[IMP] Inventory: Batch Picking 18

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/inventory/shipping_receiving/picking_methods/batch.rst

@@ -5,19 +5,19 @@ 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.
-
-When picking in batches, orders are grouped and consolidated into a picking list. After the picking,
-the batch is taken to an output location, where the products are sorted into their respective
-delivery packages.
-
-.. seealso::
-   :ref:`Use Barcode app for pickings <inventory/warehouses_storage/barcode_picking>`
+to navigate to the same location in a warehouse. When picking in batches, orders are grouped and
+consolidated into a picking list. After the picking, the batch is taken to an output location, where
+the products are sorted into their respective delivery packages.
 
 Since orders *must* be sorted at the output location after being picked, this picking method suits
 businesses with a few products that are ordered often. Storing high-demand items in easily
 accessible locations can increase the number of orders that are fulfilled efficiently.
 
+Batch picking is ideal for warehouses handling high order volumes with a stable demand, and for
+industries with large daily order volumes. This method increases efficiency by allowing workers to
+pick items for multiple orders in one trip through the warehouse, reducing travel time and boosting
+productivity.
+
 Configuration
 =============
 
@@ -26,37 +26,32 @@ Configuration --> Settings`. Under the :guilabel:`Operations` section, check the
 Transfers` box.
 
 .. image:: batch/batch-transfer-checkbox.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: Enable the *Batch Transfers* in Inventory > Configuration > Settings.
 
 Since batch picking is a method 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. When finished, click :guilabel:`Save`.
 
 .. image:: batch/locations-routes-checkbox.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: Enable *Storage Locations* and *Multi-Step Routes* Inventory > Configuration > Settings.
 
 Lastly, enable the warehouse picking feature, by navigating to the warehouse settings page, which is
 accessible from :menuselection:`Inventory app --> Configuration --> Warehouses`.
 
-From here, select the desired warehouse from the list. Then, from the radio options available for
-:guilabel:`Outgoing Shipments`, select either the :guilabel:`Send goods in output and then deliver
-(2 steps)` or :guilabel:`Pack goods, send goods in output and then deliver (3 steps)`.
-
 .. seealso::
    - :doc:`Delivery in two steps <../daily_operations/receipts_delivery_two_steps>`
    - :doc:`../daily_operations/delivery_three_steps`
 
-.. image:: batch/set-2-or-3-step-shipment.png
-   :align: center
-   :alt: Set up 2-step or 3-step outgoing shipments.
-
 Create batch transfers
 ======================
 
-Manually create batch transfers directly from the :menuselection:`Inventory app --> Operations -->
-Batch Transfers` page. Click the :guilabel:`New` button to begin creating a batch transfer.
+Manually create batch transfers directly from the :menuselection:`Inventory app`. On the
+:guilabel:`Receipts` Kanban card, click the :icon:`fa-ellipsis-v` :guilabel:`(vertical ellipsis)`
+icon, then select :guilabel:`Prepare Batch`. Click the :guilabel:`New` button to begin creating a
+batch transfer.
+
+.. image:: batch/prepare-batch.png
+   :alt: The Inventory dashboard with the Prepare Batch option highlighted.
 
 On the batch transfer form, fill the following fields out accordingly:
 
@@ -82,7 +77,6 @@ Once the transfer records are selected, click :guilabel:`Confirm` to confirm the
    :guilabel:`Operation Type`. The :guilabel:`Scheduled Date` is set to `August 11`.
 
    .. image:: batch/batch-transfer-form.png
-      :align: center
       :alt: View of *Batch Transfers* form.
 
    Clicking the :guilabel:`Add a line` button opens the :guilabel:`Add:Transfers` window,
@@ -94,7 +88,6 @@ Once the transfer records are selected, click :guilabel:`Confirm` to confirm the
    :guilabel:`Add:Transfers` window.
 
    .. image:: batch/add-transfers-window.png
-      :align: center
       :alt: Select multiple transfers from the *Add:Transfers* window.
 
 .. _inventory/warehouses_storage/add-batch-transfers:
@@ -107,16 +100,14 @@ a list. Navigate to the :menuselection:`Inventory app --> Operations` drop-down
 of the :guilabel:`Transfers` to open a filtered list of transfers.
 
 .. image:: batch/transfers-drop-down.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: Show all transfer types in a drop-down menu: Receipts, Deliveries, Internal Transfers,
          Manufacturings, Batch Transfers, Dropships.
 
 On the transfers list, select the checkbox to the left of the selected transfers to add in a batch.
-Next, navigate to the :guilabel:`Actions ⚙️ (gear)` button, and click :guilabel:`Add to batch` from
-the resulting drop-down menu.
+Next, navigate to the :icon:`fa-cog` :guilabel:`Actions` button, and click :guilabel:`Add to batch`
+from the resulting drop-down menu.
 
 .. image:: batch/add-to-batch.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
@@ -125,14 +116,46 @@ Doing so opens an :guilabel:`Add to batch` pop-up window, wherein the employee
 Choose from the two radio options to add to :guilabel:`an existing batch transfer` or create
 :guilabel:`a new batch transfer`.
 
