What distinguishes Odoo apps from other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is its modular architecture. You can start using the Odoo apps with just a few functionalities and then top it with other modules as your business grows. It provides you with the flexibility to build an ERP as per your specific needs.
Apart from its unique modular architecture, Odoo also offers many benefits such as:
- Intuitive User Interface: Odoo apps are known for their minimalist and user-friendly interface. The platform provides you with easy access to different features and functionalities that you can leverage for your business.
- Easy integration: If your company uses multiple systems, you might face a challenge in standardizing business processes and bringing consistency across different systems. Odoo helps you solve that issue. Odoo is compatible with any work settings, so you can configure Odoo with other business systems, including ERPs, easily. No wonder it is called universal software. What more? Odoo is API-friendly. So, it offers seamless integration with other apps such as WhatsApp and QuickBooks, making it easier for you to do business efficiently.
- Cost-efficient: The Odoo license is free of cost, making it a viable option for startups and small businesses. You can get the license and use your funds to customize and implement the apps whenever you desire. Odoo claims that the entire cost of implementation and customization could be lesser than your daily cup of coffee!
- Easy customization: The flexibility of the Odoo apps platform makes it a natural choice for companies as it enables them to customize the platform to drive innovation and to suit their business needs.
You might wonder what makes Odoo apps so unique. After all, other ERP solutions also have similar features too.
Let’s dig deeper to know how Odoo apps score over other ERP solutions.
- Company size: Considering that other well-known ERPs have a high implementation and maintenance cost, they are a perfect fit for larger enterprises. As startups and small-medium businesses have a limited budget, they might have reservations about investing in such costly ERP solutions. Odoo could be a perfect solution for them as it is pocket friendly. Being an open-source platform, it gives companies the freedom to customize the app according to their needs. Also, considering that there is no licensing fee, it saves the business costs for the company.
- Implementation costs: An ERP implementation will have different components of pricing, ranging from the license fee, module costs, infrastructure costs to development and training costs. Odoo has a packaged implementation cost – somewhere from $2,100 to $5,500 for a standard implementation, plus there is no license fee unless you are purchasing the enterprise version. The implementation pricing for other ERPs could be costlier and it is different from one project to another.
- Usability: Odoo app is comparatively easier to use than other apps. Its user-friendly UI makes it easier for every type of user to use it. Each Odoo app serves a specific purpose and can be seamlessly customized and integrated with other apps. Other ERPs are not as customizable or easy to use as Odoo app.
- Maintenance costs: The maintenance cost of the Odoo app is cheaper than other ERPs. The maintenance could cost as less as $8 per month for each user as compared to other ERPs that typically charge 10-20% of the original licensing fee annually. So, assume you take a one-time license of $5000 per user, the maintenance fee would range from $50 to $100 for each user!
- Adaptability: Business needs will keep changing, especially if your company is a startup. Hence, it makes business sense to invest in an ERP that is more adaptable and prepared for future business challenges instead of just focusing on the current business challenges. Legacy ERP solutions may not be flexible and easily scalable. With Odoo Apps, you can use any of the 14,000+ readymade apps available in the store and even customize the features with the help of an Odoo developer.
Conclusion
Open source ERPs such as Odoo apps are undoubtedly cheaper and easier to customize than commercial ERPs. No wonder even large enterprises have started toying with the idea of transitioning to open source ERPs. Odoo offers support to companies as their business requirements change. This makes it a favorite ERP for every company.
However, before you purchase the paid version of Odoo app, we would recommend you do a careful analysis of the available options. Odoo has its downsides too. For example, the installation process is elaborate, and the learning is challenging too. Some customers may find the pricing to be confusing. However, when you look at the scenario from an eagle’s view, you will realize that the benefits of the Odoo app exceed its shortcomings. With over 14,000 readily available apps, you get all the solutions for your business – be it marketing, sales, or accounts in one platform. You no longer have to spend money on purchasing different software systems for various aspects of your business.