# Tech Teams Shift AP Buying Power

> Tech teams now influence payment platform choices more than pricing for SMBs
- Title: Tech Teams Shift AP Buying Power · Pymnts | Shortify
- Summary: Tech teams now influence payment platform choices more than pricing for SMBs SMBs prioritize AP system integration over cost when selecting payment platforms
- Keywords: ap automation, smb, integration, payment platforms, tech teams, embedded payments, erp, business, finance, Tech, Teams, Shift
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/smbs/2026/tech-teams-gain-sway-over-ap-buying-decisions
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-23T08:00:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ap automation, smb, integration, payment platforms, tech teams, embedded payments, erp, business, finance
## Integration Rises
58% of SMBs rank integration as very or extremely important when evaluating payment tech, slightly ahead of pricing.

> 58% of small- to medium-sized businesses rank integration as very or extremely important when evaluating technology solutions
## ERP Integration Key
62% of businesses identify ease of ERP integration as the top factor for AP automation solutions.

> 62% of businesses identified ease of such system integration as the most important factor
## Implementation Matters
40% of organizations list easy implementation and ROI as top AP automation adoption factors.

> Easy integration with existing systems, an easy implementation process and proven return on investment each ranked as top AP automation adoption factors
## Integration Challenges
49% of finance leaders cite integration issues as their top concern after cost in AP automation.

> Difficulty integrating with existing systems was the top AP automation concern after cost, cited by 49% of finance leaders
## Manual Workflows Persist
Half of organizations still process over 5,000 invoices monthly through non-automated workflows.

> Half still processed more than 5,000 invoices per month through workflows that were not fully automated
## Key takeaway

SMBs prioritize AP system integration over cost when selecting payment platforms