ODOO IMPLEMENTATION
Implementing Odoo:
what do you really need to know?
All the experience of a team of experts since 2015, presented without pretence or window-dressing marketing — so you can tell fact from fiction.
Certified Odoo integrator · Experts since 2015
01 — ORIGINS
TinyERP, OpenERP, Odoo:
a little history
Understanding where Odoo comes from helps explain why it works the way it does — and why you cannot use it like just any SaaS.
Origins
TinyERP & OpenERP
Odoo was born as purely open-source software. Its philosophy: a customisable ERP that remains accessible to everyone. This history explains a major characteristic — the software is designed to be modified, adapted and extended.
2017 — Strategic pivot
The freemium model
Odoo switches to freemium: a paid Enterprise version and an Open-Source version that remains available. This choice enables deeper development. Previously free modules become paid — but are often far more polished. Note: Open Source does not mean free.
Today
A thriving ecosystem
The community remains active. Open-source modules continue to be developed and maintained. Odoo remains the most modular ERP on the market for SMEs and mid-sized companies.
02 — CHOOSING A VERSION
Enterprise or Open Source:
pros and cons
This table gives a comprehensive summary of their differences to help you make the right decision before investing.
| Criterion | Odoo Enterprise | Odoo Open-Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of deployment | Ready to use | Expert required |
| Deployment type | Odoo.com, Odoo.sh or via a certified partner | Dedicated server — deployed by an expert |
| Core code maintenance | Managed by Odoo | Expert or partner |
| Custom development | Impossible on Odoo.com · Possible via Odoo.sh | Anything is possible |
| Security | Managed by Odoo | Expert or partner |
| Version upgrade (core code) | Included in the contract | Expert or partner |
| Version upgrade (custom code) | Expert or partner | Expert or partner |
| User training | Expert or partner | Expert or partner |
03 — STANDARD VERSION
Choosing Enterprise:
is it the right choice?
In the vast majority of cases, yes. The Enterprise version covers the essentials from the start. Here are the modules you will need depending on your business.
Enterprise modules
Odoo CRM
Odoo Sales
Odoo Website
Odoo Invoicing
Odoo Inventory(if trading/manufacturing)
Odoo Purchase(if trading/manufacturing)
Odoo Project(if services)
Open-Source modules
Odoo CRM
Odoo Sales
Odoo Website
Odoo Invoicing
Odoo Project(if services)
⚠️ The trade-off: you handle maintenance, security and deployment yourself.
04 — CUSTOMISATION
Our philosophy:
Click, Custom & Use
Odoo is not purely "click & use" software. It has real gaps. Our value: fixing them thanks to hands-on experience since 2015.
Golden rule: customise as little as possible to avoid building up technical debt. We help you identify what is truly necessary versus what can stay standard.
Inventory & Stock module
Identified gaps & available fixes
Prevent negative stock in locations and warehouses — avoid inconsistent stock views that distort your purchasing decisions
Accounting module
Identified gaps & available fixes
Unintuitive accounting reports → OCA modules added to fill the gaps of the standard version
FEC (French audit file) incompatible with your accountant's software → custom columns added
Automatic creation of a dedicated account per customer → a readable general ledger for your accounting teams
Multi-company mode
Identified gaps & available fixes
User access errors between companies and on websites
Public user identified as an active contact in multi-company mode
A distinct sender email address per website or per company
Hiding the Appointment app on all deployed Odoo websites
Hiding the Survey app on all deployed Odoo websites
05 — LONGEVITY
Version upgrades:
how complex for your situation?
With the Enterprise version, your contract includes version upgrades. But the implications vary depending on your setup. Important: Odoo does NOT migrate your databases automatically.
Odoo SaaS — Odoo.com
No major issue. The upgrade is triggered from your Odoo.com interface. It can still be tedious for non-technical users. We can assist you.
Odoo.sh or private hosting
This is where the difficulties begin. Every line of custom code must be upgraded too. Golden rule: minimise customisations to avoid technical debt.
Odoo by Skillreso ✦
Far less pain. Version upgrades are covered by our contract. Focus on your business.
06 — REFERENCE
Glossary
The technical terms you will come across in any Odoo project, clearly explained.
- Free / Open Source
- Code accessible to everyone. Does not mean free of charge — maintenance, hosting and deployment have a cost.
- Core code:
- Odoo's native code, developed and maintained by the Odoo SA team. Must not be modified directly.
- Standard Odoo:
- The "out of the box" version of Odoo, with no customisation at all. The starting point of every project.
- Odoo partner:
- A company certified by Odoo SA to implement, train on and maintain Odoo solutions. Skillreso is a certified partner.
- OCA
- Odoo Community Association. A community that develops and maintains high-quality open-source modules for Odoo.
- Technical debt:
- Future cost generated by uncontrolled customisations. You pay for it in full at every version upgrade.
AN ODOO PROJECT?
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