic work. Payment features built into software a company already has can also give a clearer view of payments and cut the work of matching payments to records.
The report recommends bringing in technical staff early and choosing systems that can handle future growth. The summary available does not say how many organizations were surveyed, which products were compared, or what any of this costs.
Before buying bill-payment automation, ask whether it connects to your current accounting software, and involve your tech help early.
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