Use a CIF (or static) catalog as index to your Level 2 punchout

... first step should always be Level 2 Aisle; Sku is a nightmare to maintain

Levels one and two punch-outs enhance punch-out sites' searchability and user experience. In level one punch-outs, an index file is created. Users can use keywords to search this index file for specific items or services.

Level two punch-outs take the indexing process a step further by linking the index file to the site's search field. The index file generates relevant results when users search for a particular keyword. By optimizing item descriptions and keywords on the site, the punch-out site can ensure that it drives traffic based on what users are searching for.

Level two punch-outs are typically SKU-based, with a large number of SKUs (such as 1,000, 10,000, or 50,000) available for searching. While this improves search functionality, it can be challenging for suppliers to keep the inventory current and refine complicated products. A better alternative to enhance searching and take advantage of punch-out integration is a shelf/aisle index file. This index file can be linked to the breadcrumb pages of the storefront, allowing users to refine their search and find the exact item they need. The user doesn’t have to find the exact caster for a chair within SAP Ariba, They identify the supplier sells casters from the index file and land on the casters page to further refine their search for the specific caster using the suppliers greater content. This provides a much better user experience and leverages the suppliers' capabilities.

Another variation is to use the same index file with detailed descriptions and keywords from the storefront breadcrumbs without the level-two punch-out experience. In this case, the index file helps users find the supplier when searching for a specific item, but the experience still lands the user on a level one punch-out. Although users still have to search on the supplier's page, the index file assists the user in realizing that the seller offers the desired item.

Overall, level one and level two punch-outs aim to improve the searchability of punch-out sites and enhance the customer experience by providing relevant results. By utilizing keywords and optimizing the site's search engine, punch-out sites can effectively guide users to the items or services they seek. A prior video on this topic can be viewed on youtube.

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