How to Automate Inventory Replenishment with Reordering Rules in Odoo (Step-by-Step Guide)

Inventory management can make or break your business — especially if you run a retail store, pharmacy, or wholesale operation. Running out of stock on high-demand products or overstocking low-demand items drains revenue and frustrates customers. That’s where Odoo’s Reordering Rules come in.

With reordering rules, Odoo automatically triggers purchase orders or internal stock movements when stock drops below a certain threshold. This powerful automation can save your team time, eliminate manual errors, and ensure you always have what you need, when you need it.

✅ What Are Reordering Rules?

Reordering Rules in Odoo define the minimum and maximum stock levels for each product. When the stock on hand goes below the minimum quantity, Odoo will automatically generate a purchase order or internal transfer, depending on your configuration.

🧰 Prerequisites Before You Begin

Before setting up reordering rules, make sure:

• Inventory module is installed.
• Your products are properly created in the system.
• Vendors or re-supply sources are defined for each product.
• Locations (e.g., warehouse) are configured.

🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Reordering Rules in Odoo

📍 Step 1: Activate Reordering Rules Feature

Go to:

Inventory > Configuration > Settings

• Scroll down to the Warehouse section.
• Enable Reordering Rules if it’s not already checked.
• Save your settings.

📦 Step 2: Choose the Product

Navigate to:

Inventory > Products > Products

• Select the product you want to automate.
• Make sure the product type is Stockable Product (not consumable or service).
• Confirm the route is set to Buy, Replenish, or Manufacture, depending on your supply model.

📝 Step 3: Add Vendor Information (If Not Already Set)

Still on the product page:

• Go to the Purchase tab.
• Add your vendor (supplier), including price and delivery lead time.

Odoo uses this data to generate accurate purchase orders when reordering is triggered.

🔁 Step 4: Create the Reordering Rule

Go to:

Inventory > Products > Reordering Rules

Click Create and fill in the following:

• Product: Select your item.
• Min Quantity: The stock level at which you want Odoo to reorder.
• Max Quantity: The target stock level after reordering.
• Quantity Multiple (optional): If the vendor sells in batches (e.g., cartons of 10).
• Location: Choose the warehouse or storage location.

🔄 Example:

If you sell blood pressure monitors and set Min = 2, Max = 10 — whenever your stock drops to 2, Odoo will automatically trigger a purchase to bring it up to 10.

Click Save.

📦 Step 5: Run Scheduler (or Wait for Automatic Trigger)

Reordering rules run automatically based on Odoo’s internal scheduler. You can also manually run the scheduler:

Go to:

Inventory > Operations > Run Scheduler

This will immediately trigger procurement orders for all products below minimum levels.

🧮 Example Use Case (Pharmacy Business)

Let’s say you run Amkamed Pharmacy and stock Amlodipine 10mg Tablets.

• You set Min = 20, Max = 100
• Supplier: XYZ Pharma Distributors
• Delivery Lead Time: 2 days

Each time the stock drops to 20 or less, Odoo will automatically:

1. Create a Purchase Order from XYZ Pharma.
2. Order 80 tablets to bring stock to 100.
3. Respect the delivery time and update expected arrivals.

This ensures you never run out of Amlodipine and avoid emergency calls to vendors.

⚙️ Advanced Configurations

Multiple Warehouses

Set different rules per warehouse or internal location (e.g., retail vs. central warehouse).

Lead Times

Set Customer Lead Time (how long it takes to fulfill an order) and Vendor Lead Time for more accurate projections.

Buffer Stock Strategy

Add safety stock by increasing Min Quantity beyond average daily consumption.

🔒 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Not assigning a vendor to the product.
• ❌ Forgetting to activate reordering rules in settings.
• ❌ Setting Min/Max levels too low or high without real data.
• ❌ Using “Consumable” product type — it won't trigger stock moves.

📊 Monitor Reorder Performance

To keep track of your automated replenishments:

Go to:

Inventory > Reporting > Inventory Forecast

You’ll see when items are expected to run out and when new stock is expected to arrive — helpful for strategic planning.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Odoo’s Reordering Rules are a game-changer for inventory-driven businesses. By setting smart Min/Max thresholds and linking products to the right vendors, you can eliminate stockouts, streamline procurement, and gain more control over your supply chain.

Once you master this feature, you’ll be free to focus on growing your business — not counting what’s left on your shelves.

How to Configure Company and Users in Odoo – Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

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