---
title: What Is Procure to Pay (P2P)? Definition | Aavenir
url: https://aavenir.com/glossary/p2p-procure-to-pay-or-purchase-to-pay/
description: Procure to pay, also called purchase to pay, is the process and software that run every step from requesting a purchase to paying the supplier.
updated: 2026-11-07
---

[Home](https://aavenir.com/) / [Resources](https://aavenir.com/resources/) / [Glossary](https://aavenir.com/glossary/) / Procure to pay Glossary

# What is procure to pay?

Procure to pay, also called purchase to pay, is the process and software that run every step from requesting a purchase to paying the supplier.

## The procure to pay steps

- A requester raises a purchase requisition.

- The request is approved and a purchase order is issued.

- The supplier delivers and the goods or services are received.

- The supplier invoices, and the invoice is matched to the order and receipt.

- Accounts payable approves and pays, and the payment is recorded.

## Why one system matters

Procure to pay (P2P) software manages these steps in one connected system rather than separate tools. That gives buyers control over who buys what and from whom, gives finance an accurate view of commitments and liabilities, and cuts the errors that come from rekeying data between systems.

## Procure to pay and source to pay

Procure to pay starts once a supplier and contract are in place. Source to pay adds the earlier steps: sourcing, supplier selection and contracting. [Read how the two compare](https://aavenir.com/blog/source-to-pay-vs-procure-to-pay/).

## How Aavenir handles it

[Invoiceflow](https://aavenir.com/solutions/accounts-payable-automation/) handles the pay end, checking each invoice against the purchase order, receipt and contract terms. [Contractflow](https://aavenir.com/solutions/enterprise-contract-management-software/) and [RFPflow](https://aavenir.com/solutions/rfp-management-software/) cover the sourcing and contract steps before it, natively on ServiceNow or standalone.

## Keep reading

[Purchase requisition A purchase requisition is an internal request to buy something, approved before a purchase order is raised. Read more](https://aavenir.com/glossary/purchase-requisition/)[Invoice matching Invoice matching checks a supplier invoice against the purchase order and the receipt before the invoice is paid. Read more](https://aavenir.com/glossary/invoice-matching/)[Blanket purchase order A blanket purchase order covers repeated purchases from one supplier over a period, at agreed prices and terms. Read more](https://aavenir.com/glossary/blanket-purchase-order/)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

## Common questions

###

### What is the difference between procure to pay and purchase to pay?

None in practice. Both names describe the same process from requisition to supplier payment and both are shortened to P2P. Some teams prefer one term or the other, but the steps are identical. [Read about purchase to pay](https://aavenir.com/glossary/purchase-to-pay/).

###

### What is the difference between procure to pay and source to pay?

Procure to pay covers buying and paying once a supplier is chosen. Source to pay also includes finding, evaluating and contracting with the supplier, so it starts earlier. [Read about source to pay](https://aavenir.com/glossary/s2p-source-to-pay/).

###

### Why do procure to pay processes break down?

Usually because of buying outside agreed contracts, purchase orders raised after the invoice, missing receipts and invoices that do not match. Each creates manual work and weakens control. [See Invoiceflow](https://aavenir.com/solutions/accounts-payable-automation/).

Have a question we have not answered? [Ask the Expert](https://aavenir.com/contact/)

Schedule a demo

## See your contracts run on one record.

- **1****A 30 minute walkthrough**Built around your team, whether that is procurement, legal, IT or finance.

- **2****Your contracts, not ours**Bring a few sample agreements and watch Aavenir AI extract and review them.

- **3****ServiceNow or standalone**We show the deployment that fits the systems you already run.

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