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Using Word and Excel for invoicing can quickly reach its limits for an umbrella company. For several reasons, data is not centralized or linked together, files can become corrupted, data can be easily altered, and repetitive manual tasks can lead to errors, among other issues.
Given that the business model of an umbrella company is based on billing for the work performed by its contractors, it is in the company’s best interest to digitize its operations and optimize its billing process (from accurate billing to tracking collections).
To support you in this optimization process, ERP is a good ally.
We’ll tell you why!
How does billing work under a portage salarial arrangement?
The Billing Process in the Portage Salarial Model
Under a portage salarial arrangement, the umbrella company is responsible for billing clients.
The contractor negotiates the rate for their services with the client company, and then the contractor handles the administrative aspects (drafting the contract, invoicing the client, etc.).
Billing Methods for Portage Salarial Services
There are three billing methods under the portage salarial system, each with its own administrative specifics:
- The Average Daily Rate (ADR) This is the most common method. Services are billed on a daily basis. The umbrella company generates the invoice based on the activity report (CRA) approved by the client. This is the easiest method to automate using an ERP system.
- The Average Hourly Rate (AHR) is suitable for short or intermittent assignments. Billing is based on reported hours, which requires accurate time tracking and reliable data exports to the billing system—exactly what a dedicated ERP system makes possible.
- The flat rate is negotiated for the entire service, regardless of the time spent. Billing may be tied to milestones or deliverables. This is the most complex method to manage manually—and the one where Excel errors are the most costly.
In any case, the umbrella company issues the invoice to the client based on the information provided by the contractor.
How does ERP help you streamline the invoicing process for portage salarial arrangements?
ERP is a tool that will enable a staffing company to automate a large part of its invoicing process, on the one hand, and centralize its entire information system, on the other. These actions are beneficial for both the umbrella company and the employee.
One of the major advantages of this type of ERP software is its ability to efficiently manage customer invoicing. Thanks to the integration of its modules, the umbrella company can automatically generate accurate invoices based on the timesheets or CRA forms of its contractors.
In addition, good billing software allows you to track payment reminders, issue credit memos when corrections are needed, and proactively manage late payments. All of these elements contribute to sound cash flow management.
The Benefits of ERP for an Umbrella Company
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Avoids multiple re-entries
By automating its invoicing process, the umbrella company reduces the need to re-enter data from the various Excel files of its employees.
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Simplifies internal processes
Data is now centralized and easily accessible to all parties involved in the billing process.
For example, the fact that the consultant fills in his activity report is enough to trigger the invoicing process.
ERP software also serves as a fully integrated invoicing tool, where each data point is automatically linked to a project, a client, or an assignment, thereby reducing the risk of errors and speeding up processing times.
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Time-saving business management
ERP saves time on all tasks: less time spent entering invoicing information, searching for information in Excel files, etc.
Within the software package, data is linked together, enabling the solution to offer reporting and analysis of business results.
Automating invoicing also makes it possible to set up approval workflows, ensuring that each invoice goes through the appropriate review steps before being sent to the customer.
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Improved collaborative working
ERP is also beneficial for collaborative working, as data is more easily accessible. Employees are no longer stressed by waiting for feedback from others.
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Automate your process
The various actions carried out within the integrated software package automatically update the data.
This automation is particularly valuable for generating bulk invoices at the end of the month, tracking due dates, and automatically sending payment reminders to customers who are past due.
The Benefits of ERP for Contractors
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Access to information concerning him/her
From a central tool, or even a mobile application, the contractor can access information about his or her customers, business activity, related invoicing and so on. It is totally autonomous.
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Exchange documents more easily
Through this solution, the contractor can exchange documents more easily with their umbrella company and can also easily view the articles and documents that the umbrella company has made available to them.
Some ERP software even allows for the integration of a dedicated space where contractors can view their invoice history, related credit memos, and payments received, thereby providing them with complete transparency into their work.
A Regulatory Issue That Cannot Be Ignored: Electronic Invoicing
Since January 2026, Veryswing has been officially registered as as an Approved Platform (PA) by the DGFiP. In practical terms, this means that the VSPortage ERP system is directly connected to the French tax network for the transmission of electronic invoices, without any additional intermediaries.
For an umbrella company, this is a tangible benefit: your invoices to clients (businesses subject to VAT) are issued in a compliant format, automatically archived, and submitted within the legal deadlines. All of this is done without the need for re-entry or managing third-party tools.
The electronic invoicing reform will gradually become mandatory for all French companies. It’s best to get a head start now with an ERP system that’s already compliant.
To learn more: Electronic Invoicing: A Practical Guide for Umbrella Companies.
To conclude on how to optimize your invoicing process with ERP
The day-to-day management of invoicing can be very time-consuming, especially when you don’t have the right tools.
An ERP system is available to support the invoicing process of umbrella companies. It’s a management tool that offers numerous benefits: automation, process simplification, time savings, etc.
But you still need to find the right ERP system for an umbrella company. VSPortage, developed by Veryswing, is software designed specifically for umbrella companies.
The solution offers a number of functions to support the day-to-day operations of the umbrella company and its contractors.
Choosing a high-performance ERP system ensures a secure, seamless customer invoicing process that is aligned with administrative and accounting requirements. By integrating a suitable invoicing tool, umbrella companies can improve their efficiency, responsiveness, and professionalism.
VSPortage, the ERP system designed for invoicing by umbrella companies
Improving reliability, speed, and peace of mind in managing customer invoicing is a major challenge for umbrella companies.
To support you, we have developed VSPortage, our industry-specific ERP system designed for umbrella companies, created to simplify and automate your entire invoicing process.
VSPortage automates your entire billing process, from the entry of the CRA by the contractor to the automatic follow-up on unpaid invoices. Designed specifically for umbrella companies, it centralizes the management of contractors, clients, and assignments in a single tool that complies with French regulations, including electronic invoicing.
Request your free demo today with one of our experts and discover how VSPortage can transform your customer billing management.
