Open Catalog Interface
Open Catalog Interface (OCI) is an open and standardized catalog data interface for the exchange of catalog data sets between SAP eProcurement systems (mostly "SAP Enterprise Buyer Professional", EBP for short) and any other catalogs. The SAP user has direct access to the provider's current catalog data over the Internet using the standard Internet protocol. A term that is often used for this interface is also " punchout ", because the SAP system redirects the SAP user to an external shop system (usually the company's supplier). The shopping cart of the SAP system is then enriched with the articles located there with the order. The ordering process of the external shop system, which is addressed via OCI, is greatly shortened, as neither address data nor shipping or payment methods have to be entered or selected. Usually only the overview of the articles in the shopping cart is necessary, then the shop is left in the direction of SAP and the shopping cart contents of the ext. Transfer shops to the shopping cart of the SAP system. The advantage is that the purchase from the supplier (who usually provides the shop system) is immediately booked in SAP. The disadvantage is that the suppliers can change their prices at will in their shop without the client (who uses SAP) noticing. This is to be created as a framework contract in SAP when the OCI catalog is created. However, there is usually no control or warning if the prices in the catalog differ from the prices in the framework agreement.
The background search extends the OCI standard by the possibility of searching for articles in an external system (the supplier's catalog / shop) without having to leave your own system via the otherwise usual OCI jump.
OCI was developed by the company SAP AG . However, the system can also be used for the connection between any systems. SAP is not absolutely necessary for this.
Versions
OCI is available in different versions. The current version is 5.1.