What is our primary use case?
We are an accounting company that collaborates with small and medium-sized businesses, offering our expertise and consulting services to analyze their business models and information. This analysis helps in making IT changes and transformations aligned with their business plans. There are several reasons why we recommend companies adopt web-based solutions.
One of these reasons is the cost savings achieved by eliminating the need to invest in hardware infrastructure. The second reason is the avoidance of the necessity to hire system experts. Lastly, because the installations are not reliant on our hardware, the state of our infrastructure becomes inconsequential. As long as our PC is operational, regardless of the operating system it runs, and as long as we can open a browser, we can access Odoo. Similar to how CMS systems work for platforms like Webex, Odoo functions as an ERP accessible through a browser, much like Amazon and Ali Express. Odoo ensures continuous communication between accounting and the warehouse, facilitating swift and efficient communication that doesn't consume excessive time.
What is most valuable?
There are three valuable features of Odoo: a browser-based user experience, the elimination of the need for system experts, and cost savings due to not requiring hardware.
The licensing cost is also significantly lower and can be adjusted based on the number of users we possess.
Odoo operates on a subscription-based model, ensuring access to the most up-to-date version at all times.
What needs improvement?
The range of choices and functionalities has space for enhancement. For instance, Odoo currently only accommodates one barcode per item. However, in reality, if an item is being exported from China to Europe and then from Europe to the United States, that item can have multiple barcodes.
Odoo operates in a distinct manner compared to traditional ERPs. It involves utilizing modules that can be developed by third-party partners like ourselves, which can then be placed on the Odoo marketplace. Numerous functionalities within Odoo have room for enhancement, a progression I'm confident will occur due to its recent entry into the ERP market when contrasted with the classic ERPs dating back to the 1980s. This is the reason why certain features they offer are comparatively less extensive than those found in the classical ERPs.
For how long have I used the solution?
I am currently using Odoo.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Odoo is consistently available online. The only stability concern our clients might encounter is in cases where they experience local power problems and lack a backup generator to support their operations. Organizations that utilize laptops and UPS, for example, do not face any stability issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
How was the initial setup?
I would rate the initial setup of Odoo a five out of ten. The deployment never takes less than one week. To input all of our company information into Odoo, requires extensive planning over several months, if not years, depending on the scale of the operation. Following that, there's a process of extracting data from the ERP for testing, creating training materials for the staff, conducting tests once again, and finally deploying the system. For instance, consider a small company consisting of thirteen individuals who have recently graduated from high school and are aiming to initiate a car service. In their case, they can have the system up and running in a matter of hours, similar to other ERP systems.
To commence the invoicing process, we must input all our sales items along with their names, followed by the corresponding barcodes and prices into our warehouse management system. Additionally, we need to enter both our incoming costs and profit margins.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay based on the number of users and the amount of data, which results in a lower cost.
I would rate the price as a one out of ten, with ten being the most expensive.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Odoo eight out of ten. My primary concern is the necessity to depend on third-party developers for modules, as we are uncertain about their long-term objectives and reliability.
For small and medium businesses, it is advisable to wait for Odoo to align with the features offered by classic ERPs, instead of investing millions in infrastructure.
For companies undergoing a transformation, the decision to use Odoo is not merely based on the potentially time-consuming nature of the deployment. Instead, it revolves around the consideration of long-term costs and benefits. This is because Odoo eliminates expenses related to hardware, software, and human support.
Odoo does have some questionable aspects. Although they are performing admirably in their field, they do have third-party modules. This setup is quite similar to CMS systems, where third parties contribute additional modules. Odoo doesn't develop many of these extensions themselves; instead, they depend on their partners for that.
We've never had issues requiring the use of Odoo's technical support. If we conduct thorough research and prepare well-formulated questions for the vendors in advance, we will have a clear understanding of what we're dealing with. So, sometimes, if there is a known bug, it might not have been deployed in the system yet. Alternatively, it could be a lack of functionality, which we can suggest as an improvement, or it might involve a third-party developer. In such cases, we might express a need for a particular feature or tool and then await the release of a new software version. It's not necessarily a problem with the platform itself; rather, it's often about missing features. However, it's important to note that Odoo is continuously growing and improving. They are expanding and enhancing their offerings every day.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: