Requirements
When
it comes to purchasing and consumption, we will keep encountering
similar issues not only in the manufacturing sector but also in
wholesale, retail, and the construction industry. Following our
previous
article, where we discussed
helpful basics in purchasing, we now come to another classic issue:
handling products such as cable drums, liquids in canisters, rolls of
textile fabrics, etc. In other words, we will deal with a packaging
form from which we will remove bits and pieces and which we will have
to monitor to keep track of how much is still there.
Example
As we
have learned already, the unit categories may be used to solve any
number of problems. Here, too, they represent part of the solution.
Let’s take the cable drum as an example. The product may be
purchased as a 10m or 20 m reel. It is best stored and cut up in
meters, but centimeters are also possible.
Solution
The solution lies in activating the product’s traceability and applying the information from our last article. We will generate a lot for each drum to help us monitor how many meters are left of each lot (or drum). In addition, a process can be installed that checks how much is left on each drum and whether the rest of the drum should be booked out of stock.
Let’s move on to the conceptual implementation.
Configuration of units
As in the previous case, we create a “Drum“ category in the units. The reference quantity is meters, and we generate two additional units for the 10 and 20 meters.
The result should look something like this:
Product master data
When we
create the product, we not only have to make sure that the correct
unit is assigned but also that the product can be tracked:
Therefore, we set the ”Track Inventory“ option to ”By Lots“. Later, this will become the number of the cable drum.
In purchasing, we proceed similarly:
To complete the product's configuration, we would, of course, need a
procurement rule and several other data. However, these parameters
are sufficient to illustrate our approach.
Executing the transaction
Now, we come to the complete process, from purchasing to posting. We will skip the procurement itself, as we have seen this already.
Purchase
We will receive an automated purchasing proposal for several drums:
In this case, we order two drums with a material length of 10m. As soon as we confirm the order proposal, Odoo will generate the usual scheduled goods receipt.
Goods receipt
Based on our previous experience, this is not a big surprise. Since we have selected meters as the leading unit, we will get a goods receipt of 20 meters:
This is where things get interesting: There are now two drums with 10 meters each. Choosing a better product text than in our example will make life easier for the warehouse employee. In case of doubt, there is even a separate configuration, “Description in goods receipt,“ where additional specific information can be provided for the user in the incoming goods warehouse.
And what should happen now? We need to record two lot numbers, most likely using a barcode scanner (or a laptop screen). If each drum is uniquely identifiable, it is easiest to enter the respective number as a lot. This will save additional labeling.
If you open the entry screen for the lot numbers, you will see the following display:
In the next step, we need to split the quantity displayed at the drum level. Assuming that the drum can be weighed to determine its actual length by weight, we enter the drum number in the first column and the exact quantity specified in the second:
It is, of course, possible to enter deviating lengths (shorter or longer) at any time.
If we now perform the posting, we can see our cable drums in the inventory valuation or the list of serial numbers:
(Serial number overview)
or
(Inventory valuation)
If you
have entered excess or short lengths, the A/P invoice proposal will
be larger or smaller, depending on the quantity entered. Whether this
is what you want certainly depends on the product and its value. Of
course, both options are possible here.
Conclusion
The above is an essential and quite common topic for lengths, liquids, or volumes. The same principle applies to all other units of measurement.
You can increase accuracy, simplify work steps, and improve traceability with a little configuration and a well-thought-out concept.
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