[IMP] Inventory: wave transfers 18

Co-authored-by: hojo-odoo <[email protected]>

Co-authored-by: Sam Lieber (sali) <[email protected]>

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

@@ -1,68 +1,137 @@
-======================
-Process wave transfers
-======================
+==============
+Wave transfers
+==============
 
-While a batch transfer is a group of several pickings, a **wave transfer** only contains some parts
-of different pickings. Both methods are used to pick orders in a warehouse, and depending on the
-situation, one method may be a better fit than the other.
+.. |SO| replace:: :abbr:`SO (sales order)`
 
-To handle orders of a specific product category, or fetch products that are at the same location,
-wave transfers are the ideal method.
+While a batch transfer is a group of several pickings, a **wave transfer** contains certain parts
+of different pickings. In Odoo, wave transfers are batch transfers with an extra step: transfers are
+split before being grouped in a batch.
 
-In Odoo, wave transfers are actually batch transfers with an extra step: transfers are split before
-being grouped in a batch.
+Wave picking is ideal for warehouses that need to optimize the handling of high order volumes while
+managing complex picking criteria. With wave transfers, orders are grouped into waves based on
+factors like product location, category, or scheduled shipping times. Each wave is assigned to a
+different employee for the most efficient execution.
+
+Wave picking is particularly useful for operations where multiple sales orders (SOs), or a single
+order, must be picked across different waves. This approach enables flexible scheduling, allowing
+warehouses to align picking activities with shipping deadlines, or resource availability.
+
+.. example::
+   #. |SO| 1 calls for one apple and one orange
+   #. |SO| 2 calls for one apple and one banana
+   #. |SO| 3 calls for one apple, one orange, and two bananas
+
+   Apples are stored in Shelf A, oranges in Shelf B, and bananas in Shelf C. A warehouse employee is
+   assigned to the wave, and is provided with the following instructions:
+
+   - Shelf A: Pick three apples. Place them into a central cart designated for the wave.
+   - Shelf B: Pick two oranges. Add them to the same cart.
+   - Shelf C: Pick three bananas. Add them to the cart.
+
+   The employee then takes the cart to the sorting/packing station. Items are then sorted and packed
+   into individual orders.
 
 Configuration
 =============
 
-Before a wave transfer can be created, the :guilabel:`Batch Transfers` and :guilabel:`Wave
-Transfers` options must be activated.
-
-First, go to :menuselection:`Inventory --> Configuration --> Settings`. In the
-:guilabel:`Operations` section, enable :guilabel:`Batch Transfers` and :guilabel:`Wave Transfers`.
-Then, click :guilabel:`Save` to apply the settings.
+To enable wave picking, begin by navigating to :menuselection:`Inventory --> Configuration -->
+Settings`. In the :guilabel:`Operations` section, tick the :guilabel:`Batch, Wave & Cluster
+Transfers` checkbox to enable the setting.
 
 .. image:: wave/wave-transfers-setting.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: View of Odoo Inventory app settings to enable the wave transfers option.
 
-Add products to a wave
-======================
+Next, the :guilabel:`Storage Locations` and :guilabel:`Multi-Step Routes` options, under the
+:guilabel:`Warehouse` heading, must also be checked on this settings page.
 
-Now that the settings are activated, start a wave transfer by adding products to a wave.
+*Storage locations* allow products to be stored in specific locations they can be picked from, while
+*multi-step routes* enable the picking operation itself.
+
+Then, click :guilabel:`Save` to save the changes.
+
+Create a wave
+=============
 
 Wave transfers can only contain product lines from transfers of the same operation type. To view
-all the transfers and product lines in a specific operation, first go to the :guilabel:`Inventory`
-dashboard and locate the desired operation type's card. Then, open the options menu (the three dots
-icon in the corner of the operation type's card) and click :guilabel:`Operations`.
+all the transfers and product lines in a specific operation, navigate to the
+:menuselection:`Inventory app`. Find the desired Kanban card, then click the :icon:`fa-ellipsis-v`
+:guilabel:`(vertical ellipsis)` icon to open the options menu. Under :guilabel:`New`, click
+:guilabel:`Prepare Wave`.
 
