Stockouts, expired items, miscounts — these issues don’t just frustrate customers, they burn money. Every delayed shipment or unaccounted item is a hit to your reputation and bottom line.
That’s where the Odoo inventory system steps in. With real-time automation, multi-warehouse support, and deep integration with your entire business, Odoo helps you take full control of your stock.
Whether you’re a warehouse manager, an e-commerce store owner, or an IT lead setting up smarter workflows — this Odoo inventory tutorial is built for you.
Want to see how Odoo can streamline your e-commerce operations?
What Is Odoo Inventory and Why Does It Matter?
Odoo is a powerful open-source ERP suite. Its Inventory Module integrates tightly with Sales, Purchases, and Accounting to give businesses end-to-end stock visibility.
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Seamless multi-warehouse management
- Smart automation and route planning
With Odoo, you’re not just counting stock — you’re running an intelligent, connected warehouse ecosystem.
How to Set Up Odoo Inventory: A Step-by-Step Guide
Setting up Odoo Inventory might sound technical, but it’s super doable if you follow this structure:
1. Install the Odoo Inventory Module
Go to the Apps section in your Odoo dashboard and install the Inventory module. This gives you access to all stock operations, storage management, and tracking features.
2. Configure Warehouses and Locations
Set up one or more warehouses based on your business needs. Define zones, shelves, and internal locations (like bin areas) to structure your stock clearly.
3. Add Products, Variants & Units of Measure
Create products in the system along with their variants (like sizes, colors). Assign proper Units of Measure (UoM) like pieces, boxes, or liters to avoid confusion during sales or purchasing.
4. Set Up Putaway Rules and Reordering
Use putaway rules to control where stock gets stored upon arrival. Add minimum and maximum stock levels to let Odoo reorder items automatically when they fall below the threshold.
5. Integrate with Sales, Purchase & MRP
Link your inventory with the Sales, Purchase, and Manufacturing modules so everything updates automatically — no double entries or manual corrections needed.
Link Inventory with Sales, Purchase, and Manufacturing (MRP) mod.
Core Odoo Inventory Features
🔹 Storage
You can create detailed storage layouts within your Odoo warehouse — like racks, rows, and shelves. This helps teams quickly locate stock and reduces wasted time during order picking.
🔹 Operations
Handle day-to-day stock activities like inventory adjustments, stock transfers, and batch picking easily. You can also schedule wave picking to handle bulk orders efficiently.
🔹 Advanced Routes
Enable advanced logistic flows like drop shipping, cross-docking, and multi-step transfers. These routes let you optimize how products move from suppliers to customers or between warehouses.
🔹 Productivity
Use barcode scanning to speed up processes and reduce errors. Odoo also works great on mobile, so warehouse staff can access it on phones or tablets while working on the floor.
🔹 Replenishment
Set automated reordering rules to restock products based on demand. You can also create custom procurement routes like Make-to-Order (MTO) to trigger purchases when orders come in.
🔹 Traceability
Track every product using serial numbers or batch/lot numbers, and manage expiry dates. This is especially useful for industries like pharma, food, or electronics where traceability is critical.
🔹 Products
Manage all types of products, including variants (like sizes or colors), packaging options, and different units (like boxes, pieces, or kg). This helps standardize how products are handled across operations.
🔹 Inventory Valuation
Choose between FIFO, LIFO, or Average Cost (AVCO) methods for stock valuation. These link directly with your accounting module so your inventory value stays accurate in real-time.
🔹 Reporting
Generate detailed inventory reports that show stock levels, product movements, and demand forecasts. You can also build custom dashboards for your team to track key warehouse KPIs.
🔹 Integrations
Odoo integrates with Sales, Purchase, Manufacturing (MRP), and third-party shipping services like FedEx, DHL, and UPS. This makes your inventory a part of your complete business workflow.
Pro Strategies to Optimize Every Stage of Your Inventory Workflow with Odoo
- Create items systematically to maintain accurate master data from the start
- Automate purchase requisitions and orders to streamline procurement
- Digitize receipts and goods movement for real-time inventory updates
- Set up clear bin locations and mobile access to improve warehouse efficiency and productivity
- Integrate with financial tools (e.g., Tally) to sync invoices and payments seamlessly
- Monitor returns and issues carefully to maintain inventory accuracy
Stay ahead by ensuring every stage—from creation to final tally—is traceable, timely, and optimized.
