1 June Dear Sir / Madam,

Transcription

1 1 June 2012 Dear Sir / Madam, As a key Apple partner, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some recent enhancements to better support Apple s Accounts Payable (AP) processes. Apple has partnered with OB10, the world s largest electronic invoicing network, in order to improve the payment process. Many of Apple s suppliers are already enjoying the benefits of e-invoicing, and we are pleased to inform you that, as a valued Apple supplier, you have been included in the next phase of the e-invoicing roll-out programme. E-Invoicing with OB10 will enable you to easily create VAT compliant invoices that are electronically submitted directly to Apple s AP systems. Invoice delivery is more reliable and much quicker than with other delivery methods. In addition, e-invoicing offers the following benefits to suppliers: A more secure, faster, efficient and environmentally friendly invoicing process with fewer errors and delays Notifications that alert you to problems with submitted invoices Greater visibility into invoice processing No additional equipment or software requirements; invoices are submitted using your existing invoice format integrated with OB10 or online through a portal using only an internet connection and standard browser Connection to other customers also on the OB10 network Online invoice archiving and reporting At Apple s request, a representative from OB10 will contact you within the next two weeks to help you understand the options available and guide you through the registration process. We strongly encourage you to join their e-invoicing network by 13 th of July 2012 so you can begin submitting your invoices electronically to Apple by 24 th of August For more information including contact details, please refer to the full communication pack and If you wish to contact OB10, please refer to the contact details provided in the FAQ section attached. Thank you for your support of e-invoicing. Sincerely, Apple AP

2 Frequently Asked Questions What is Electronic Invoicing? Electronic Invoicing (e-invoicing) is a communication methodology that utilizes the internet to allow Apple to receive invoice information directly from suppliers without the need to print and mail paper invoice copies (invoices are VAT compliant in supported countries). Who is OB10? OB10 is Apple s e-invoicing partner who manages electronically submitted invoices between Apple and its suppliers. OB10 enables suppliers to send invoice data electronically, in their preferred data format and will then validate and translate the invoice data into Apple s preferred format. Why is Apple moving to e-invoicing? E-Invoicing solutions reduce the costs and complexities of manually handling the large volume of paper invoices received. E-Invoicing provides better tracking of invoices, reduces errors, and results in a more efficient process for Apple and its suppliers. Will I need to sign an agreement with OB10? Yes. If you choose to use the Integrated Solution you will sign a specific agreement with OB10. If you choose to use the Web Form, you will be required to accept the standard terms and conditions presented. Which Apple bill-to countries are live on OB10 e-invoicing? Please refer to the link Apple OB10 Account numbers on for a list of all Apple entities actively accepting e-invoices How does my business benefit from e-invoicing? E-Invoicing provides the following benefits: A more secure, faster, efficient and environmentally friendly invoicing process with fewer errors and delays Notifications that alert you to problems with submitted invoices Greater visibility into invoice processing No additional equipment or software requirements; invoices are submitted using your existing invoice format integrated with OB10 or online through a portal using only an internet connection and standard browser Connection to other customers also on the OB10 network Online invoice archiving and reporting How do I send my invoices electronically to Apple? Once you have created an OB10 account, you will be able to e-invoice Apple or any other customer on the OB10 network. Invoices can be submitted using an online invoice template called the Web Form or by sending an invoice data file through the OB10 website using the Integrated Solution.

3 Are there fees associated with this service? Cost information for both the web form and integrated services can be viewed in the Register pages on To use the OB10 service, both Apple and you as the supplier pay a fee. However, the elimination of the costs associated with paper invoicing due to delayed payments make e-invoicing a more efficient and economical choice for Apple and its suppliers. Do I need any additional equipment or software? No additional equipment or software is required. Using the Integrated Solution suppliers can securely upload electronic files created by your existing accounting system to OB10. If you choose to use the Web Form solution, invoice data is entered directly into an online web form and then sent to Apple, requiring only an internet connection and standard web browser. I already use EDI invoicing with some of my customers, can I use EDI to bypass OB10 and invoice Apple directly? No, unfortunately requests for new EDI connections to Apple will not be accepted. However, OB10 can support any data format including EDI 810, so suppliers wishing to adopt these formats can send their files via OB10. Please discuss any technical details of your transmissions with OB10. I am planning to change my invoicing software, should I wait before subscribing to OB10? The OB10 network accepts any standard data format. You can join the network and begin e-invoicing now, then simply advise OB10 of the changes when you are ready to use your new software. Will Apple make payments using OB10? No, the use of the OB10 network facilitates the receipt of invoices only and is completely independent of payment. There are no changes to the current payment process as a result of this initiative. Can I send electronic invoices using OB10 to all my customers? Once you are subscribed to the OB10 network, you are able to send e-invoices to any other customers that are members of the OB10 network. Can I contact an Apple representative? Please contact Apple at the following addresses for invoicing in the listed countries: US, Canada, and Latin American Countries: AMR_OB10_INFO@group.apple.com European Countries: EMEA_OB10_INFO@group.apple.com Asia & Pacific Countries: APAC_OB10_INFO@group.apple.com Contacts & Support For additional registration support, please contact your local OB10 representative:

