Everything You Need to Know About Odoo

Odoo is an all-in-one business management software that combines CRM, accounting, inventory, project management, HR, and more in a single platform. Irish SMEs benefit from reduced software costs (no multiple subscriptions), streamlined workflows, and a system that grows with their business. Odoo is particularly cost-effective compared to enterprise solutions while offering similar functionality.

Yes. Odoo is designed to scale from 1-person startups to large enterprises. Irish SMEs with 5-50 employees find it particularly valuable because they can start with essential modules (CRM, invoicing) and add more as they grow. The modular approach means you only pay for what you use, making it affordable for small businesses.

Odoo Community is free and open-source with core features. Odoo Enterprise adds premium modules, better UI/UX, mobile apps, support from Odoo SA, and advanced features like studio customization. For Irish businesses, Enterprise is recommended for production use due to support, updates, and professional features. Community is suitable for testing or very basic needs.

Yes. Odoo's accounting module supports Irish VAT, Revenue reporting, SEPA payments, and Irish chart of accounts. It can generate VAT returns, handle reverse charge VAT, and integrate with Irish banks. Irish Odoo partners like Inovada ensure proper configuration for Irish tax compliance and can integrate with Revenue Online Service (ROS) if needed.

Both. Odoo Online (SaaS) is cloud-hosted by Odoo SA with automatic updates and maintenance. Odoo.sh is a managed cloud platform with more control. On-premise installation gives full control but requires IT infrastructure. Most Irish SMEs choose Odoo Online for simplicity and lower upfront costs, while larger businesses may prefer Odoo.sh or on-premise for customization.

Odoo Online is hosted on secure servers with SSL encryption, regular backups, and GDPR compliance. Data centers are in Europe (including Ireland), ensuring data sovereignty. Enterprise edition includes advanced security features like two-factor authentication, access rights management, and audit logs. Odoo is ISO 27001 certified and complies with Irish data protection laws.

Yes. Odoo has native integrations with popular tools (Stripe, PayPal, shipping carriers, email providers) and APIs for custom integrations. Common Irish integrations include Xero/Sage accounting sync, Irish payment gateways, Daft.ie/MyHome.ie for property, and Irish banks via SEPA. Custom integrations can be developed by Odoo partners.

Odoo supports 30+ languages including English (Ireland), Irish (Gaeilge), and all major European languages. The interface, reports, and customer-facing documents can be multi-lingual. This is useful for Irish businesses operating internationally or serving diverse customer bases.

Odoo has 40+ official modules including CRM, Sales, Invoicing, Accounting, Inventory, Purchase, Manufacturing, Project Management, HR, Helpdesk, Website Builder, eCommerce, Marketing Automation, Point of Sale, and more. Each module integrates seamlessly. Irish businesses typically start with CRM, Sales, and Invoicing, then add modules as needed.

Odoo CRM tracks leads, opportunities, and customer interactions in a visual pipeline. Features include lead scoring, automated follow-ups, email integration, call logging, and activity scheduling. Irish sales teams use it to manage prospects, track deals, and forecast revenue. It integrates with email, calendar, and VoIP for complete sales management.

Yes. Odoo Inventory manages stock across multiple warehouses, tracks serial numbers, handles barcode scanning, and automates reordering. It supports FIFO/LIFO costing, lot tracking, and real-time stock valuation. Irish retailers and distributors use it for stock control, purchase orders, and delivery management with integration to Irish couriers.

Yes. Odoo Project includes task management, Gantt charts, timesheets, resource planning, and project profitability tracking. Teams can collaborate on tasks, track time, and bill clients based on hours worked. Irish consultancies and agencies use it to manage client projects, track billable hours, and generate invoices automatically.

Odoo HR manages employee records, leave requests, timesheets, expenses, and recruitment. However, Irish payroll (PAYE, PRSI, USC) requires specific localization. Odoo partners can integrate with Irish payroll providers (Thesaurus, Collsoft) or develop custom payroll modules compliant with Revenue requirements. Most Irish businesses use Odoo for HR and external software for payroll.

Yes. Odoo Helpdesk manages customer support tickets, SLA tracking, knowledge base, and live chat. Tickets can be created via email, website forms, or portal. Irish service businesses use it for customer support, warranty tracking, and issue resolution with automated escalation and performance reporting.

Yes. Odoo Website Builder creates professional websites with drag-and-drop editing. Odoo eCommerce adds online shopping with product catalogs, payment processing, shipping integration, and customer accounts. Everything integrates with inventory and accounting. Irish retailers use it for online stores with Irish payment gateways and delivery options.

Odoo Studio (Enterprise only) is a no-code customization tool that lets you modify forms, create custom fields, add automation, and build reports without programming. It's useful for businesses that need specific workflows or data fields. Irish SMEs use it to adapt Odoo to their unique processes without expensive development.

