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From Papyrus to Portals — A Brief History of Invoicing

  • Historical Evolution of Invoicing: Invoicing dates back over 5,000 years, starting with clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia and evolving through papyrus and parchment in Egypt and Rome, to handwritten ledgers in the Middle Ages, illustrating the persistent need for trust and traceability in commerce.
  • Shift to Digital and Compliance: The transition from paper to digital invoicing began with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in the 1970s, but true transformation occurred with the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing by governments in countries like Brazil and Mexico, leading to structured, real-time compliance that varies by country and platform.
  • Complexity of Modern Invoicing: Today’s invoicing is a complex, government-regulated process that requires expertise to navigate different compliance requirements across countries, making it essential for businesses to seek help in simplifying these challenges and ensuring smooth operations amidst a historical shift towards automated and validated invoicing.

Source Fabio Santoro

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