 .. image:: wave/list-of-operations.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: How to get an operation type's list of operations.
 
-On the operations page, select the product lines you want to add in a new or existing wave. Then,
-click :guilabel:`Add to Wave`.
+Create a new wave
+-----------------
+
+On the :guilabel:`Prepare Wave` pop-up, stock moves lines are grouped by source location. Select the
+checkboxes for the product lines that should be added. Then, click :guilabel:`Add to Wave`.
 
 .. image:: wave/select-lines.png
-   :align: center
    :alt: Select lines to add to the wave.
 
 .. tip::
    Use the :guilabel:`Filters` in the search bar to group lines with the same product, location,
-   carrier, etc...
+   carrier, etc.
 
-After that, a pop-up box appears.
+Add products to an existing wave
+--------------------------------
 
-To add the selected lines to an existing wave transfer, select the :guilabel:`an existing wave
-transfer` option and select the existing wave transfer from the drop-down menu.
+To add products to an existing wave, navigate to :menuselection:`Inventory --> Operations --> Wave
+Transfers`. Click on the appropriate wave from the list to open it.
 
-To create a new wave transfer, select the :guilabel:`a new wave transfer` option. If creating a new
-wave transfer, an employee can also be set in the optional :guilabel:`Responsible` field. Once the
-desired options are selected, click :guilabel:`Confirm` to add the product lines to a wave.
+Under the :guilabel:`Detailed Operations` tab, click :guilabel:`Add a line`. Then, in the
+:guilabel:`Product` field, search for the desired product.
 
-View wave transfers
-===================
+Process a wave
+==============
 
 To view all wave transfers and their statuses, go to :menuselection:`Inventory --> Operations -->
-Wave Transfers`. Wave transfers can also be viewed in the :guilabel:`Barcode` app by going to
-:menuselection:`Barcode --> Batch Transfers`.
+Wave Transfers`. Click on the appropriate wave from the list to open it.
+
+To assign the wave to a specific employee, click the :guilabel:`Responsible` field and select the
+appropriate name from the drop-down list.
+
+To designate a :ref:`Dock location <inventory/shipping_receiving/docks>`, select an option from the
+drop-down menu in the :guilabel:`Docks Location` field.
+
+.. note::
+   The :doc:`dispatch management system <../../shipping_receiving/setup_configuration/dispatch>`
+   feature in Odoo is used to plan and build shipments. Assigning batches to loading docks ensures
+   the right products are pack into the appropriate trucks for delivery.
+
+Select a :guilabel:`Vehicle` from the drop-down. Making a selection in this field automatically
+updates the :guilabel:`Vehicle Category` field.
+
+Enter a :guilabel:`Description` for this wave, if desired.
+
+.. note::
+   The :guilabel:`Description` field is automatically generated for :ref:`automatic waves
+   <inventory/shipping_receiving/auto-waves>`.
+
+.. _inventory/shipping_receiving/auto-waves:
+
+Automatic waves
+===============
+
+Waves can be automatically created and assigned based on different criteria. The *Automatic Batches*
+option is defined on the *operation type* level, which enables the creation of waves with distinct
+grouping criteria for each operation type.
+
+To enable *Automatic Batches*, navigate to :menuselection:`Inventory app --> Configuration -->
+Operation Types`, and select the desired operation type (e.g. :guilabel:`Delivery`,
+:guilabel:`Pick`, etc). Under the :guilabel:`Batch & Wave Transfers` heading, tick the
+:guilabel:`Automatic Batches` checkbox.
+
+Then, select one or more :guilabel:`Wave Grouping` criteria by ticking the appropriate checkbox.
+Even if more than one grouping option is selected, only one wave is created.
+
+Automatic waves can be created based on the following criteria:
+
+- :guilabel:`Product`: Split transfers by product, then group transfers that have the same product.
+- :guilabel:`Product Category`: Split transfers by product category, then group transfers that have
+  the same product category.
+
+.. image:: wave/auto-wave-grouping.png
+   :alt: The Automatic batches feature with the wave grouping option for product category selected.