We wanted one system that our operators, planners, and purchasing team could all understand. Odoo was the first platform that felt approachable.
If you want to know how Odoo performs in manufacturing, ask the people who run it every day.
So we turned to the Odoo community – forums, Reddit, and user groups – to understand how manufacturers use and evaluate it.
The consensus? It is not necessarily the sheer number of features that wins companies over, but the fluidity with which they connect.
The ecosystem argument
Manufacturers use a core set of Odoo apps that work together as a fully integrated MES (Manufacturing Execution) & MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) system.
When it comes to business software, there is often a debate between "best-of-breed" (buying the single best app for a specific task) and "integrated suites" (one system that does everything adequately). The verdict from the Odoo community suggests that for mid-sized manufacturers, integration wins.
One Reddit user wrote:
Individually, I don’t think any of the apps are the best at what they do. But collectively, they work really well, and the value proposition is great.
The value lies in the removal of silos. In Odoo, the inventory app speaks directly to purchase; the maintenance app speaks to the scheduler. It creates a digital thread that mirrors the physical movement of goods through the factory.
Odoo apps work together as a fully integrated MES & MRP system:
Manufacturing (MRP) for…
- Work orders
- BOMs
- Routings.
Inventory for…
- Locations
- Replenishment
- Lot/serial tracking.
Purchase for…
- Procurement
- Vendor management
PLM for…
- Engineering changes
- Revision control
Quality for…
- Checkpoints
- Inspection steps
- Non-conformities
Shop Floor for…
Operator interface for tablets & terminals
Maintenance
Preventive & corrective work
Barcode
Handheld scanning flows
The usability factor
The most consistent praise is reserved for Odoo Shop Floor.
Historically, MES interfaces are dense, text-heavy, and designed for desktop computers. This is impractical for a machinist wearing safety gloves or an assembler standing at a line. Users frequently cite the Shop Floor app, with its tablet-friendly interface, as the primary reason for successful employee adoption.
“Definitely the Shop Floor app,” one user replied when asked where Odoo outperforms legacy competitors. Another emphasised the interface’s ability to display drawings and work instructions directly at the station.
For operations with limited IT support, the user interface is a crucial feature. If an operator can learn the system in an afternoon, the data entering the system becomes more reliable.
Odoo handles real-world manufacturing end-to-end
Companies don’t buy an ERP for its feature list. They are looking to solve processes.
The systems that succeed are the ones that seamlessly connect design, planning, procurement, and production.
Odoo presents such an all-inclusive solution.
Its open-source nature means that it can easily integrate with specified software (like CAD or hardware monitoring) and link all data to the main system.
Here’s how Odoo handles core manufacturing processes according to users.
Order to Cash
Quoting → Delivery → Invoicing.
What Odoo users say:
They highlight the straightforward handoff between Sales and Production. This is particularly praised by shops doing custom products or short-run work where speed is critical.
Make-to-Order (MTO)
Sales order → automatic manufacturing order → procurement (if needed).
What Odoo users say:
Teams producing custom furniture, fabricated metal parts, or electronics appreciate this flow as it automates custom goods manufacturing.
Make-to-Stock (MTS)
Forecasting → replenishment → batch production.
What Odoo users say:
Simplicity wins here. Production planners appreciate that forecasting doesn’t require a second system, but is fully automated and integrated directly into the scheduler.
Engineer-to-Order (ETO)
PLM → ECO workflow → revised BOMs → production.
What Odoo users say:
Teams with structured engineering processes value the fully integrated PLM app. It eliminates the need for heavy external software and keeps engineering changes traceable.
An Odoo user on Reddit shared that in just one year, they:
Reduced procurement workload from 1 full-time employee to half of a full-time load by setting Odoo up with good replenishment rules, packagings and UoMs. Using Barcode, we're slowly making our inventory as real-time as possible.
Automating production with Odoo brings clear benefits, and users are sharing their testimonies online.
An Odooer on Reddit shared that in one year, they:
Reduced procurement workload from 1 full-time employee to half of a full-time load by setting Odoo up with good replenishment rules, packagings and UoMs. Using Barcode, we're slowly making our inventory as real-time as possible
Compliance, traceability, and advanced setups
One of the main fears regarding Odoo is whether it can handle complex Manufacturing. Can it survive regulated environments, strict audits, or multi-step assemblies?
The community confirms yes, it can - if you leverage the right features.
Full-spectrum traceability
Lot and serial tracking are fully integrated into Odoo Inventory, connecting a product’s lifecycle from raw material to final shipment. Food, medical, and electronics manufacturers frequently cite this as a standout capability.
“We can trace a unit from raw material to shipment in two clicks.”
Note for complex operations: Odoo’s open nature allows for deeper customisation. For example, our Enhanced Traceability solution builds on the standard Odoo tracking to offer full lifecycle transparency. It connects repairs, updates, and service records directly to serial numbers, so no detail is ever missed.
Revision control & PLM
The benefit manufacturers mention most here is not just the PLM app itself, but the consistency it introduces. By enforcing versioned BOMs and approvals, engineering changes no longer disrupt the production line.
Compliance support
For manufacturers in regulated sectors, auditability is key.
While Odoo is not marketed explicitly as a regulatory compliance engine, it can serve that function. By combining:
- Controlled documents across Odoo apps,
- Logged approvals,
- Mandatory quality checkpoints,
- And immutable audit trails,
mid-sized manufacturers report meeting strict obligations (such as ISO standards).
Multi-level BOMs
For companies producing recurring variants (like machinery or electronics), Odoo’s ability to handle nested structures and sub-assemblies is critical. Once the initial setup is solid, the system handles complex dependencies smoothly.
5 Odoo must-haves for Manufacturing
Manufacturers who report successful Odoo implementations tend to highlight the same five Odoo elements as "non-negotiables."
1. Clear, accurate BOMs
The most consistent piece of advice. Teams say that once their BOMs are reliable, MRP becomes predictable.
2. A structured inventory layout
Success starts with the physical setup. Correctly setting up racks, routes, and naming conventions allows teams to maximise barcode scanning efficiency.
3. The Shop Floor interface
Deploying tablets or terminals keeps operators connected to the data without exposing them to the complexity of the main ERP backend.
4. Integrated quality control checks
Simple quality points inserted into manufacturing orders reduce rework and ensure consistency without slowing down the line.
5. Modular adoption
The best success stories often start small. Many manufacturers recommend beginning with one production line or product family, giving the team room to expand gradually.
Discuss Odoo Manufacturing with our experts
Talk to our Odoo experts and see how you can efficiently manage your entire manufacturing operations under one system.