In this first blog post we want to clarify what Odoo is and what benefits we have with Odoo, getting as far away as possible from a technical definition.
How was Odoo born?
Odoo was born in Belgium in 2005 as TinyERP, and in 2009 it changed its name to OpenERP. In 2014 it removes ERP from its name to become Odoo, although on the Internet you can find pages showing the differences with SAP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Netsuite.
How to define Odoo?
How to define what Odoo is, as a complete suite of business applications suitable for both small, medium and large companies, web-based, and works on all platforms that have a current browser (Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile, tablets...). In our view, having these applications in a single environment, accessible from anywhere and very easy to use in the most defining of Odoo.Some of the business applications are:
- CRM
- Sales and purchasing management
- Project management
- Warehouse and inventory management system
- Production / Manufacturing
- Analytical and Financial Accounting and Asset Management
- Point of Sale (POS)
- Human Resources and Vacation Management
Marketing Campaigns, Workflows, Blogs, Help Desk, Support Management, Live Chat, eLearning, Events, Rentals, Documentation, Digital Signature...
It is available in different editions (Community and Enterprise) and versions (currently, in 2023, the 17th), all of them in 85 languages.
Each Odoo version improves technologically, to run faster, and keep that competitive distance from its competitors. Thanks to this, it can also offer a very simple, intuitive, complete and fast interface.
This is the definition that appears on the Odoo website, which seems to us to be very appropriate:
The only platform you'll ever need to help manage your business: integrated, simple applications loved by millions of happy users.
Is it free?
Odoo is based on open source: we have a full version to download, install and work with, for which we don't have to pay anything, but we probably have to work hard to make it work the way we want. It is extensible with other modules and all its source code is accessible and modifiable.
There is another edition, Odoo Enterprise, with a licensing payment system for modules and users, although for a single application it is free. It has several benefits over the Community edition.
This Enterprise edition can be purchased in three ways:
On premise: only allowed for Odoo resellers, it works like Community but with the advantages of Enterprise. It is installed on the server chosen by the customer.
Online: Odoo has servers where you can start working immediately, controlling the payment per application and users from the beginning.
Odoo.sh: the Online version does not allow code modification, with Odoo.sh we have all the programming power deployed in a fast and functional installation.
With the Enterprise edition you can install the Studio module/app, which will allow us to make changes quickly and easily, and even some programming on Odoo flows, which opens a new range of possibilities.
Differences between Community and Enterprise
Some differences to know what Odoo is, are:
| Odoo Community | Odoo Enterprise |
| Free | Pay per user and applicationshttps://www.odoo.com/es_ES/pricing |
| No support | Support by Odoo |
| Tedious installation | Immediate online installation and access |
| Descargable e instalable por cualquierahttps://www.odoo.com/es_ES/page/download | Downloadable and installable only by Odoo resellers |
| Community Modules | Some enhanced Community modules |
| Community Modules | Community Modules + Enterprise Modules |
| Basic interface | Enhanced web and mobile interface |
| No updates | Annual upgrades to new editions, standard part free of charge |
More information about the editions: https://www.odoo.com/es_ES/page/editions
How to get started with Odoo?
It is as simple as creating a free account at www.odoo.com and choosing the first application, which will be free for life. This could be Sales, thinking of a traditional ERP, but it could also be Website or Blog, which are two options widely used in any company, and that would be perfectly integrated and linked with the rest of the management.
How to learn more about Odoo?
If what we want is to learn Odoo functionally, how to manage it, we will find a multitude of pages, in all languages, in forums and blogs.
In addition, we have many video tutorials, complete and very useful at:https://www.odoo.com/es_ES/slides/all/tag/odoo-tutorials-9
On the Odoo website we can also find more documentation, for functional management or for programming, as well as information on how to install it or how to get certified, at:
https://www.odoo.com/es_ES/page/docs
Do you have more questions about Odoo?
The Odoo universe is very wide, and we will always have unresolved and operational questions to learn.
At GSol we are open to resolve any doubts you may have and to help you in the implementation of this wonderful and powerful ERP.
We hope you have found this post useful and are clearer about what Odoo is and how we can find more information. We are at your disposal for any questions you may have.
What is Odoo?