Comparison of Sicon Direct Debit Solutions

Helping You Choose the Right Direct Debit Solution

Sicon offers two Direct Debit management solutions, each designed to support different business needs. Below, we compare the key differences between these options to help you understand their capabilities and choose the solution that best fits your organisation.

Sicon Enhancement Pack – Direct Debit Integration

Best for: Businesses with straightforward collection needs | Collecting full invoice amounts | Basic Direct Debit processing

This solution provides simple, streamlined Direct Debit processing for everyday collections, offering a straightforward way to generate collection files and take payments quickly and efficiently. It automates the creation of Direct Debit CSV files based on outstanding invoices, making it ideal for uncomplicated, routine collections. Customer bank details are stored directly on the Sales Ledger account via a dedicated Direct Debit tab, keeping setup centralised and easy to manage.

✅ Ideal for straightforward Direct Debit processing.
✅ Generates CSV files ready for bank submission.
✅ Can consolidate multiple invoice lines and work with Sicon Contracts to limit collections to contract‑related transactions.
❌ Does not provide failed‑payment feedback or advanced debtor workflows.
❌ No support for instalment plans or changing payment methods.
❌ No dashboards or visibility tools for monitoring collections.

For more information, please login to the Sicon Customer Portal and refer to the Direct Debit Integration Help & User Guide

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Sicon Debtor Management

Best for: Businesses wanting more control over cashflow | Those offering instalment plans | Teams managing failed DDs or exceptions | Anyone wanting automation & oversight

This advanced solution delivers automated collections with total control, providing a powerful end‑to‑end debtor management approach that manages how customers pay, when they pay, and what happens if payments fail. It offers a structured, automated workflow covering instalments, failed Direct Debits, payment method changes, instruction exports, cancellations, and every stage of the collection cycle. Payment information is stored at Sales Ledger account level and can also be applied directly to individual sales invoices, SOP orders, or Sicon Contract lines, giving you complete flexibility across all transaction types.

✅ Complete end‑to‑end debtor management solution.
✅ Fully managed Direct Debit workflow from instruction to collection.
✅ Supports instalments, due‑date controls, receipt handling, failed‑payment processing, re‑presentation and cancellations.
✅ Deeper integration with Sicon Contracts, including payment‑method control at contract‑line level.
✅ Extensive configuration options for payment rules at customer, invoice and contract level.
✅ Highly flexible CSV export formats, including preconfigured layouts compatible with banking systems.
✅ Built‑in dashboards for real‑time visibility and reporting.
✅ Designed for organisations with more complex collection needs, offering greater automation, control and oversight.

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Sicon Enhancement Pack – Direct Debit Integration
Sicon Debtor Management
Supports Instalments

No – collects based on outstanding invoice values only

Yes – creates instalments, edits instalment schedules, adjusts amounts, changes frequencies

Failed Direct Debit Handling

Yes – Full failed collection handling with options; add to next instalment, add over remaining instalments, create new instalment or switch to manual collection

Import Failures (XML)

Yes – Can import DD failure files (XML) and automatically update failed transactions

Send DD Instructions (0N / 0C)

Yes – can submit Direct Debit Instructions (DDIs) to bank via CSV (New, Cancel, Reinstate)

Yes – supports export of instruction files and BACS instruction management tied to customer flags

Process Collections

Yes – “Process Direct Debits” creates CSV & posts receipts automatically

More advanced – “Export for Collection”, then separate “Direct Debit Collection” process to confirm receipts

Consolidate Multiple Items into One Line per Customer

Yes – configurable via settings (“Group invoice into one payment”)

Yes – “Consolidate exported lines into one line per customer” option

Receipt Allocation

Auto‑allocate (optional); can allocate credit notes during process

More advanced – auto allocate credits & receipts; supports part‑collection, re-presentation, allocation rules

Failed Collection Detection

Yes, with full follow‑up action prompts

Re‑Present / Re‑Export⚠️

Only if CSV created but not processed

Yes – fully supported; instalment status becomes “Re‑Presentation” automatically

Instalment Editing

Instalments can be edited (amounts, dates, instalments); can convert payment method for all future instalments

Customer Communication (Collection Notices)

Supports printing of collection notices

Advanced notices with filters; reprints allowed until processed

CSV File Customisation

Simple column mapping via CSV File Setup

Highly configurable: schema-based (header/footer/data), full BACS Standard 18 support, pence formatting, padding, IBAN/BIC, fixed text etc.

Hide Payment Due Date

Yes – optional setting (“Hide payment due date”)

Include Receipts When Auto‑Crediting

Yes – setting includes receipts as part of auto-crediting

Supports Contract Manager Collections

Yes – can restrict to Contract-related transactions

Yes – deeper integration; can set payment method per contract line

User Permissions⚠️

Limited – controlled via Sage role

Extensive, fine-grain user permissions; payment editing, visibility, instalment changes, etc.

Dashboard / Management Visibility

Built-in dashboards (amount to collect, overdue, exported, instructions required)

Cancellation of Exported Transactions

Yes – “Direct Debit Cancellation” export available

Change Payment Method After Invoice Raised

Yes – Change Payment Method tool, plus ability to convert instalments

Post‑Collection Process

Automatic receipt + allocation happens immediately with CSV processing step

Separate collection confirmation step where receipts are posted and allocation completed