> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://betterdatainc.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels

> Understanding sales channels, channel inventory, and multi-channel operations

# Channels

**Channels** represent different sales and distribution paths for your products. The same product can be sold through multiple channels with different SKUs, pricing, and inventory allocation.

## Channel Types

### Direct Channels

* **DIRECT**: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales
* **B2B**: Business-to-business wholesale
* **RETAIL**: Physical retail stores

### Marketplace Channels

* **MARKETPLACE**: Third-party marketplaces (Amazon, eBay)
* **FBA**: Fulfillment by Amazon
* **VMI**: Vendor Managed Inventory

### Partner Channels

* **3PL**: Third-party logistics partners
* **DROPSHIP**: Drop-shipping partners
* **WHOLESALE**: Wholesale distribution partners

## Channel Products

The same physical product can have different representations per channel:

**Example:**

* **Product**: LUXE BOND No.3 Bond Repair Treatment (250mL)
* **DTC Channel**: SKU "LB-BT-003-250-DTC", Price \$28.00
* **Amazon FBA**: SKU "B08XYZ123", Price \$27.00
* **Sephora VMI**: SKU "2458762", Price \$28.00

Each channel product has:

* **Channel-specific SKU**: Unique identifier for that channel
* **Channel pricing**: Different prices per channel
* **Inventory allocation**: Dedicated inventory pool per channel
* **Replenishment rules**: Channel-specific reorder points

## Channel Inventory

Inventory is allocated to channels:

* **Dedicated pools**: Each channel has its own inventory allocation
* **ATP (Available to Promise)**: Channel-specific ATP calculations
* **Replenishment**: Channel-specific replenishment rules

## Channel Policies

Configure policies per channel:

* **ATP policies**: Minimum stock levels, safety stock
* **Replenishment rules**: Reorder points, order quantities
* **Alert thresholds**: Low stock alerts, stockout alerts

***

## Related Pages

* [Commerce Chain Optimization](/concepts/commerce-chain-optimization)
* [Locations](/concepts/locations)
* [Run - Viewing Inventory](/run/viewing-inventory)
* [Admin - Channel Policies](/admin/channel-policies)

***

## Permissions & Roles

<Tip>
  Channel configuration requires tenant admin permissions. Standard users can view channel inventory but cannot modify channel settings.
</Tip>