SMP (Service Metadata Publisher)

What is an SMP?

An SMP (Service Metadata Publisher) functions as an advanced digital "phonebook" within the international Peppol network. While national registries might cover local recipients, the SMP ensures that businesses worldwide can find each other. It contains information about exactly which document types (e.g., invoices, credit notes, or orders) a recipient is technically capable of handling.

How it works

When you send an invoice through Peppol, your Access Point (such as Inexchange) automatically performs a lookup in the recipient's SMP. The system receives an answer regarding which technical "address" the document should be sent to and whether the recipient can read the format you are sending. This process happens in a fraction of a second and ensures that the invoice is never sent in vain to a system that cannot understand it.

Benefits of SMP

Without an SMP, electronic trade would require manual agreements between all parties regarding technical formats. The SMP architecture allows you to scale your business globally because you can automatically send e-invoices to any new customer in the network without further technical setup. It ensures full interoperability and removes the technical barriers of international trade.