per = as per ?

Does 'per' alone sometimes mean the same as 'as per', which means 'according to'?

Yes.

Yes it basically does.

However the use of "per" or "as per" will depend of the context.

For example;

"Operate the machine as per the instructions"

"We turned left then right, as per the map told us"

"It cost eighteen pounds per kilogram"

"He can type at sixty words per minute"

.....So where you are talking about QUANTITIVE things (measuring) it would tend to be just "per".

In more verbal contexts it would be "as per".

"Operate the machine per the instructions." is also correct.

Thanks!!
Thank you very much!