Odoo, the comprehensive suite of business management software applications, has been making waves in the ERP industry with its robust and versatile solutions. As we approach the release of Odoo 18, the anticipation within the business and developer community is palpable. Odoo’s ecosystem, known for its 16,000 ready-to-use, in-built custom apps, continues to evolve, offering streamlined operations across various business domains such as sales, marketing, finance, human resources, manufacturing, inventory, and website building.
What’s New in Odoo 18?
Sales and Reporting: Insightful and Intuitive
A new feature likely to be introduced in the Sales module is the Target Vs Achievement Report. This will allow managers to set goals for salespersons and generate reports comparing actual sales against targets, greatly simplifying the process of calculating sales commissions.
Mobile Usability: On-the-Go Excellence
Odoo 18 promises to enhance mobile usability for CRM and quotes, building on the improvements made in Odoo 17. The quick opportunity lookup and optimized mobile view with limited fields are designed to improve the user experience for professionals on the move.
Website Builder: Enhanced User Experience
The Website Builder in Odoo 18 will offer a revamped user interface, designed to make website creation as effortless as possible. Users can expect:
- Drag-and-drop functionality that is more intuitive.
- Pre-designed templates catering to various industries.
- Customizable themes with advanced design options.
- SEO tools integrated directly into the builder for optimal online visibility.
Performance Optimizations: Faster and More Efficient
Odoo 18 will build on the performance optimizations introduced in previous versions. Users can expect faster load times, quicker responses to actions, and an overall smoother experience when using the software.
E-commerce: A Tailored Shopping Experience
The e-commerce module will see significant improvements, with a focus on providing a tailored shopping experience. Enhancements will include:
- Personalized product recommendations based on customer behavior.
- Advanced filtering options to help customers find products quickly.
- Automated cross-selling and up-selling to increase average order value.
Streamlined Activity Completion in Project Management
Project managers will appreciate the new streamlined activity completion feature, which will allow for quick updates and status changes to tasks and activities directly from the project dashboard. This enhancement is designed to save time and improve the accuracy of project tracking.
Gantt Views: Visual Project Planning
The Gantt views within Odoo’s project management module are expected to be more interactive, with features like:
- Drag-and-drop rescheduling of tasks.
- Dependency tracking to visualize how tasks are interconnected.
- Progress indicators to show the status of each task at a glance.
Draft Document Validation: Ensuring Data Integrity
With the draft document validation feature, users will be able to set up approval workflows for documents before they are finalized. This process will help prevent errors and ensure that only accurate and approved data is recorded.
Revamped User Interface: A Focus on Accessibility
The User Interface (UI) of Odoo 18 is being redesigned with a focus on accessibility and ease of use. The new UI will feature:
- Simplified navigation to reduce the learning curve for new users.
- Customizable dashboards to display the most relevant information.
- Responsive design to ensure a seamless experience across devices.
Non-Financial Reporting for Corporate Responsibility
Odoo 18 is set to introduce a Non-Financial Reporting module, which will enable businesses to track their environmental impact, social responsibility efforts, and governance practices. This feature aims to help companies align with global sustainability standards and provide transparent reporting to stakeholders.
Marketing Tools: Driving Customer Engagement
The marketing suite in Odoo 18 will be equipped with powerful tools to drive customer engagement and conversion. New features will include:
- Advanced segmentation for targeted campaigns.
- Customer journey mapping to understand and influence the buying process.
- Performance analytics to measure the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
Project Management: Integrated and Intuitive
The project management module will offer tighter integration with other Odoo modules, such as Sales and HR, providing a more holistic view of project resources and costs. Additionally, users can expect:
- Automated task assignment based on resource availability.
- Real-time collaboration tools for team communication.
- Enhanced reporting for better decision-making.
Accounting and Finance: Streamlined Compliance
The accounting module will be updated to provide streamlined compliance with local and international financial regulations. Businesses can look forward to:
- Automated tax calculations for different jurisdictions.
- Real-time financial reporting for up-to-date insights.
- Integrated payment solutions to simplify transactions.
Marketing Module: A New Era of Engagement
Odoo 18 is set to revolutionize its marketing module, offering features that will put it on par with dedicated marketing platforms. The new integrated contact management system will allow for sophisticated email segmentation, while the enhanced email server aims to minimize spam.
Users will also benefit from a simplified marketing automation setup and the ability to link survey responses and event registrations directly to contacts. The removal of constraints on newsletter distribution is another step towards providing a comprehensive marketing solution.
AI-Powered Insights: Smarter Business Decisions
Odoo 18 will leverage artificial intelligence to provide predictive insights and automations across various modules. This will enable businesses to:
- Forecast sales trends and inventory needs.
- Automate routine tasks to free up human resources for strategic work.
- Detect anomalies in data for early intervention.
Cross-Module Integration: Seamless Workflows
The integration between different Odoo modules will be more seamless in Odoo 18, reducing the need for third-party tools and plugins. This will result in:
- Unified data management across the platform.
- Streamlined processes that save time and reduce errors.
- Enhanced collaboration between different departments.
Conclusion
As we await the official release of Odoo 18 during the Odoo Experience in October 2024, the community continues to buzz with speculation and excitement. The roadmap for Odoo 18 promises a suite of new features and improvements that are poised to redefine the ERP landscape.
With its user-centric approach and continuous enhancements, Odoo remains a formidable force in the world of enterprise software. As businesses of all sizes look to streamline their operations and embrace digital transformation, Odoo 18 stands ready to meet the challenge and exceed expectations.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the release date, and prepare to embark on a new journey with Odoo 18! Connect with us for all your queries related to Odoo V18, our Odoo experts are always available for your assistance.
