From 82db6b0261caf3047dfd1671dce665bcd31fecd1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Felicious Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2025 18:46:59 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] [IMP] inventory: inbound & outbound flows closes odoo/documentation#12689 X-original-commit: 3545fac11eb067fd62af4a62136a1e74523f0d9d Signed-off-by: Samuel Lieber (sali) Signed-off-by: Felicia Kuan (feku) Co-authored-by: Justin Mallette <86990712+justinmallette@users.noreply.github.com> --- .../shipping_receiving/daily_operations.rst | 177 ++++++++++++------ 1 file changed, 120 insertions(+), 57 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/shipping_receiving/daily_operations.rst b/content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/shipping_receiving/daily_operations.rst index 2e42dfa2b..8b04cdd0f 100644 --- a/content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/shipping_receiving/daily_operations.rst +++ b/content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/shipping_receiving/daily_operations.rst @@ -5,88 +5,151 @@ Inbound and outbound flows ========================== -There are several ways to handle how a warehouse receives products (receipts) and ships products -(deliveries). Depending on several factors, such as the type of products stocked and sold, warehouse -size, and the amount of daily confirmed receipts and delivery orders, the way products are handled -when coming in and out of the warehouse can vary a lot. Different settings can be configured for -receipts and deliveries; they do not have to be configured to have the same number of steps. +Configuring inbound and outbound flows in Odoo is key to optimizing efficiency, traceability, and +cost. Warehouse managers must balance speed and control, choosing between a streamlined process or +added checkpoints. -.. seealso:: - - `Using Routes (eLearning Tutorial) `_ - - `Push & Pull Rules (eLearning Tutorial) - `_ +Odoo offers one-step, two-step, and three-step flows, with more steps providing greater control but +increasing operations. The best setup depends on quality checks, packaging, and warehouse size. -Choosing the right inventory flow to handle receipts and deliveries -=================================================================== - -By default, Odoo handles shipping and receiving in three different ways: in one, two, or three -steps. The simplest configuration is one step, which is the default. Each additional step required -for a warehouse for either the receiving or shipping process will add an additional layer of -operations to perform before a product is either received or shipped. These configurations depend -entirely on the requirements for the products stored, such as performing quality checks on received -products, or using special packaging on shipped products. +This guide helps businesses determine the most suitable configuration. One-step flow -------------- +============= -The receiving and shipping rules for a one-step configuration are as follows: +The *one-step inventory flow* is the simplest option, with minimal handling steps and the least +traceability. In this setup, products move directly from vendors to stock or from stock to +customers, with Odoo only tracking when items enter or leave the warehouse. This makes it ideal for +businesses with high-volume, low-risk products or fast-moving operations where additional validation +steps aren’t necessary. -- **Receipt**: Receive products directly into stock. No intermediate steps between receipt and stock - occur, such as a transfer to a quality control location. -- **Shipping**: Ship products directly from stock. No intermediate steps between stock and shipping - occur, such as a transfer to a packing location. -- Can only be used if not using :abbr:`FIFO (First In, First Out)`, :abbr:`LIFO (Last In, First - Out)`, or :abbr:`FEFO (First Expired, First Out)` removal strategies. -- Receipts and/or deliveries are handled quickly. -- Recommended for small warehouses with low stock levels, and for non-perishable items. -- Items are received or shipped directly into/from stock. +- **Receiving**: Products go directly into stock. +- **Shipping**: Products ship directly from stock. +- **Best for**: Small warehouses, low stock levels, and non-perishable items, where minimal + processing is needed before products are stored or shipped. .. seealso:: :doc:`daily_operations/receipts_delivery_one_step` Two-step flow -------------- +============= -The receiving and shipping rules for a two-step configuration are as follows: +A *two-step flow* adds an input or output area for processing products before storage or shipment. +Incoming goods can be unboxed and inspected before shelving, while outgoing shipments are sorted and +consolidated before dispatch. This setup improves efficiency by assigning storage teams to picking +and stocking, while dedicated teams handle unboxing, (possibly) packing, and final verification to +reduce order fulfillment errors. -- **Input + stock**: Bring products to an input location *before* moving into stock. Products can be - organized by different internal storage locations, such as various shelves, freezers, and locked - areas, before being stocked in the warehouse. -- **Pick + ship**: Bring products to an output location before