What syncs between Katana and Distribution Alternatives
The table below summarizes each data type and its sync direction for this integration.
Data | Direction | Status |
Orders | Distribution Alternatives → Katana | Available |
Products | Distribution Alternatives → Katana | Available |
Inventory sync | Distribution Alternatives → Katana | Available |
Locations and mapping
After Distribution Alternatives approves the connection, the configuration screen opens on the Location tab. Each Distribution Alternatives warehouse maps 1:1 to its own dedicated Katana location.
Not mapped: the warehouse has never been mapped. Click Add to Katana to create its Katana location automatically.
Unlink: pauses a mapped warehouse. Its status then shows Unlinked.
Relink: resumes syncing for an unlinked warehouse.
Only mapped warehouses sync. Nothing syncs until you click Activate sync in the header.
Products sync
Product mapping creates a required link between each Distribution Alternatives product and a Katana item. Products are imported by SKU:
A SKU that already exists in Katana matches the existing product.
An unknown SKU creates a new Katana product when it is needed.
You choose how SKUs are matched: direct 1:1, or through SKU aliases.
Kits and bundles become Katana products. Add a BOM of components to the kit in Katana. A kit order line still stays a single sales order row.
SKU aliases
A SKU alias links a Distribution Alternatives SKU to a different Katana SKU. Use aliases when the same item has different SKUs in the two systems. Upload your SKU alias mapping before the product import, so the mismatched SKUs match existing products instead of creating new ones.
Orders sync
Orders flow one way, from Distribution Alternatives into Katana.
Import: an order imports once it reaches the configured import-from status. By default, this is the "Open" state.
Structure: each Distribution Alternatives order becomes one Katana sales order, and each order line becomes one row. The order source is set to Distribution Alternatives.
Status updates: after import, the order keeps updating automatically through every later status change in Distribution Alternatives.
Cancellation: if an order is canceled in Distribution Alternatives, it is deleted in Katana only if the order is still open there.
Fulfillments and tracking
Each shipped package becomes a Katana fulfillment with its carrier and tracking number. A multi-package shipment creates one fulfillment per package, so a single order can show several fulfillments. Together, these fulfillments never exceed the ordered quantities.
Inventory sync
Distribution Alternatives stock numbers appear in Katana as read-only External inventory. The figures are shown at each warehouse's mapped location, and the number surfaced is On hand.
Reconciliation compares Katana's in-stock quantity with the Distribution Alternatives on-hand quantity only. It runs on a schedule or on demand. For any differences, it creates stock adjustments in Katana, so your stock figures reflect the warehouse's physical counts.
What does not sync
Katana does not send orders to Distribution Alternatives. Orders flow one way only.
Product changes and stock changes are not pushed from Katana to Distribution Alternatives.
Inbound shipments and stock transfers are not included in this integration.
Returns and RMAs are not synced.
Serial numbers are not tracked. Lot or batch data is shown read-only where Distribution Alternatives provides it.
Disconnecting
To disconnect, open the Distribution Alternatives integration from Katana's Integrations page. Disconnecting stops all syncing immediately: no new orders, fulfillments, products or inventory updates are imported.
Records already imported into Katana stay in place after you disconnect. This includes sales orders, fulfillments, products and locations.