Digital Procurement Made Easy
PunchOut, EDI & API
Automate your procurement – efficient, error-free, future-proof. Whether via PunchOut, EDI, or modern REST-API: With Partbase, you integrate orders, product data, and documents directly into your procurement processes. Digital, seamless, and secure.
- PunchOut:
- direct access to the online shop from the ERP
- EDI:
- fully automated, standardized document exchange
- API:
- flexible integration of real-time data into your ERP system

PunchOut
Direct Shop Access from Your ERP
Your buyers start directly from the ERP or eProcurement system (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, Mercateo) in our online shop. Product data, prices, and availability are displayed in real-time – the shopping cart is automatically transferred back to the ERP.
- Always Up-to-Date Data
- Access to daily updated prices, availability, and product ranges directly from the shop.
- Intuitive User Interface
- Product search and selection in a state-of-the-art shop – completely without disruptions or manual transfers.
- Seamless Integration into Existing Processes
- Your existing approval and ordering processes (e.g., in the ERP) remain fully intact.
- Quick Integration
- No system change required – PunchOut can be integrated directly into your existing IT infrastructure.
EDI
Fully Automated Document Exchange
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) complements PunchOut with subsequent steps and enables seamless transfer of all relevant business documents between your ERP system and Partbase – fully automated, standardized, and secure.
- Increased Efficiency
- EDI automates data exchange between business partners, eliminating manual processes like sending paper invoices or entering order data. This saves time and reduces workload.
- Error Reduction
- By automating and standardizing data exchange, human errors such as typos or misinterpretation of data are minimized.
- Cost Savings
- EDI reduces costs for paper, printing, shipping, and manual data processing. It also speeds up business processes, leading to further savings.
- Faster Business Processes
- Data such as orders, invoices, or delivery notes are transferred in real-time, speeding up communication and processing between partners and optimizing the supply chain.
REST-API
Flexible Real-Time Data Integration
Want to connect your own platform or custom procurement application with us? With our REST-API, you can access products, prices, availability, orders, and more in real-time.
- Modern API Design (RESTful, JSON)
- Our API is based on modern web standards and enables simple, high-performance integration via REST and JSON.
- Documentation Available for Developers
- Clearly structured API documentation facilitates integration and shortens development time.
- Ideal for Custom Platforms & Procurement Automation
- Perfectly suited for custom procurement portals, platform solutions, or automated procurement processes.
- Real-Time Access to Product and Order Data
- Access prices, availability, master product data, and orders in real-time – anytime, across systems.
Comparison Table: PunchOut vs. EDI vs. API
Criterion / Solution | PunchOut | EDI | API |
---|---|---|---|
Use Case | Product selection in the shop directly from the ERP | Fully automated document exchange between ERP systems | Real-time access & integration into custom systems |
Typical Users | Procurement via ERP/eProcurement systems | Companies with high order volumes and standardized processes | Developer teams, platform operators, digitized procurement departments |
Data Flow | Shop data → ERP (cart transfer) | Order → Confirmation → Delivery → Invoice (fully automated) | Bidirectional: Products, orders, availability, etc. |
User Interface | Yes Yes (shop frontend is used) | No No | Optional Optional (custom UI possible) |
Advantages | Intuitive product selection, no disruptions | Highest process automation, fewer errors, standardized workflows | High flexibility, real-time data, custom logic |
Technical Integration | via OCI, cXML, or other PunchOut standards | via EDIFACT, XML, IDoc, VDA, ANSI X.12, etc. | via RESTful API (JSON) |
Transmission Channels | HTTP/S, ERP connector | AS2, OFTP2, FTP/S, Email, X.400, SOAP, etc. | HTTP/S (REST API) |
Initial IT Effort | Medium Medium | High High (one-time), depending on the ERP system | Medium Medium to high, depending on the use case |
Scalability & Adaptability | Low Low to medium | Low Low (standardized) | High High (fully flexible) |
PunchOut
Product selection in the shop directly from the ERP
Procurement via ERP/eProcurement systems
Shop data → ERP (cart transfer)
Yes (shop frontend is used)
Intuitive product selection, no disruptions
via OCI, cXML, or other PunchOut standards
HTTP/S, ERP connector
Medium
Low to medium
EDI
Fully automated document exchange between ERP systems
Companies with high order volumes and standardized processes
Order → Confirmation → Delivery → Invoice (fully automated)
No
Highest process automation, fewer errors, standardized workflows
via EDIFACT, XML, IDoc, VDA, ANSI X.12, etc.
AS2, OFTP2, FTP/S, Email, X.400, SOAP, etc.
High (one-time), depending on the ERP system
Low (standardized)
API
Real-time access & integration into custom systems
Developer teams, platform operators, digitized procurement departments
Bidirectional: Products, orders, availability, etc.
Optional (custom UI possible)
High flexibility, real-time data, custom logic
via RESTful API (JSON)
HTTP/S (REST API)
Medium to high, depending on the use case
High (fully flexible)
Convincing Numbers – Savings Potential Through Digital Procurement Processes
- Faster procurement process
- 60-80%
- Cost savings per order
- 75%
- Error rate. Typically 5–10% (e.g., due to transfer errors, disruptions)
- <1%

Ready for Seamless Procurement Processes?
Whether EDI, PunchOut, or API – together, we’ll find the right integration solution for your system landscape.
- Personalized consulting
- Technical feasibility check
- Quick and straightforward implementation
- Tangible process and cost benefits
Support

How can we help?
Get in touch with our support team
- Opening hours
- Mon - Fri from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- sales@partbase.com
- +49 39203 863988