4 Americas Europe Asia Pacific Country Local Number Country Local Number Australia +61 (1) New Zealand +64 (0) Belgium +32 (0) Norway Denmark Portugal +351 (1) Finland +358 (0) Singapore +65 (8) France +33 (0) Spain Germany +49 (0) Sweden +46 (0) Ireland +353 (0) Switzerland Italy Malaysia +60 (1) United Kingdom +44 (0) Netherlands +31 (0) United States +1 (0) New Zealand +64 (0) Other APAC Countries +60 (3)

5 1 / 3 e-invoicing and an overview of your options Join OB10 and benefit from: Secure and guaranteed invoice delivery: no more paper invoices getting lost in the mail On-time payment: your customers can process your invoices faster No more delays: invoices cannot be sent with missing information, cannot land on the wrong desk and do not need manual intervention Secure online connection: send invoices easily with no need for additional software or hardware 24/7 access and reporting: enjoy higher processing transparency and better cashflow management Tax compliance: guaranteed legal and tax compliance Easy and cost-efficient invoicing at any time OB10 offers two primary methods for sending invoice and credit transactions. You can either send a data file directly to OB10 using our Integrated Solution or create invoices online using the Web Form through the OB10 Portal. This document explains how e-invoicing works and the options available to you. How it works Supplier Buyer OptionsOverview_US, EN, 4/12 Copyright 2012 OB10. OB10 and the OB10 logo are trade marks of OB10 and protected by law.

6 2 / 3 By checking invoices for duplicates and ensuring they contain the information required by your customer, we ensure automated, straight-through processing and enable ontime payment. Through the OB10 Portal you have access to the OB10 archive and a number of reporting functions. Please read this document thoroughly before deciding whether Integrated Solution or Web Form submission through the OB10 Portal is the best option for your company. 1. Integrated Solution: sending an extracted data file This option suits organizations that send a high volume of invoices. The Integrated Solution gives you a fully automated process where invoice data is extracted directly from your billing system and delivered directly into your buyers finance systems. This means: We process data in virtually any format and handle the data transformation based on your customer s requirements No need to install additional software or hardware You can send one consolidated data file for all your invoices Once on the network, you can easily connect and send invoices to other customers Costs for the Integrated Solution Annual membership $850* Per-invoice transaction costs 1 20 invoices per month $ invoices per month $ invoices per month $ ,000 invoices per month $ invoices per month $0.22 * Buyer connection fees will apply. The annual fee covers the creation and maintenance of your account for a single tax entity. If you have multiple tax entities there will likely to be additional charges. These charges will fluctuate based on the number of formats, and separate connections etc. For more information, please contact your OB10 representative. Please note: transactions are charged on a monthly basis according to volume. Getting started with the Integrated Solution Once your customer invites you to join OB10, one of our onboarding experts will walk you through the registration process. OptionsOverview_US, EN, 4/12 Copyright 2012 OB10. OB10 and the OB10 logo are trade marks of OB10 and protected by law.

7 3 / 3 2. Web Form: sending electronic invoices using the OB10 Portal The OB10 Web Form is designed for companies who send a low volume of invoices to their customers each year. The portal offers you a secure connection and guarantees delivery of your invoice to your customers within hours, which allows them to process your invoice and pay you promptly. Costs for using the Web Form There are several pricing options available when submitting invoices through the Web Form. Upon registration, all new suppliers using this option automatically receive 12 free transactions. At the end of your first anniversary, if you have not used all of your free transactions, we will replenish your account back to 12 invoices for you to use during the next 12 months. If you use all 12 free invoices and need more during this 12-month period, you will be required to purchase your first batch of transactions (minimum 25 invoices). You will then no longer have access to the free invoice option. Web Form pricing structure** Level Transactions Cost 1 12 Free* 2 25 $ $ $ * The initial 12 free transactions are automatically available, can be used during the course of 12 months and will be replenished at the end of one year. If more than 12 transactions are required during the course of the year, you must purchase at least 25 transactions. Once you make your first purchase, you will no longer have access to the free invoice option. ** Payment options: You can pay by PayPal or credit card. We accept Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Maestro, Solo and American Express. We can also invoice you, however, you will be required to purchase a minimum of 125 transactions and pay an administration fee of 15%. Getting started with the Web Form submission through the OB10 Portal As part of your invitation to join the OB10 network, you will receive an with instructions on how to register. Once your registration is complete, we will send you your login credentials by so you can start sending electronic invoices via OB10. For more information on OB10, e-invoicing and the options available to you, visit or us at info@ob10.com. OptionsOverview_US, EN, 4/12 Copyright 2012 OB10. OB10 and the OB10 logo are trade marks of OB10 and protected by law.