Got Questions About Punchout?

A punchout catalog (sometimes styled as “PunchOut” or “punch out”) is a web-based product catalog provided by a particular supplier, customized for a particular buying organization, and created specifically to connect with that company’s eProcurement or purchasing software system. Each punchout catalog contains the customer’s unique items and prices.

Punchout catalogs vary from supplier-to-supplier based on the supplier’s capabilities and the buying organization’s requirements. For this reason, the ability to provide useful, intuitive punchout catalogs, with innate flexibility, is key. In other words, punchout integrations are not a “one-size fits all” process.

Sophisticated punchouts utilize a standardized internet protocol, called cXML, which is designed specifically for enterprise communication between eProcurement applications and e-commmerce suppliers. The protocol allows real-time dialogue between an eProcurement system and a supplier’s e-commerce website.

While all punchouts provide a storefront entry point, level 2 punchouts allow the buyer to search for vendors’ products directly from their eProcurement system in a manner that’s similar to the way consumers search for products online. Buyers can search across multiple vendors, use keyword searches, and archive favorites. Most organizations with level 2-capable procurement software require and/or desire level 2 punchouts to simplify and enhance the buying and selling experience.

An eProcurement system (sometimes styled as “electronic procurement” or “supplier exchange”) is an online interface or networked system that facilitates the the purchase of goods and services for a specific buying organization. eProcurement systems like SAP, Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, Jaggaer, Workday, and Vroozi, are designed to increase purchasing efficiency and effectiveness.