Odoo 18: Optimizing Transfers with Quality Control

In high-stakes industries like aerospace or medical manufacturing, "shipping it and fixing it later" isn't an option. A single defective part can cause catastrophic failure. Odoo 18's Quality Control module integrates directly with your picking and packing operations, ensuring that no stock leaves (or enters) your warehouse without passing a rigorous inspection.

In this guide, we'll implement a Zero-Defect shipping policy for Hyperion Aerospace, a manufacturer of drone components. We'll set up automated quality checkpoints for their high-precision "Carbon Fiber Rotors" to guarantee 100% compliance before delivery.

Step 1: Define the Quality Control Point

The "Control Point" is the rule that triggers the check. We want to check our rotors for micro-cracks before they go to the customer.

1. Navigate to Quality > Quality Control > Control Points.
2. Click New.
3. Title: Rotor Micro-Crack Inspection.
4. Product: Carbon Fiber Rotor (Product Variant: 12-inch).
5. Operations: Delivery Orders (Pick or Pack stage).
6. Type: Pass - Fail.
7. Control Frequency: All (100% inspection).

Step 2: Triggering the Check

Let's see the workflow in action. A customer places an order for 50 rotors.

Step 3: The Inspection Workflow

The warehouse picker cannot validate the transfer yet. They are blocked until the check is passed.

• Click the Quality Check button.
• A pop-up modal appears with your instructions: "Inspect blade surface for hairline fractures under UV light."
• If everything looks good, click Pass.
• If a defect is found, click Fail. This will automatically route the item to the "Quality Alert" zone and prevent shipment.
• Once passed, the delivery is automatically validated (if configured) or ready for the "Validate" click.

Handling Returns (RMA)

Quality Control isn't just for outbound shipments. It's vital for returns too. If a customer sends back a rotor, you shouldn't put it back on the shelf without checking it first.

By setting up a Control Point for the Receipts (Returns) operation type, Odoo will trigger a "Damage Inspection" check every time a customer return arrives. This lets your team decide: Restock, Repair, or Scrap.

Conclusion

For Hyperion Aerospace, Odoo 18's Quality module removed practically all shipping errors. The cost of a few seconds of inspection per unit is negligible compared to the cost of a failed component in the field.