Compare an airtime product catalogue across two suppliers
Two products can share a price and still deliver different things. Before treating them as interchangeable, check the network, denomination, product type and what the customer must do to receive or use the value.
| Field | Supplier A | Supplier B | Match? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product type | |||
| Network | |||
| Value or bundle | |||
| Identifier | |||
| Fulfilment rules |
By Freepaid · Published
Put both catalogues side by side
If Supplier A lists R50 airtime and Supplier B lists a R50 data bundle, enter them as separate products. Check the bundle allowance and any restrictions before deciding which one suits the buyer.
Copy both current catalogues into the same worksheet. Keep the supplier's exact product ID and display name, and record the denomination, network, type, recipient requirements and dates. Ask the supplier about uncertain matches and test them outside production if you can. Have finance check how the statements show the price, face value and fees.
Check what the customer receives
Give each product one row with a name your staff recognise. Date the source you checked and name the person who approved the match.
R100 might buy R100 airtime, a bundle or a PIN that the customer still has to redeem. Write down what they’ll receive and whether they need to do anything next.
When a supplier changes an ID, mark the old one inactive for new orders. Leave it on past records so finance can still match those sales. Test the replacement and tell finance and support before it goes live.
Record the mapping and its effective date
Keep the dated catalogue link or file and the approval with each mapping. When a price or product changes, you can then tell which version applied to an older order.
Two R50 entries may also differ in what the buyer must enter. One supplier might need the recipient’s network upfront. Check the input fields and make sure the receipt and support instructions fit both routes.
If an item disappears, pause orders that use its ID. Confirm the replacement and terms, rerun the relevant tests and show finance what to look for on future statements.
Test a missing product before switching
Give the product owner a test receipt and the support instructions before they approve a match. If the denominations differ, have them decide whether to offer another amount, set up a separate workflow or leave the item unavailable.