How to Choose PunchOut Catalog Software Providers for your B2B Business?

When it comes to connecting a supplier's site with a B2B buyer's procurement application, you can trust PunchOut, a technology that has revolutionized transactions in the B2B space.

A PunchOut catalog software makes it easy for B2B buyers to access a remote site through their procurement system.

As a B2B supplier, you must be planning to incorporate the PunchOut catalog into your business for your large customers. Right? To successfully implement PunchOut, you need to choose the right technology provider. The provider must offer a basic set of PunchOut catalog features without which it is difficult to connect with B2B buyers.

PunchOut catalog will help you to attract B2B buyers, provided you choose the right provider. Incompetent vendors will not be of any help in expanding your B2B business. Dealing with unqualified vendors will only make your bank account lighter without any return on investment.

What's the point of implementing PunchOut if it provides an unsatisfying shopping experience to your B2B buyers. You want to implement PunchOut to attract and not to dissuade customers.

The following are the factors to be taken into account when choosing PunchOut providers:

Is the Technology Provider offering Level 2 PunchOut?

Level 2 PunchOut can further simplify the procurement process of B2B customers. They can use their procurement system's search functionality to directly access products in the PunchOut catalog.

The procurement system's search feature will allow users to search for products in the PunchOut catalog. The search results will show the product name along with its link. Clicking on this link will allow the customer to reach the product details page of the catalog.

So apart from level 1 PunchOut, the technology provider should be capable enough to offer level 2 PunchOut.

Can your customer send electronic purchase order?

Does the technology provider that offers procurement PunchOut integration support electronic purchase order? Can the customer send the purchase order in electronic data interchange (EDI) or cXML format? Many PunchOut companies allow customers to send purchase orders through email only.

Similarly, is the PunchOut catalog designed to support electronic invoices? Can you send invoices in EDI and cXML format?

Electronic ordering/invoicing is more faster and efficient; it allows your customers to send purchase orders in a paperless manner with minimum human intervention; hence ensure that the PunchOut integration supports electronic exchange of data.

Customization

Customization will allow you to build a strong brand identity. It will make your brand stand out from the rest of the suppliers. So find out what customization options the provider is offering for your PunchOut catalog.

Can you change the layout, background color, etc., of your catalog to create your brand identity? Can you create a custom logo design? Can you display a welcome message whenever buyers open their PunchOut catalog?

The technology provider should give you plenty of options to customize your PunchOut catalog as per your unique needs.

Compatible with how many Procurement systems?

Procurement compatibility is a very important factor to consider when choosing a PunchOut provider. Consider this; your B2B buyers are using various procurement systems including Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer, Oracle PeopleSoft, Oracle JD Edwards, etc.

Now if your technology provider is offering PunchOut that is compatible only with Ariba, will it work for your business? Choosing a PunchOut catalog that can connect with only a few procurement systems can prevent you from expanding your customer base and subsequently your business.

You don't want to offer a PunchOut catalog that can integrate with only a couple of procurement applications. Instead, pick one that is compatible with more than 50 procurement applications.

Striking a business partnership with an inexperienced PunchOut provider can make it difficult for you to handle B2B transactions. So make sure that the technology provider has all the tools and expertise to offer you a customizable PunchOut solution