Odoo Inventory Customization Options
Every business is different — and Odoo gets that. You can easily customize the system to fit your needs:
- Add Custom Fields to products or locations to track what matters to you.
- Modify Workflows using Odoo Studio — no coding required.
- Automate Email Alerts for low stock or critical inventory changes.
- Customize Dashboards for each role — managers see insights, operators see tasks.
📌 This level of flexibility is what sets Odoo apart from rigid inventory tools.
Migration to Odoo: What to Expect
Switching to Odoo from Excel or another ERP? Here’s what that journey looks like:
- What to Migrate: Product catalogs, suppliers, stock quantities, transaction history.
- How Long It Takes: Usually 1–4 weeks, depending on data size and customization.
How to Stay Accurate: Validate data before import and clean old records.
Best Practices to Make the Most of Odoo Inventory
- ✅ Use barcode scanning to avoid manual errors
- ✅ Always set min-max rules to keep reordering smooth
- ✅ Implement bin locations to stay organized in larger warehouses
- ✅ Enable mobile interface for real-time updates on the go
- ✅ Automate traceability using lot numbers and expiry dates
Avoid These Common Odoo Inventory Mistakes
🚨 Quick checklist of what not to skip:
- ❌ Not using serial/lot tracking
- ❌ Forgetting reordering rules
- ❌ Giving too much or too little user access
- ❌ Ignoring integration with sales or purchase modules
Odoo Inventory vs Other Tools
| Feature |
Odoo |
Zoho Inventory | QuickBooks |
TradeGecko |
| Multi-Warehouse |
✅ |
⚠️ | ❌ |
✅ |
| Barcode |
✅ |
✅ | ❌ |
✅ |
| Free Open Source |
✅ |
❌ | ❌ |
❌ |
No more manual errors. No more guesswork. No more stock surprises.
With Business Solution Services (BSS) — an official Odoo Partner — you can get expert help setting up, customizing, and managing your Odoo inventory system with ease.
Ready to streamline your inventory with Odoo?
✔️ We’re an official Odoo Partner
✔️ Book a FREE demo with BSS experts
✔️ Let us help you migrate and customize Odoo for your needs
👉 Schedule Your Free Consulting Session to see Odoo Inventory in action.
FAQ’s
1. What is Odoo Inventory and why should I use it?
Odoo Inventory is a real-time inventory management system that automates stock tracking, barcode scanning, and order flows. Integrated with sales, purchase, and accounting, it boosts accuracy and efficiency. It’s ideal for growing businesses needing scalable inventory software.
2. How do I set up the Odoo inventory module?
Install the Odoo Inventory app, configure your warehouse, add products, and integrate it with other modules like Sales and Purchase. You can follow the Odoo inventory tutorial or documentation for guidance, or get expert setup help from BSS Universal.
3. Can I manage multiple warehouses with Odoo?
Yes, the Odoo inventory module supports unlimited warehouses, whether in one city or across multiple regions. You can control routes, transfers, and stock levels with real-time inventory adjustments and accurate reporting tools.
4. Is Odoo Inventory good for small businesses?
Absolutely. Odoo offers affordable inventory management software that’s easy to use, scalable, and perfect for small businesses. No advanced tech skills are needed. The Odoo Inventory app is intuitive, budget-friendly, and customizable.
5. What are the best features of Odoo Inventory?
Key features include barcode scanning, real-time stock valuation, traceability, reordering rules, and inventory forecasting. It also provides customizable dashboards and detailed inventory reports — all in a seamless Odoo inventory management system.
6. Can I customize Odoo Inventory?
Yes! Odoo is flexible. You can customize workflows, add fields, schedule automated actions, and design dashboards. With BSS Universal, you can tailor your Odoo Inventory software without coding, optimizing your business processes.
7. What happens if I switch from Excel or another system to Odoo?
When migrating from Excel or legacy tools, BSS ensures smooth data import of products, vendors, and stock. We streamline the transition using Odoo inventory documentation and implementation best practices for accuracy and speed.
8. What kind of support can I get during Odoo implementation?
BSS Universal provides end-to-end Odoo inventory implementation—from module setup, configuration, and staff training to ongoing support. We also guide you through Odoo inventory API, customization, and post-launch optimization for better ROI.