SAP E-Invoicing Without Costly ERP System Modifications
Many SAP customers face the same question: How can outgoing invoices be issued in a legally compliant manner as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD without having to undertake a costly overhaul of their existing SAP invoicing process? This is exactly where the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit comes in. The solution processes finished PDF invoices from your existing billing run and generates structured e-invoices from them—locally in your environment, without the need for the cloud and without changing systems.
As of January 1, 2025, an e-invoice is considered valid for tax purposes only if it is issued, transmitted, and received in a structured electronic format and allows for electronic processing. A simple PDF is no longer considered an e-invoice. In Germany, XRechnung and ZUGFeRD are among the standard formats you can use to meet these requirements. Validation before sending is strongly recommended to avoid errors, returns, and manual rework.
SAP E-Invoicing from Existing PDF Invoices
The Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter picks up where your SAP system is already performing reliably: with the completed outgoing invoice.
You create your invoices as usual. SAP generates the PDF invoice. Treesoft then converts it into the desired e-invoice format.
This means:
- Your existing SAP processes will remain in place.
- Your billing information will not leave your company.
- Processing takes place on-premises.
- PDF invoices are converted into XRechnung and/or ZUGFeRD.
- The generated e-invoice is validated before being saved.
- Outgoing invoices can be organized and documented in a structured manner.
- If desired, the process can be automated—from importing the directory to sending the emails.
This turns your existing SAP billing run into an e-invoicing process without requiring you to replace your ERP system or rebuild your billing process.
How do you create e-invoices in SAP?
You can generate e-invoices from SAP by enriching your SAP invoice data directly within the ERP system or by converting completed SAP PDF invoices into structured formats such as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD after the invoicing run. Treesoft uses the second method: The completed PDF invoice is analyzed locally, mapped to the XRechnung fields, saved as an XRechnung or ZUGFeRD file, validated, documented, and optionally sent.
Why the PDF approach is cost-effective for many SAP customers
A full SAP enhancement may be worthwhile if a major SAP project is already in the works. However, this is not the case in many companies. In those cases, the outbound invoicing system is functioning reliably; the only thing missing is the legally required e-invoice format.
The PDF2XRechnung approach is therefore particularly useful when:
- if you want to continue using SAP ECC or SAP S/4HANA for outgoing invoices,
- your invoice layouts are consistent and machine-readable,
- you don't want sensitive billing data processed in the cloud,
- large volumes of invoices need to be processed automatically,
- XRechnung in CII or UBL format and ZUGFeRD are required in parallel,
- the validation, archiving, and distribution should be documented in a traceable manner,
- the costs per invoice must remain predictable.
Treesoft does not replace SAP. Treesoft enhances your existing invoicing system with the e-invoicing features you need for XRechnung and ZUGFeRD.
XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, and validation in a single process
The Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter can generate structured e-invoice formats from a PDF invoice:
- XRechnung in CII format
- XRechnung in UBL format
- ZUGFeRD invoice as PDF/A-3 with embedded XML
- Multiple formats at once, if desired
XRechnung is an XML-based standard for electronic invoices that enables further processing in various software systems. ZUGFeRD integrates structured XML invoice data into a PDF/A-3 document, thereby combining the visual document with machine-readable data.
Validation takes place before saving. If errors are detected, the process can be corrected. Only e-invoices that have been successfully generated and saved are billed. This helps reduce returns, incorrect invoices, and manual rework.
Designed for high-volume billing
SAP customers often have different requirements than small and medium-sized businesses. It’s not a matter of ten invoices a month, but rather thousands, tens of thousands, or even millions of outgoing invoices per year.
Treesoft is designed not to disrupt existing processes, but to expand them in a controlled manner:
- automated processing of entire invoice batches,
- specified input and output directories,
- rule-based filenames and file structures,
- Validation protocols,
- optional automatic email sending,
- supplementary attachments such as supporting documents, bills of quantities, or supporting evidence,
- custom workflows via scripting or project customization,
- Scalable processing across multiple instances based on project requirements.
For high-volume invoice runs, we’ll work with you to review the PDF output, layout options, desired target structure, and required processing capacity.
On-premises instead of being forced to use the cloud
E-invoices contain sensitive customer, pricing, contract, and service data. Many large companies do not want to process this data through external portals or cloud services.
Treesoft takes a different approach:
- local installation,
- Processing in your environment,
- No cloud processing of your billing data,
- manageable file storage,
- Integration into existing operational and safety plans,
- clear responsibilities for IT, accounting, and auditing.
This is a key advantage, especially in SAP system landscapes: E-invoicing doesn’t become a separate process, but remains part of your controlled outgoing invoice workflow.
Pricing for large customers with 50,000 or more invoices per year
Treesoft offers special enterprise rates for companies with high invoice volumes. Billing is based on successfully generated and validated e-invoices.
Examples of enterprise packages:
| Annual volume | Price example |
|---|---|
| 50,000 invoices | starting at 24,900 EUR/year |
| 100,000 invoices | starting at 44,900 EUR/year |
| 500,000 invoices | starting at 198,900 EUR/year |
| 1,000,000 invoices | starting at 348,900 EUR/year |
| 10,000,000 invoices | Framework Agreement |
The pricing structure remains transparent: The higher your reliable annual volume, the lower the calculated price per e-bill.
