EDI for 3PL Integration in Odoo
Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers play a vital role in modern supply chain and e-commerce operations. To streamline inventory transfers, order fulfillment, and real-time communication with 3PLs, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the go-to solution. In Odoo, EDI integration with 3PLs enables seamless automation of warehousing and shipping tasks.
This guide covers two main 3PL scenarios and explains how to implement them using EDI in Odoo:
1. Sending Inventory to 3PL for Storage
When you’re a supplier or manufacturer and want to store your inventory at a 3PL warehouse for future fulfillment, you’re not selling the goods — you’re simply transferring them. This internal stock movement is handled using EDI 943 and EDI 944.
Step-by-Step Workflow
Step | Description | EDI Transaction |
| Initiate Transfer | You create an inventory transfer in Odoo (stock.picking with picking_type_id = internal) from your warehouse to the 3PL warehouse. | – |
| Notify 3PL | Odoo sends EDI 943 – Warehouse Stock Transfer Shipment Advice to inform the 3PL that goods are en route. | EDI 943 |
| 3PL Confirms Receipt | Once the 3PL receives and checks the stock, it sends back EDI 944 – Warehouse Stock Transfer Receipt Advice. Odoo then marks the internal transfer as done. | EDI 944 |
Benefits of This Workflow
- Real-time inventory updates
- Improved warehouse coordination
- Minimized manual communication
How to Track Inventory at the 3PL Warehouse in Odoo
- Assign the 3PL warehouse/location in your delivery routes
- View on-hand and forecasted stock per location
- Use automated routing rules to pull stock from 3PL during fulfillment
2. Using 3PL to Fulfill Customer Orders
When your customer places an order on your website or sales platform, and you want your 3PL to handle the picking, packing, and shipping, EDI ensures this workflow is fast, reliable, and traceable.
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Step-by-Step Fulfillment Workflow
| Step | Description | EDI Transaction |
| Sales Order Confirmed | A customer places an order on your website. It’s confirmed in Odoo, generating a delivery (stock.picking, type = outgoing). | – |
| Send Fulfillment Request | Odoo sends EDI 940 – Warehouse Shipping Order to the 3PL, containing shipping instructions. | EDI 940 |
| 3PL Ships the Order | The 3PL picks, packs, and ships the goods directly to the customer. | – |
| Shipping Confirmation | 3PL sends back EDI 945 – Warehouse Shipping Advice. Odoo updates the delivery as done and captures the tracking number. | EDI 945 |
| Optional Invoice Generation | Odoo can automatically generate the invoice for the customer after delivery is confirmed. | – |
Advantages
- Fully automated order fulfillment process
- Real-time shipment tracking for customers
- Reduced operational overhead and errors
- Centralized sales and inventory data in Odoo
| EDI Code | Name | Purpose |
| 943 | Warehouse Stock Transfer Shipment Advice | Notifies 3PL about incoming inventory |
| 944 | Warehouse Stock Transfer Receipt Advice | Confirms receipt of inventory at 3PL |
| 940 | Warehouse Shipping Order | Instructs 3PL to fulfill a sales order |
| 945 | Warehouse Shipping Advice | Confirms shipment of order by 3PL |
Conclusion
Integrating EDI with your 3PL through Odoo transforms how you manage logistics. Whether you’re transferring stock for storage or outsourcing fulfillment, EDI ensures real-time, automated communication between your system and the 3PL — with transactions like 943, 944, 940, and 945.
Whether you’re storing inventory at a 3PL facility or outsourcing order fulfillment, this integration ensures:
Real-time inventory updates across locations
Automated shipping & receipt confirmations
Faster, error-free order fulfillment
Full visibility within Odoo
Reduced manual work and improved scalability
At Vraja Technologies, we are an official Odoo Partner with deep expertise in:
- Advanced EDI integrations
- End-to-end Odoo customization
- Shipping, 3PL, eCommerce, and ERP automation