+Add a :guilabel:`Description` for this batch.
+
+.. tip::
+   The :guilabel:`Description` field can be used to add additional information to help workers
+   identify the source of the batch, where to place the batch, what shipping containers to use, etc.
+
 To begin with a draft, select the :guilabel:`Draft` checkbox.
 
 Conclude the process by clicking :guilabel:`Confirm`.
 
 .. image:: batch/add-to-batch-window.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: Show *Add to batch* window to create a batch transfer.
 
+Automatic batches
+-----------------
+
+Batches can be automatically created and assigned based on several criteria. The *Automatic Batches*
+option is defined on the *operation type* level, which enables the creation of batches with distinct
+grouping criteria for each operation type.
+
+.. example::
+   In a multi-steps delivery process, the picking operation can be grouped by customer, while the
+   shipping operation can be organized by carrier and destination country.
+
+To enable *Automatic Batches*, navigate to :menuselection:`Inventory app -->Configuration -->
+Operation Types`, and select the desired operation type (e.g. Delivery, Pick, etc). Then, select one
+or more :guilabel:`Batch Grouping` criteria by ticking the appropriate checkbox. Even if more than
+one grouping option is selected, only one batch is created.
+
+Batches can be automatically generated based on the following criteria:
+
+- :guilabel:`Contact`
+- :guilabel:`Carrier`
+- :guilabel:`Destination Country`
+- :guilabel:`Source Location`
+- :guilabel:`Destination Location`
+
+.. image:: batch/auto-batch-grouping.png
+   :alt: Add alt text.
+
 Process batch transfer
 ======================
 
@@ -157,7 +180,6 @@ Finally, select :guilabel:`Validate` to complete the picking.
    However, `0.00` quantities have been picked for the other product, `Cable Management Box`.
 
    .. image:: batch/process-batch-transfer.png
-      :align: center
       :alt: Show batch transfer of products from two pickings in the *Detailed Operations* tab.
 
 Only in-stock products are visible in the :guilabel:`Detailed Operations` tab.
@@ -170,12 +192,11 @@ the products that have been picked, and are ready for the next step.
 .. example::
    The product, `Desk Pad`, from the same batch as the :ref:`example above
    <inventory/management/batch-transfers-example>`, is only visible in the :guilabel:`Operations`
-   tab because there are no :guilabel:`Reserved` quantities in-stock to fulfill the batch picking.
+   tab because there are no :guilabel:`Reserved` quantities in-stock to fulfill the batch transfer.
 
    Click the :guilabel:`Check Availability` button to search the stock again for available products.
 
    .. image:: batch/operations-tab.png
-      :align: center
       :alt: Show unavailable reserved quantities in the *Operations* tab.
 
 Create backorder
@@ -186,21 +207,23 @@ On the batch transfer form, if the :guilabel:`Done` quantity of the product is *
 
 This pop-up window provides the option: :guilabel:`Create Backorder?`.
 
-Clicking the :guilabel:`Create Backorder` button automatically creates a new batch transfer,
-containing the remaining products.
+Clicking the :guilabel:`Create Backorder` button automatically creates a new batch transfer.
+
+.. note::
+   When creating a new backorder, the transfers that have **not** been validated in the batch will
+   be removed from it.
 
 Click :guilabel:`No Backorder` to finish the picking *without* creating another batch picking.
 
 Click :guilabel:`Discard` to cancel the validation, and return to the batch transfer form.
 
 .. image:: batch/create-backorder.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: Show the *Create Backorder* pop-up.
 
 .. _inventory/warehouses_storage/barcode_picking:
 
 Process batch transfer: Barcode app
-===================================
+-----------------------------------
 
 Created batch transfers are also listed in the :menuselection:`Barcode` app, accessible by selecting
 the :guilabel:`Batch Transfers` button.
@@ -209,13 +232,12 @@ By default, confirmed batch pickings appear on the :guilabel:`Batch Transfers` p
 click on the desired batch transfer to open the detailed list of products for the picking.
 
 .. image:: batch/barcode-batch-transfers.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: Show list of to-do batch transfers in *Barcode* app.
 
 For the chosen batch transfer, follow the instructions at the top of the page in the black
 background. Begin by scanning the product's barcode to record a single product for picking. To
-record multiple quantities, click the :guilabel:`✏️ (pencil)` icon, and enter the required
-quantities for the picking.
+record multiple quantities, click the :icon:`fa-pencil` :guilabel:`(pencil)` icon, and enter the
+required quantities for the picking.
 
 .. note::
    Products from the same order are labeled with the same color on the left. Completed pickings are
@@ -231,7 +253,6 @@ quantities for the picking.
    unique serial number for :ref:`product tracking <inventory/product_management/enable-lots>`.
 
    .. image:: batch/barcode-products.png
-      :align: center
       :alt: Display products to be picked in barcode view.
 
 Once all the products have been picked, click on :guilabel:`Validate` to mark the batch transfer as