You have set a minimum and maximum stock level for an item, yet Odoo keeps giving an order recommendation — while the shelf is full. Frustrating, especially when purchasing dutifully follows the recommendation and yet another pallet arrives. The explanation almost always lies in the difference between what you see in the warehouse and what Odoo calculates.
How a reordering rule works
A reordering rule does not trigger on physical stock, but on virtual stock (forecast): stock − reservations + expected receipts. That distinction is crucial. Are there 100 units on the shelf, but 80 of them reserved for confirmed sales orders that have not been delivered yet? Then Odoo works with 20 — and an order recommendation at a minimum of 50 is perfectly logical.
The four most common causes
- Reservations in open orders: confirmed sales orders count negatively, even if the goods have not left the building yet. Check the Procurement Group settings and the rule's Compute on field.
- Duplicate rules: there are often several reordering rules on the same product, for example an old test rule alongside the real one. Open the product and check all active rules — two rules means two recommendations.
- Rule on the wrong location: a reordering rule applies per warehouse. If you have a rule on WH1 while the stock is in WH2, Odoo simply sees a shortage on WH1. A classic at companies with a main warehouse and a service van.
- Lead time: if the supplier needs two weeks, Odoo orders earlier so that there is enough in two weeks' time. The recommendation looks ahead, not at today.
Diagnosis: the Forecast report
No need to guess. On the product, click the Forecasted smart button. You will then see the expected stock per date, with every incoming and outgoing move that contributes to it. Find the day on which the line dips below your minimum — that is where the order or receipt causing the recommendation sits. Nine times out of ten it turns out to be a forgotten or cancelled order that was never properly closed.
Alternatief: Make-to-Order
For customer-specific products you do not want to keep in stock, a reordering rule is the wrong tool anyway. Use the Make-to-Order route instead: for each sales order, Odoo automatically creates a linked purchase order. No minimum, no maximum, no recommendations — just buying one-to-one what has been sold.
Finally: a practical tip
Once a quarter, go through the list of reordering rules via Inventory → Configuration → Reordering Rules and archive rules for discontinued products or old warehouse layouts. A tidy rule list prevents most phantom recommendations. Does the recommendation keep coming back unexplained? Contact DAADit Group — we'd be happy to dig into it with you.
Questions about your Odoo implementation? Start the free Business Scan.
Start the Business Scan →You have set a minimum and maximum stock level for an item, yet Odoo keeps producing an order recommendation — while the shelf is clearly full. Frustrating, especially when purchasing dutifully follows the advice and yet another pallet arrives. The explanation is almost always the difference between what you see in the warehouse and what Odoo calculates.
How a reordering rule works
A reordering rule does not trigger on physical stock but on virtual stock (forecast): stock − reservations + expected receipts. That distinction is crucial. Are there 100 units on the shelf, but 80 reserved for confirmed sales orders that have not been delivered yet? Then Odoo calculates with 20 — and with a minimum of 50, an order recommendation is entirely logical.
The four most common causes
- Reservations in open orders: confirmed sales orders count negatively, even if the goods have not left the building. Check the Procurement Group settings and the rule's Compute on field.
- Duplicate rules: there are often multiple reordering rules on the same product, for example an old test rule next to the real one. Open the product and check all active rules — two rules means two recommendations.
- Rule on the wrong location: a reordering rule applies per warehouse. If you have a rule on WH1 while the stock sits in WH2, Odoo simply sees a shortage on WH1. A classic at companies with a main warehouse plus a service van.
- Lead time: if the supplier needs two weeks, Odoo orders earlier so you have enough two weeks from now. The recommendation looks ahead, not at today.
Diagnosis: the Forecast report
No need to guess. On the product, click the Forecasted smart button. You will see the expected stock per date, with every incoming and outgoing movement that contributes to it. Find the day the line dips below your minimum — that is where the order or receipt causing the recommendation lives. Nine times out of ten it turns out to be a forgotten or cancelled order that was never properly closed.
Alternative: Make-to-Order
For customer-specific products you do not want to keep in stock, a reordering rule is the wrong tool anyway. Use the Make-to-Order route instead: for each sales order, Odoo automatically creates a linked purchase order. No minimum, no maximum, no recommendations — just buying one-to-one what has been sold.
Finally: a practical tip
Once a quarter, review your reordering rules under Inventory → Configuration → Reordering Rules and archive rules for discontinued products or old warehouse layouts. A tidy rule list prevents most ghost recommendations. Does the recommendation keep coming back without explanation? Contact DAADit Group — we are happy to dig into it with you.
Questions about your Odoo implementation? Take the free Business Scan.
Start the Business Scan →