There are three different environments in which different publications are made.
The three environments are: DEV, TEST, and PROD.
DEV Environment
This environment is where the catalog developments are published as they are made so that internal tests can be carried out. This environment is for the exclusive use of the developers. When the test results are satisfactory, the catalog is published in the TEST environment.
TEST Environment
This is the environment in which the catalog is published after internal tests on developments have been carried out and passed. The customer uses this environment to test the catalog. When the results of the tests are satisfactory, the catalog is published in the PROD environment.
PROD Environment
The Production environment is the one in which the catalog is published once all tests (both internal and run by the customer) have been passed. This is the environment where the finished catalog resides.