Role of cXML in the Working of PunchOut Catalog

cXML that stands for Commerce eXtensible Markup Language is commonly used to transfer document between customer’s ecommerce system and the supplier’s site. In simple words, in an electronic environment, data contents are communicated via cXML. Online businesses commonly use cXML to transfer large volumes of data. Even in PunchOut catalog, cXML format is a common standard used for business transactions. The language is used to complete electronic transactions in the most efficient manner.

As we all know, in a PunchOut catalog, the customer’s procurement system is directly connected to the supplier’s site. When cXML messages are commonly used to conduct business transactions, the PunchOut catalog is commonly referred to as cXML PunchOut. cXML is commonly used to setup a PunchOut connection.

The cXML extrinsic elements are used to create PunchOutSetup Request and PunchOutOrderMessage. cXML messages are commonly used to send and receive data. The interactive sessions that occur in a PunchOut are conducted using real time synchronous cXML messages.

Once the customer gains access to the supplier’s site, the customer can begin shopping. He can select and add items to the shopping cart. When the customer has added the desired items, he closes the PunchOut session and the shopping cart returns to the procurement application in cXML format. Once in the procurement application, the shopping cart is then sent to higher authority for approval. After receiving the approval, a purchase order (PO) is created and sent electronically in cXML format.

On the whole, the basis of PunchOut catalog communication is cXML. Through cXML and PunchOut functionality, the buyer is able to access the supplier’s site. Also via cXML, the buyer is able to automatically login into the supplier’s site. Moreover, from searching the catalog to configuring products, to adding them to shopping cart, cXML PunchOut solution plays an important role in completing these processes.