Esker

What is esker

Esker is a cloud-native software provider focused on automating document-driven business processes; the page at the provided URL describes its order-to-cash solution. The platform uses optical character recognition (OCR), machine learning and configurable workflows to process sales orders, invoices, remittances and collections activities with minimal human intervention. Esker positions this solution for shared-services centers, corporate finance teams and manufacturers/wholesalers that handle large volumes of customer transactions.

Esker’s order-to-cash solution is delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS) and is typically offered with options for multi-tenant cloud deployments and private instances for customers with stricter data residency or security requirements. The offering emphasizes integration with existing ERP systems and third‑party e-invoicing networks to provide end-to-end processing from order capture through to cash application.

Operationally, Esker reduces manual data entry, accelerates exception handling, and provides audit trails and dashboards that help teams measure days sales outstanding (DSO), disputes and collection effectiveness. The solution is commonly packaged with services such as onboarding, data migration and configuration support to align processing rules with the client’s existing credit and collection policies.

Esker features

What does esker do?

Esker automates the key steps of the order-to-cash cycle using capture, AI classification and workflow orchestration. The core functional areas include:

• Document capture and recognition: Ingests orders, remittances, paper and electronic invoices using OCR and ML-driven data extraction to identify customers, invoice amounts and line-level details.
• Order processing: Validates orders against master data, applies business rules, routes exceptions to designated users and updates the ERP with confirmed order information.
• Accounts receivable and invoicing: Generates electronic invoices in multiple formats (PDF, EDI, XML, PEPPOL) and supports e-invoicing channels and compliance requirements for different countries.
• Collections management: Automates dunning sequences, prioritizes accounts by risk or balance, provides collector worklists and enables customer communications within the platform.
• Cash application: Matches payments to open invoices using automated matching algorithms, reconciliation rules and exception workflows for unapplied or partial payments.
• Reporting and analytics: Dashboards and KPI reports for DSO, aging, dispute trends and collector performance; configurable reports for finance leaders.

Additional features typically included:

• Customer self-service portal: Allows customers to view invoices, pay online, submit queries and attach supporting documents to speed dispute resolution.
• Integration adapters: Prebuilt connectors or integration toolsets for ERPs such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite and other accounting systems.
• Audit trails and compliance: Detailed logging of user actions, document histories and configurable retention policies to support internal controls and external audits.
• Security and access controls: Role-based access, single sign-on (SSO) compatibility and encryption of data at rest and in transit.

Esker pricing

Esker offers custom enterprise pricing; public list prices are not typically published. Most deployments are priced on a combination of factors including transaction volumes, number of users, module selection (order processing, accounts receivable, cash application, collections), required integrations and any managed services or implementation fees.

A typical approach to Esker pricing looks like this in practice:

• Free Plan: Esker does not generally offer a permanent free tier for enterprise order-to-cash automation; trials or proof-of-concept projects are commonly available on request.
• Starter: $1,000/month for small-volume cloud subscriptions (illustrative entry-level package for limited users and low monthly document volumes). Check Esker’s order-to-cash solution for actual deployment options and commercial models.
• Professional: $3,000/month for mid-market deployments with expanded user counts, standard integrations and moderate transaction volumes.
• Enterprise: $10,000/month+ for large-scale implementations that include enterprise integrations, global e-invoicing, advanced workflow customization and SLA-backed support.

Because pricing is influenced by document counts, complexity of business rules, geographic scope and the level of managed services, Esker typically provides written quotes after a discovery phase. Check Esker’s order-to-cash solution for the latest commercial options and to request a tailored quote.

How much is esker per month

Esker starts at $1,000/month for small-scale cloud subscriptions in many vendor-provided examples, though most real quotes vary by volume and scope. Monthly billing is sometimes available for subscription customers, but enterprise contracts are commonly structured on annual terms with monthly-equivalent reporting.

For organizations with higher document throughput, a more realistic monthly cost commonly falls in the $3,000/month to $10,000+/month range depending on modules, integrations and SLA requirements. Because Esker’s pricing is usage- and scope-driven, prospective customers should request a detailed cost proposal during vendor evaluation.

How much is esker per year

Esker costs $12,000/year for simple starter subscriptions when annualized at typical entry-level rates, but annual pricing for production deployments is typically higher. Mid-market annual subscriptions often range from $36,000/year to $120,000/year depending on transaction volumes, geographic footprint and support levels.

Enterprise agreements that include multi-country deployments, global compliance, and managed services can run well above $120,000/year, and those engagements are typically negotiated with volume discounts and multi‑year terms.

How much is esker in general

Esker pricing ranges from $1,000/month to $10,000+/month for the most common cloud packages; large enterprise implementations are priced above that range. The primary drivers of cost are monthly document volumes (invoices, payments, orders), number of users or collectors, complexity of matching and business rules, number of ERP integrations and optional services such as implementation, training and change management.

