The dematerialization of invoices is gradually becoming a necessity for businesses, driven by legal obligations with the deadline of September 1, 2026, and it will bring significant benefits! But how can this transformation truly simplify your processes while ensuring regulatory compliance? With Odoo and Smile's expertise, discover how to prepare for this essential transition and benefit from it today.

What is electronic invoicing?

The dematerialization of invoices involves generating and receiving invoices in a standardised electronic format that can be directly read by IT systems.

This goes beyond the simple PDF. The most popular format for an electronic invoice is Factur-X, a hybrid combining a human-readable file and a structured version for machines. This is the standard used by the public Chorus Pro platform.

An imminent legal obligation

In France, the dematerialization of invoices is gradually becoming compulsory for all businesses. Companies are required to comply with this requirement and to have an electronic invoicing tool by 1ᵉʳ September 2026. 

Timetable:

• Since 2018, businesses working with the public sector have already been required to use Chorus Pro.
• From 1ᵉʳ September 2026, all private companies will have to be able to receive electronic invoices (companies of all sizes, including SMEs).
• From 1ᵉʳ September 2026, for large companies as well as medium-sized enterprises, the obligation will extend to the issue of dematerialized invoices.
• Finally, one year later, on 1ᵉʳ September 2027, SMEs and VSEs will also be obliged to issue their invoices electronically.

This reform only concerns transactions between companies domiciled in France. Invoices sent abroad or to private individuals will remain in PDF or paper format. In these cases, OCR (optical character recognition) solutions will still be needed to integrate the documents into your accounting systems.

The benefits of dematerialization beyond compliance

This reform is a real opportunity for companies, because electronic invoicing offers a number of advantages: 

• Reduce errors and save time

  Automation eliminates the human errors associated with re-entering invoices. This saves time and improves data reliability.

• Smooth trading

  Exchange platforms ensure direct and instantaneous transmission of invoices. No more lost documents or payment delays caused by misplaced invoices.

• Traceability and transparency

  Each invoice is tracked from issue to payment, guaranteeing a clear and compliant history in the event of an audit.

   

The 4 key stages in a successful transition 

To comply with the new regulations, you need to plan ahead, because this transition will have an impact on your processes, your teams and your organisation. Here are the key steps you need to take to get there: 

Taking stock

Setting up paperless invoicing means making sure that the data is reliable. Does your current invoicing system allow you to issue accurate, reliable invoices with all the necessary data? For example, in the target system, the SIRET number is used on the platform to identify the customer. It is therefore necessary to ensure that this data is reliable. Smile can support you in analysing and adjusting your databases to ensure this accuracy through an audit of your invoicing processes.

This in-depth, detailed audit will identify any inefficiencies, potential errors and opportunities for improvement to ensure more rigorous and transparent financial management.

Selecting an electronic invoicing solution 

You now need to consider finding a solution capable of generating invoices in Factur-X format, incorporating all the regulatory requirements in its standard. Smile relies on the Odoo solution and its proven expertise in managing dematerialisation projects. Smile will help you configure Odoo on three levels:

• Issue invoices in Factur-X format, compliant with regulatory standards.
• Automate document generation to reduce errors and save time.
• Guarantee interoperability with other systems thanks to native functionalities or custom developments.

Choosing a dematerialization platform

You then need to choose a PDP (Partner Dematerialization Platform) from among those listed and registered as PDPs by the tax authorities (list available here).
The final step is to ensure that your dematerialized invoices are correctly transmitted via the mandatory platforms:

• Connection with Chorus Pro: Smile offers and maintains a dedicated module for automatically submitting your invoices on this public platform, ensuring smooth and secure invoice transmission.
• Integration with other platforms: Depending on your needs, Smile sets up secure and automated flows to the various approved service providers.

Supporting change

The success of a dematerialization project also depends on understanding the changes that this reform represents for your teams and getting them on board. Smile offers training tailored to :

• Make your staff aware of the new tools and processes.
• Help them get to grips with the Odoo features.
• Provide ongoing support throughout the transition phase.

With Smile, you benefit from comprehensive support combining technical expertise, strategic advice and change management. This approach enables you to transform a regulatory constraint into a genuine lever for optimisation and efficiency.

Ready to simplify and secure your invoicing? Contact our experts to launch your project now!