What is the difference between cXML and OCI?

They are two PunchOut standards: cXML is used by Ariba and Coupa, OCI is the SAP standard. A mature B2B portal supports both to cover most corporate buyers.

Is PunchOut the same as EDI?

No. PunchOut handles catalogue browsing and cart creation in the buyer's system; EDI later transmits transactional documents (order, ASN, invoice). They are often used together.

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Operations Glossary
PunchOut (cXML / OCI)

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Category: Comerț B2B · Acronym: PunchOut

PunchOut (cXML / OCI)

Quick answer: A mechanism where the buyer browses the supplier catalogue directly from their own procurement system.

Key takeaways

cXML PunchOut — the Ariba/Coupa standard, most widespread
OCI (Open Catalog Interface) — the SAP standard for external catalogues

What PunchOut is

PunchOut lets a buyer temporarily leave their own eProcurement system (SAP Ariba, Coupa, SAP SRM), browse the supplier catalogue, and have the completed cart returned automatically to the procurement system as a requisition.

Standards

cXML PunchOut — the Ariba/Coupa standard, most widespread

OCI (Open Catalog Interface) — the SAP standard for external catalogues

Why it matters

Large buyers (corporate, retail) increasingly require PunchOut from suppliers. Without it, the supplier stays out of approved catalogues and loses high-volume recurring orders.

How Azuvio helps

The Azuvio B2B portal exposes a PunchOut endpoint (cXML and OCI) showing each buyer's catalogue and contract prices, returning the cart to their procurement platform — with no separate development.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between cXML and OCI?: They are two PunchOut standards: cXML is used by Ariba and Coupa, OCI is the SAP standard. A mature B2B portal supports both to cover most corporate buyers.
Is PunchOut the same as EDI?: No. PunchOut handles catalogue browsing and cart creation in the buyer's system; EDI later transmits transactional documents (order, ASN, invoice). They are often used together.

Where Azuvio fits

Related terms

B2B Portal — An online platform where business customers (distributors, retailers, HoReCa) place orders 24/7 at their contract prices.
Self-service ordering — The model where the B2B customer places orders online themselves, without going through an agent or back office.
Procure-to-Pay (P2P) — The end-to-end procurement cycle: request → order → receipt → invoice → payment → reconciliation.
Purchase Order (PO) — The official document by which you buy from a supplier: agreed products, quantities, prices and terms.

Last updated: 2026-07-06