Punchout catalog issue

[Former Member]

I have several punchout catalogs working fine, except for one that I cannot connect the supplier's website. The set up is the same as with other punchout catalogs that I have. The error I get with this one is that access is denied. The supplier assures me I don't need a password to log in, but they say I have to have the XML set up correctly in order for authentication to occur at their site.

I don't know what that means. What role does XML play in OCI interface? Can anyone help me with this issue?

Thanks,

SN

[Former Member]

Hi,

XML has nothing to do with the call to the catalog, so if your supplier says that XML has to be setup correctly I doubt they have an OCI compliant catalog, more likely it will be a cXML one.

OCI uses only a HTTP GET or POST to call the supplier catalog.

Only the return message from the catalog to SRM you can choose between either a HTTP form or an XML variant.

One other thing you might want to look at is if the supplier site uses a secure http connection (https://<url_to_catalog>) in which case you might need to add a certificate to your SRM server.

Regards,

Robin

[Former Member]

I just read through an OCI documentation and your explanation makes sense to me. May I ask what's cXML? It's one of the protocols they support.

And yes, their site uses a secure https connection . I'll ask them about the certificate but we don't need it for our other punchout catalogs.

Thanks.

SN

[Former Member]

cXML is a standard created by a competitor of SAP. It is another standard like OCI on the way data is exchanged between systems. This is not (standard) supported by SAP.

Like you said you won't need a certificate (you can download it yourself anyway), because the browser can browse most secure http connections anyway.

[Former Member]

Issue is resolved. The problem is in the call function parameters provided by the vendor. We fixed those parameters and we're now in business.

Thanks.

SN

[dean_hinson2]

SN,

XML is just a differemt format for the passing of OCI data. Have you reviewed the OCI specifications from SAP? It should help you understand a bit more. However, it seems that you may need to review what an XML document is and how it is developed and formatted.

Regards, Dean.