Yes. Odoo Enterprise includes mobile apps for iOS and Android covering CRM, Sales, Inventory, Timesheets, Expenses, and more. Field teams can access Odoo on the go, update records, scan barcodes, and log time. Irish sales reps and technicians use mobile apps for real-time updates while visiting customers.

Implementation timelines vary by scope. Simple setups (CRM + Invoicing) take 2-4 weeks. Standard implementations (5-8 modules) take 8-12 weeks. Complex projects (custom development, integrations) take 3-6 months. Irish SMEs typically see phased rollouts: Phase 1 (core modules) in 6-8 weeks, Phase 2 (additional features) in 4-6 weeks.

No. Odoo is designed for business users, not IT experts. The interface is intuitive, and most tasks (creating invoices, managing contacts, tracking inventory) require no technical knowledge. However, initial setup, customization, and integrations benefit from Odoo partner expertise. Irish partners like Inovada handle technical aspects while training your team.

Typical data includes customer/supplier lists, product catalogs, price lists, opening balances, employee records, and current process documentation. For Irish businesses, we also need VAT registration, bank details, and Irish-specific requirements. Data can be provided in Excel, CSV, or exported from existing systems. Clean data speeds up implementation.

Yes. Data migration is part of implementation. We extract data from your current system (Excel, QuickBooks, Sage, custom software), clean and format it, then import into Odoo. Historical data (invoices, transactions) can be migrated or archived. Irish businesses typically migrate 1-3 years of data for reporting continuity.

Training includes admin training (configuration, user management), end-user training (daily tasks), and role-specific training (sales, accounting, warehouse). Delivered via workshops, screen sharing, and documentation. Irish teams receive 2-4 training sessions plus ongoing support. Training is tailored to your processes and can be on-site or remote.

You can self-implement Odoo Online for basic use, but most businesses benefit from partner expertise. Partners ensure proper configuration, data migration, Irish compliance, and best practices. DIY implementations often require rework later. Irish SMEs typically engage partners for initial setup and training, then manage day-to-day operations themselves.

Customizations are developed by Odoo partners using Python and XML. Common customizations include custom reports, workflow automation, integrations, and industry-specific features. Odoo Studio (Enterprise) handles simple customizations without code. Irish businesses should minimize customizations to reduce costs and simplify upgrades, using configuration first.

Odoo Online upgrades automatically with new features every few months. Odoo.sh and on-premise require manual upgrades. Major version upgrades (e.g., v16 to v17) happen annually and may need partner assistance for customizations. Irish businesses on Odoo Online get upgrades seamlessly; those with customizations should budget for upgrade testing and adjustments.

Odoo Online (Enterprise) costs EUR 24.90/user/month (billed annually). This includes hosting, updates, and support from Odoo SA. Implementation costs vary: basic setup EUR 3,000-8,000, standard implementation EUR 8,000-20,000, complex projects EUR 20,000+. Irish SMEs typically invest EUR 10,000-15,000 total for 5-10 users including implementation and first year licenses.

All Enterprise modules (CRM, Sales, Accounting, Inventory, etc.), unlimited storage, automatic backups, SSL security, mobile apps, and support from Odoo SA. You only pay for active users (employees who log in). View-only users and portal users (customers/suppliers) are free. Irish businesses find this all-inclusive pricing simpler than per-module fees.

No hidden costs in licensing. Additional costs may include: implementation services, customizations, integrations, training, and ongoing support/AMC. Irish businesses should budget for annual support (10-20% of implementation cost) and occasional enhancements. Odoo Online has no server costs, unlike on-premise which requires hosting infrastructure.

Yes. Odoo pricing is per user per month, so you can start with 3 users and add more anytime. New users are prorated for the current billing period. Irish businesses often start with core team (5 users) and expand as departments adopt Odoo. This flexibility makes Odoo cost-effective for growing businesses.

Yes. Odoo offers a 15-day free trial of Odoo Online with full Enterprise features. No credit card required. You can test all modules, import sample data, and explore functionality. Irish businesses use trials to evaluate Odoo before committing. Trials can be extended by Odoo partners for thorough evaluation.

Irish SMEs typically see ROI within 12-18 months through time savings (50-70% reduction in admin tasks), reduced software costs (replacing 3-5 separate tools), improved accuracy (fewer errors), and better decision-making (real-time reporting). Specific ROI varies by industry and implementation scope. Property managers report 60%+ time savings on invoicing alone.

Odoo is significantly more affordable than traditional ERPs (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics) which cost EUR 100-300/user/month plus high implementation fees. Compared to QuickBooks or Xero (EUR 20-50/month), Odoo offers more functionality for similar cost. Irish SMEs save 40-60% compared to enterprise ERPs while getting comparable features.

