Housing associations receive large numbers of energy invoices that need to be allocated per property unit. Additionally, associations work with subcontractors for maintenance and renovation, where G-accounts and reverse-charge VAT are common. eConnect automates this entire process, from invoice receipt to posting per property.
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Energy invoices automatically split per property unit, combined with G-account support, VAT base recognition and Rule Based Enrichment (RBE) for automatic posting per property. With partners DataRotonde and Databalk and direct client relationships, the platform is an established name in the housing association sector.
Energy e-invoices via Peppol are automatically split per EAN code per property unit. Periodic energy costs per property are realised by processing the e-invoice with the correct EAN mapping.
Automatic posting per property unit via RBE: EAN numbers are linked to property numbers or internal order numbers. The invoice is enriched with data not present on the original document.
Relevant for subcontracting in maintenance and renovation. eConnect recognises G-account IBAN numbers automatically and processes the split between blocked and regular payment.
The IDR recognises VAT bases on reverse-charge invoices and automatically assigns the correct VAT code (AE for domestic reverse charge, K for intra-community, G for export). Particularly relevant for subcontracting.
One email address for multiple administrations. The system recognises based on name, address and aliases (building name to administration number) to which administration an invoice should be routed.
Automatic posting in the ERP system via the Autopilot. In combination with RBE, invoices are posted to the correct general ledger account and property unit without manual intervention.
Energy invoices per EAN code, G-account support and automatic posting per property unit.
Havensteder is a housing association that works with Empire ERP and Grip ERP. eConnect provides the integration via PSB and platform with a custom Autopilot connection to Empire ERP and a generic Autopilot to Grip ERP. Custom invoice line recognition ensures that invoices are posted to the correct general ledger account. RBE enriches invoices with data not present on the original document, such as property numbers and internal order numbers.
eConnect works with two partners active in the housing association market. DataRotonde has integrated the eConnect Peppol Access Point, enabling their clients to exchange e-invoices and e-Procurement messages via Peppol. Databalk is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partner with automatic posting of energy invoices per property unit via RBE as a core component. In addition to these partner channels, eConnect also has direct clients in the housing association sector.
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Energy e-invoices received via Peppol are automatically split per EAN code, so energy costs are directly assigned to the correct property unit.
Each metering location (gas, electricity) has a unique EAN number linked to a physical address. Energy suppliers include these EAN codes in their e-invoices. The platform recognises the EAN codes and links them via Rule Based Enrichment (RBE) to the property numbers or internal order numbers in the housing association's ERP system. Each invoice line is enriched with the details of the corresponding property unit.
The result: energy costs are automatically posted to the correct property in the ERP system, without staff having to manually assign invoice lines to properties. For periodic energy invoices (monthly advances, annual settlements), the costs per property are realised by processing the e-invoice with the correct EAN mapping. This gives property management real-time insight into energy costs per property.
The RBE rules are set up once by the technical team and then work fully automatically. When changes occur in the property portfolio (new properties, sales, renovation), the mappings are updated. In combination with the Autopilot, the enriched invoices are posted to the correct general ledger account and property unit without manual intervention.
RBE (Rule Based Enrichment) is a rule-based engine that automatically enriches invoices with additional data, so postings go directly to the correct property and the correct general ledger account.
The principle is simple: based on smart rules, data not present on the original document is added to the e-invoice. For housing associations, the most common application is linking EAN numbers on energy invoices to property numbers or internal order numbers in the ERP system. The engine can also perform other enrichments, such as assigning cost centres based on supplier name or applying specific VAT rules per type of property.
The Autopilot uses the enriched data for automatic posting. Because the invoice has already been enriched with the correct property number and cost centre, the accountant does not need to manually search for where the costs belong. The combination of RBE and Autopilot enables fully automated processing, from invoice receipt to posting per property unit.
Setting up RBE rules is handled by the technical team, in consultation with the housing association. At Havensteder, RBE is deployed in combination with Empire ERP and Grip ERP, where invoices are enriched with property numbers and internal order numbers not present on the original document.
Yes, the IDR (Intelligent Document Recogniser) automatically recognises VAT bases on reverse-charge invoices, which is essential for maintenance and renovation where reverse-charge VAT is common.
In subcontracting for maintenance or renovation projects, the client (housing association) is responsible for remitting the VAT instead of the subcontractor. The IDR detects the 0% VAT rate in combination with the reverse-charge indication on the document and automatically applies the correct VAT code in accordance with the EN16931/NLCIUS standard. Three VAT codes are recognised: AE (domestic reverse charge), K (intra-community) and G (export).
For e-invoices received via Peppol, the reverse-charge VAT is already structured in the UBL message. For PDF invoices, the IDR performs the recognition and classification, so the invoice is correctly processed in both cases. This prevents errors that commonly occur in manual processing, especially when an association receives hundreds of invoices from various subcontractors.
In combination with G-account recognition and RBE, the full processing chain can run automatically: from invoice receipt, through VAT classification and enrichment per property unit, to posting in the ERP system. This is exactly what has been realised at Havensteder with Empire ERP and Grip ERP.
Yes, administration detection makes it possible to receive all invoices via one email address and automatically route them to the correct administration.
Housing associations often work with multiple administrations: per branch, per region or per type of property. The system recognises based on name and address which administration an incoming invoice is intended for. The alias function is particularly valuable: a building name or project name is automatically linked to the corresponding administration number. This prevents invoices from having to be manually sorted and assigned.
In case of doubt, the detection falls back to the Quality Control team for manual verification, ensuring no invoices end up in the wrong administration. After manual correction, the system learns from the assignment, increasing accuracy over time.
Administration detection is available from the Professional subscription and works for both e-invoices via Peppol and PDF invoices received via email. In combination with RBE (Rule Based Enrichment), invoices are not only routed to the correct administration but also enriched with property numbers and cost centres. This makes it possible to set up a Shared Service Center that centrally serves multiple branches or entities.
The platform integrates with a wide range of ERP systems and offers both standard integrations and custom solutions for the housing association market.
For housing associations, three integration channels are most relevant. Databalk is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partner in the housing association market and offers automatic posting of energy invoices per property unit via RBE as a core component of their solution. DataRotonde has integrated the Peppol Access Point and offers their clients e-invoice and e-Procurement exchange via Peppol.
At Havensteder, a custom integration has been realised with Empire ERP and Grip ERP. The Autopilot is connected to Empire ERP via a custom connection and to Grip ERP via a generic connection. Custom invoice line recognition ensures that invoices are posted to the correct general ledger account and RBE enriches invoices with property numbers and internal order numbers.
In total, the platform has integrations with more than 100 software packages. For packages without a standard integration, connection via the PSB REST API is possible. The API is fully documented via Swagger UI and is praised by partners for its quality and predictability. A Remote Starter session of approximately two hours is available to set up and test the integration.
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