Inside the 2025 Unit4 User Group Purchasing to Payables workshop

The Embridge team attended the Unit4 User Group Purchasing to Payables (P2P) workshop in London on 19^th November, where several in-progress developments and early-stage updates were shared. The day provided valuable early insight into features currently in progress and the direction Unit4 is taking across the P2P journey, particularly in relation to virtual assistance, finance automation and the shift towards more strategic procurement.

Early insights into AVA and the future of virtual assistance in Unit4

A key focus of the event was AVA, the Advanced Virtual Agent that will take over from Wanda. AVA is still in its early stages, but it represents the next generation of digital assistance within the Unit4 ecosystem. The concept is centred around giving users a more streamlined way to complete actions or access information, with the early example shared being the ability to carry out tasks inside Microsoft Teams.

In practical terms, this means a user could ask AVA for help, request information or generate certain reports directly from Teams, instead of logging into Unit4. It is designed to work through simple prompts or questions, giving people quicker access to what they need.

Although the functionality is still being developed, AVA is essentially a digital assistant that aims to help users interact with system processes more easily. For many teams, this could reduce the amount of time spent navigating between different systems and make routine tasks feel less manual. AVA is at an early point in its development, but the direction shared at the event suggests a focus on accessibility, ease of use and reducing friction for everyday system interactions.

Statement processing development for faster cash transaction posting

Another development in progress is Statement Processing, designed to support the posting of cash transactions from bank statements. This functionality aims to simplify one of the more time-consuming aspects of financial administration by reducing manual input and allowing transactions to flow more smoothly.

Although the feature remains under development, its purpose is to make routine finance activity quicker, more accurate and better aligned with the needs of modern finance teams. This is particularly relevant for organisations seeking efficiency gains across reconciliation and cash management.

Supplier optimisation and the journey from purchasing to procurement

Supplier optimisation was a strong focus across the day’s conversations. The workshop highlighted the shift from traditional purchasing activity to a more structured procurement model, where organisations can achieve stronger control over expenditure and improve the overall supplier journey.

This includes the wider transition towards processes that support better oversight, stronger governance and more strategic decision making. The discussions reflected a shared understanding that moving from purchasing to procurement is not simply a functional change but a strategic one, enabling organisations to gain greater visibility across their supply chain and ensure spending aligns with organisational priorities.

This aligns closely with what we see across the sector. Many organisations recognise the need to move beyond transactional purchasing and towards more structured procurement, but the practical steps to get there are often complex. The emphasis placed on this transition during the event reflects its growing importance.

A clear direction for the future of P2P in Unit4

While some of the developments discussed at the Unit4 User Group Purchasing to Payables workshop are still in progress, the direction for the Unit4 P2P landscape is becoming more defined. With AVA, Statement Processing and a greater focus on procurement maturity, organisations can expect more intuitive processes, better visibility and a smoother operational experience in the future.

For Embridge Consulting, these emerging capabilities represent an encouraging evolution. As these developments progress, we will continue to support organisations in understanding the opportunities ahead and aligning them with their wider transformation goals.

If you want to get the best out of your system, why not sign up for one of our P2P training courses?

Or, if you would like to speak to one of our team about your P2P processes, contact us today to find out how we can support you.