What syncs between Katana and ShipOut
The table below summarizes each data type in the ShipOut integration and the direction it flows.
Data | Direction | Status |
Products | ShipOut → Katana | Available |
Inbound stock transfers | ShipOut → Katana | Available |
Inventory sync | ShipOut → Katana | Available |
Locations and mapping
After ShipOut approves the connection, the configuration screen opens on the Location tab. Each ShipOut warehouse maps one-to-one 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 syncing for 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 links each ShipOut product to a Katana item. This link is required. You can match SKUs in one of two ways:
Direct 1:1: The ShipOut SKU and the Katana SKU are the same.
SKU aliases: A ShipOut SKU maps to a different Katana SKU.
Products are imported by SKU. If a Katana product already has that SKU, it is matched to it. If a SKU is unknown, Katana creates the product when it is first needed.
Kits and bundles from ShipOut become Katana products. To track their components, add a bill of materials (BOM) to those products in Katana.
SKU aliases
A SKU alias connects a ShipOut SKU to a Katana SKU that is different from it. Use aliases when the same item has a different SKU in each system, for example when ShipOut uses a warehouse-specific code. Upload your SKU alias mapping before you import products. Otherwise, unmatched SKUs may create new products in Katana.
Inventory sync
ShipOut is the source of truth for physical stock. Its stock numbers appear in Katana as read-only External inventory at each warehouse's mapped location. The number shown is ShipOut's on-hand quantity. Katana never sends inventory changes back to ShipOut.
Reconciliation compares Katana's in-stock quantity with ShipOut's on-hand quantity. You can run it on a schedule or on demand. When the two numbers differ, Katana creates stock adjustments for the difference. This keeps the stock Katana uses for planning in line with what ShipOut physically holds.
Inbound shipments
Each ShipOut inbound shipment becomes one Katana stock transfer. The transfer number is the PO number when one exists. Otherwise, it is the inbound ID.
Destination: The Katana location mapped to the inbound's ShipOut warehouse.
Origin: The location assigned to each destination warehouse. This location must be mapped.
The stock transfer follows the inbound's status, and received quantities update the transfer. Katana stock transfers have two states: in transit and received. If an inbound is partially received, the transfer stays in transit and shows updated expected and received quantities until everything arrives. If the inbound is canceled, its stock transfer is deleted.
What does not sync
Sales orders: ShipOut orders are not imported into Katana, and Katana orders are not sent to ShipOut.
Fulfillments, carriers, and tracking numbers.
Products and stock changes from Katana to ShipOut. Data flows only from ShipOut into Katana.
Returns and RMAs.
Serial-number tracking. Lot and batch data is shown read-only where ShipOut provides it.
Disconnecting
Go to Katana's Integrations page, open the ShipOut tile, and disconnect the integration. Syncing stops right away for products, inventory, and inbound shipments. Records already brought into Katana stay in your account, including products, locations, stock transfers, and stock adjustments.