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The stock_request_kanban module implements a lean kanban system for stock requests, allowing companies to manage consumable products and items without traditional reordering rules through scannable kanban cards.

Overview

Module Name: stock_request_kanban
Version: 18.0.1.0.1
License: LGPL-3
Dependencies: stock_request, barcodes
Author: Creu Blanca, ForgeFlow, OCA
Maintainers: @etobella, @LoisRForgeFlow
This module enables companies to use stock requests as reordering rules for products that cannot be stored traditionally or don’t have consumption tracking, following the lean kanban methodology.

Key Features

Kanban Card Management

  • Create printable kanban cards with QR/barcode
  • Configure kanban parameters per product and location
  • Print cards with product and location information
  • Scan cards to create stock requests instantly

Barcode Integration

  • QR code generation with configurable format
  • Barcode scanning for quick request creation
  • CRC check digit support (optional)
  • Configurable barcode format via system parameters

Request Creation Methods

Scan individual kanban cards as products are consumed to immediately create stock requests.Use Case: Immediate replenishment when product runs out.Workflow:
  1. Product consumed, take kanban card
  2. Go to Stock Requests > Order Kanban Card
  3. Scan the card
  4. Stock request created automatically
Collect multiple kanban cards throughout a period and process them together in a stock request order.Use Case: Scheduled replenishment runs (daily, weekly).Workflow:
  1. Collect consumed kanban cards in collection box
  2. Create a stock request order
  3. Click Scan button in order
  4. Scan all collected cards
  5. Request order with all items created

Inventory Kanban

  • Scan kanban cards during inventory
  • Track kanban-managed products separately
  • Reconcile physical kanban cards with system

Installation

1

Install Dependencies

Ensure stock_request and barcodes modules are installed.
2

Install Module

Navigate to Apps, search for “Stock Request kanban”, and click Install.
3

Configure Barcode Settings

Set system parameters for barcode format if needed (see Configuration section).

Configuration

Product Configuration

1

Navigate to Product

Go to Inventory > Products > Products and select a product.
2

Enable Kanban

In the Inventory tab, configure kanban settings:
  • Check Use Kanban for Stock Requests
  • Set default kanban quantity
  • Configure kanban locations
3

Create Kanban Cards

Use the Create Kanban Card button to generate cards for specific locations.

Barcode Configuration

CRC Check Digit

If your barcodes don’t include a CRC check digit:
1

Enable Developer Mode

Go to Settings > Activate Developer Mode.
2

Create System Parameter

Navigate to Settings > Technical > Parameters > System Parameters.
3

Add CRC Parameter

Create parameter:
  • Key: stock_request_kanban.crc
  • Value: 0

Ignore CRC Check Digit

If your barcodes have CRC but you want to ignore it:
  • Key: stock_request_kanban.ignore_crc
  • Value: 1

Custom Barcode Format

To customize the barcode format:
  • Key: stock_request_kanban.barcode_format
  • Value: Your custom format string
The default barcode format encodes the kanban card ID in a scannable format suitable for quick processing.

Usage

Creating Kanban Cards

1

Navigate to Kanban Cards

Go to Stock Requests > Stock Requests Kanban.
2

Create New Card

Click Create and fill in:
  • Product: Select the product
  • Quantity: Reorder quantity
  • Location: Destination location
  • Warehouse: Source warehouse
3

Save and Print

Click Save, then Print to generate the kanban card with barcode.
4

Attach to Storage

Place the printed card with the product storage location.

Ordering Single Kanban Card

1

Take Card

When product is consumed, take the kanban card.
2

Scan Card

Go to Stock Requests > Order Kanban Card and scan the barcode.
3

Request Created

Stock request is automatically created with card parameters.
4

Return Card

After replenishment, return the card to storage location.

Batch Ordering Kanban Cards

1

Collect Cards

Throughout the period, collect consumed kanban cards in a designated box.
2

Create Request Order

Go to Stock Requests > Stock Request Orders and click Create.
3

Scan Mode

Click the Scan button to enter scanning mode.
4

Scan All Cards

Scan each collected kanban card. Request lines are added automatically.
5

Confirm Order

Review the order and click Confirm to process all requests.

Inventory Kanban

Take inventory of kanban-managed products:
1

Navigate to Inventory Kanban

Go to Stock Requests > Inventory Kanban.
2

Create Inventory

Click Create and select location.
3

Scan Cards

Use scanner to scan all kanban cards in the location.
4

Reconcile

System compares scanned cards with expected kanban cards.

