Good To Know "But we've always done it this way" - why a PunchOut catalogue makes sense right now

"Connect the online shop directly via the e-procurement system? With a PunchOut? Sounds exciting - but we've been doing it via Excel for years." IT suggests a more efficient way. Purchasing management waves it off. Two weeks later: another transposed payment, missed discount, manual reworking. Unfortunately, this is a common example from everyday life in many companies. Even in well-organised purchasing departments, manual processes still lead to additional work.

Especially now, when budgets are shrinking, staff is scarce and order volumes are increasing, purchasing needs solutions that not only work, but also grow with them. One of these is PunchOut catalogues, which directly link the online shop and e-procurement system: highly integrated, less error-prone and scalable.

Why "just like always" is no longer enough!

According to studies by IFH Cologne and ECC (2021 - 2024), over 50% of German B2B companies see e-commerce as a strategically central form of sales. But while sales and marketing are digitalising, procurement often remains stuck in old patterns.

The problem:

• Unstructured ordering processes
• Non-transparent price structures
• High effort for control and post-processing
• No measurable setup for growing product ranges or suppliers
• High susceptibility to errors in bureaucratised processes

The solution: Process integration instead of shadow processes, for example with a PunchOut.

What is a PunchOut and why is it relevant for purchasing?

In short, a PunchOut describes catalogue procurement in the B2B sector. The supplier's online shop can be accessed directly via the company's own e-procurement system, where purchases are made as usual. After selecting the products, the shopping basket is transferred back to the e-procurement system, where the purchase is finalised. Technically, PunchOut is usually based on an OCI or cXML protocol, depending on the system used.

All order data automatically ends up in the system. Discounts are correctly taken into account, all data is available to the accounting department in the required form and the entire process is documented transparently and comprehensibly.

This means for purchasing departments:

• You retain system sovereignty
• The supplier side remains dynamic and up-to-date
• Errors, duplicates or deviating prices are a thing of the past

5 reasons why companies should rely on PunchOut catalogues now

• Accelerate processes:** Orders run automatically and without manual maintenance
• Avoid errors:** No manual transfers, no transposed figures, no price discrepancies
• Reduce costs: Fewer manual activities, faster throughput times and less clarification effort Reliable processes: All orders go through the established approval process Securing the future:** PunchOut creates the basis for further automation

Getting started in the PunchOut world is so easy

The path to an integrated purchasing system is now easier than ever before. Modern solutions such as PunchCommerce enable an uncomplicated connection of existing online shops to existing e-procurement systems (whether SAP, Jaggaer or Coupa). Quick and easy. PunchCommerce connects your shop directly, including shopping basket transfer, approval processes and better integration of the systems involved.

If you have any questions or suggestions, just send us an email hallo@punchcommerce.de or call us at +49 6142 / 953 80 - 60. We appreciate your feedback!