Odoo has become a popular open-source ERP and business management platform with over 12 million users across the globe. It helps businesses of all sizes and sectors make their work smoother and reach their targets. Every time a new version comes out, Odoo ERP Software gets better, adding more features and making it easier for users. The newest version, Odoo 17, introduces many exciting upgrades and improvements, making it an excellent option for businesses looking to improve their operations in an affordable way. This blog post compares Odoo 16 and Odoo 17 and discusses why Odoo 17 is a great choice for businesses aiming to optimise their operations.
Differences Between Odoo 16 and Odoo 17
Odoo 16 and Odoo 17 are two power-packed versions of the Odoo ERP software. While both versions provide many features for businesses, there are notable differences between them.
User Interface:
Odoo 17 introduced a redesigned interface with a dark mode option and improved accessibility features. This change aimed to enhance the user experience and make navigation more intuitive for users.
Search Functionality:
Odoo 17 introduced advanced search capabilities. This improvement allows users to perform more complex and refined searches across the system, making it easier to find specific information quickly.
Data Security:
When it comes to data security, Odoo 17 went beyond the baseline security measures of Odoo 16 and implemented enhanced security measures. These enhancements were designed to provide better protection for sensitive data and ensure compliance with security standards and regulations.
Customisation Options:
Customisation options also saw significant improvements from Odoo 16 to Odoo 17. While Odoo 16 had limited customisation options, Odoo 17 expanded these options, allowing users to tailor the system more extensively to their specific needs and preferences.
Project Management:
In terms of project management, Odoo 16 offered Kanban and list views in its project management module. However, Odoo 17 added a calendar view alongside the Kanban and list views, providing users with more ways to visualise and manage their projects effectively.
Point-Of-Sale:
The point-of-sale system also saw enhancements in Odoo 17. While Odoo 16 had grid and list views for its point-of-sale system, Odoo 17 introduced product card views in addition to the grid and list views, offering a more comprehensive and visually appealing interface for managing sales transactions.
Performance:
Performance was another area of improvement from Odoo 16 to Odoo 17. The latter version was faster and more responsive compared to the former, providing users with a smoother and more efficient experience while using the software.
Accounting:
In terms of accounting features, Odoo 16 had improved accounting reports, but Odoo 17 took it a step further by revamping the accounting reports with better performance, user interface, definition, and audit capabilities. These enhancements aimed to make accounting processes more streamlined and user-friendly for businesses.
Manufacturing:
For manufacturing processes, Odoo 16 improved manufacturing process management, while Odoo 17 enhanced it further by introducing a Kanban view and drag-and-drop functionality, making it easier for users to manage and track manufacturing tasks and workflows.
Integrations:
Lastly, Odoo 17 expanded its integrations with third-party applications compared to Odoo 16. This allowed users to seamlessly connect Odoo ERP Software with a wider range of external tools and services, enhancing the overall functionality and flexibility of the software.
Key Features of Odoo 16
Odoo 16 is the latest major version of Odoo’s ERP software, launched in October 2022. It offers a complete suite for managing businesses, covering areas like accounting, CRM, sales, e-commerce, project management, and more.
Better Spreadsheet Collaboration:
Odoo’s Spreadsheet tool got a big upgrade in Odoo 16, becoming the first open-source spreadsheet that lets multiple people work on it at the same time. It also allows importing and exporting Excel files seamlessly. Now, it supports various features like tables, charts, frozen sections, hidden parts, and over 200 functions, making it great for data analysis and reporting.
Enhanced Accounting and Reporting:
Odoo 16 brings significant enhancements to its accounting and reporting sections, catering to businesses of all sizes. These improvements include:
- Localisation: Better support for meeting the accounting standards of different countries.
- Consolidation: Improved features for parent companies to manage financial data across their subsidiaries effectively.
- Appraisals: Simplified processes for evaluating assets and conducting business valuations.
Simplified Approval Process:
Odoo 16 made it easier for businesses to handle and track approvals. Here are the new features:
- Easier Workflow Setup: Odoo 16 introduced a simpler way to set up approval workflows, making it less complicated and more efficient.
- Better Tracking: The new version has improved tracking tools to keep an eye on approval progress, ensuring responsibility and timely decisions.
- Attendance Integration: It’s now integrated with attendance management, streamlining approval processes for leave requests and other attendance-related approvals.
- Improved Barcode Scanning: Odoo ERP Software now supports a wider range of barcode formats with its new barcode module. This helps businesses efficiently manage inventory and track products using barcodes.
Enhanced Calendar View:
The calendar feature in Odoo ERP Software allows users to schedule meetings, set reminders, and share calendars, enhancing collaboration and organisation among team members.
New Online Learning Module:
Odoo ERP Software introduced a new online learning module that helps businesses create and offer courses online to their employees or customers. This module encourages sharing knowledge and provides training opportunities.
Performance Boosts:
In Odoo 16, there were significant improvements in performance. Page loading and rendering in the backend became 3.7 times faster on average. For website and eCommerce pages, the loading speed of controllers improved by 2.7 times.
Fresh Dashboard Design:
Odoo 16 redesigned the dashboard system, replacing different dashboard views and actions with spreadsheet-based reports. This change offers a flexible and customisable way to visualise and analyse data.
Custom Fields Based on Context:
Odoo ERP Software introduced a feature where users can create and manage custom fields based on specific contexts or types of records. This helps in customising and organising data more effectively.
Improved Access Rights:
In Odoo 16, the access rights system got better with group inheritance, allowing users to inherit access rights from parent groups. This simplifies access control and management.
Inventory Management:
One of the standout features is its inventory management capabilities. Odoo ERP Software introduced smart reordering and dynamic safety stock rules, which are great for retail and e-commerce businesses. The improved stock forecast functionality helps prevent overstock and understock issues, ultimately improving inventory control.
