Why did Kernel suggest an association instead of a merge?

Last updated: June 21, 2026

Short answer

Kernel suggests an association when the records appear to be different entities in a parent-child relationship. Kernel suggests a merge when records appear to represent the same entity.

Related companies should usually be associated, not merged.

Check this first

  • Do the records have the same KERN ID or different KERN IDs?
  • Does the reasoning describe duplicate identity or hierarchy?
  • Is one record a parent, subsidiary, regional entity, or business unit?
  • Is there an Associate action rather than a Merge action?

What to send support

  • Both Account IDs.
  • KERN IDs for both records.
  • Current recommendation and reasoning.
  • Why the customer expected merge instead of association.

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