Definitive Guide to Implementation of the Odoo ERP Software

by Alex Forsyth Developer

Read this article to know in detail about the various important steps that every organisation should adopt before and while implementing the Odoo ERP software. Hire consultants from the Odoo ERP development company for the best quality services in this regard.

The Odoo ERP software is one of the most beneficial systems which productively organise business operations across different segments. It streamlines, organises and integrates business activities within a single unified system so that unrestrictive data flow is allowed between all. It functions, with the help of the Odoo Consultant in Australia on the basis of shared transactional data, therefore, eliminating data duplicity and providing data integrity. This way, it ensures maximised revenue and sales.

It normalises information sharing across every employee, serving common definitions and user experiences. It is only after this that these core constructs are interconnected with vital business operations, thereby driving workspace flexibility and productivity. While the implementation of this modern enterprise is not difficult, it usually goes through a long procedure of planning before the final setting. From the installation of the software to transferring all the data, mapping the procedures and training the users, one has to take all this into consideration before implementing the Odoo software.

1. Going through the procedure

A careful analysis of one’s own management planning ensures whether the Odoo software is fit for the organisation. One has to decide how to source the system. Researching about the ERP purpose and functionality will enable one to choose wisely from a concrete solution. One should make sure whether the software is one which is worthy for investment. The company should also clearly define all the goals that the new ERP will help them achieve.

Besides one can also do the following

Set up an effective change management plan
Check the hidden costs for ERP implementation
Try to evaluate the success of the system

2. Bringing the project team togethe

With miserable planning in hand, the Odoo ERP implementation decision can go to a complete waste. Hence, one should prioritise setting up a proficient team for managing the system. Like, an application analyst will be responsible for cleansing and migration of all data, the developer or the consultant will proceed with the software customisations, the testing engineer will deal with untimely bugs and system errors.

The software implementation procedure will go smoothly only when the support system is also robust and always available.

3. Creating an alternative management plan

In case of any emergency, the company should always have a backup plan at hand. Although the Odoo ERP hardly provides any chances for complaints, it is all depending on the expertise of the team and how smoothly the system gets integrated with the company procedure. One should always have tight planning and multiple options in case of -

Estimating the ERP cost and drawing a budget accordingly
Creating a schedule for ERP implementation
Migration of the data to the new, customised system
Training the whole user base
Testing the ERP system
Going live with everyday activities

The company should also be prepared for any backlog. This should be there -

Direct communication without any disruption or delay
Giving adequate time for training
Being patient with the system

4. Estimation of the budget

This is a primary consideration which should be done in the initial stages itself. One should definitely estimate the budget of the total Odoo ERP system and how extra costs will be incurred. Given the specifications and features, one needs to make sure that the system fits the budget of the company too.

There are also extra costs included with the implementation like costs for network and hardware updates, paying the staff members for overtime, vendor training, customisation fees, consultant fees, the money needed for data backup and storage.

5. Migrating the data

A crucial step when it comes to working with the Odoo ERP is backing up all the data or migrating it. This is a must in case one is shifting to the usage of a new ERP too. One can take help from the Odoo functional consultant for simplified and easy execution of this procedure.

The following tasks have to be done -

Cleansing of the data along with verification
Setting up the database and mapping it
Transferring all data
Testing and verifying data along with new data which have been imputed

6. Training all employees

The final step is training all the employees so that they can use the Odoo ERP software effectively. One can carry out role-based training to make it more engaging and also give timely feedback. Regardless of which training structure suits more, one should ensure that all employees get compulsory sessions along with easy-to-coordinate in-person sessions too.

Alex Forsyth is an experienced Odoo Consultant in Australia of a reputed Odoo consultancy and implementation firm named Envertis Software Solutions. The author has written this article to explain to everyone the necessary steps that everyone should take while implementing the Odoo ERP system in their organisation.