Success Story: How Eschenbach Optik Is Mastering the Transition to eInvoicing – With TRAFFIQX® as Its Digitalization Partner
The introduction of mandatory eInvoicing starting in 2025 poses significant challenges for many companies in the wholesale and foreign trade sectors. Complex supply chains, diverse IT environments, and a large number of international business partners make a smooth, legally compliant transition nearly impossible—at least without specialized expertise.
At Eschenbach Optik GmbH, a renowned manufacturer and supplier of optical products headquartered in Germany with several European branches, it quickly became clear that the mandatory eInvoicing requirement was not merely a legal mandate but a strategic project of great importance to accounting, IT, and compliance alike.
Digital Invoicing Processes in Wholesale and Foreign Trade: Compliance as the Pacesetter
The company made a conscious decision to implement the requirements early on and specifically brought an experienced TRAFFIQX® provider on board for this purpose. The goal was not only to meet the technical and regulatory requirements of the EU standard EN 16931 but also to establish uniform and automated invoicing processes company-wide.
Starting Point: Complex System Landscapes and Growing Regulatory Requirements
Eschenbach Optik GmbH has a historically evolved IT infrastructure comprising various systems for financial and customer processes:
- the ERP backbone based on AS400,
- financial accounting based on Comarch,
- and a proprietary CRM system for managing sales and service processes.
The particular challenge was to connect these heterogeneous systems in such a way as to enable a seamless, automated, and compliant exchange of invoices.
In addition to the technical complexity, the EU-wide introduction of mandatory eInvoicing played a central role: Right from the start of the project, TRAFFIQX® specifically took Eschenbach’s international orientation into account.
Lars Becher, TRAFFIQX®:
“From the very beginning, Eschenbach was committed to establishing a solution that goes beyond what is legally required. We were able to optimally implement this combination of technical versatility and regulatory depth using our standardized TRAFFIQX® modules.”
“From the very beginning, Eschenbach was committed to establishing a solution that went beyond what was legally required. We were able to optimally implement this combination of technical versatility and regulatory depth through our standardized TRAFFIQX® modules.”
That’s why time is already running out
The transition to structured eInvoicing (in accordance with the EU standard EN 16931, such as XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, or PEPPOL BIS) is not merely a technical issue—starting in 2027, it will determine solvency, tax deductions, and legal compliance. Simple PDFs or invoices sent via email will no longer suffice.
What’s more, many ERP and accounting systems in small and medium-sized businesses are not yet prepared for the new requirements. Often, there is a lack of expertise, interfaces, or clear processes for structured transmission.
Working together, the project team therefore ensured that all legal entities in Europe were prepared for the new requirements well in advance.
Solution & Implementation: Standardized Interfaces and Regulatory Foresight
In close coordination with the TRAFFIQX® network, the project team designed and implemented a scalable, globally deployable solution. The following technical and organizational components were utilized:
- API integration for receiving and sending electronic invoices to efficiently connect existing systems
- Integration of various invoice formats such as XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, iDoc, XML, and EDI
- Automated invoice verification and processing, which significantly reduced manual steps
- SFTP-based data transfer for maximum data security
Within approximately eight months, the joint team not only implemented all technical interfaces but also optimized internal processes, conducted test scenarios, and translated regulatory requirements into system-specific technical specifications.
The biggest challenge: mapping the EN16931 standard in a diverse IT environment. With their modular architecture, the experts at TRAFFIQX® ensured that this complexity remained manageable and that a robust, future-proof setup was created.
Results: Compliance secured – infrastructure prepared for European expansion
Even before the statutory deadline of 2025, Eschenbach was able to meet the regulatory requirements in this way together with TRAFFIQX®. The cross-border integration of the subsidiaries was a key strategic success factor. Even though meaningful, reliable success metrics based on concrete performance KPIs can only be collected some time after go-live, significant added value is already evident:
Legal certainty: TRAFFIQX® ensured that all relevant requirements of the EN16931 standard were met both structurally and technically.
Scalability: The integrated solution was deliberately designed to accommodate future developments such as ViDA and new reporting systems.
Process harmonization: TRAFFIQX® played a key role in standardizing invoice management, accounting, and tax processes.
Technical future-proofing: The API architecture allows for flexible expansion and integration of additional systems without additional effort.
Sophia Pruchnow, IT Project Manager at Eschenbach:
“TRAFFIQX in a nutshell? Highly competent. And with extremely friendly contacts. So far, our experience working with them has been nothing but positive. Tackling the issue early on was exactly the right move. Now we’re also in compliance with European regulations.”
Digitalization as a Compliance Booster
Eschenbach Optik’s digital success story impressively demonstrates that eInvoice is not merely a regulatory requirement, but a catalyst for digital transformation and strategic process optimization. With TRAFFIQX® at its side, this long-established German company has not only established the legally required infrastructure early on, but has also laid a scalable foundation for the future—in Germany and across Europe.
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Secure your consultation now!
Want to learn more? Schedule your free consultation with our expert Lars Becher, Key Account Manager and Subject Matter Expert for e-invoicing and CTC within the TRAFFIQX® network.
Not a fan of online meetings?
Give him a call: +49 (0)6359 – 9 37 90
or drop him a line at: lars.becher@b4value.net