shipping. Packages can be organized - by different carriers or shipping docks before being shipped. -- Minimum requirement to use lot numbers or serial numbers to track products with a - :abbr:`FIFO (First In, First Out)`, :abbr:`LIFO (Last In, First Out)` or - :abbr:`FEFO (First Expired, First Out)` removal strategy. -- Recommended for larger warehouses with high stock levels, or when stocking large items (such as - mattresses, large furniture, heavy machinery, etc.). -- Products received will not be available for manufacturing, shipping, etc., until they are - transferred into stock. +- **Receiving**: Products move to an *input* area before being transferred into stock. + + - Until transferred, received products are not automatically reserved for manufacturing, shipping, + or other operations. + +- **Shipping**: Products move to an *output* before shipping to allow for :doc:`sorting or + consolidation `. +- **Best for**: Large warehouses, high stock levels, bulky items, and workflows that separate + receiving from storage to improve organization and efficiency. .. seealso:: :doc:`daily_operations/receipts_delivery_two_steps` Three-step flow ---------------- +=============== -The receiving and shipping rules for a three-step configuration are as follows: +A three-step flow builds on the two-step process by adding a quality check and packing area, +enforcing stricter processes and improving oversight. -- **Input + quality + stock**: Receive products at the input location, transfer them to a quality - control area, and move the ones that pass inspection into stock. -- **Pick + pack + ship**: Pick products according to their removal strategy, pack them in a - dedicated packing area, and bring them to an output location for shipping. -- Can be used when tracking products by lot or serial numbers when using a :abbr:`FIFO (First In, - First Out)`, :abbr:`LIFO (Last In, First Out)`, or :abbr:`FEFO (First Expired, First Out)` removal - strategy. -- Recommended for very large warehouses with very high stock levels. -- Required for any warehouse needing to perform quality control inspections before receiving items - into stock. -- Products received will not be available for manufacturing, shipping, etc., until they are - transferred into stock. +.. important:: + While this setup enhances process control, separating picking and packing requires validation at + each step. If the same person handles both, it may cause redundancy and slow operations. + + Quality checks and packing do not require a three-step flow. Enable :doc:`quality control points + <../../quality/quality_management/quality_control_points>` separately or activate the + :ref:`Packages feature ` in Odoo to incorporate + these processes without adding extra transfer steps. + +- **Receiving**: Products follow a structured process: *input area* → *quality control* → *stock*. +- **Shipping**: Products are *picked*, *packed*, and then *shipped*, ensuring proper handling and + organization. +- **Best for**: Very large warehouses with strict quality control requirements, dedicated picking + and packing workflows, and a need for clear traceability across multiple handling stages. Suitable + when multiple teams manage different steps before products are stocked or shipped. .. seealso:: - :doc:`daily_operations/receipts_three_steps` - :doc:`daily_operations/delivery_three_steps` +Add-ons +======= + +To optimize each flow, Odoo provides additional features that can enhance the process. + +Storage +------- + +To organize and store products efficiently, use: + +.. cards:: + + .. card:: Putaway rules + :target: daily_operations/putaway + + Guide products to specific storage locations based on predefined rules + + .. card:: Storage categories + :target: daily_operations/storage_category + + Set item or weight limits to prevent overstocking at the location and ensure proper + organization + + .. card:: Consignment + :target: daily_operations/owned_stock + + Keep track of products owned by third parties + +Delivery +-------- + +Tailor the outgoing shipment process to fit the business needs. Picking methods and removal +strategies control how products are reserved for orders, while cross-docking and dropshipping +determine how they move. Configuring these options in Odoo ensures visibility into product movement +and confirms that items reach customers efficiently. + +.. cards:: + + .. card:: Cross dock + :target: daily_operations/cross_dock + + Receive products and immediately transfer them to another warehouse without storing them + + .. card:: Dropshipping + :target: daily_operations/dropshipping + + Coordinate with vendors to deliver orders directly to customers, bypassing internal stock + + .. card:: Picking methods + :target: picking_methods + + Optimize picking operations using piece, batch, cluster, or wave picking techniques + + .. card:: Removal strategies + :target: removal_strategies + + Use FIFO, LIFO, or FEFO strategies to automate the selection of products for delivery + +Customization +------------- + +Odoo's flexible framework enables businesses to tailor workflows to match specific operational +needs. + +.. cards:: + + .. card:: Custom routes + :target: daily_operations/use_routes + + Define tailored receiving or delivery workflows to meet specific business needs + .. toctree:: :titlesonly: