One of the important topics in Odoo is the inventory routes and their related rules. In many projects, there is a need to have some routes other than the standard ones, but unfortunately, the topic or the process is sometimes so complex that the configuration will be very hard and time-consuming. Therefore, understanding the topic is essential in every project which involves inventory and/or manufacturing.

We will briefly discuss a few real cases, where we need to create a combination of routes and rules.
--> Scenario: each business unit had its own warehouse; each warehouse with four steps receipt and three steps deliveries. Without any sales order or any purchase order between the companies, we had to move products with a truck from warehouse A to warehouse B. Besides, all the four steps of delivery in warehouse A as well as all the three steps of the receipt in warehouse B must happen. (❗a diagram for a better understanding.)
--> Scenario: A kit (set of a laptop with keyboard and a mouse and a monitor) had to be delivered to a customer, but as a part of the inventory process, a software had to be installed on the laptop before packing. (❗a diagram for a better understanding.)
--> Scenario: In this scenario, our client had a dropship delivery from a vendor to the customer, but as a return process, the product had to come first to the client’s warehouse, then checked and then be sent back to the manufacturer (not the vendor) and then get a replacement from the vendor. (❗a diagram for a better understanding.)

In the next part, we will provide some tips to consider during the configuration of routes and rules:
-> Always try to use odoo standard routes!
-> Avoid editing the standard routes of Odoo, because they can get back to the original configurations, e.g. in case of a re-configuration through the warehouse settings.
-> Always first draw the routes & rules like Odoo’s routes diagram to get a better overview of your route.
-> In each step of the route, ask yourself:
--> “Is there any need at a location?”
---> if yes, “Where is the source of the need?” E.g. if there is a need at location B and we can procure the need from location A, it will be a pull rule from location A to location B.
---> if no, “Is the step always the same move e.g. from location A to location B?” Then it will be a push strategy from location A to location B.
-> Try to have separate operations for each rule.
-> Always think about the return route, too. Sometimes the return process is not the reverse of the delivery route.
-> Make sure you are setting the right Supply Method on the rules.
-> In case of multi-company setup:
--> Always be careful to use the right location and operations.
--> HINT: A rule MUST not (but can) be assigned to a company, but it’s highly recommended to assign each route to the related company

Finally, Q&A.