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Digitalisation in purchasing continues to advance and more and more companies expect their suppliers to have seamless connections to their e-procurement systems. PunchOut catalogues are one solution. But is the investment worthwhile even if there is no direct customer requirement yet?
Imagine this: A long-standing customer contacts you with an urgent request: "We need a PunchOut catalogue, preferably via OCI or cXML." For many suppliers, this initially comes as a shock. The pressure to meet expectations is great, because existing business relationships are at stake, but the technical expertise is lacking.
The use of a PunchOut catalogue is not a special case. More and more companies are relying on such e-procurement solutions and expect their suppliers to go along with them. Those who are already prepared will gain a clear competitive advantage.
A PunchOut catalogue enables the direct connection of a supplier shop to the customer's purchasing system (ERP or e-procurement system). Instead of working in two systems in parallel, buyers can access the supplier catalogue directly from their own merchandise management system, select products and place them in the shopping cart. The order is then transferred back to the purchasing system and finalised there.
Anyone who has already dealt with PunchOut or PunchOut catalogues signals professionalism and digital strength. This can be the decisive factor when it comes to acquiring new customers as well as retaining the loyalty of existing customers.
Even if the connection is not mandatory, the willingness to do so shows: This supplier thinks ahead and is prepared for future requirements. This is a decisive unique selling point, especially for medium-sized companies.
PunchOut is often seen as a service for buyers. But suppliers also benefit directly. Orders are more structured and automated, the workload in the back office is reduced and sources of error are minimised.
A study by DIA Software shows: Manufacturers of industrial components were able to reduce their order errors by around 30% thanks to PunchOut. A measurable advantage that not only improves processes, but also reduces costs.
These advantages show: PunchOut is not just a technical detail, but a lever for more efficient processes and more satisfied customers. The question is therefore not so much whether the introduction is worthwhile, but how it can be implemented pragmatically.
This is exactly where PunchCommerce comes in. The technical implementation of a PunchOut catalogue can seem complex - especially if different standards such as OCI or cXML have to be supported. Our SaaS solution provides the common interfaces and can be integrated with little effort.
This allows suppliers to utilise the benefits of PunchOut without overloading their own IT resources and at the same time demonstrate digital strength to their customers.
If you would like to know how PunchCommerce can specifically support your company, arrange a non-binding consultation appointment with us.
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!
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