Odoo Reordering Rules: Complete Guide to Automated Inventory Management 2026

How Odoo Reordering Rules Work

Reordering rules are simple conditions attached to products. Each rule defines a minimum stock level and a maximum stock level for a specific warehouse location. When the available quantity falls below the minimum, Odoo generates a purchase order or manufacturing order to bring stock back up to the maximum level.

The process follows three steps: the scheduler runs on a scheduled interval, checks all active reordering rules against current stock levels, and creates draft purchase orders for products that need replenishment. You review and confirm these orders before they are sent to suppliers.

• Minimum Quantity: The threshold below which reordering is triggered. Set this based on your lead time and average daily consumption.
• Maximum Quantity: The target stock level after replenishment. This determines the order quantity automatically.
• Order Quantity: An alternative approach where a fixed quantity is ordered each time, regardless of current stock level.
• Multiple Routes: Rules can trigger either purchase orders or manufacturing orders, depending on the product's configured route.

Step 1: Enable Reordering Rules

Reordering rules are available once the Inventory module is installed. However, you need to ensure the scheduler is configured to run automatically.

Verify Scheduler Configuration

Navigate to Inventory, then Configuration, then Settings. Under the Operations section, verify that "Reordering Rules" is enabled. This setting makes the reordering rule interface available on product forms.

The Odoo scheduler runs once per day by default through a scheduled action. You can verify this in Settings, then Technical, then Scheduled Actions. Look for "Run scheduler" in the list. The default schedule runs every day, which is sufficient for most operations.

Set Up Product Routes

Before creating reordering rules, ensure your products have the correct routes configured. Navigate to a product form, then the Inventory tab, then Routes. The route determines how replenishment works:

• Buy route: Triggers purchase orders when stock is low
• Manufacture route: Triggers manufacturing orders for made-to-stock products
• Resupply from Warehouse: Triggers internal transfers between locations for multi-warehouse setups

At least one route must be selected for the reordering rule to generate replenishment orders.

Step 2: Create Min-Max Reordering Rules

The min-max rule is the most common reordering strategy. It maintains stock between a minimum and maximum level, automatically ordering enough to reach the maximum when stock drops below the minimum.

Setting Up Your First Rule

Navigate to Inventory, then Configuration, then Reordering Rules. Click New to create a rule. Fill in the following fields:

• Product: Select the product this rule applies to. Each rule applies to one product at one location.
• Location: The warehouse location where stock is monitored. Usually WH/Stock for standard warehouses.
• Minimum Quantity: The stock level that triggers reordering. Calculate this as average daily demand multiplied by supplier lead time in days, plus a safety buffer.
• Maximum Quantity: The target stock level. Set this based on your storage capacity, budget constraints, and desired safety stock above the minimum.

Calculating Min-Max Values

Proper min-max calculation prevents both stockouts and overstocking. Use this formula:

Minimum = (Average Daily Demand x Supplier Lead Time) + Safety Stock

For example, if you sell 10 units per day, your supplier takes 5 days to deliver, and you want 3 days of safety stock: Minimum = (10 x 5) + (10 x 3) = 80 units.

Maximum = Minimum + Economic Order Quantity

The economic order quantity balances ordering costs against holding costs. A common approach is to set Maximum at 2 to 3 times the Minimum, adjusting based on storage constraints.

Multiple Rules Per Product

You can create separate reordering rules for the same product at different locations. For example, a retail store might have one rule for the main warehouse stock and another for the shop floor location. Each rule operates independently and generates replenishment orders for its specific location.

Step 3: Run the Scheduler and Review Orders

With rules configured, the scheduler checks them automatically. You can also trigger it manually to test your rules immediately.

Manual Scheduler Execution

Navigate to Inventory, then Operations, then Run Scheduler. Click the button to execute the scheduler immediately. The scheduler processes all active reordering rules and creates draft purchase or manufacturing orders for products below their minimum threshold.

After the scheduler runs, review the generated orders in Purchasing or Manufacturing. Each order will show the products that triggered reordering and the quantities calculated by the rules.

Reviewing and Confirming Orders

Draft purchase orders created by the scheduler need your confirmation before being sent to suppliers. Open each draft order, verify the quantities and delivery dates, and confirm the order. The system sends the order to your supplier based on the configured email settings.

You can also modify quantities before confirming. If you notice a product was ordered in excess, reduce the quantity. The reordering rule will trigger again during the next scheduler run if stock remains below minimum.

Step 4: Advanced Reordering Strategies

Once basic min-max rules are working, consider these advanced strategies for more complex inventory scenarios.

Multi-Warehouse Reordering

For businesses with multiple warehouses, configure reordering rules at each location independently. Set different minimum and maximum values based on each location's demand patterns and storage capacity.

Use the "Resupply" route to enable transfers between warehouses. When a satellite location runs low, the reordering rule can trigger an internal transfer from the main warehouse instead of an external purchase order.

Replenish on Order Strategy

For made-to-order or low-volume products, use the "Replenish on Order" approach instead of min-max. This strategy generates a purchase or manufacturing order each time a sales order is confirmed, ensuring you never order more than demanded.

Configure this by setting the product route to Buy or Manufacture without a min-max rule. When a sales order is confirmed, Odoo automatically creates the replenishment order linked to the original sale.

Seasonal Adjustments

Demand patterns change with seasons, promotions, and market conditions. Update your min-max values quarterly to reflect current demand. Products with growing sales need higher maximum values, while declining products need lower thresholds to avoid excess inventory.

Common Troubleshooting Issues

Rules Not Triggering

If reordering rules are not generating orders, check that the scheduler is running. Navigate to Settings, then Technical, then Scheduled Actions, and verify the "Run scheduler" action is active and scheduled. Also confirm that the product has at least one route selected.

Incorrect Order Quantities

If orders are too large or too small, review your minimum and maximum values. The order quantity equals Maximum minus current available quantity. Adjust these values based on actual demand patterns and supplier constraints.

Duplicate Orders

Duplicate orders can occur if the scheduler runs multiple times before orders are confirmed. Each run generates a new order for products still below minimum. To prevent this, confirm generated orders promptly or adjust the scheduler frequency.

Summary

FAQ

References

• Odoo Reordering Rules Documentation
• Odoo Reordering Rules in Inventory Module (Cybrosys)
• Odoo Routes Configuration Guide
• Odoo Product Configuration Guide
• Odoo Automated Purchase Orders