Data Models

Stock Request Kanban (stock.request.kanban)

name: Char                    # Kanban card reference
product_id: Many2one          # Product on card
product_qty: Float            # Reorder quantity
location_id: Many2one         # Destination location
warehouse_id: Many2one        # Source warehouse
barcode: Char                 # Generated barcode
state: Selection              # Active, archived
request_ids: One2many         # Created requests

Stock Request Order (Extended)

Adds scanning capability:
kanban_scan_mode: Boolean     # Scanning active
scanned_kanban_ids: Many2many # Scanned cards in session

Wizards

Order Kanban Card Wizard

Model: wizard.stock.request.kanban
Purpose: Scan single kanban card to create request
barcode: Char                 # Scanned barcode
# Creates stock.request on validation

Order Kanban Card (Order) Wizard

Model: wizard.stock.request.order.kanban
Purpose: Scan multiple cards into request order
order_id: Many2one            # Target order
barcode: Char                 # Current scan
scan_mode: Boolean            # Scanner active
# Adds lines to order for each scan

Inventory Kanban Wizard

Model: wizard.stock.inventory.kanban
Purpose: Inventory reconciliation via scanning
location_id: Many2one         # Location to inventory
scanned_barcodes: Text        # All scanned codes
# Compares with expected kanban cards

Reports

Kanban Card Report

Template: stock_request_kanban_templates.xml Printable kanban card includes:
  • Product name and code
  • Kanban quantity
  • Destination location
  • Source warehouse
  • QR/Barcode for scanning
  • Kanban card reference number
Paper Format: Custom format defined in report_paper_format.xml
Kanban cards should be printed on durable material and laminated for longevity in warehouse environments.

Best Practices

Card Design

Visibility: Ensure printed cards are large enough to read product information without scanning.
Durability: Use waterproof/tear-resistant material for cards in industrial settings.
Color Coding: Consider using colored paper to categorize products (e.g., red for critical items).

Implementation Strategy

1

Start Small

Pilot kanban system with a few high-consumption products first.
2

Train Users

Ensure warehouse staff understand the kanban concept and scanning process.
3

Set Correct Quantities

Calculate kanban quantities based on consumption rate and lead time.
4

Monitor and Adjust

Review kanban performance and adjust quantities as needed.

Quantity Calculation

Determine optimal kanban quantity:
Kanban Quantity = (Daily Consumption × Lead Time) + Safety Stock
Example:
  • Daily consumption: 50 units
  • Replenishment lead time: 2 days
  • Safety stock: 20%
  • Kanban quantity: (50 × 2) × 1.2 = 120 units

Use Cases

Consumable Products

Scenario: Office supplies, cleaning materials, shop floor consumables Challenge: No consumption moves recorded, can’t use reordering rules Solution: Kanban cards provide visual trigger for replenishment

MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Operations)

Scenario: Spare parts, fasteners, maintenance supplies Challenge: Irregular consumption, difficult to forecast Solution: Pull-based system ensures availability without overstocking

Production Components

Scenario: Components consumed directly at workstations Challenge: Tracking consumption is impractical Solution: Kanban signals when to replenish workstation inventory

Technical Details

Barcode Format

Default barcode encoding:
# Kanban ID encoded in barcode
barcode = "KAN{:010d}".format(kanban_id)
# Example: KAN0000000123
With CRC check digit:
# CRC-8 check digit appended
barcode_with_crc = barcode + calculate_crc(barcode)

Views and Menus

Stock Requests
├── Stock Requests Kanban
│   ├── Kanban Cards (List)
│   ├── Order Kanban Card (Wizard)
│   └── Order Kanban Batch (via Order)
├── Stock Request Orders
│   └── (Scan button available)
└── Inventory Kanban

Security

Defined in security/ir.model.access.csv:
  • Stock Request User: Can create and scan kanban cards
  • Stock Request Manager: Full kanban management access

Troubleshooting

Barcode Not Scanning

Problem: Scanner doesn’t recognize kanban barcode.
Solution:
  • Check system parameters for CRC settings
  • Verify barcode format matches scanner configuration
  • Test with manual barcode entry

Wrong Product Requested

Problem: Scanning card creates request for wrong product.
Solution:
  • Verify kanban card data in system
  • Check if card reference matches scanned code
  • Ensure barcode printed correctly

Duplicate Requests

Problem: Scanning same card multiple times.
Solution:
  • Implement card collection process
  • Train users to scan each card only once
  • Use batch ordering to review before confirmation

Integration with Other Modules

Stock Request Purchase

Kanban requests can trigger automatic purchase orders

Stock Request MRP

Kanban cards can initiate manufacturing orders
Kanban module works seamlessly with procurement integration modules to automatically fulfill requests based on routing rules.

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