Before you start an Odoo implementation, make sure your company is ready for it.
Bringing in a new system always feels exciting – it changes how things work, brings some energy to the company…
But to make sure this “new thing” actually helps, you need to take a step back and check if your company really needs a new ERP system.
This article will help you do that. :)
But first:
What is Odoo?
Odoo is an ERP system that connects all key areas of your company – sales, inventory, accounting, CRM, and more – on one platform. It’s built using modules, so you can implement it step by step, depending on how fast your company is growing.
You could say the biggest advantage of Odoo is that it grows with your business. You start with the basics and expand as needed.
When does it make sense to implement Odoo?
This checklist will help you figure out if your company would benefit from Odoo (not just whether Odoo is good in general).
My goal with this checklist was simple:
To help business owners and managers quickly see if Odoo would solve real problems – not just be “another cool system.”
So instead of talking about Odoo’s features, we’ll focus on the problems it can solve.
The checklist is divided into six key areas.
Is Odoo implementation right for you? – CHECKLIST
1. Operations complexity
☐ Are you using different systems for sales, inventory, accounting, etc.?
☐ Do employees copy data manually between systems?
☐ Do errors or delays happen because these systems don’t talk to each other?
2. Business growth
☐ Is your company growing, but your current tools can’t keep up?
☐ Are you hiring more people and need to standardize how they work?
☐ Are you planning to enter new markets or offer new services?
3. Management and control
☐ Is it hard to quickly check sales, costs, or inventory levels?
☐ Do you miss having one place where you can see what’s going on in the business?
☐ Do you often decide based on gut feeling because there’s no up-to-date data?
4. Repetition and automation
☐ Do employees do lots of manual work (like creating invoices, copying data)?
☐ Do you want to automate some processes, but your current tools can’t handle it?
5. Company readiness
☐ Do you have someone (or a team) who can commit time to this project?
☐ Are you open to changing how things work – not just copying your current system?
☐ Does leadership understand that an ERP system is a project, not just a product you buy?
6. Costs and ROI
☐ Are your current issues wasting time or money every month?
☐ Does your company have the time and budget to invest in a new system?
Result:
- 12 or more boxes checked:
Odoo could be a game-changer for your business! - 5 to 11 boxes checked:
It’s worth looking into Odoo. A call with an implementation partner could help. - Less than 4 boxes checked:
Maybe it’s too early for ERP, or you might need something simpler.
If this checklist shows that Odoo could fix real problems in your company, you can test it out yourself with the Odoo Demo – a free web app that lets you try Odoo with no login required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to implement Odoo?
It depends on how many modules you need and how much customization is required. A simple setup (like invoicing + inventory) might take a few weeks. Bigger projects could take several months.
Is Odoo good for small companies?
Yes, as long as the company is already somewhat organized. Thanks to the modular design, you can start small and add more later. Learn more about Odoo for small businesses
Can Odoo be customized for my industry?
Yes. It’s flexible, and with access to the code and a big developer community, you can change both the interface and how it works.
Do I need to hire a developer to use Odoo?
Not always. For standard setups, working with an implementation partner is enough. A developer is only needed for special custom features.
How much does Odoo implementation cost?
The cost of Odoo implementation depends on things like the number of users, which modules you need, how much customization you want, and whether you choose the Community or Enterprise version.
Want to understand the total cost better? Check out Aksel’s article: “Understanding the Total Cost of Odoo ERP.”
Want to learn more about Odoo implementation?
Check out our other article about the 5 biggest mistakes made when implementing Odoo and whether e-commerce in Odoo is worth it.
