--- title: AP Best Practices Series - Vendor Management url: https://www.medius.com/blog/ap-best-practices-series-vendor-management/ updated: 2025-03-03T02:17:09Z --- [Back to Blog](https://www.medius.com/blog/) Supplier Management 7.11.2018 # AP Best Practices Series - Vendor Management We recently had a discussion with a very large company about [Vendor Management](https://www.medius.com/blog/tools-to-help-manage-your-suppliers/ "Supplier management: the tools your organization needs") that reminded us of just how daunting it can be to maintain the company vendor database. Simply managing the vendors can be overwhelming.  With more data mining and BI software available, companies are now beginning to understand how they interact with their vendors.  This information can then point them then in the right direction as they seek to expand their Electronic Accounts Payable Program (EAP) and leverage vendor relationships for [maximum discounts](https://www.medius.com/blog/how-accounts-payable-objectives-using-automation/ "How to Set Accounts Payable Objectives Using Automation"). From the vantage point of having more information and knowing that it is best to pull such vendors into an EAP, how does a company collect the ACH instructions from the database of thousands of vendors? Companies may wonder:  Who will call the vendors; Who will collect the ACH instructions; Who will key data into the Accounting or ERP system; How will we keep this vendor data [secure](https://www.medius.com/blog/most-secure-payment-method/ "How to Find the Most Secure Payment Method in 2022")... and the questions of security could go on. This may lead them to believe that migrating to E-Payments seems to be more work, not less and without the time, resources and the budget to address the migration that it's best to keep business as usual. To address this problem, Vendor Management Services exist to help collect data and many offer access to vast databases of corporate ACH instructions.  Others provide one-to-one communications designed specifically for your vendor database.  Others combine a communications program with a [web portal](https://www.medius.com/solutions/supplier-onboarding/ "Supplier Management") allowing a vendor self-service model to collect ACH deposit instructions. Any of these programs may work for your company but most come with hefty up-front fees or reoccurring monthly fees. When researching vendor enrollment services, keep the following goals in mind: 1. A company should own its vendor database at the conclusion of its vendor enrollment program.  These are individual [relationships](https://www.medius.com/blog/ap-vendor-relationships-are-more-connected-than-you-think/ "AP & vendor relationships are more connected than you think") that are unique for each company.  Keep control of the database! 2. Seek a vendor management service provider who can streamline communication and launch your E-Payment program in 90 - 120 days. 3. Work with a company that will help your company analyze its [vendor database](https://www.medius.com/blog/tools-to-help-manage-your-suppliers/ "Supplier management: the tools your organization needs") then set a goal of converting 30% of your overall vendors, but 60% of your most frequently paid vendors, to ACH. 4. Do not require a significant change to current [AP processes](https://www.medius.com/blog/full-process-accounts-payable-cycle/ "What is the full cycle of the Accounts Payable process?") to make the move to ACH.  Seek a program that allows you to issue electronic payments even when/if your accounting system can only issue a check file. Vendor management and vendor data collection and analysis may discourage or dispirit. ### More on AP Automation: - [3 Hacks to simplify your accounts payable process flow](https://www.medius.com/blog/3-hacks-simplify-ap-process/ "3 hacks simplify ap process") - [What is ‘Accounts payable software’? AP Automation today](https://www.medius.com/blog/what-is-accounts-payable-software-get-the-facts-about-ap-automation/ "What is accounts payable software? Get the facts about AP automation") - [Accounts payable & vendor relationships are connected](https://www.medius.com/blog/ap-vendor-relationships-are-more-connected-than-you-think/ "AP & vendor relationships are more connected than you think") - [Five steps to bolstering supplier relationships](https://www.medius.com/blog/five-steps-to-bolstering-supplier-relationships/ "Five steps to bolstering supplier relationships") - [How AP and procurement are strategically linked](https://www.medius.com/blog/how-ap-and-procurement-are-strategically-linked/ "How AP and procurement are strategically linked") To that we say, let us know if we can help you in any way. #### The Financial Professional Census Explore hurdles facing finance professionals today and learn how to overcome them in our research-backed Financial Professional Census report. [Get the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/financial-professional-census-report-2024/ "Financial Professional Census Report 2024") #### Ardent Partners' State of AP in 2026 AI is changing what AP teams can do, and fast. Get leading analysts at Ardent Partners' take on where the industry is headed. [Get the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ardent-partners-state-of-ap/ "Ardent Partners State of AP") #### Webinar: Preparing for agentic AI in AP In this webinar with SSON, see how leading finance teams are moving from automation to autonomous AP, with real governance built in. [Watch the webinar](https://www.medius.com/resources/events-and-webinars/through-trust-and-governance-sson/ "Through trust and governance SSON") #### Discover accounts payable benchmarks Learn the efficiency metrics that matter for AP teams and the benchmarks derived from thousands of Medius customers around the globe. [Get the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ap-benchmark-report/ "AP Benchmark Report") #### Questions about AP automation? Let's talk through it. A 30-minute conversation with a Medius expert costs you nothing and might save you a lot. Book a consult ## Related Posts [8.18.2026 AP Automation Best AP automation software for food and beverage](https://www.medius.com/blog/best-ap-automation-software-for-food-and-beverage/) [!\[focused business woman looking at computer\](https://www.medius.com/media/exkdu0tm/adobestock_126291778-red.jpg?width=340&height=245&v=1d99261d24b3f10) 8.13.2026 AP Automation The AP metrics CFOs review first when evaluating finance operations](https://www.medius.com/blog/the-ap-metrics-cfos-review-first-when-evaluating-finance-operations/) [8.12.2026 Integration Choosing the best AP automation platform for complex ERP environments](https://www.medius.com/blog/choosing-the-best-ap-automation-platform-for-complex-erp-environments/) [8.11.2026 Fraud & Risk The best AP automation platforms for strengthening payment controls](https://www.medius.com/blog/the-best-ap-automation-platforms-for-strengthening-payment-controls/) [8.10.2026 AP Automation Best AP automation software for e-invoicing compliance](https://www.medius.com/blog/best-ap-automation-software-for-e-invoicing-compliance/) [8.7.2026 AP Automation Why manufacturing invoice matching creates so many exceptions](https://www.medius.com/blog/why-manufacturing-invoice-matching-creates-so-many-exceptions/) [8.17.2026 Accounts Payable 5 AI-powered tactics for touchless accounts payable](https://www.medius.com/blog/five-tactics-for-peace-of-mind-touchless-accounts-payable/) Previous Next [View All Posts](https://www.medius.com/blog/) ## Ready to transform your AP? 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