What syncs between Katana and ShipBob
The table below summarizes how data moves between Katana and ShipBob.
Data | Direction | Status |
Orders | Two-way | Available |
Products | ShipBob → Katana | Available |
Inbound stock transfers | ShipBob → Katana | Available |
Inventory sync | ShipBob → Katana | Available |
Locations and mapping
After you authorize the connection with your ShipBob login, the configuration screen opens on the Location tab. Each ShipBob warehouse maps 1:1 to its own dedicated Katana location. To create that location, click Add to Katana.
A warehouse that has never been mapped shows Not mapped until you click Add to Katana.
To pause a mapped warehouse, click Unlink. Its status then shows Unlinked.
To resume syncing, click Relink.
Only mapped warehouses sync. Nothing syncs until you click Activate sync in the header.
Products sync
Product mapping creates a required link between each ShipBob product and a Katana item. You choose how SKUs are matched: direct 1:1, or through SKU aliases.
Products are imported by SKU:
Existing Katana products with a matching SKU are linked.
Unknown SKUs create new Katana products as they are needed.
Kits and bundles become Katana products. You can add a bill of materials (BOM) of components to them in Katana. A kit order line stays a single sales-order row.
SKU aliasing
A SKU alias links a ShipBob SKU to a different Katana SKU. Use aliases when the same product has a different SKU in ShipBob than in Katana.
Upload your SKU alias mapping before you import products. This way, mismatched SKUs link to the correct existing Katana items instead of creating new products.
Orders sync
Orders from ShipBob to Katana
Orders import once they reach the configured import-from status (by default, the "Open" state). After that, they keep updating automatically through every later status change.
Each ShipBob order becomes one Katana sales order, with one row per line. The order source is ShipBob.
Each shipped package becomes a Katana fulfillment with its carrier and tracking number.
Multi-package shipments create one fulfillment per package. Together, these fulfillments never exceed the ordered quantities.
If an order is canceled in ShipBob, it is deleted in Katana only if the Katana order is still open.
Orders from Katana to ShipBob
A Katana sales order is pushed to ShipBob as an outbound order when it reaches the Ready for fulfillment status. From then on, its progress in ShipBob is tracked back in Katana.
Changes you make in Katana after the push do not update the ShipBob order.
Canceling the Katana sales order does not cancel the ShipBob order.
Inventory sync
ShipBob stock levels appear in Katana as read-only External inventory at each warehouse's mapped location. On hand is the number Katana shows.
Reconciliation runs on a schedule or on demand. It compares Katana's in-stock quantity against ShipBob's on-hand quantity and creates stock adjustments for any differences. This keeps Katana's stock figures aligned with ShipBob's physical stock.
Katana never sends inventory changes to ShipBob.
Inbound shipments
Each ShipBob inbound shipment becomes one Katana stock transfer. The transfer number is the PO number when there is one; otherwise it is the inbound ID.
Destination: the Katana location mapped to the inbound's warehouse.
Origin: the location assigned for each destination warehouse. It must be mapped.
Stock transfers follow the inbound status, and received quantities update the transfer. Katana stock transfers are binary (in transit, then received). Partial receiving therefore shows as updated expected and received quantities until the shipment is fully received.
If an inbound is canceled in ShipBob, its stock transfer is deleted.
What does not sync
Products and stock changes are not pushed from Katana to ShipBob.
Changes made in Katana after a sales order is pushed do not update the ShipBob order.
Canceling a Katana sales order does not cancel the pushed ShipBob order.
Returns and RMAs are not synced.
Serial-number tracking is not supported.
Lot and batch data is shown read-only where ShipBob provides it.
Disconnecting
To disconnect, go to Katana's Integrations page and open the ShipBob integration. Once you disconnect, syncing between Katana and ShipBob stops.
Records already brought into Katana stay in Katana, including:
sales orders
fulfillments
products
stock transfers
stock adjustments