What is the DBNAlliance?

The Digital Business Networks Alliance (DBNAlliance) is an open exchange network built for businesses in North America, with a special focus on the U.S. It is similar to Peppol, another open exchange network used primarily in Europe and Asia. Businesses can connect once, then easily transmit documents regardless of what software, platform, or network the target organization uses.

The DBNAlliance is transforming the world of e-invoicing in the U.S. Keep reading to learn key details about the network, how it can benefit your business, differences between the DBNAlliance and Peppol networks, and more.

Let’s dive in.

Overview of the U.S. E-invoicing Market

The U.S. lags behind other countries when it comes to e-invoice adoption. Certain challenges, like a decentralized tax system, lack of document standardization, and more are slowing down the implementation process.

Although e-invoicing is still optional in the U.S., the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recommended the use of e-invoicing for B2G transactions beginning in 2018. E-invoicing for B2B transactions is also optional but encouraged.

Adopting e-invoicing can benefit your organization in many ways, even if it is not required by the tax authority.

Read more: Request our free E-invoicing in the U.S. factsheet

The DBNAlliance is a U.S.-based open exchange network launched in 2024. It facilitates the exchange of e-invoices between buyers and sellers, turning a complex and time-consuming process into a smooth and efficient connection. The DBNAlliance is transforming the state of electronic business document transfer in the U.S. by modernizing existing workflows and facilitating connections between organizations.

The network connects businesses through access points in what is known as the 4-corner model. The process ensures security while maximizing transaction speed. It digitizes the invoicing process while allowing businesses to connect directly, giving access to a slate of benefits including faster payment, increased security, and more.

The DBNAlliance is Based on the 4-Corner Model

The DBNAlliance uses a 4-corner model to connect senders and receivers. In this model, the sender, receiver, and their respective access points each represent a corner. An access point is a service provider that connects companies to the DBNAlliance network. Access points make the efficiency and security of the DBNAlliance possible.

The 4-corner model allows electronic business documents to be transmitted securely and efficiently between companies, and is also used by other open exchange networks like Peppol.

The DBNAlliance's 4-corner model connects the e-invoice sender and recipient through their respective access points.

The 4-corner model benefits businesses in multiple ways. It increases transparency into business transactions, speed of document exchange, and document security. Although it can have big impacts on organizational efficiency, the DBNAlliance is designed to easily integrate with existing payment systems, requiring a minimal amount of workflow adjustment.

Benefits of Connecting to the DBNAlliance

Connecting to the DBNAlliance increases business efficiency, reduces errors, and increases interoperability.

Transitioning to digital invoice transmission helps your business get paid faster. The DBNAlliance’s 4-corner structure facilitates near-real time invoice delivery, allowing transactions to be processed quickly and reliably. Digitizing the invoicing process removes traditional delays and bottlenecks. The network adds transparency through real-time status updates and security guarantees, so you’ll never have to guess where your invoices are.

The DBNAlliance’s automated invoicing flow reduces the amount of manual labor needed to process documents and eliminates the opportunity for human error. Paper invoicing leaves room for mistakes, lost documents, and other process breakdowns that can lead to payment delays or costly corrections. The DBNAlliance solves these problems while streamlining your invoicing workflow.

Thanks to the DBNAlliance’s standardized document formats, integration across different systems is seamless. The network supports strong interoperability, enabling companies to adopt new technologies without overhauling their existing payment processes. This creates an ideal environment for testing innovative tools, streamlining operations, and driving growth.

The DBNAlliance can help businesses transmit e-invoices to and from the U.S.

How is the DBNAlliance Different from Peppol?

Although the DBNAlliance and Peppol networks share the same 4-corner foundation, the two networks are different in a few key ways. The largest differences between the frameworks are the locations served and the governance structures.

Locations Served

The DBNAlliance is used primarily in the U.S. Peppol is used internationally, with many countries in Europe and Asia mandating the use of the Peppol system.

Using both networks is less complex than it sounds: When using an access point provider like Storecove, your business only has to connect once to access both networks.

Governance Structures

The governing body of a network controls the standards used, implementation, and more. Peppol is governed by OpenPeppol, a nonprofit founded in 2008. OpenPeppol created the Peppol Business Interoperability Specifications (Peppol BIS), which dictates the structure of documents sent via the Peppol network. Additionally, each country that Peppol operates in appoints a Peppol Authority to oversee the network’s usage within the region.

Like Peppol, the DBNAlliance is governed by a nonprofit. The Digital Business Networks Alliance was founded in 2023 to foster the safe and efficient exchange of electronic business documents in North America. However, the DBNAlliance does not have authorities within each country, instead using a centralized set of standards to guide the network’s usage.

Read more: What is a Peppol Access Point?

Start Your E-invoicing Journey with Storecove

Connecting to the DBNAlliance can transform your business by giving you access to all these benefits and more. Join the network now to enter the future of invoicing in the U.S.

Storecove can help your company connect to the DBNAlliance. Our useful e-invoicing API allows you to access the network through a single connection. The integration process is simple, and our team of developers and experts are here to help you through setup.

Want to learn more or find out what Storecove can do for your business? Set up a consultation with our team of e-invoicing specialists or get started with a free test account.

Download our DBNAlliance Whitepaper here

Read more:

What is the DBNAlliance? | How It Works and Its Benefits

Overview of the U.S. E-invoicing Market