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If you’re committed to modernising your B2B eCommerce operations, automating as much of the end-to-end purchasing process as possible is essential. Your eCommerce platform can’t reach its full potential if you’re still rekeying orders received via email or other manual channels.
That’s why suppliers in the UK and worldwide continue to invest in eProcurement integration, to create a seamless buying process that creates value for both buyer and supplier. It’s an evolving market, and it’s worth understanding what it is and why it’s important.
What Is eProcurement Integration?
eProcurement integration simply means your eCommerce systems talk directly to your customers’ purchasing platforms, so you don’t have to manage transactions manually.
Integration creates a seamless flow of purchase orders, invoices, and approvals, without the need to manually upload or scan documents, transfer data between systems, or maintain bespoke connections.
Major eProcurement platform providers like Coupa, SAP Ariba, Oracle, Proactis and JAGGAER have long recognised the importance of integration and have developed capabilities such as cXML and OCI to enable it.
PunchOut Catalogues: The Key Capability Behind Seamless Procurement
PunchOut catalogues are critical because they create the entry point for every purchase within the procurement system. They allow buyers to start their shopping experience inside their eProcurement tool, making the entire process easier, faster, and more efficient.
Buyers select an approved supplier from within their eProcurement system and are taken directly to the supplier’s eCommerce site. They build their shopping cart, but instead of checking out on the site, the PunchOut catalogue transfers back to the buyer’s eProcurement platform for approval and order placement.
The buyer gets an enhanced purchasing experience. They can transact in a compliant way that fits the unique requirements of B2B procurement while still enjoying a fast and convenient shopping process.
Learn more about our PunchOut catalogue solution
Why are UK Suppliers Prioritising eProcurement Integration?
Buyer expectations of digital procurement are growing all the time, so integration becomes a key driver for retaining existing buyers and attracting new business.
This is part of a wider market trend where eProcurement integration capability has become an important selection criterion for buying organisations when they select suppliers. A McKinsey & Co. B2B Pulse Survey states eCommerce is indispensable for buyers who are likely to switch suppliers if they don’t have a smooth experience across touchpoints.
Understanding cXML and OCI
cXML was launched by Ariba in 1999 to simplify and standardise B2B eProcurement communication, as an alternative to the more complex EDI protocol.
OCI was developed by SAP around the same time to simplify integration of SAP ERP and procurement applications with eCommerce platforms.
Both cXML and OCI are important to integration as they provide compatibility with major ERP and eProcurement platforms, specifically SAP, Oracle and Ariba.
OCI is valuable in SAP integrations as it works seamlessly with SAP platforms, while cXML is more flexible and offers more value-added capabilities for functions beyond PunchOut catalogues, such as invoice and advanced shipping order communication.
A key benefit of a purpose-built integration platform is seamless document translation. It automatically converts purchasing documents into the exact format each system requires, whether that’s cXML, OCI, or another standard, so data flows accurately and effortlessly between systems.
How TradeCentric Enables Fast, Compliant PunchOut Integration
TradeCentric is a global leader in eProcurement integration, offering seamless onboarding, support for all major platforms, plus Peppol and PCI DSS alignment to ensure secure and compliant integrations.
Buyer demand, market trends and the drive to maximise value from digital purchasing are making eProcurement integration a strategic priority for UK suppliers.Talk to us about enabling eProcurement integration quickly, by harnessing its compatibility with Coupa, Ariba, Oracle & 220+ other ERP/eProcurement solutions.
