Volumetric Slotting, ABC/XYZ Engine & Directed Putaway

1. Overview & Business Value#

This comprehensive operational guide details the architecture, business workflows, configuration parameters, and execution steps for Volumetric Slotting, ABC/XYZ Engine & Directed Putaway within SmartERP.

Volumetric Slotting & Directed Putaway#

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2. Prerequisites & Security Access Groups#

• Required Modules: stock, smarterp_wms_enterprise
• Security Groups:
  • Warehouse Clerk (Technical ID: stock.group_stock_user)
  • Warehouse Manager (Technical ID: stock.group_stock_manager)
• Master Data Dependencies: Multi-warehouse aisles, racks, shelves, bins, putaway rules, cycle count schedules, and barcode terminal profiles.

3. Step-by-Step Configuration & Execution#

Step 1: Navigating to the Module Interface#

1. Log into your SmartERP instance at https://smarterp.et/odoo.
2. Open the main App Switcher (grid icon in the top-left corner).
3. Select the Inventory app icon.
4. From the top navigation bar, open Inventory → Operations → Multi-Warehouse Operations / Putaway Rules / Wave Picking.

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Step 2: Creating and Parameterizing Records#

1. Click the New button in the top-left control panel.
2. Complete the mandatory fields in the record form:
   • Source Location (Mandatory): Warehouse physical bin or staging zone
   • Destination Location (Mandatory): Target storage shelf or dispatch bay
   • Product & Quantity (Mandatory): Inventory items with standard units of measure
   • Operation Type (Mandatory): Internal transfer, putaway, wave pick, or delivery order
3. Configure optional operational parameters and localized tags as required:
   • Barcode Scan Verification (Optional): Mandatory barcode scanning confirmation
   • Pallet / SSCC Package ID (Optional): Serialized shipping container code
   • Assigned Warehouse Equipment (Optional): Forklift, reach truck, or manual pallet jack
4. Click the Save icon in the control bar to commit the record.

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Step 3: Validating and Processing Transactions#

• State Transitions: Execute operational state progression (Draft Picking → Waiting Availability → Reserved → Wave Pick In Progress → Pack Checked → Done).
• Ledger & System Impact: Updates stock valuation layers dynamically and adjusts inventory lot quantities across designated warehouse storage locations.
• Audit Verification: Automated recording of author ID, timestamp, and immutable revision history.

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3D Bin Capacity Controls#

Every physical location in stock.location is configured with mechanical and spatial limits:

• $W_{\text{max}}$ (Max Weight kg): Mechanical load-bearing limit of the shelf.
• $V_{\text{max}}$ (Max Volume $m^3$): Inner usable cubic volume.
• Live Occupancy Rate: $$\text{Occupancy Rate} = \max\left(\frac{\sum (Q_i \times \text{weight}i)}{W{\text{max}}}, \frac{\sum (Q_i \times \text{volume}i)}{V{\text{max}}}\right) \times 100\%$$

Statistical ABC / XYZ Velocity Engine#

The weekly scheduled cron (ir.cron) reclassifies product velocity over rolling 90 days:

1. ABC Pareto Classification:
   • Class A: Top 80% cumulative turnover value. Placed on lower tiers closest to outbound packing docks.
   • Class B: Next 15% turnover value. Placed on middle tiers.
   • Class C: Bottom 5% slow-moving tail. Slotted in high-bay or deep storage.
2. XYZ Demand Volatility: Calculated using Coefficient of Variation ($CV = \frac{\sigma_w}{\mu_w}$) across 12 weekly demand buckets:
   • Class X ($CV \le 0.50$): High predictability, steady consumption.
   • Class Y ($0.50 < CV \le 1.00$): Moderate seasonal fluctuation.
   • Class Z ($CV > 1.00$): Sporadic or irregular demand spikes.

Capacity-Aware Directed Putaway#

When goods arrive via Incoming Receipts or Manufacturing:

1. Candidate destination locations are filtered by temperature requirements (x_storage_temp_req) and allowed ABC class (x_allowed_abc_class).
2. Candidate bins where current occupancy exceeds 95% or where the incoming payload would exceed weight or volume limits are rejected.
3. The engine routes to the nearest compatible non-congested location matching the lowest x_pick_sequence.

4. Advanced Configuration Points#

• Automated Actions & Scheduled Tasks (Crons):
  • Inventory: Cycle count schedule trigger (stock.ir_cron_cycle_count): Runs weekly to select locations for scheduled physical cycle counting
  • WMS: Auto-replenish forward pick bins (stock.ir_cron_replenish): Runs daily to trigger internal moves from bulk storage to picking faces
• Custom Print Templates & Reports:
  • Warehouse Storage Bin Location Map & Occupancy
  • Stock Valuation Summary by Storage Location
  • Wave Picking & Packing Slip with Barcode Verification
• Multi-Company Rules: Record-level security isolation under Company 1 (Ashewa Technology Solutions S.C.), preventing cross-company ledger leakage across parent and subsidiary legal entities.

5. Comprehensive Troubleshooting Matrix#