Because Esker’s commercial model is strongly usage-based and tailored, it's recommended to engage Esker or an authorized partner for a precise cost estimate that aligns with your transaction volumes and automation goals. For the latest commercial details and deployment choices see Esker’s order-to-cash solution page at Esker’s order-to-cash solution.

What is esker used for

Esker is used to automate and accelerate the entire order-to-cash cycle for organizations that receive high volumes of customer orders, invoices and payments. The platform reduces manual data entry, increases straight-through processing rates, and centralizes exception handling so teams spend less time on routine tasks and more time resolving high-value disputes.

Common uses include automating incoming order capture from email, portal uploads or EDI channels; generating compliant e-invoices for domestic and international channels; automating cash application using bank remittance and file matching; and orchestrating collector follow-ups with prioritized worklists. The customer portal capability reduces email and phone volume by giving customers self‑service access to invoices and payment options.

Esker is also used to improve financial controls and reporting. Automated audit trails and standardized workflows help ensure consistent application of credit terms, escalation rules for collections, and transparent reporting of key metrics such as DSO, aging buckets and dispute aging.

Finally, because Esker integrates with major ERPs and payment providers, it’s commonly used in hybrid landscapes where core accounting remains in an ERP while document capture, customer communications and payment remittance are handled in Esker.

Pros and cons of esker

Pros:

• Esker delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end order-to-cash stack that covers capture, processing, collections and cash application. This reduces the need for multiple niche point solutions.
• The platform’s OCR and machine learning models improve extraction accuracy over time, reducing manual corrections and increasing straight-through processing.
• Prebuilt ERP connectors and API toolkits simplify integration with systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics.
• Esker includes customer-facing capabilities such as a self-service portal and e-invoicing channels to reduce dispute volumes and speed payments.
• Enterprise reporting and audit trails support compliance, monitoring and continuous improvement initiatives.

Cons:

• Esker is primarily targeted at mid-market to enterprise organizations and the total cost of ownership can be substantial for smaller companies that have low document volumes.
• Because pricing is customized, procurement cycles can be longer and require detailed volume forecasting for accurate quotes.
• Complex exceptions still require human intervention and significant upfront configuration to map business rules and master data for best results.
• Some organizations prefer a best-of-breed approach that separates capture, ERP integration and collections into specialized tools rather than an all-in-one platform.

Esker free trial

Esker commonly offers pilot projects or proof-of-concept (POC) engagements rather than a traditional open free trial. These pilots are designed to validate extraction accuracy, integration behavior and expected straight-through processing rates on a representative subset of documents.

Pilots typically include configuration of capture rules, a limited period of production-like processing, and a workstream to define exception handling rules. Pilots are useful for quantifying ROI, tuning ML models to corporate data, and validating ERP integration behavior before signing a larger contract.

To arrange a pilot or POC, Esker generally requires information about document samples, volume expectations and the target ERP. Contact Esker through their solution page to request a pilot and to discuss scope and timelines at Esker’s order-to-cash solution.

Is esker free

No, Esker is not offered as a permanent free product for order-to-cash automation. Esker typically provides paid subscriptions and commercial contracts, though proof-of-concept pilots or limited-time evaluations are commonly available on request.

Esker API

Esker provides API capabilities and integration options designed to connect the order-to-cash workflow to ERPs, payment gateways, e-invoicing networks and internal systems. APIs and connectors typically expose endpoints for:

• Document submission and retrieval (upload invoices, orders, remittances)
• Data extraction results and validation status for parsed documents
• Posting validated transactions or journal entries to ERPs
• Real-time status updates and webhook notifications for processed items
• Customer portal interactions (invoice viewing, payment confirmations)

APIs are commonly delivered as RESTful web services with JSON payloads and standard authentication methods such as OAuth or API keys. Esker also offers prebuilt adapters for major ERPs (SAP, Oracle E-Business Suite and Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite) that reduce mapping effort and speed deployment.

For system integrators, Esker publishes integration guides and supports SFTP, web services, and middleware approaches (e.g., using Dell Boomi, MuleSoft or SAP PI/PO) to accommodate enterprise integration strategies. To evaluate API details and developer resources, review Esker’s integration documentation and reach out to their technical team via the order-to-cash solution page at Esker’s order-to-cash solution.