For large customers with 50,000 or more invoices, the token logic of the Subscription PRO plan continues to apply. Converting a PDF invoice into an XRechnung or ZUGFeRD invoice costs 14 tokens, including validation. However, pricing is not based on the standard token packages but on individually agreed-upon Enterprise terms.
For example: If you want to convert 150,000 invoices per year, the calculation is based on the agreed annual volume. With a package price of EUR 44,900 for 100,000 invoices, the amount for 150,000 invoices is as follows:
44,900 EUR / 100,000 invoices × 150,000 invoices = 67,350 EUR/year
For this annual volume, 2,100,000 tokens will be credited to your account:
150,000 invoices × 14 tokens = 2,100,000 tokens
You can check your current token balance at any time. You can also set up an alert that automatically notifies you if your usage exceeds your planned amount. This allows you to see early on whether you need additional tokens. You can reorder at any time under the agreed Enterprise terms. The tokens will be credited upon receipt of payment so that your billing cycles can continue without interruption.
Unused tokens do not expire as long as your Enterprise contract remains active. Any remaining balance is carried over and automatically transferred to the next contract year. This allows you to plan your annual volume realistically without losing unused tokens at the end of the year. Unused tokens are not refunded.
Costs for Business Consulting
The cost of business consulting is 160.00 EUR per hour. Business consulting applies exclusively to the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit, the configuration of the PDF2XRechnung Converter, and the associated processes for creating, validating, storing, and optionally processing e-invoices. The actual effort required depends, among other things, on your invoice layouts, SAP clients, document types, test and production environments, as well as the desired level of automation.
If adjustments to your SAP system are required—for example, to PDF output, document types, master data, invoice layouts, or data transfer processes—these are not included in Treesoft Business Consulting. You can hire your own SAP consultant for this purpose. Alternatively, we can bring in a suitable SAP consultant after consultation. In this case, Treesoft will assist you with the technical specification of the requirements and, if necessary, with the creation of a requirements specification for the necessary SAP customizations.
Service and Support Costs
The flat rate for service and support is agreed upon on a case-by-case basis. This is based primarily on your SLA requirements, such as desired response times, availability, prioritization of support cases, assistance with updates, support during testing and production runs, as well as requirements for monitoring, escalation, and operational reliability. This ensures you receive exactly the level of service that matches your billing volume and the criticality of your processes.
A Four-Step Introduction
1. Review sample calculations
You provide standard SAP PDF invoices: single-page and multi-page invoices, credit memos, cancellation invoices, invoices with and without sales tax, EU and international invoices, as well as special layouts.
2. Create a configuration
Treesoft maps the content of your PDF invoice to the required fields in XRechnung. This includes the invoice number, service date, line items, tax rates, amounts, customer data, and other mandatory information.
3. Test Run and Validation
The generated e-invoices are checked. Errors, special cases, and layout discrepancies are identified before your production invoice run begins.
4. Automation of Outgoing Invoices
Once approved, the process can be automated: prepare the PDF, generate the e-invoice, validate it, save it, document it, and optionally send it.
Who this solution is particularly suitable for
The Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter is suitable for:
- Companies using SAP ECC,
- Companies using SAP S/4HANA,
- Corporations with high outgoing invoices,
- Accounts Receivable,
- Accounts Payable and Audit,
- IT managers and SAP administrators,
- business decision-makers,
- Companies with strict data protection requirements and on-premises processing,
- Companies that continue to use SAP but want to limit their e-invoicing costs.
Conclusion: Implementing SAP E-Invoicing Cost-Effectively
SAP e-invoicing doesn’t have to automatically turn into an expensive ERP conversion project. If your SAP system already generates reliable PDF invoices, Treesoft can use them to create structured XRechnungen and ZUGFeRD invoices—on-premises, automated, validated, and with transparent pricing for large customers.
Download the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit and have a typical SAP PDF invoice checked for compatibility—free of charge.
Downloading the E-Invoice Toolkit and setting up a token account does not entail any obligation on your part.
FAQ – Questions from SAP customers about the Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter
Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit – All Included Tools
The Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter is part of the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit. This gives you access to additional tools as needed:
Treesoft XRechnung Viewer
The Treesoft XRechnung Viewer is used to open, read, and verify incoming XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoices. The viewer is free to use indefinitely and is particularly well-suited for accounting, invoice verification, and specialized departments.
Treesoft XRechnung Validator
The Treesoft XRechnung Validator is used to verify that XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoices are formally correct. The validator is particularly important before invoices are sent to customers, government agencies, or business partners.
Treesoft XRechnung Editor
The Treesoft XRechnung Editor is used to edit existing XRechnungen when required information needs to be added or corrected.
Treesoft XRechnung Creator
The Treesoft XRechnung Creator is used to manually create new XRechnungen when automatic conversion from an existing system is not desired.
Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator
Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator is used to generate a ZUGFeRD invoice from an XRechnung and the corresponding PDF invoice.
This way, the solution grows with your needs: from a free viewer to validation and on to automated bulk conversion in outgoing invoices.
