In an integrated system, data is transferred from the logistics system to the accounting system using the accounting interface. Each logistics application calls the accounting interface with the relevant data. The accounting document is checked there, is completed and is then forwarded to the various accounting applications for further processing.

This principle is also used in a distributed system. An accounting system runs in the background in every logistics system. The logistics applications call the accounting interface in the decentral system. The detailed posting is performed locally rather than in the remote accounting system. Every accounting application then has to decide which data it needs to send to the other system.

For most FI accounts a periodic transfer of transaction data to the central system is adequate. Unlike the method of sending each line item separately, this minimizes the amount of data transferred.