XBestellung: Advancing Toward Seamless Digital Procurement

The digitalization of public procurement is gaining momentum with XBestellung as the new standard for electronic orders. Based on a proven European format, XBestellung opens new opportunities for both the public sector and their suppliers. In this blog, we explore how XBestellung simplifies processes and drives future-ready procurement at national and international levels.

What is XBestellung?

XBestellung is a standardized format for electronic orders in Germany’s public sector.

It was developed to enable fully digital, interoperable procurement processes across Europe. As part of the XStandards initiative, XBestellung belongs to a series of unified formats created through a national collaboration to modernize public procurement.

Since 2023, XBestellung has been available to public sector organizations and suppliers, serving as a key foundation for modern, seamless ordering processes.

Differentiating XBestellung and Order-X: two standards, two use cases

At first glance, XBestellung and Order-X may seem similar, as both formats relate to electronic ordering. However, a closer look reveals key differences in their origins, objectives and technical foundations.

XBestellung is designed for fully digital procurement processes in the public sector. It is embedded within the Peppol network and based on the UBL 2.1 syntax and the CEN WS/BII Profile 03 Order Only specification.

Order-X, on the other hand, was jointly developed by Germany’s Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland (FeRD) and its French counterpart FNFE-MPE. It focuses on the hybrid use of ordering and invoicing data, allowing the simultaneous exchange of structured and unstructured information. Technically, Order-X is built on the UN/CEFACT Cross Industry Order (CIO) syntax and the UN/CEFACT Supply Chain Reference Data Model (SCRDM).

To summarize, XBestellung is geared toward end-to-end digital procurement processes in Germany’s public sector, while Order-X addresses hybrid formats with a focus on private sector transactions.

Both formats serve important functions but are not interchangeable. Organizations must carefully select the appropriate standard based on their specific use case and network of partners.

Technical foundations of XBestellung

XBestellung is based on the internationally recognized Peppol Order Transaction 3.0 specification and uses the Order Only process profile within the Peppol network. This network ensures the secure, structured and cross-border transmission of electronic orders in both B2G and B2B contexts.

The technical foundation is continuously developed by the OpenPeppol AISBL Post Award Coordinating Community. One major advantage of XBestellung is its full interoperability with the European core invoice standard EN16931, which enables automated matching between orders and invoices, further simplifying procurement processes.

Beyond the Order Only profile used in XBestellung, the Peppol network also offers additional process profiles, such as Ordering based on the CEN BII2 Profile 28. These supplementary specifications enable even deeper system integration and full digitalization of complex e-procurement processes, particularly in the B2B environment.

But what specific benefits does this bring for suppliers and the public sector?

Benefits of XBestellung for the public sector and suppliers

Consistently using XBestellung provides strong incentives for all parties to further digitalize their procurement processes at local, national and international levels. By establishing a standardized format for electronic ordering across Europe, XBestellung offers significant advantages for public sector organizations, including:

• Easier adoption of digital procurement
• Greater security, scalability and compliance
• Harmonization across national borders

Suppliers also benefit:

• More efficient order receipt without disruptions
• Less manual effort through automation
• Better system integration and easier onboarding of new partners directly within the Peppol network

Through Peppol, suppliers gain access to customers they may already be exchanging invoices with in the B2B environment, especially as new mandates emerge in Germany and across Europe. By relying on a familiar, widely adopted Peppol-based format, organizations can make their ordering processes significantly more efficient and fully digitalized.

These benefits aren’t just theoretical; real-world implementations are already proving the success of XBestellung.

Pilot projects in Germany: Public sector is already implementing XBestellung

The rollout of XBestellung is currently being tested through phased pilot projects. German federal and state public sector organizations are actively piloting the new format, working closely with selected suppliers. The goal is to validate real-world use cases, gather practical experience and ensure seamless integration into existing systems.

Although some of these organizations have already gone live with XBestellung, there is not yet a nationwide mandate for its use. This flexibility makes it easier for organizations to adopt the standard gradually and ensures a practical, real-world rollout.

A key success factor is the extensive Peppol network, which serves as the backbone for transmitting XBestellung orders. As outlined earlier, public sector entities benefit directly from Peppol’s secure, standardized infrastructure and centralized approach.

The ongoing pilot projects are laying the groundwork for broader adoption, paving the way for a future-proof, fully digital procurement landscape that extends beyond Germany’s borders.

XBestellung in the European context: How other countries are embracing digital procurement standards

The value of XBestellung extends far beyond Germany. To achieve true interoperability across national borders, other European countries must also align with the EN16931 standard that underpins XBestellung.

The Netherlands has widely adopted electronic ordering based on Peppol standards across public sector institutions. Italy, particularly its healthcare sector, has long embraced digital procurement processes. In the Nordic countries, structured e-procurement practices are firmly established. There, digital ordering through the Peppol network is standard practice not only in public procurement but also in the entire B2B environment.

With XBestellung, Germany is aligning itself with this broader European movement. As more organizations join the Peppol network, the reach and impact of fully digital procurement processes continue to grow, which provides a clear advantage for public sector organizations, businesses and their IT ecosystems.

Achieve seamless XBestellung integration with SEEBURGER

SEEBURGER helps the public sector and businesses implement XBestellung quickly, securely and efficiently.

With the BIS Platform, we enable seamless connectivity to the Peppol network, smooth integration with existing systems and full compliance with all relevant standards and regulatory requirements.

A certified Peppol Access Point and service provider, we support efficient process design and end-to-end digitalization in procurement, eliminating media disruptions both nationally and internationally.

From initial pilot projects to full-scale rollout, SEEBURGER is your trusted and experienced partner for building a modern, interoperable procurement landscape.

Source: https://blog.seeburger.com/xbestellung-advancing-toward-seamless-digital-procurement/