E-commerce:
For businesses dealing with online sales or simply for eCommerce businesses, Odoo ERP Software offers integrated eCommerce features that have seen significant improvements. Better integration with payment gateways and enhanced product search capabilities make it a great choice for online retailers aiming for a seamless and efficient online shopping experience.
Manufacturing:
Manufacturing companies will appreciate the improved MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) features. This enhances production planning and resource allocation, making it especially beneficial for businesses that need efficient manufacturing processes and resource optimisation.
CRM and Marketing:
Industries specialising in sales and marketing gain substantial advantages from Odoo’s improved CRM and marketing features. These include better lead management, more efficient email marketing, and enhanced campaign tracking, all contributing to improved customer relationships and higher lead conversion rates.
These additional features in Odoo 16 enhance the overall functionality, performance, and user experience of the software. They make Odoo ERP Software a more powerful and versatile tool for businesses of all sizes.
Key Features of Odoo 17
Odoo 17 is the newest version of Odoo ERP Software, a well-known affordable business management software system. It was released in October 2023 and has come up with many new features that make it easier to use and help people work better.
Here are the main things to know about it:
Redesigned User Interface:
Odoo 17 has a fresh, updated user interface that is easy to navigate and understand. It includes new features like dark mode and improved layouts for better usability.
Advanced Search Options:
The search functionality in Odoo 17 has been upgraded for more efficient information retrieval. The enhanced search bar allows users to search across various fields and databases with precision, offering greater ease of use and power.
User-Friendly Guides:
The user-friendly guides in Odoo 17 help users step by step through complicated tasks, making things simpler and reducing mistakes. These guides are especially handy for teaching new users and making repetitive tasks easier.
Sticky Headers:
Sticky headers in Odoo 17 ensure that table headers stay visible even when scrolling through lots of data. This makes it easier to see column names and understand where you are in large sets of information.
Easier Product Selection:
In Odoo 17, you can now add products directly from the catalog while creating sale orders. This feature makes the sales process smoother because you don’t have to switch between different sections.
Improved Keyboard Shortcuts:
Odoo 17 makes keyboard shortcuts better, letting users quickly select items without using the mouse. This helps people work faster and get things done more efficiently.
New To-do List:
There’s a new To-do List in Odoo 17 where you can keep track of tasks and reminders all in one place. It helps users stay organised and focused on what’s important so that important tasks don’t get forgotten.
“Raise Hand” Feature in Meetings:
During meetings, the “Raise Hand” feature lets participants show they want to speak or ask something. This makes meetings more interactive and ensures everyone gets a chance to contribute and be heard.
New Menu Location for Actions:
In Odoo 17, actions related to specific records are now placed in a new menu location, making it simpler to access them. This change improves usability by giving quick access to relevant actions without making the interface messy.
Dark Mode:
The latest version of the software now has Dark Mode. This feature changes the colors to darker tones, which can be easier on the eyes, especially in dim lighting or at night. Dark Mode is popular because it reduces eye strain and looks nice. Users can switch between Dark Mode and the regular bright mode based on their preference and the lighting around them, making it more comfortable to use the software.
Website Builder:
The new version also comes with a better website builder. This tool is designed to be easy to use, allowing users to create attractive and professional websites without needing advanced technical skills. It is especially helpful for industries like creative agencies that need impressive websites to showcase their work and attract clients. The website builder lets users customise their sites with images, videos, text, and interactive features, making it simple to create stunning web designs.
Project Management:
For businesses that work on projects, like consulting firms and construction companies, the software’s project management tools have been improved. These tools help track projects, allocate resources, and manage time better, leading to smoother project completion. By streamlining project management, businesses can finish projects on time, within budget, and with the right resources. Project managers and teams can collaborate effectively, monitor progress, and make decisions based on data throughout the project’s life.
Field Service:
Industries that rely on field services, benefit from the software’s enhanced field service capabilities. These improvements include better scheduling, work order management, and a mobile app for field technicians. The scheduling tools help optimise service appointments, allocate resources, and respond quickly to customer requests. The mobile app gives field technicians access to job details and customer information, improving productivity and customer satisfaction.
Productivity Tools:
The software also adds productivity tools like document management, a digital signature app, and a chat tool. These tools are useful for industries like legal services and financial institutions. Document management helps organise and share documents securely, while the digital signature app allows electronic signatures, reducing paperwork. The chat tool improves communication and collaboration among team members, enhancing efficiency and workflows within organisations.
Reporting and Analytics:
For industries that rely on data analysis, like healthcare and education, the software’s reporting and analytics tools are upgraded. These tools provide detailed reports, data visualisation, and predictive analytics. Users can create custom reports, analyse key indicators, and gain insights into operations and trends. Data visualisation makes it easier to understand complex data, while predictive analytics helps forecast trends and make informed decisions. These capabilities empower businesses to make better decisions, improve processes, and drive growth.
These updates in Odoo 17 show the continuous effort to make the user experience better and boost productivity overall. With smoother workflows, easier tasks, and intuitive navigation, Odoo 17 helps users work more efficiently and get things done effectively.
Wrapping up
Odoo 17 is better than Odoo 16. Odoo 17 is a major improvement over Odoo 16, offering a modern interface, improved search, and new features. Whether you are already using Odoo ERP Software or considering it for your business, Odoo 17 can help streamline operations and boost productivity. Get ready for the future with Odoo 17 for growth and innovation.If you need Odoo experts, consider contacting Envertis, an official Odoo Gold Partner in Australia. Our certified Odoo Developers can help you achieve your project goals. Contact us for a free consultation on your Odoo project requirements.