10 Esker alternatives

• SAP Ariba — Enterprise procurement and invoicing platform with deep ERP integration for SAP customers.
• Oracle NetSuite — Cloud ERP with native AR, invoicing and order management modules for mid-market companies.
• Basware — e-invoicing and purchase-to-pay platform with strong global compliance coverage.
• Kofax — Document capture and process automation platform focused on intelligent OCR and RPA integration.
• HighRadius — Order-to-cash automation suite focused on AI-driven credit, collections and cash application.
• Taulia — Supplier finance, e-invoicing and working capital optimization solution.
• Sovos — Tax and e-invoicing compliance solutions with global coverage for invoice reporting.
• Coupa — Spend management and invoicing platform with supplier network connectivity.
• Tipalti — Accounts payable and supplier payments automation with vendor portal and mass payments.
• Yooz — Cloud accounts payable automation for SMBs and mid-market finance teams.

Paid alternatives to esker

• SAP Ariba: Procurement and invoice automation tied closely to SAP ERP landscapes; strong supplier collaboration and compliance features.
• Oracle NetSuite: Cloud ERP with built-in AR and order processing capabilities suitable for companies that want a single-vendor cloud ERP and finance stack.
• Basware: Comprehensive e-invoicing and AP/AR automation with strong European compliance coverage and network connectivity.
• Kofax: Intelligent capture and process automation platform used for high-volume document extraction and RPA integration.
• HighRadius: Focused order-to-cash automation for receivables, collections and cash application using machine learning.

Open source alternatives to esker

• Apache OFBiz: An open source ERP and automation framework that can be extended to handle order and invoicing workflows with custom development.
• Odoo (Community edition): Open source ERP modules for invoicing, sales and accounting that can be combined to build an O2C workflow for smaller deployments.
• ERPNext: Open source ERP with accounts receivable, sales order and invoice modules suitable for SMBs willing to self-host and customize.

Frequently asked questions about Esker

What is Esker used for?

Esker is used for automating order-to-cash workflows, including invoice capture, collections and cash application. Finance and credit teams use Esker to reduce manual entry, accelerate collections and integrate processed transactions back into ERPs so accounting records are updated automatically.

Does Esker integrate with SAP and Oracle?

Yes, Esker provides prebuilt connectors and integration toolkits for SAP and Oracle ERP systems. These adapters reduce mapping effort, support standard posting formats and are used to push validated invoices, order confirmations and remittance information into the ERP.

How much does Esker cost per user?

Esker’s pricing is custom and is typically quoted based on transaction volumes rather than a simple per-user rate. Entry-level subscriptions are often quoted as a monthly or annual fee tied to the number of documents processed; large customers negotiate volume-based contracts and service levels.

Can Esker handle e-invoicing requirements for multiple countries?

Yes, Esker supports multi-country e-invoicing formats and local compliance requirements. The platform handles multiple output formats (XML, EDI, PEPPOL) and can be configured for local tax and legal invoice requirements to meet cross-border invoicing rules.

Does Esker offer a free trial or pilot?

Esker typically offers pilots or proof-of-concept engagements rather than an open-ended free tier. Pilots are scoped to validate extraction accuracy, integration behavior and processing outcomes for a subset of documents before full production rollout.

How secure is Esker for financial data?

Esker implements enterprise-grade security controls including encryption in transit and at rest, role-based access and logging. Customers can also request private deployment options and specific compliance documentation as part of procurement.

Can Esker automate cash application from bank statements?

Yes, Esker includes cash application capabilities that match bank remittances and electronic payments to open invoices. Matching algorithms reduce manual reconciliation and provide exception workflows for unapplied or partial payments.

Does Esker have a customer-facing portal for payments?

Yes, Esker includes a customer self-service portal where buyers can view invoices, download documents, initiate dispute requests and pay online. The portal decreases inbound calls and accelerates dispute resolution by centralizing communications and document attachments.

How long does it take to implement Esker for O2C?

Implementation timelines vary but a typical mid-market deployment takes 8–16 weeks. Complexity depends on ERP integration, number of countries, custom business rules and data migration tasks; larger global rollouts can take several months with phased deployment approaches.

What reporting and analytics does Esker provide?

Esker provides dashboards and KPI reports for DSO, aging, collector performance and dispute aging. Reports are configurable and can be exported for executive reporting or used to drive process improvement initiatives in the AR team.

esker careers

Esker hires across product engineering, sales, customer success, solutions consulting and implementation services for global deployments. Roles often require experience in enterprise software, document capture, ERP integrations and professional services for financial process automation. Check Esker’s corporate site for open positions and regional offices.

esker affiliate

Esker works with channel partners, system integrators and managed-services firms to resell and implement its solutions. Affiliates typically provide local implementation expertise, ERP integration services and post-deployment managed services. Contact Esker through their partner or solutions pages to inquire about affiliate programs and authorized resellers.

Where to find esker reviews

Customer reviews and analyst commentary can be found on enterprise software review sites and industry research publications. For product-specific case studies and customer references, review the customer success and case study sections linked from Esker’s solutions pages: Esker’s order-to-cash solution. Independent review sites and finance transformation forums also host user feedback on implementation experiences and performance.