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What are the advantages of such catalogs?<\/h2>\n\n
As a supplier, you benefit from the following advantages:<\/p>\n\n
- \n
- You stay in control of your data: prices, stock levels, and configurations are always up to date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Customer uses your solution (e.g., online shop) but stays in their shopping system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fewer errors, no price differences or queries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
An overview of the three technical approaches<\/h2>\n\n
Each approach integrates external punchout catalogs into customer systems. The technology varies depending on industry standards and system landscapes. <\/p>\n\n
OCI Catalog (Open Catalog Interface)<\/h3>\n\n
OCI, developed by SAP, is the standard for ERP and e-procurement systems such as SAP, Onventis<\/a>, and Mercateo<\/a>\/Unite<\/a>. This standard is particularly prevalent in large purchasing organizations. The goal is always to use current item data and prices for purchase orders.<\/p>\n\n
\nHow does an OCI catalog work? <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\ncXML Punchout<\/h3>\n\n
cXML punchout is used in e-procurement systems such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Its purpose is the same as that of the OCI catalog. Only the technical structure differs. <\/p>\n\n
\nHow does a cXML punchout catalog work?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nIDS Connect for craftsmen<\/h3>\n\n
Immer mehr Handwerksbetriebe, aus dem Branchen SHK (Sanit\u00e4r-Heizung-Klima), Elektro oder Bau, setzen auf Handwerkersoftware. Diese spezialisierten ERP-Systeme haben die Standardschnittstelle IDS-Connect bereits integriert. Damit kann der Artikelstamm aktualisiert werden, Angebote geschrieben oder Bestellungen get\u00e4tigt werden. <\/p>\n\n
\nHow does IDS Connect work?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nWhy are punchout catalogs an important sales argument?<\/h2>\n\n
Does your customer use the \u201cPreferred Supporter\u201d label? Then you are dealing with a modern company. These customers reward suppliers who simplify the purchasing process. For example, through interfaces that help with data maintenance. That is why the ability to offer punchout catalogs is an important selling point. Because it can deliver the following benefits to the customer: <\/p>\n\n
- \n
- Simplified procurement: Employees place orders in their own system without media discontinuity or manual order forms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Manual effort is reduced: item data and prices are transferred automatically, eliminating the need for manual order entry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduction in process costs: Transaction costs per order are falling significantly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High data quality: Always up-to-date prices and availability<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compliance with purchasing guidelines: Budgets and approval workflows are automatically applied and can be set across suppliers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Low maverick buying rate<\/a>: High user-friendliness means employees use the predefined channels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assortment management: Integration means that preferred suppliers are \u201cfirmly established,\u201d allowing orders to be bundled with the \u201cpreferred supplier.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
![\"punchout](\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_auto,s_webp:avif\/windmuehlenbauer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/benefits-dynamic-catalogs_495px.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\nHow do I acquire the technical ability?<\/h2>\n\n
The classic approach involves using your own online shop and programming the required interfaces. This approach makes sense, as customer-specific prices, availability, and product data are already available in the web shop. A punchout catalog can also be implemented in other ways. The following methods are used in the market: <\/p>\n\n
- \n
- In-house development: <\/strong>Developing the interfaces ourselves and keeping them up to date<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plugins: <\/strong>Purchasing a plugin (external extension) turns the online shop into a punchout catalog. These modules are ready-made extensions for systems such as Magento, Shopware, Shopify, or Adobe Commerce. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Out-of-the-box solution:<\/strong> Standard solution that generates a punchout catalog at the touch of a button using data from Excel or BMEcat. This is the cost-effective and fast solution. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Can my customer find the items using the search function in the shopping system?<\/p>\n\n
Dynamic catalogs are controlled by jumping to an external website and transferring the shopping cart back. Therefore, the items cannot be found using the cross-supplier search in the ERP or purchasing system. <\/p>\n\n
This disadvantage was recognized and solved with further developments in punchout techniques. With the following versions, no jump is necessary and items are displayed via the comprehensive search: <\/p>\n\n
- \n
- OCI 5.0 with Background-Search<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- cxML Punchout Level 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
What are the requirements for product data?<\/h2>\n\n
In addition to images, descriptions, documents, and customer net prices, there are two important pieces of information. These include the units of measure and the classification code. <\/p>\n\n
Units of measure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Unit of measure (UOM) refers to the code that defines the unit to which the net price relates. For example, the code C62, ST, or STK can be used for the unit \u201cpiece.\u201d These are stored for each item and must be harmonized with the customer’s logic. If the code or value is not stored with the customer, a transmission error will occur. <\/p>\n\n
Classification Code<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Classification codes are used for purchasing and financial processes. The E-Class, UNSPSC, and ETIM standards have become established. These specify the product group and partially standardize the product characteristics (e.g., ETIM). This code must be transferred for each item in the shopping cart when it is sent to the customer system. <\/p>\n\n
\n ![\"punchout](\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_auto,s_webp:avif\/windmuehlenbauer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/UNSPSC-example-dynamic-catalog_495px.jpg\")
Example Classification Codes UNSPSC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"punchout](\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_auto,s_webp:avif\/windmuehlenbauer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/etim-example-dynamic-catalog_495px.jpg\")
Example Classification Codes ETIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"punchout](\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_auto,s_webp:avif\/windmuehlenbauer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ECLASS-example-dynamic-catalog_495px.jpg\")
Example Classification Codes E-Class<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n
Dynamic catalogs make your sales more efficient. This is because the painstakingly negotiated framework agreement is anchored in the customer’s system. This increases your visibility and allows the customer’s specialist departments to order items quickly. <\/p>\n\n
That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in punchout catalogs. With modular systems that let you expand your online shop using plugins, or out-of-the-box solutions that generate a complete dynamic catalog from an Excel file at the click of a button, you can make big strides even on a small budget. <\/p>\n\n
My recommendation: <\/strong>Start with an out-of-the-box solution. This can be set up in 2-3 hours and implemented immediately with your first pilot customer. Inform your colleagues in IT or the online shop team and sell this as a first step to conserve their resources. Your first customers will be thrilled, and you will have good arguments for implementing it in your own online shop! <\/p>\n\n
\n\n![\"Expert](\"https:\/\/windmuehlenbauer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/peter-pruetting-experte-procurement-ecommerce_blau_600px.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nPeter Pr\u00fctting is an expert in value-oriented and digital business development. With over 15 years of sales experience from the perspectives of wholesale, manufacturing, and e-marketplaces, he takes a holistic view. His colleagues value him as a customer-centric and focused leader who guides teams through digital transformation. Away from his daily work, he recharges his batteries by mountain biking. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\nLooking for a punchout catalog?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We help you find the right solution and implement it quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Plugins: <\/strong>Purchasing a plugin (external extension) turns the online shop into a punchout catalog. These modules are ready-made extensions for systems such as Magento, Shopware, Shopify, or Adobe Commerce. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assortment management: Integration means that preferred suppliers are \u201cfirmly established,\u201d allowing orders to be bundled with the \u201cpreferred supplier.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n