Smart Putaway Rules in Odoo#
When goods arrive at receiving, someone decides where to store them. Without rules, this relies on individual knowledge - leading to products stored in wrong locations, slower picking, and inventory discrepancies. Odoo's putaway rules automate this decision.
Prerequisites#
Inventory → Configuration → Settings → enable Storage Locations and Putaway Rules.
How Putaway Rules Work#
When a receipt is validated into a location (e.g., WH/Input), Odoo checks putaway rules:
- Does a rule exist for this Product at this location? → use it
- If not: does a rule exist for this Product Category at this location? → use it
- If not: goods stay at the destination location (no further movement)
Creating Putaway Rules#
Inventory → Configuration → Putaway Rules → New:
| From | Product/Category | Put Away In |
|---|---|---|
| WH/Input | Category: Electronics | WH/Shelves/Row-A/Bin-12 |
| WH/Input | Category: Fragile Items | WH/Shelves/Fragile-Zone |
| WH/Input | Product: Large Widget | WH/Floor-Storage |
| WH/Input | Category: Hazmat | WH/Hazmat-Zone |
| WH/Input | All (default) | WH/Stock |
Capacity Rules (Smart Putaway)#
For advanced putaway with bin capacity tracking:
Inventory → Configuration → Settings → enable Storage Capacities.
Set capacity per bin/location:
- WH/Shelves/Bin-01: max 100 kg or 20 boxes
- When bin is full: putaway rule auto-routes to the next available bin
Odoo routes products to the first available bin with remaining capacity - no manual assignment needed.
Putaway in Practice#
Receiving 200 units of Electronics (Category):
- PO receipt validated at WH/Input
- Odoo applies putaway rule: Electronics → WH/Shelves/Row-A/Bin-12
- An internal transfer is automatically created: WH/Input → WH/Shelves/Row-A/Bin-12
- Storekeeper validates the putaway transfer (confirms product is in place)
Without putaway rules: storekeeper decides location manually → variation, mistakes.
Combining with Removal Strategies#
Putaway routes products IN to the right location.
Removal strategies determine which product comes OUT first.
Together:
- Electronics go to Row-A → FIFO removal → oldest electronics picked first
- Perishables go to Cold-Room → FEFO removal → shortest expiry picked first
This pair enforces proper stock rotation automatically, without manual intervention.