Patent ID: 7765155

Claim:
A server computer configured to interface with an accounts payable system and responsive to an image of an invoice for entering data on said invoice into said accounts payable system of a receiver of the invoice, said accounts payable system including a plurality of data fields, an automated update section responsive to received updated data and information, a goods receipt update section responsive to the updated data and information, an approval process section that obtains approvals prior to payment of the invoice, and bank paylink section that issues payment of the invoice, the server computer comprising: a system that receives said invoice from a sender of the invoice and creates said image of the invoice; a first storage apparatus responsive to said image of said invoice configured for storing said image of said invoice therein; a conversion apparatus configured for retrieving said image of said invoice from said first storage apparatus and converting said image into a digitized image, said digitized image including a plurality of data characters placed in selected locations; a reading apparatus configured for reading the plurality of data characters in said selected locations of said digitized image; a transferring apparatus configured for transferring the plurality of data characters read from said selected locations of said digitized image into corresponding ones of said plurality of data fields of said accounts payable system; and an apparatus communicating with the approval process section and being configured for recording on said digitized image of said invoice each of: an indication that the invoice has been approved so that the sender can receive payment via the accounts payable system; and an additional indication that payment of the invoice has been initiated by issuance of a check via the bank paylink section, wherein, after said digitized image of said invoice is recorded with each indication, the server computer allows access via the internet to said digitized image by the sender of the invoice in order to allow the sender of the invoice to view said digitized image of said invoice having the indication of approval of said invoice and the additional indication that payment of said invoice has been initiated.