5 Document Workflows Businesses Can Easily Automate With AI

Discover 5 common document workflows any business can automate using modern data extraction tools. AI-powered, no-code SaaS solutions enable professionals without technical expertise to easily automate data extraction from key documents such as invoices, purchase orders, and receipts, boosting operational efficiency across their organisation.

Invoices

Invoices are central to managing cash flow and vendor relationships. By automating the extraction of totals, due dates, and vendor details, businesses can streamline processes like accounts payable, cost tracking, and reconciliation. Automation ensures invoice data is processed quickly and accurately, improving financial management and reducing the impact of errors or delays.

Workflow	Relevant Extracted Data
Accounts Payable Streamlines payment processing by extracting key invoice data for accounting systems.	Invoice Totals Vendor Details Due Dates
Cost Tracking Tracks expenses to ensure budgets are adhered to and costs are monitored.	Itemized Charges Total Amount Dates
Reconciliation Matches invoice data with purchase orders and receipts to ensure accuracy.	Vendor Details Quantities Prices

Purchase orders

Purchase orders (POs) are key to managing procurement and inventory, helping businesses formalize orders with vendors. By automating data extraction—such as item descriptions, quantities, prices, and shipping details—businesses can streamline workflows like order tracking, invoice reconciliation, and inventory management. This reduces errors and boosts procurement efficiency.

Workflow	Relevant Extracted Data
Order Tracking & Fulfillment Tracks order status and ensures accurate delivery of goods.	Item Descriptions Quantities Shipping Address
Invoice Reconciliation Matches purchase orders to invoices to confirm accuracy before payment.	Item Descriptions Prices Quantities
Procurement Reporting Tracks procurement data for budgeting and future needs.	Vendor Details Total Purchase Value Shipping Information

Receipts

Receipts play an important role in tracking business expenses and managing reimbursements. By automating the extraction of data such as total amounts, tax values, vendor details, and dates, businesses can significantly streamline workflows like expense reporting, tax filing, and employee reimbursements. For organizations without dedicated expense tools, automating receipt data extraction from emails offers a seamless alternative to manual processing.

Workflow	Relevant Extracted Data
Expense Reporting Tracks business expenses to ensure they are accurately categorized and reported.	Total Amount Tax Amount Vendor Details
Tax Filing Facilitates tax filing by providing detailed records of tax-deductible expenses.	Tax Amount Date Vendor Details
Employee Reimbursements Processes employee reimbursements quickly and accurately by matching receipts to claims.	Total Amount Date Vendor Details

Bills of lading

Bills of lading (BOLs) are essential shipping documents that serve as proof of shipment and outline the terms of transportation. By automating the extraction of key data such as shipment details, item descriptions, quantities, and shipping addresses, businesses can simplify logistics management, improve inventory tracking, and manage shipping costs effectively.

Workflow	Relevant Extracted Data
Shipment Tracking Tracks the movement of goods from the supplier to the business or customer.	Shipment Details Item Descriptions Quantities Shipping Addresses
Inventory Management Helps keep track of stock levels, ensuring businesses maintain adequate supply.	Item Descriptions Quantities Shipment Dates
Cost Tracking Monitors shipping costs and links them to products or orders for accurate financial tracking.	Shipping Costs Quantities Item Descriptions

Bank statements

Bank statements are crucial for managing cash flow, monitoring financial health, and reconciling accounts. By automating the extraction of key data such as transaction amounts, dates, payees, and account balances, businesses can streamline workflows like reconciliation, financial reporting, and cash flow management. For businesses looking to scale, automating data extraction ensures greater accuracy and timely oversight as transaction volumes grow.

Workflow	Relevant Extracted Data
Account Reconciliation Matches bank statement transactions with internal records to ensure accuracy.	Transaction Amounts Account Balances Dates
Financial Reporting Aggregates bank statement data to generate financial statements and reports.	Transaction Amounts Payees Account Balances
Cash Flow Management Tracks cash flow by analyzing incoming and outgoing transactions.	Transaction Amounts Dates Account Balances

Ready to automate these workflows with AI?

With user-friendly interfaces, seamless integrations, and AI models that handle complex documents out of the box, specialised data extraction workflow tools like Cradl AI lower the technical barrier, enabling any business to leverage automation without requiring extensive IT resources. In 2025, advanced document workflow automation is simpler and more efficient than ever.