The item alias feature is a form of kitting that allows you to create alternate SKUs that represent one or more existing component SKUs. This is useful, for example, when different sales channels identify the same SKU in different ways, or to create an ad hoc bundle of items that can be ordered using a single SKU.

Upon order creation, 3PL Warehouse Manager translates the alias SKU into the appropriate component SKUs, which become individual line items on the order. All inventory tracking is done at the component SKU level, which makes item aliases ideal for limited time offers or seasonal use.

In contrast, an assembly is a list of component SKUs that combine into a new assembly SKU. Assembly inventory tracking is done at the assembly SKU, not the individual components.

Guidelines

You can create item aliases in 3PL Warehouse Manager via import file or manual entry. Both methods are reviewed below. Before you continue with the steps below, please note the following about alias SKUs:

• To view inventory levels for an alias SKU, you must search for each individual component SKU—item aliases do not display on the Manage Inventory page or Stock Status Report.
• If an alias SKU is ordered via flat file import or an EDI/API integration, the associated component SKUs populate on the order.
• The alias SKU is also not listed on order documents, such as pick tickets and packing slips—you only have visibility into the component SKU quantities.

Importing item aliases

If you have multiple item aliases to create or you want to make changes to multiple existing aliases, you can add or edit item aliases via import file.

1. Follow the instructions on the Item Alias Import Template, then click Import on the Item Alias page. 
2. Make sure you have the correct customer selected from the ‘Customer’ dropdown menu. 
3. Drag and drop your import template into the ‘File Upload’ section or click the Browse Files option to find and upload your import template. 
4. 3PL Warehouse Manager reads the import file and populates the ‘Aliases to Import’ grid with the data from the imported file for you to review.
5. Click the triangle button on the left side of each row to display details about the component SKUs for each imported alias. 
6. If the import file contains duplicate aliases with the same name as an existing alias, specify how you want to handle those duplicates by selecting either ‘Do not import duplicates’ or ‘Replace duplicates’. 
7. Click Import to import the item aliases to 3PL Warehouse Manager. 

Manually creating an item alias

1. Make sure you have the correct customer selected from the ‘Customer’ dropdown menu. 
2. Click Create New Alias. 
3. Give your item alias an Alias Name and, optionally, a Description, and select whether you want this alias to be active or inactive. 
4. Click Add Items to select the component SKUs for this alias. 
5. Click the + button at the end of an item row to add it to the alias. You can filter the item list using the search bar. 
6. Click Done once you have added all the necessary items to the alias. You can always come back later and edit the alias if you need to. 
7. Note that the item grid now displays the items currently in the alias. 
8. Adjust the quantities of each item, as needed, by clicking in the ‘QTY’ cell and typing in the correct item amount. 
9. To remove an item from the alias, click the x button at the end of the item row. 
10. Click Save when you’re done to finish creating the new item alias. 

Editing an item alias 

1. Select the alias you want to edit and click Manage > Edit to open the ‘Edit Alias’ window.
2. The ‘Edit Alias’ window allows you to change the Alias Name, Description, Status, and items for the selected item alias as you would when creating an item alias. 
3. Click Save to save your changes to the alias. 

Changing the status of item aliases

The Item Alias feature allows you to change the status of aliases from the grid instead of editing them individually. 

1. Select the alias you want to change. Make sure to have ‘Show Inactive’ selected to see your inactive aliases.
2. You can select multiple aliases by <CTRL> or <SHIFT> clicking them.
3. Click Manage > Activate or Manage > Deactivate to change the status of the item alias. 

Deleting item aliases

Only inactive item aliases can be deleted, and you need the ‘Delete Alias Definitions’ permission in order to delete item aliases. Once an item alias is deleted, it cannot be undone. 

1. Make sure the ‘Show Inactive’ option is selected for the grid to display inactive item aliases. 
2. Select the alias you want to delete and click Manage > Delete. 
3. You can delete multiple aliases at the same time by <CTRL> or <SHIFT> clicking to select multiple inactive aliases. 
4. You will be prompted with a confirmation window to delete the alias. 
5. Click Cancel to return to the Item Alias page. 
6. Click Delete to delete the item alias. Note: This action cannot be undone. 

Known Issues

The status of an existing item alias can't be changed in the ‘Edit’ window. In order to change the status of an alias between ‘Active’ and ‘Inactive’, use Manage > Activate, or Manage > Deactivate in the Item Alias grid.