GUIDES & REPORTS
2026 AP Automation & Payments Technology Advisor
Medius named a Market Leader by Ardent Partners
Choosing the right AP automation platform in 2026 is complex and consequential. Finance and AP leaders are navigating rising transaction volumes, increasing fraud, global compliance demands, and expectations to do more with less. At the same time, AI is rapidly reshaping what modern AP automation really means, making it harder to separate meaningful innovation from hype.
In the “2026 AP Automation & Payments Technology Advisor,” Ardent Partners, one of the most respected analyst firms in the AP and procure-to-pay space, evaluates AP automation and payments providers using a thorough, transparent framework. In this year’s report, Medius is recognized as a Market Leader, with an additional Elite Performer designation for AI Innovation.
What you’ll learn in the report
The 2026 Technology Advisor provides a detailed assessment of the AP automation and payments landscape from the viewpoint of independent analysts, including:
How Ardent Partners evaluates AP automation providers
The capabilities that define AP maturity in 2026
How leading providers compare across invoice automation, payments, analytics, supplier management, and platform architecture
Why Medius was named a Market Leader, and what differentiates its AI strategy from competitors
Practical insight to support vendor evaluation, shortlisting, and RFP preparation
Why this report matters
Unlike surface-level rankings or vendor-sponsored comparisons, the 2026 Ardent Partners’ report evaluates providers across both solution strength and provider strength, measuring not just what platforms promise, but how well they perform in real-world AP environments.
This year’s edition introduces expanded criteria around AI-driven capabilities, reflecting how automation is moving beyond basic invoice processing toward intelligence, anomaly detection, autonomous workflows, and risk prevention. The result is a more realistic view of which providers are prepared for the next phase of AP automation, and which fall short.
For finance leaders actively evaluating solutions, this report provides the context, clarity, and confidence needed to make informed decisions.
Who should read this report
This report is essential reading for:
CFOs and finance executives overseeing AP modernization
AP and P2P leaders evaluating automation or payments platforms
IT and transformation leaders supporting finance technology decisions
Organizations seeking third-party validation to guide vendor selection
If you’re comparing AP automation solutions or planning your next phase of investment, this report delivers independent insight you can trust.
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Get unbiased, in-depth analysis from one of the industry’s most trusted research firms and see why Medius has been recognized year over year as a Market Leader in AP automation and payments.