With the reform of electronic invoicing, one question comes up very often among companies and their partners:

👉 “If I use a different Approved Platform (AP) than my customer or supplier, is that a problem?”

The simple answer is no, and that’s precisely what interoperability is all about.

In this article, we explain how cross-platform exchanges work, why you can use Azopio PA even if your partners are using another solution, and what the key points are.

Interoperability: a fundamental principle of the reform

The reform of electronic invoicing in France is based on one key principle:
👉 all Approved Platforms must be interoperable with each other

In other words:

• you are free to choose your platform
• your customer chooses his own
• the platforms automatically communicate with each other

This mechanism is essential to ensure that the system operates smoothly at national level.

Approved Platforms (APs) are specifically tasked with transmitting invoices between companies, but also between different platforms, ensuring that they are compliant and traceable. See article: Electronic Invoicing: Everything you need to know about the Approved Platform, AP (formerly PDP) and How to choose it wisely

How does the exchange between two platforms work in practice?

The electronic invoicing model in France is based on a structured ecosystem.

This is what happens when you send an invoice using Azopio PA to a customer using another platform:

1. Invoice issue

You create your invoice via Azopio.

2. Control and compliance

Azopio checks:

• format (Factur-X, UBL, CII)
• mandatory data
• tax compliance

3. Identification of the customer’s platform

Each company is associated with a platform via a central PPF Electronic Billing directory.

The sending platform (Azopio) queries this directory to find out which platform your customer is using.

4. Transmission to the right platform

The invoice is automatically sent to the recipient’s Authorised Platform.

5. Receipt by the customer

The customer receives the invoice in their own tool, even if they don’t use Azopio.

Can I use Azopio PA if my customers use another PA?

👉 Yes, absolutely.

In fact, it’s the way the system works.

You can use Azopio PA:

• even if your customer uses another platform
• even if your supplier uses another solution
• even if your accountant works with another tool

Why is this?

Because interoperability is a regulatory requirement for all Authorised Platforms.

Platforms must be able to :

• exchange invoices with each other
• transmit the data to the tax authorities
• ensure the continuity of billing flows

Interoperability is not an option, it’s an obligation

To be registered, an Approved Platform must meet strict requirements, in particular:

• data security
• format compliance
• ability to communicate with other platforms

The registration tests require the platform to be able to :

👉 issue, receive and transmit invoices to other approved platforms

This ensures that :

• no company is “locked in” to a platform
• the market remains open
• exchanges are fluid between all the players

Why interoperability is essential for businesses

Without interoperability, the reform would be unusable.

Just imagine:

• have to use the same platform as each of your customers
• manage 10 different tools depending on your partners
• multiplying connections and processes

It would be unmanageable.

Thanks to interoperability :

• you choose a single platform
• you keep your habits
• you exchange information with all your partners

Azopio PA: an approved platform designed for an open ecosystem

In this context, using a platform like Azopio offers a number of advantages.

1. Compatibility with all platforms

Azopio PA is designed for :

• communicate with other approved platforms
• become part of the electronic invoicing ecosystem
• guarantee smooth exchanges with your partners

2. Complete invoice lifecycle management

Beyond simple transmission, an AP like Azopio allows you to :

• track invoice status (filed, rejected, refused, cashed)
• trace exchanges
• secure processes

Approved platforms manage the entire lifecycle of invoices, which is essential for compliance.

What about electronic supplier invoices?

Interoperability is not just about the invoices you issue.

It also applies to the dematerialisation of supplier invoices, since suppliers will gradually be required to issue electronic invoices (ETIs and large groups from September 2026, then all VSEs and SMEs from September 2027).

In concrete terms :

• your suppliers can use another AP
• you still receive their invoices in Azopio
• everything is centralised in a single tool

This makes it possible to :

• simplify administrative management
• avoid multiple channels and formats (email, post, portals)
• automate invoice processing

Interoperability ≠ total simplicity: points to watch out for

Although the system is designed to run smoothly, there are a few points to bear in mind:

1. Initial settings

Exchanges between platforms sometimes require :

• technical configurations
• connection tests

2. Format management

All platforms must manage standard formats, but :

• some conversions may be necessary
• some business cases can be more complex

3. Status monitoring

Depending on the platform, lifecycle monitoring can be more or less advanced.

👉 Hence the importance of choosing a complete platform, not just an “invoice router”.

Why the choice of platform remains strategic

Even if all platforms are interoperable, they are not all the same.

Choose your Approved Platform (AP) according to :

• the quality of electronic supplier invoicing
• workflow functions
• integration with your chartered accountant
• document management
• the user experience

In other words:

👉 interoperability guarantees communication, but not the quality of internal management

Conclusion

Yes, you can use Azopio PA even if your customers or suppliers use another platform.

In fact, it’s the way the system works.

Thanks to interoperability :

• all Approved Platforms communicate with each other
• invoices circulate automatically
• each company is free to choose its own tool

But beyond this interconnection, the real challenge lies elsewhere:👉 choosing a platform capable of simplifying the dematerialisation of invoices, automating processes and improving your internal organisation.