Deploying a new invoice management system across your entire vendor network all at once can scare a lot of people off. So what's the alternative?
When you need to update your AP processes, it makes logical sense to test drive a handful of accounts payable solutions before committing to one. But in a practical sense, that kind of test can translate to weeks of work, and for most decision makers, that just won't pan out in the real world.
That being said, at Fidesic we understand that a controlled rollout of a new solution goes a long way toward convincing your executive team to greenlight AP automation in the first place. This post covers the benefits of a controlled test deployment, and how Fidesic removes the barriers standing in your way, whether you run on Business Central or Dynamics GP.
The Test Install
Testing a piece of software before you commit is the best way to ensure the application will deliver the value you expect. A small, controlled deployment reduces risk by starting with a subset of vendors and a limited invoice volume, giving your team a real-world testing environment without putting day-to-day operations at risk.
Odds are you're already doing your best to choose a solution that fits your business based on demos, colleague recommendations, sales calls, AI conversations, your own checklist of feature requirements, and general gut feeling.
Once you've chosen a solution, you may run a test drive using a demo version of the product, or you may jump in with both feet and hope for the best, all the while keeping your previous process on the back burner in case the new solution doesn't work out.
For AP accountants whose leadership is resistant to new implementations, a controlled test deployment is an easier ask than a full-blown rollout. Real results from a small, low-risk test also deliver data that speaks for itself and helps you get the greenlight for automation.
The Catch: It's Still a Commitment
The barrier for many teams who want to test out an accounting solution is the cost and effort of standing up a new application just to try it. That concern often causes organizations to skip the controlled deployment entirely, which either pushes the project off for years or forces a commitment to a solution that may or may not fit their needs.
There's also a legitimate concern about testing in a live accounting environment. Running an untested system against real vendor data and active AP operations carries risk that some teams aren't willing to accept during an evaluation phase.
You may also like: Invoice Management Systems: Finding a Vendor Invoice Management Solution
Fidesic Free Removes Risks & Barriers
Fidesic Free removes these common barriers. As a full AP automation solution with no cost, no credit card required, and no commitment, Fidesic Free is structured for exactly this kind of scoped, controlled deployment. The free version includes:
-
1 Company
-
3 Users
-
100 Invoices per month
That's enough volume to surface any issues with the integration, test approval workflows, and validate the solution against your process, all without the overhead of a full rollout.
Test Without Touching Your Live Environment
For teams that don't want to test in a live accounting environment, a sandbox deployment is the answer. The production environment stays clean while the evaluation runs in parallel, and when the test is complete, moving to production requires no rebuilding.
Business Central users: every Essential and Premium subscriber already has up to three sandbox environments included at no extra charge, and Fidesic Free connects directly to them.
Dynamics GP users: Fidesic Free connects to a dedicated test company instead, giving you the same isolated, side-by-side evaluation without touching live vendor data or active AP operations.
Either way, the evaluation runs alongside your real environment, not inside it.
Start Testing In Business Central in 5 Minutes
From Pilot to Full Deployment
When the controlled deployment wraps up, scaling to Fidesic Pro requires no rebuilding and no re-onboarding. Workflows, vendor data, and user configurations carry forward. The pilot becomes the foundation for full deployment rather than a throwaway exercise.
Teams arrive at full rollout with a refined process, trained users, results to show stakeholders, and a system that has already proven itself. That's a significantly stronger starting point than going live and hoping for the best.