Odoo Online requires annual billing at EUR 24.90/user/month. Monthly billing is not available directly from Odoo SA. However, some Irish Odoo partners offer monthly payment plans for implementation services. The annual commitment ensures price stability and is standard for business software subscriptions.

Odoo SA (the company) provides technical support for Odoo Online Enterprise customers via email and support tickets. Support covers bugs, technical issues, and platform questions. Response times are 24-48 hours. However, Odoo SA doesn't provide business process consulting, customization, or training. Irish businesses typically engage local partners for comprehensive support.

AMC is ongoing support from your Odoo partner covering user questions, minor adjustments, troubleshooting, and system optimization. It's separate from Odoo SA support and focuses on business needs. Irish SMEs benefit from AMC for quick issue resolution, process improvements, and avoiding downtime. Typical cost is 10-20% of implementation annually.

Yes. Irish Odoo partners like Inovada provide local support during Irish business hours. Benefits include understanding Irish business practices, tax requirements, and regulations. Local support is faster for urgent issues and can include on-site visits if needed. Remote support is standard, with screen sharing and phone/email assistance.

AMC contracts typically include priority support with faster response times (2-4 hours for critical issues). Irish partners offer emergency support for business-critical problems. Odoo Online's 99.9% uptime SLA minimizes downtime. Most issues are resolved remotely within hours. For urgent needs, phone support and screen sharing expedite resolution.

Yes. Odoo is designed for business users to manage day-to-day operations independently. After training, Irish teams handle user management, basic configuration, and routine tasks. However, complex changes (workflow automation, integrations, major customizations) benefit from partner expertise. Most businesses maintain AMC for occasional support and enhancements.

Odoo Online receives continuous updates (bug fixes, minor features) automatically. Major version releases happen annually (October) with significant new features. Irish businesses on Odoo Online get updates seamlessly without disruption. Those with customizations should test updates in staging before production. Partners assist with major version upgrades.

Odoo provides extensive documentation (odoo.com/documentation), video tutorials, and community forums. Irish partners create custom documentation for your specific setup. Odoo's built-in help tooltips guide users through features. The Odoo community is active with thousands of developers and users sharing knowledge and solutions.

Yes. Irish property managers use Odoo for rent invoicing, maintenance tracking, owner reporting, and tenant portals. It handles recurring invoices, arrears tracking, vendor management, and compliance documentation. Integrations with Irish banks enable automated rent collection. Property managers report 60-70% time savings on admin tasks.

Yes. Facility managers use Odoo for work order management, preventive maintenance scheduling, contract billing, and compliance tracking. The Helpdesk module manages service requests, while Project tracks jobs and resources. Irish facility companies benefit from mobile access for technicians and automated invoicing for contract services.

Yes. Real estate agencies use Odoo CRM for buyer/seller management, property listings, viewing scheduling, and commission tracking. While Odoo doesn't have native Daft.ie integration, custom integrations can be developed. Irish agencies benefit from centralized property data, automated follow-ups, and transaction pipeline visibility.

Yes. Irish developers use Odoo to connect lead management, unit reservation workflows, procurement approvals, project cost tracking, variation control, and handover checklists. This gives leadership clearer visibility over margins, billing milestones, and delivery risk across active projects.

Yes. Short-term letting managers use Odoo for booking management, pricing automation, guest communication, and financial reporting. While direct Airbnb integration requires custom development or channel manager integration, Odoo handles operations, accounting, and owner reporting effectively. Irish STL managers benefit from centralized multi-property management.

Yes. Irish retailers use Odoo for inventory management, Point of Sale, eCommerce, and accounting. Multi-location inventory tracking, barcode scanning, and integrated payments streamline operations. Odoo POS works offline and syncs when online. eCommerce integrates with Irish payment gateways and delivery services.

Yes. Odoo Manufacturing manages bills of materials, production planning, work orders, and quality control. It supports make-to-order and make-to-stock strategies. Irish manufacturers use it for production scheduling, inventory management, and cost tracking. Integration with accounting provides real-time production costing and profitability analysis.

Yes. Irish consultancies, agencies, and professional services use Odoo for project management, timesheet tracking, expense management, and client billing. Time-based invoicing, project profitability tracking, and resource planning are built-in. CRM manages client relationships while accounting handles invoicing and financial reporting.

Yes. Irish non-profits use Odoo for donor management (CRM), grant tracking (Projects), volunteer management (HR), and financial reporting (Accounting). Odoo's flexibility allows customization for non-profit needs like fundraising campaigns, membership management, and program tracking. Pricing is the same, but implementation can be tailored to non-profit workflows.