To reduce confusion, at SyncChannel we enforce consistency across the platform in our wording and terms.
For example, it is important to know the different "types" of SKUs we interact with in SyncChannel. Our definitions for terms and suggested uses are below.
Inventory Item - Your main SKUs. These are the actual inventory items you sell. These must be provided by you, the user
Channel SKU - These are SKUs on your online marketplaces. In some cases, these may match your Inventory Items exactly. But in many cases your channel SKUs can be duplicate, combos or otherwise different from your Inventory Items. We use the "Mapping" feature to map Channel SKUs and Inventory Items.
Channel Order - These are orders placed on your online marketplaces.
Channel Order Item - These represent each item from your Channel Orders. Channel Order Items will belong to Channel Orders and also Channel SKUs.
Channel Product - Used to represent global products you have for sale. These can be the same as or different from both Inventory Items and Channel SKUs. Channel Products can be represented across multiple marketplaces and multiple Channel SKUs. Uniquely identified with GTIN, UPC or other product identifier.
Channel Shipment - Each shipment sent out to customers. Multiple shipments can belong to 1 Channel Order.
Channel Store - These are separate from each individual channel or marketplace. These Stores will belong to a channel, and in the case of Shipstation, they represent each marketplace you ahve synced into your Shipstation account.
Group - You are encouraged to create Inventory Groups for your convenience. For example, you can group your items by category or for other internal references for use. Another example, could be a grouping of new items, or items belonging to a specific marketing campaign you may have ongoing. Groups are used in analytics, so besides being able to see group stats, you can compare items to group performance, or group vs group performance.
Supplier - Inventory Items are not required to have a supplier, but for your convenience and organization you can manage suppliers and mark your Inventory Items accordingly.
Feeds - Feeds are used to help save import formats for syncing and re-use.
Feed Template - A reusable, saved template for import updates. Header rows are saved and users choose which columns sync with Inventory Item SKUs and Quantities for updates.
Feed Log - Saved Log for every feed uploaded.