[ADD] inventory: cluster picking

closes odoo/documentation#5732

Signed-off-by: Zachary Straub (zst) <zst@odoo.com>
Co-authored-by: hojo-odoo <123424465+hojo-odoo@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: ksc-odoo <73958186+ksc-odoo@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: meng-odoo <101904966+meng-odoo@users.noreply.github.com>

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/barcode/setup/software.rst

@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@ directly at creation on the product form.
          the template product. Otherwise, you won’t be able to differentiate
          them.
 
+.. _barcode/setup/location:
+
 Set Locations Barcodes
 ======================
 

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/management/misc.rst

@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ Miscellaneous Operations
    misc/owned_stock
    misc/batch_transfers
    misc/wave_transfers
+   misc/cluster_picking

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/management/misc/batch_transfers.rst

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 Batch picking
 =============
 
+.. _inventory/misc/batch_picking:
+
 *Batch picking* enables a single picker to handle multiple orders at once, reducing the time needed
 to navigate to the same location in a warehouse.
 

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/management/misc/cluster_picking.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+===============
+Cluster picking
+===============
+
+.. _inventory/misc/cluster_picking:
+
+.. |SO| replace:: :abbr:`SO (Sales Order)`
+.. |SOS| replace:: :abbr:`SOs (Sales Orders)`
+
+Cluster picking is an advanced order fulfillment approach derived from :ref:`batch picking
+<inventory/misc/batch_picking>`.
+
+In this strategy, pickers load a cart with multiple packages, each designated for a specific *sales
+order* (SO). Then, the picker travels to each storage location, and places the products directly in
+the package of the associated order.
+
+This method is most efficient for medium-sized companies, with high order volumes, and relatively
+few unique products, since the method eliminates the need for sorting products into packages for
+customers after picking.
+
+However, cluster picking does have some disadvantages. For instance, urgent orders cannot be
+prioritized, and optimized batches must be manually created beforehand. As a result, the picking
+process can lead to bottlenecks.
+
+.. _inventory/misc/cluster_picking/example:
+
+.. example::
+   #. |SO| 1 calls for one apple and orange
+   #. |SO| 2 calls for one apple and banana
+   #. |SO| 3 calls for one apple, orange, and banana
+
+   Apples are stored in Shelf A, oranges in Shelf B, and bananas in Shelf C.
+
+   To pick products for three orders at once, the cart is loaded with three empty packages.
+
+   Starting at Shelf A, the picker places apples into each package. Next, the picker navigates to
+   Shelf B, and places oranges in the packages designated for |SO| 1 and |SO| 3. Finally, the picker
+   pushes the cart to Shelf C, and loads packages for |SO| 2 and |SO| 3 with a banana, each.
+
+   With the packages for all three |SOS| packed, the picker pushes the cart to the output location,
+   where the packages are sealed and prepared for shipment.
+
+   .. image:: cluster_picking/cluster-example.png
+      :align: center
+      :alt: Show example of fulfilling sales orders 2 and 3 at once.
+
+Configuration
+=============
+
+To enable cluster picking, begin by navigating to :menuselection:`Inventory app --> Configuration
+--> Settings`. Under the :guilabel:`Operations` heading, activate the :guilabel:`Packages` and
+:guilabel:`Batch Transfers` options.
+
+.. image:: cluster_picking/configs.png
+   :align: center
+   :alt: Activate *Packages* and *Batch Transfers* features in the settings.
+
+Since batch picking is used to optimize the *pick* operation in Odoo, the :guilabel:`Storage
+Locations` and :guilabel:`Multi-Step Routes` options, under the :guilabel:`Warehouse` heading, must
+also be checked on this settings page.
+
+*Storage locations* allow products to be stored in specific locations they can be picked from, while
+*multi-step routes* enable the picking operation itself.
+
+When finished, click :guilabel:`Save`.
