Introduction: Purchasing cards, a strategic stake for vendors
Purchasing cards (or P-cards) have established themselves as a standard in professional procurement, particularly for key accounts, mid-sized enterprises (ETIs), and the public sector. For suppliers, this mode of B2B payment is no longer optional: it now determines access to specific markets—especially public sector contracts, where purchasing cards are often a mandatory requirement in Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
With historical players like Ingenico ending their purchasing card offering by late 2025, distributors, manufacturers, and networks must find modern solutions to accept and process these transactions within their digital buying journeys. This is precisely what an e-commerce platform like DJUST enables: offering vendors an environment capable of integrating and managing these specific B2B payment methods smoothly, securely, and in compliance with market requirements.
Purchasing cards: Definition and role in the value chain
A purchasing card is a B2B payment instrument used by companies and administrations to simplify and track their transactions. Purchasing cards can transmit several levels of data, known as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, which determine the depth of information sent during a transaction.
- Level 1 corresponds to the minimum requirement: total amount, date, and basic merchant information.
- Level 2 adds tax and accounting data, such as the tax-exclusive amount, VAT rate, or order number. This is often necessary to streamline B2B payment processes.
- Level 3 provides maximum detail, indispensable for many public tenders and large groups: line-by-line details, quantities, product references, analytical codes, cost centers, item descriptions, etc.
For vendors, accepting Level 3 is a decisive advantage: this is the level that allows them to fully meet the traceability, compliance, and reporting requirements expected in public tenders. For buyers, it serves to control spending limits, facilitate supplier payments, and strengthen internal controls.
What does "accepting purchasing cards" mean for a vendor?
Concretely, integrating this type of B2B payment implies:
- Integrating a payment journey compatible with purchasing card standards.
- Sending the correct transactional data (public market number, order number, line item, reference, VAT, budget code...).
- Respecting the structuring expected by companies or government services (sending the invoice to the banks).
- Managing authorization, invoicing, and reconciliation according to the scheme's rules.
Without this technical compatibility, a supplier simply cannot be selected for many public tenders.
Why vendors must be able to accept purchasing cards
1. Accessing public markets
In many tenders, notably for the Army, ministries, or local authorities, the capacity to accept purchasing cards is mandatory. Vendors who do not have this B2B payment solution are disqualified, even if their commercial or technical offer is relevant. Conversely, compatible suppliers gain an immediate competitive edge.
2. Meeting the expectations of private key accounts
Large enterprises use purchasing cards massively to manage their expenses: enhanced traceability, accounting integration, and automated validations. A vendor who accepts purchasing cards facilitates sourcing, contracting, and volume growth.
3. Modernizing their B2B payment ecosystem
Accepting purchasing cards is not just an administrative requirement: it is also a lever to optimize the customer journey. The result: less friction, more recurring orders, a shortened buying cycle, and better retention of strategic accounts.
Concrete Example: How DJUST allows Socoda to respond to the Ministry of the Armed Forces
The Challenge In the context of a tender for the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, the Socoda network absolutely had to accept purchasing cards—a prerequisite imposed by the administration. However, historical solutions were gradually disappearing—notably with the announced end of the Ingenico offer by late 2025—and Socoda needed to find a modern, scalable, and compatible B2B payment technology.
The DJUST Solution integrated a technical component into Socoda’s e-commerce platform, allowing them to accept and process purchasing cards in compliance with the Ministry's requirements. The platform enabled:
- Compatibility with transactional flows expected by the State,
- Automation of purchase validations,
- Transmission of the correct data for invoicing,
- A fluid experience for public buyers.
The Result Socoda was able to effectively respond to the Ministry of the Armed Forces' contract and position itself as a supplier capable of managing complex public purchases while digitizing its offering.
The challenges facing vendors who want to accept purchasing cards
1. Compliance and standardization
Purchasing cards have specific data requirements. Poor integration of this B2B payment mode can lead to refusals, disputes, or reconciliation difficulties.
2. Integration into the vendor's IT system
Accepting purchasing cards involves connecting the e-commerce platform, the ERP, invoicing, and potentially the PIM. An API-first platform like DJUST facilitates this complex integration.
3. End of historical solutions
With the end of the Ingenico offer by late 2025, vendors must anticipate a technical migration to ensure the continuity of their payment services.
4. Training and internal adoption
Sales, Sales Administration (ADV), and Finance teams must understand how these specific flows work to ensure the fluidity of the sales cycle.
How can a vendor prepare to accept purchasing cards?
- Assess client needs: Do your clients use purchasing cards? Are you targeting public markets?
- Choose a compatible e-commerce system: Your platform must be able to manage the necessary flows and interface with your ERP. DJUST is designed for these demanding B2B payment scenarios.
- Test with a pilot scope: A representative group of clients allows you to validate flows and compliance. DJUST allows you, for example, to test on a few real transactions to ensure proper functioning.
- Train teams: Good internal adoption guarantees fewer errors and a better customer experience.
Conclusion: Accepting purchasing cards, a growth accelerator
Accepting purchasing cards is today a strategic advantage for distributors, manufacturers, and B2B networks. It is a lever to win public contracts, streamline key account purchases, and modernize B2B payment processes.
With the end of the Ingenico offer in late 2025, companies must anticipate the implementation of a reliable alternative.
👉 Discover how DJUST can enable you to accept purchasing cards and win strategic contracts. Request a demo now!
