You may not realize how much of the production process can be automated. Many tasks are done out of habit, without thinking that a system could handle them for you.
One of those systems is Odoo – a tool that lets you automate a whole range of processes in your company. In this article, we'll take a closer look at production automation with Odoo. I’ll show how it works in practice, what it costs, and whether it’s worth it.
Common production problems
Manufacturing companies often face challenges that slow down order fulfillment and drive up costs:
- lack of standards and documentation – everyone does things their own way
- poor communication between departments and shifts
- forecasting difficulties and stock shortages
- bureaucracy that doesn’t improve outcomes
These are real challenges. Companies facing them need to fix them if they want to grow. That’s why more and more businesses are looking for ways to get their processes in order. That’s where Odoo comes in – a tool that helps automate a lot of everyday tasks. In this article, I’ll show you how automation works in Odoo, how much it costs, and whether it’s worth it.
How does production automation with Odoo solve the most common issues?
Odoo, with its capabilities, effectively addresses these problems:
Standardization and process documentation in Odoo
In Odoo, every production process can be structured. Bills of materials (BOM), routing operations and instructions can all be stored in the system and easily accessed. The worker doesn’t need to guess what to set on the machine because everything is shown step by step. The system can also include tips from more experienced team members.
Consistent communication between departments through a single system
Odoo operates within one system, so production, sales, warehouse and purchasing share the same information. Everyone sees what stage each order is at, how many materials are available and the planned delivery date. There’s no more looking for info – each department works from the same, current data. Odoo’s modular system is one of its key advantages, facilitating collaboration and truly speeding up processes.
Better forecasting and full control over inventory levels
The system automatically checks whether all materials needed for a production order are available. If something is missing, it can suggest a purchase and even draft an order. Odoo also analyzes sales data, which helps forecast demand better and avoids situations where production halts because a component is missing.
Automated reporting and real-time data updates
In many manufacturing companies, daily work involves a large number of reports and spreadsheets that are difficult to keep organized and up to date. Odoo simplifies this chaos. Reports are generated automatically, and data updates itself based on actual actions in the system. You can track material usage, lead times, and potential delays. Instead of doing something "for the sake of procedure," you have a tool that truly helps manage production.
What does production automation in Odoo cost?
The cost of production automation in Odoo depends on how many business processes you want to automate. The manufacturing app itself is free, but getting the most value requires connecting it with other modules like inventory management, sales, and purchasing.
Because of this integration need, most businesses move to Odoo's paid subscription plan, which charges a monthly fee per user.
Read more about general Odoo pricing or check the official Odoo website for precise pricing.
Production automation with Odoo – is it worth it?
Implementing Odoo for production makes the most sense in three scenarios:
- When you’re launching a new production area and need a system to manage it. Odoo can be configured easily and quickly “from scratch”.
- When the company is already operating at some scale, and you see potential for systems to run much more efficiently. Odoo can consolidate all data into one system—a single large database that updates in real time.
- When your current solutions no longer keep pace with work and issues start recurring more often without resolution. Instead of solving problems, they just keep piling up.
What’s next?
If you think production automation in Odoo might work for your company, the best way to find out is to try it yourself using the online Odoo demo, then decide what’s next.
And if you’d rather talk to someone with hands-on experience first, just reach out to us. With our experiance we’ll help you figure out whether Odoo is the right fit for you!