+
+.. image:: cluster_picking/locations-routes-checkbox.png
+   :align: center
+   :alt: Enable *Storage Locations* and *Multi-Step Routes* Inventory > Configuration > Settings.
+
+.. _inventory/misc/create-package:
+
+Packages setup
+--------------
+
+After the :guilabel:`Packages` feature is enabled, navigate to :menuselection:`Inventory app -->
+Products --> Packages`, and click the :guilabel:`New` button to create a new package.
+
+On the new package form, the :guilabel:`Package Reference` is pre-filled with the next available
+`PACK` number in the system. :guilabel:`Pack Date` is automatically set to the creation date of the
+form.
+
+For the :guilabel:`Package Use` field, the :guilabel:`Disposable Box` option should be selected if
+the package is used for a shipping. Alternatively, the :guilabel:`Reusable Box` option should be
+selected if the package is simply used as a method of grouping products from the same |SO| together
+before they are moved to the intended shipping box at the output location.
+
+.. seealso::
+   :ref:`Packages <inventory/management/packages>`
+
+.. example::
+   A package intended for cluster picking is named `CLUSTER-PACK-3` for easy identification. For
+   this workflow, the products are directly packed using their intended shipping boxes, so
+   :guilabel:`Package Use` is set to :guilabel:`Disposable Box`.
+
+   .. image:: cluster_picking/cluster-package.png
+      :align: center
+      :alt: Create new package form.
+
+Create cluster batch
+====================
+
+To see how cluster picking works in Odoo, navigate to the :menuselection:`Sales` app, and create
+|SOS| that will be fulfilled together in the same batch. After confirming an |SO|, the
+:guilabel:`Delivery` smart button becomes visible. Displayed inside the icon is a number
+representing the amount of steps in the outgoing shipment process.
+
+.. example::
+   Begin by creating three |SOS| for the apples, oranges, and bananas, as shown in the :ref:`example
+   above <inventory/misc/cluster_picking/example>`.
+
+   After confirming the |SO|, the :guilabel:`Delivery` smart button displays the number `2`,
+   indicating there are two operations to complete: `Pick` and `Delivery`.
+
+   .. image:: cluster_picking/create-sales-order.png
+      :align: center
+      :alt: Example sales order for an apple, orange, and banana.
+
+With the |SOS| created, orders now must be grouped into batches. To do so, navigate to the
+*Inventory* dashboard and select the operation type card, :guilabel:`Delivery Orders` or
+:guilabel:`Pick` (whichever is the first operation in the delivery flow).
+
+Doing so displays a filtered list of outgoing operations with the :guilabel:`Ready` status,
+indicating that all the products in the |SO| are in stock.
+
+.. note::
+   Cluster pick batches can be created for outgoing shipments in one, two, or three steps.
+
+.. seealso::
+   - :ref:`Delivery in one step <inventory/receipts_delivery_one_step>`
+   - :ref:`Delivery in two steps <inventory/receipts_delivery_two_steps>`
+   - :ref:`Delivery in three steps <inventory/delivery_three_steps>`
+
+Click the checkbox to the left of the corresponding outgoing operation to add them to the batch.
+With the desired pickings selected, click the :guilabel:`⚙️ Actions (gear)` button, and select the
+:guilabel:`Add to batch` option from the resulting drop-down menu.
+
+.. example::
+   To create a cluster batch, as shown in the :ref:`example above
+   <inventory/misc/cluster_picking/example>`, in a warehouse configured with two-step outgoing
+   shipments, the following pick operations are selected:
+
+   - `WH/PICK/00007`: linked to |SO| 88 for one apple and orange.
+   - `WH/PICK/00008`: linked to |SO| 89 for one apple and banana.
+   - `WH/PICK/00009`: linked to |SO| 90 for one apple, orange, and banana.
+
+   .. image:: cluster_picking/select-picks.png
+      :align: center
+      :alt: Use *Add to batch* button, from the *Action* button's list.
+
+Doing so opens an :guilabel:`Add to batch` pop-up window, wherein the employee
+:guilabel:`Responsible` for the picking can be assigned.
+
+Choose from the two options in the :guilabel:`Add to` field to either: add to :guilabel:`an existing
+batch transfer`, or create :guilabel:`a new batch transfer`.
+
