Arsalan YasinHow to Set Up Efficient Putaway Rules in Odoo 18 Inventory
When we talk about inventory, we’re referring to a company’s physical stock of goods that holds value and is waiting to be packaged, stored, used, or sold. Every product-based business depends heavily on how well it manages this inventory.
With Odoo 18 Inventory, you’re not just getting a record-keeping tool—you’re getting a full-blown warehouse optimization system that helps track thousands of transactions and streamline operations.
🚀 Why Inventory Management Matters
Understanding your inventory helps you:
- Know your best-selling products
- Organize stock efficiently
- Speed up access and delivery
- Minimize storage confusion
By grouping top-selling items and implementing Putaway Rules, you ensure your warehouse is working for you, not the other way around.
🔄 What is Putaway in Odoo?
Putaway is the process of transferring received goods to their designated storage locations. It’s where organization meets automation!
To enable Putaway Rules:
- Go to Inventory Module > Settings
- Activate Multi-Step Routes
- This also turns on Storage Locations
Now, let’s break it down with a real-world example!
🧃 Beverage Business Example
Imagine you’re running a beverage business where products need specific storage: fridge, freezer, or dry storage.
Your warehouse might look like this:
css
WH1/Stock/
├── Shelf 1/
├── Room A/
├── Room B/
Let’s explore how different Putaway settings work.
🔧 Setting a Basic Putaway Rule
Let’s say we have a product called BOX.
- Arrival location: WH1/Stock
- Final location: WH1/Stock/Shelf 1/Room A
- Sublocation: No
- Storage Category: Not set
Create a receipt, add product BOX, and validate the transfer. The product will auto-magically land in Room A as per the rule.
🔁 Using "Last Used" Sublocation
Now update the Putaway Rule:
- Store to: WH1/Stock/Shelf 1
- Sublocation: Last Used
If Room A was used last, Odoo will drop the next incoming product there again. It remembers your habits—like a good assistant.
📍 Using "Closest Location" with Storage Categories
Let’s get smarter:
Create a Storage Category
- Say, New Category with a product limit (e.g., 20 units of BOX).
Assign this category to:
- Room B
- Room C
Update Putaway Rule:
- Sublocation: Closest Location
- Having Category: New Category
Now, when you receive 40 units of BOX:
- First 20 go to Room B
- Next 20 go to Room C
It’s all automatic, neat, and intelligent.
✅ Why It Matters
Using Putaway Rules in Odoo 18 ensures:
- Items go exactly where they should
- Storage space is used wisely
- Errors and risks (like storing volatile items together) are avoided
- From refrigerators to Room C, Odoo keeps your stock in check and your operations flowing smoothly.
💡 Pro Tip:
If your products have special handling requirements (like temperature or compatibility), using proper Putaway Rules isn’t just helpful—it’s essential!
Want to unlock the full potential of your warehouse with Odoo? Let’s connect!
