What syncs between Katana and Bigblue
The table below lists each type of data and how it moves between Katana and Bigblue.
Data | Direction | Status |
Orders | Bigblue → Katana | Available |
Products | Bigblue → Katana | Available |
Inbound stock transfers | Bigblue → Katana | Available |
Inventory sync | Bigblue → Katana | Available |
Locations and mapping
Connect Bigblue from Katana's Integrations page by entering the API key you created in the Bigblue web app. The configuration screen then opens on the Location tab. Nothing syncs until you click Activate sync in the header.
Each Bigblue warehouse maps to its own Katana location. Add to Katana creates that location for you.
To pause a mapped warehouse, click Unlink. Its status then shows Unlinked. Click Relink to resume it.
A warehouse that has never been mapped shows Not mapped.
Only mapped warehouses sync.
Products sync
Product mapping creates a required link between each Bigblue product and a Katana item. Products and variants are imported by SKU:
If a Katana product already has the SKU, it is matched to the Bigblue product.
If the SKU is unknown in Katana, a new product is created when it is first needed.
You choose how SKUs are matched: direct 1:1, or via SKU aliases.
Kits and bundles become Katana products. Add a BOM of their components in Katana. A kit order line stays a single sales order row.
SKU aliases
A SKU alias links a Bigblue SKU to a different Katana SKU. Use aliases when the same product has different SKUs in Bigblue and Katana. Upload your SKU alias mapping before you import products.
Orders sync
Orders flow one way, from Bigblue into Katana.
An order imports once it reaches the configured import-from status. By default, this is the Open state.
After import, the Katana sales order updates automatically with every later status change in Bigblue.
Each Bigblue order becomes one Katana sales order. Each order line becomes one row. The order source is Bigblue.
Fulfillments and tracking
Each shipped package becomes a Katana fulfillment with its carrier and tracking number. A shipment with several packages creates one fulfillment per package, so a single order can show several fulfillments. Together, these fulfillments never exceed the ordered quantities.
Cancellations
A canceled Bigblue order is deleted in Katana only if the Katana sales order is still open. Canceling a sales order in Katana does not cancel the order in Bigblue.
Inventory sync
Bigblue's stock numbers appear in Katana as read-only External inventory at each warehouse's mapped location. Katana shows Bigblue's On hand quantity.
Reconciliation compares Katana's in-stock quantity with Bigblue's on-hand quantity. It runs on a schedule, or you can run it on demand. For any difference, Katana creates a stock adjustment, so your Katana stock levels match the physical stock in Bigblue's warehouses.
Inbound shipments
Each Bigblue inbound shipment becomes one Katana stock transfer. The transfer number is the PO number if there is one; otherwise, it is the inbound ID.
Destination: the Katana location mapped to the inbound's Bigblue warehouse.
Origin: the location you assign for each destination warehouse. This location must be mapped.
The stock transfer follows the inbound's status, and received quantities update the transfer. If an inbound is canceled, its stock transfer is deleted.
Katana stock transfers have only two states: in transit and received. During partial receiving, the expected and received quantities update until the shipment is fully received.
What does not sync
Orders from Katana to Bigblue. Orders flow one way only, from Bigblue to Katana.
Product or stock changes from Katana to Bigblue.
Returns and RMAs.
Serial-number tracking. Lot and batch data appears read-only where Bigblue provides it.
Disconnecting
To disconnect, open the Bigblue integration from Katana's Integrations page. Once you disconnect, syncing with Bigblue stops immediately.
Records already brought into Katana stay in place. This includes products, sales orders, fulfillments, stock transfers and stock adjustments.