+To create draft batch pickings to be confirmed at a later date, select the :guilabel:`Draft`
+checkbox.
+
+Conclude the process by clicking :guilabel:`Confirm`.
+
+.. image:: cluster_picking/add-to-batch-window.png
+   :align: center
+   :alt: Show *Add to batch* window to create a batch transfer.
+
+Process batches
+===============
+
+To process batches, navigate to :menuselection:`Inventory app --> Operations --> Batch Transfers`.
+Click on a batch to select it.
+
+In the :guilabel:`Detailed Operations` tab, products that are to be picked are grouped by location.
+
+Under the :guilabel:`Source Package` or :guilabel:`Destination Package` field, enter the package
+used for the picking.
+
+.. note::
+   Use the :guilabel:`Source Package` field when the picking package is configured as *reusable* on
+   the :ref:`package form <inventory/misc/create-package>`. This means the products are temporarily
+   placed in a container during picking, before getting transferred to their final shipping box.
+
+   Alternatively, use the :guilabel:`Destination Package` field when the product is directly placed
+   in its *disposable* shipping box during picking.
+
+.. example::
+   Process the cluster batch for the three orders of apples, oranges, and bananas :ref:`example
+   <inventory/misc/cluster_picking/example>` by assigning each picking to a dedicated package.
+
+   At the storage location for apples, `WH/Stock/Shelf A`, assign the apples in all three pickings
+   to one of the three disposable packages, `CLUSTER-PACK-1`, `CLUSTER-PACK-2`, or `CLUSTER-PACK-3`.
+
+   Record this in Odoo using the :guilabel:`Destination Package` field in the :guilabel:`Detailed
+   Operations` tab.
+
+   .. image:: cluster_picking/cluster-batch-example.png
+      :align: center
+      :alt: Example of processing cluster pickings in *Inventory*.
+
+In Barcode
+----------
+
+To process cluster pickings directly from the *Barcode* app, select the :guilabel:`Batch Transfers`
+button from the *Barcode* dashboard. Then, select the desired batch.
+
+On the batch transfer screen, the products in the picking are grouped by location, and each line is
+color-coded to associate products in the same picking together.
+
+Then, follow the prompt to :guilabel:`Scan the source location` barcode for the storage location of
+the first product. Then, scan the barcode for the product and package to process the transfer.
+
+Repeat this for all products, and click the :guilabel:`Validate` button.
+
+.. note::
+   To find the package barcode, navigate to :menuselection:`Inventory app --> Products -->
+   Packages`, select the desired package, click the :guilabel:`⚙️ (gear)` icon at the top of the
+   package form, and select the :guilabel:`Print` option.
+
+   Next, select one of the three print options to generate the package barcode from the
+   :guilabel:`Package Reference` field.
+
+   .. image:: cluster_picking/find-package-barcode.png
+      :align: center
+      :alt: Display where the package barcode can be generated.
+
+.. example::
+   Begin processing the cluster picking by going to the first storage location, `Shelf A`, and
+   scanning the :ref:`location barcode <barcode/setup/location>`. Doing so highlights all the
+   pickings that need products from this particular location.
+
+   Scan the barcode for the apple, which highlights the picking (labeled in red) for the product
+   `Apple`, for the picking, `WH/PICK/00007`.
+
+   Then, scan the `CLUSTER-PACK-1` package barcode, and place the product in the designated package.
+
+   .. image:: cluster_picking/batch-barcode.png
+      :align: center
+      :alt: Example of cluster batch from the *Barcode* app.
+
+.. tip::
+   After creating a batch transfer and assigning a package to a picking, Odoo suggests the specified
+   package by displaying the name *in italics* under the product name, ensuring pickers place
+   products into the correct boxes.
+

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/management/products/usage.rst

@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@ the :guilabel:`Unit of Measure`. Then, when the product is received by clicking
 .. seealso::
    :ref:`Use Different Units of Measure <inventory/management/products/units_of_measure>`
 
+.. _inventory/management/packages:
+
 Packages
 ========