Use cases Document & Invoice Processing
Document & Invoice Processing use case
Watch folders or IMAP for PDFs/images, extract text or OCR fields, match purchase orders, then store, approve, or push to ERP — zero custom OCR code.
This page is an industry overview (templates + protocols). For step-by-step configuration, use the blog/wiki links below — those URLs are the primary how-to pages.
The problem
Invoice piles wait for manual keying and PO matching. Nodlyn templates already watch inboxes and alert AP only on mismatches.
Who it’s for: AP clerks, office managers, and accountants who receive supplier PDFs by email or shared drive.
How Nodlyn approaches Document & Invoice Processing
Document and invoice pipelines watch folders or IMAP, extract PDF text or run Vision OCR, then parse supplier, totals, and VAT into storage or ERP HTTP calls. Template #263 goes further: match the invoice to a purchase order and email AP only on missing PO or amount mismatch.
Pair with approval gates before money moves. Files stay under your control unless a connector you configure sends them.
Example workflows
- IMAP invoice → PDF/OCR → match PO in SQLite → email AP on mismatch (#263)
- IMAP invoice PDF → extract text → parse supplier/total/VAT → SQLite
- Folder drop image → Vision OCR → expense fields → approve
- Approved invoice → ERP/HTTP connector
Quick start
- Load Invoice → PO Matching (#263) or Invoice PDF/OCR / IMAP Inbox templates.
- Point at a mailbox or folder; seed purchase_orders for matching.
- Add approval before ERP write if policy requires it.
- Keep files local; only send what your connectors explicitly call.
Starter templates in Studio
Open Templates in desktop Studio and search these names — they are real built-in graphs, not placeholder titles.
- Invoice → PO Matching
- Invoice PDF Extract
- Invoice OCR Pipeline
- File Watch Inbox
- IMAP Inbox Processor
- Expense OCR
Related protocols
Guides (blog & wiki)
- Invoice → PO Matching: Automate the AP Chore Without Custom OCR Code Blog
- OCR Automation: Extract Text and Numbers from Images Blog
- Nodlyn in Practice: Business Use Cases & Ready-Made Templates Blog
- Build Invoice → PO Matching Workflow Wiki
- File Drop Automation Wiki
- Build Document Approval Archive Workflow Wiki
Where do invoice files live?
On your machine or mailbox unless a connector you configure sends them. Templates watch folders/IMAP, OCR/extract, match POs (#263), then store or call ERP after optional approval.
Related use cases
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