Skip to Content

Mastering Inventory Management with Odoo 18: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Barcode and Inventory Apps

September 7, 2024 by
Mastering Inventory Management with Odoo 18: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Barcode and Inventory Apps
ABI-VNM - Abivin Vietnam, Lâm Lê Viết Hoàng
| No comments yet

In today's competitive market, efficient inventory management is crucial for success. As businesses grow, managing stock levels, tracking shipments, and optimizing logistics become complex and time-consuming tasks. Fortunately, ERP solutions like Odoo 18 are stepping in to simplify these challenges. With its advanced Inventory and Barcode applications, Odoo 18 introduces a range of new features designed to streamline warehouse management, reduce operational costs, and boost productivity.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how to leverage Odoo 18's enhanced capabilities for inventory and logistics management. We’ll walk through practical use cases for the barcode app, automated inventory tracking, and smart logistics planning. By the end of this article, you'll have a deep understanding of how Odoo 18 can transform your logistics operations and elevate your business efficiency.

1. Understanding Odoo 18’s Inventory and Barcode Applications

Odoo is renowned for its modular ERP system that covers all aspects of business operations. The Odoo 18 Inventory and Barcode applications are specifically designed for businesses that need precise control over their inventory, whether it's for manufacturing, retail, or wholesale. With this latest version, Odoo has introduced several enhancements aimed at reducing manual effort and improving accuracy in inventory management.

Key Features of Odoo 18's Inventory Module

The Inventory module in Odoo 18 offers powerful features that streamline stock management, automate reordering, and provide real-time visibility into inventory levels:

  • Automated Replenishment Using Make to Stock and Order (MTSO): This feature eliminates the need to manually track product levels. The system can automatically create purchase orders for items when stock levels fall below a set threshold.
  • Multi-Warehouse and Multi-Location Support: Manage inventory across multiple locations with ease. Whether you operate multiple warehouses or have different storage zones within a single facility, Odoo 18 allows you to monitor stock movements seamlessly.
  • Real-Time Inventory Updates: Stock levels are updated instantly as items are received, transferred, or shipped, giving you an accurate picture of your inventory at any time.

Barcode Scanning Features for Efficient Management

The Barcode application in Odoo 18 integrates seamlessly with the inventory module to enable rapid and accurate data capture:

  • Mobile and Scanner-Based Barcode Reading: Use your smartphone or a professional Zebra scanner to quickly read product barcodes. This reduces the need for manual data entry and minimizes errors.
  • Automatic Product Creation from Barcodes: Scan a new product’s barcode, and Odoo can auto-populate product details directly from the barcode database, saving time during the initial setup.
  • Serial Number and Lot Tracking: Easily track high-value items through serial numbers or manage batches with lot numbers, ensuring traceability and compliance.

2. Simplifying Warehouse Operations with Odoo

Managing a large inventory can be a daunting task, especially when handling different types of products, varying stock levels, and diverse storage needs. Odoo 18's inventory automation features simplify warehouse operations by reducing manual work and improving efficiency.

Identifying and Managing New Stock Automatically

When a new shipment arrives, Odoo 18 helps identify unknown products quickly. Instead of manually entering product details, you can simply scan the barcode using a mobile device. Odoo then checks its database to find the product information and automatically updates your inventory records. If the product is new, Odoo can create a new item profile using data from the barcode, including product name, category, and even vendor information.

This feature not only saves time but also ensures that your inventory records are accurate and up to date. For example, the team at All For Pools, an importer and wholesaler of swimming pool equipment, was able to cut down on manual entry time significantly by using Odoo’s barcode system to automatically identify cleaning products and new pool accessories upon arrival.

Using Putaway Rules for Optimal Storage

Odoo’s putaway rules suggest the most efficient storage location for new items based on historical data and product characteristics. For example, if certain types of lighting equipment have always been stored in a specific aisle, Odoo will recommend the same location for new shipments. This reduces the need for warehouse staff to decide on the spot where to place items, leading to more organized storage and faster picking times.

By implementing putaway rules, businesses can optimize their storage strategies, making it easier to locate products and minimize the risk of misplaced inventory.

3. Sales Order Fulfillment with Odoo 18

Efficient order management is a key component of any successful business. Odoo 18 enhances the sales process by automating stock checks, managing shortages, and optimizing purchase orders.

Handling Stock Shortages with MTSO (Make to Stock and Order)

When a sales order comes in, Odoo checks the stock levels for each item in the order. If certain items are not available, the MTSO feature creates a purchase order automatically. Instead of ordering the entire quantity needed for all future sales, Odoo only orders the exact amount required to fulfill the current order. This just-in-time ordering strategy reduces excess stock and helps maintain optimal inventory levels.

For example, if a sales order comes in for five pool robots but only two are in stock, Odoo will automatically create a purchase order for the remaining three, ensuring the order can be fulfilled without overstocking.

Wave Picking for Streamlined Order Preparation

Wave picking is a feature that groups multiple orders into a single picking session, optimizing the path through the warehouse based on product location. With Odoo 18, this is done automatically, allowing your warehouse staff to pick items more efficiently. Each wave can be split based on product location, so different employees can handle different areas, speeding up the overall fulfillment process.

By implementing wave picking, businesses can significantly reduce the time taken to prepare orders for shipment, leading to faster deliveries and happier customers.

4. Quality Control and Product Valuation

Maintaining product quality is crucial, especially for high-value items. Odoo 18’s quality control and valuation tracking features ensure that every product meets your standards before it reaches the customer.

Managing Damaged Goods with Pull to Push Rules

If a product is found to be damaged during inspection, Odoo’s "Pull to Push" rule allows it to be quickly transferred to a quality control area for further examination. This prevents defective items from being shipped to customers and ensures that only the highest-quality products are delivered.

For example, when All For Pools received a shipment of pool robots, they noticed that some packages were damaged. Using Odoo’s quality control workflow, they were able to pull these items from the delivery queue, inspect them, and only send out those that met their standards.

Tracking Product Valuation by Serial Number

Odoo allows you to track the cost of each individual unit by its serial number. This is especially useful for businesses dealing with expensive or serialized items, such as electronics or machinery. When a product is delivered, its value is deducted from your inventory based on the purchase price, providing an accurate picture of inventory valuation and profitability.

5. Logistics Planning and Route Optimization

Once an order is packed and ready for delivery, Odoo 18’s logistics features ensure that it reaches the customer efficiently and cost-effectively.

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Delivery

Odoo can suggest the best vehicle for delivery based on the weight and volume of the products. This feature is particularly useful for businesses handling large or bulky shipments. By matching the order to the right vehicle, Odoo helps prevent underutilization of space and reduces shipping costs.

Using Google Maps Integration for Route Planning

Odoo’s integration with Google Maps allows drivers to plan the most efficient routes for their deliveries. This reduces travel time, minimizes fuel costs, and ensures that drivers can make more deliveries in less time. Drivers can view their routes directly from within Odoo and even send directions to their smartphones for easy navigation.

6. Conclusion

Odoo 18’s Inventory and Barcode applications are powerful tools for modern logistics management. With features like automated product identification, real-time inventory updates, and advanced route planning, Odoo enables businesses to optimize their warehouse operations and improve order fulfillment. By leveraging these capabilities, you can streamline your logistics, reduce operational costs, and ultimately provide a better experience for your customers.


Share this post
Tags
Archive
Sign in to leave a comment