Although a standard procurement process, Level 1 PunchOut
is not the best way to communicate with large customers. When a big customer is
connected to multiple suppliers, PunchOut functionality can actually make it
difficult to search for the right product.
In Ariba Level 2 PunchOut catalog, a procurement
application’s product search functionality can be used for searching supplier’s
PunchOut catalog. This product search feature does not work in Level 1 PunchOut
catalog. However, Level 2 PunchOut offers advanced search capabilities in which
the customer can search for products in PunchOut catalog even before starting the
PunchOut session.
Level 2 Ariba PunchOut solution offers item level search directly from within the procurement
application. The desired product is visible in the search results page of the
procurement system. A link is also visible next to the product. Upon clicking
the link, the customer is redirected to that particular product page of that
specific PunchOut catalog. The customer has direct access to product details
page of the PunchOut Catalog.
In a Level 1 Ariba PunchOut, the customer has to first establish a connection by clicking the
PunchOut link located in the procurement application. This allows the customer
to access the supplier’s PunchOut site where he can search and find the
product. However, with Level 2 PunchOut, you skip this process entirely as you
find the product even before you initiate PunchOut request.
With Level 2 PunchOut, the product link displayed in the
procurement application’s product search can redirect the customer to PunchOut
site’s homepage or to the category of the product or directly to that product.
In short, it makes the product easily searchable and accessible for the buyers.
This functionality is particularly useful when buyers are connected to more
than one PunchOut catalog. You can know in which PunchOut catalog the product
is located using procurement application’s search engine.
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