The Digitalization Partner Platform (PDP) plays a major role in the forthcoming obligations concerning invoice electronics. From September 1, 2026, electronic invoice will gradually become mandatory for all companies.
This reform imposes a new invoicing process on companies subject to VAT, requiring them to transmit transaction-related information in prescribed formats to the tax authorities via a Public Invoicing Portal(PPF).
The PPF will offer only a limited range of services and exchange formats. To offer companies greater flexibility and possibilities, the legislator has added a new player to the billing scheme: the Digitalization Partner Platforms(PDP).
What is a PDP?
A Digitalization Partner Platform is a Digitalization solution for government-certified invoices. Their role is to process the receipt and issue of electronic invoices. As intermediaries, they will ensure the smooth transmission of data between the various parties involved: customers, suppliers and the tax authorities.
PDPs will make it possible to simplify invoice processing and exchange processes as far as possible, while complying with legal constraints. They will also provide their customers with a global view of processing status, and will facilitate the transmission of invoices. e-reporting. Unlike PPFs, PDPs can handle different exchange formats, to offer an optimal solution, particularly for companies already using electronic invoice solutions.
Indeed, the PDP offers a flexible and comprehensive response to the obligations associated with the widespread use of electronic invoicing. invoice electronic invoicing by converting documents into the appropriate electronic format, transmitting and checking information to the tax authorities for VAT declarations, and guaranteeing the integrity of invoicing data during exchanges, as well as when this information is stored. Some PDPs will also offer companies additional services to optimize their invoicing and management processes.
In short, the main role of PDPs is to transmit data, but their mission is much broader:
- Manage electronic invoice processing status,
- Transmission of up-to-date company data to the Public Directory(PPF),
- Extract and transmit billing data,
- Guarantee information integrity,
- Provide secure storage,
- Carry out the controls mentioned in the reform,
- Enable informationinteroperability.
As trusted third parties, PDPs must be registered with the DGFIP (Direction Générale des Finances Publiques) for a renewable 3-year period. To qualify, companies wishing to become PDPs must meet a number of fiscal and technical criteria and obligations.
How to choose the right PDP?
The management of invoice is an essential step in the purchasing process. If buyers and suppliers are to make the transition to using electronic invoice solutions must be adapted and capable of preparing and processing electronic invoice They must also be compatible, ergonomic and secure.
For CFOs, the choice will be between PDP who, by virtue of their status, will be able to guarantee an adapted service, offering advanced functionalities for electronic data processing, communication between the various players and data exchange. invoice communication and data exchange.
However, players are free to choose the platform best suited to their needs. Here are a few criteria to help you make the right choice.
Criterion #1: the reliability of the Digitalization
The technical guarantees offered by the platform are an essential criterion to consider when making your choice. The security of data exchanges is obviously an essential issue. Even though the DGFIP will carry out an initial filter at the time of registration, check that your technical and data exchange security requirements are compatible with those of the PDP you choose.
Criterion #2: Price
Unlike the free services offered by the government's Public Billing Portal(PPF), PDPs will be free to set their own rates according to the services they offer. Business models may also differ from one PDP to another.
Take the time to compare and evaluate them, bearing in mind the upgrade possibilities they offer and the cost of extending your needs.
Criterion #3: Additional features
In addition to data transmission services, PDPs can offer a wide range of services and functionalities to help their customers optimize,automation and manage their invoicing processes. Considering your company's target dematerialized invoicing process today will enable you to assess the richness of your PDP' s offering and its ability to support your invoicing process Digitalization .
Criterion #4: Business understanding of your PDP
In addition to the criteria of functional coverage and technical reliability, the service provider's ability to support you, help you define the target processes, prioritize the Digitalization projects, support your teams in getting to grips with the solution and adopting the processes are all keys to the success of your Digitalization invoicing project.
As new players in the government's invoice processing system, PDPs are set to play a major role in the rollout of mandatory electronic invoicing. invoice mandatory electronic invoicing. Registered by the DGFIP, they will have to meet specific security and data exchange format constraints, making them key allies for companies.
Although no service provider can currently claim to be a PDP, as registrations have not yet been carried out. ICD International is a candidate and has positioned itself as a future PDP.
As EDI experts for over 30 years, ICD International has been involved with the FNFE and the DGFIP, working alongside them on the implementation of Chorus Pro and the new regulations, and is fully conversant with the business issues associated with Digitalization invoices.
With this platform from Digitalization, we aim not only to support the deployment of electronic invoicing in companies of all sizes, but also to help them automate, manage and optimize their invoicing processes. invoice electronic invoicing for companies of all sizes, but also to help them automate, manage and optimize their invoicing processes.
