Business Analysts: Guillermo Urquidi, Diego Novoa, Odoo Technologies MX

Odoo allows the creation of branches linked to a parent company, facilitating the differentiation of operations between them. However, for certain types of businesses or workflows, it is necessary to perform warehouse transfers between branches without a purchase or sale involved, which can complicate operations if the correct configuration is not known.

At the database level, branches belong to the same legal entity but are managed as separate companies to enjoy the same benefits offered by the multi-company functionality. While this is advantageous in many areas, it complicates inventory operations between branches.

This guide will walk you through configuring a route that enables operations between branches and even between different companies.

No Studio or technical configurations are required.

Tools Required

Ensure that the "Multi-Step Routes" and "Storage Locations" settings are enabled.

Location Configuration

1. Create a “View” Location:

• Create a "View" location with a name that references transfers between branches or companies.
• Example: Intercompany.

Note: Do not define any company in the "Company" field.

1. Create a "Transit" Location:

• Name it to represent the route the product will follow, and set the newly created "View" location as its parent.
• Example: Main to Branch 1.

Note: Create a "Transit" location for each warehouse you want to send goods to (e.g., Main to Branch 2, Main to Branch 3).

Route Configuration: Ensure that you are within the branches and companies that will be part of this configuration.

1. Create a New Route:

• Go to Inventory Settings -> Routes -> New.
• Name the route to reference transfers between branches or companies.
• Example: Transfers Between Branches / Companies.
• Configuration:
• • Do not define any company.
  • Do not define any supplied warehouse.
  • Enable the checkbox to manage by product.
  • Enable the checkbox to manage by warehouse and select the participating ones.

Route Rule Configuration

1. Action: Deliver to
2. Operation Type: Receipts for the warehouse receiving the goods.
3. Manual Operation: Leave the company selection as automatic.

Flow

(Video Demonstration)

1. Activate Route on the Product: Ensure the route is activated on the necessary products.

1. Create a New Internal Transfer:

• Note: The destination location should be one of the transit locations created earlier.

1. Receive Goods in the Branch Warehouse or Company:

• Validate the receipt once the goods have arrived.

BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE 

Automation for Inter-Branch/Company Replenishment

Now, imagine companies want to automate the replenishment process between branches or companies even further.

What if multiple customers purchase multiple products from various branches that lack available stock and need to request it directly from the parent company?

Manually creating transfers between branches can be tedious and inefficient for companies with high product movement. Here's an alternative solution:

First Route Rule Configuration:

1. Create a New Rule: "Deliver to Virtual Transit Location":

• Action: Pull & Push.
• Source Location: Main/Stock.
• Destination Location: Intercompany/From Main to Branch 1.
• Operation Type: Internal Transfer from the warehouse shipping the goods (Main).
• Manual Operation: Yes.
• Replenishment Method: Take from stock.
• Warehouse: From the Main company.
• Company: Select the Main company from which the products will be sourced.

Second Route Rule Configuration:

1. Create a New Rule: "Receive at Branch 1":

• Action: Pull & Push.
• Source Location: Intercompany/From Main to Branch 1.
• Destination Location: Branch 1/Stock.
• Operation Type: Receipts for the warehouse receiving the goods (Branch 1).
• Manual Operation: Yes.
• Replenishment Method: Trigger another rule.
• Warehouse: From Branch 1 company.
• Company: Select Branch 1 company from which the products will be sourced.
• Propagation (Warehouse to Propagate): Select the warehouse of the "Main" company.

Automated Process Flow

(Video Demonstration 1 - Process Triggered by a Sale)

(Video Demonstration 2 - Process Triggered by Automated Replenishment)

1. Activate Route on Necessary Products:

• This route automates the process triggered by a sales order or inventory withdrawal where the necessary products are not available in the Branch 1 warehouse.

1. Place an Order:

• Select the products and click "Order" to trigger the material request from the "Main" company.

1. Internal Transfer in Main Company:

• A pending operation will be generated in "Internal Transfers" to supply the products and send them to the transit location created earlier.

1. Receiving in Branch 1:

• In "Receipts" for Branch 1, the corresponding operation will be generated to receive the products.

1. Validate Outbound Products in Main Company:

• The Main company validates the product shipment once they are dispatched to Branch 1.

(Main Company POV)

(Branch1 POV)

1. Receive Products in Branch 1:

• In the Branch 1 receipt operation, click on the "Availability" button. If the product is en route, the receipt operation will be marked as "Ready" for validation.

1. Complete the Order:

• Once the products arrive at Branch 1, validate the receipt to fulfill the sales order to the end customer.

ENJOY! 😃