As a business owner or decision-maker, staying ahead in today’s competitive market requires leveraging the best tools available. Odoo, a leading ERP platform, has introduced Odoo 18, building on the robust foundation of Odoo 17 and delivering significant upgrades to meet the evolving needs of businesses.
Here is a detailed comparison to help you understand why upgrading to Odoo 18 could be a game-changer for your business.
Enhanced User Interface and Experience
Odoo 17 UI is Functional and efficient, but the interface could feel slightly cluttered while Odoo 18’s interface allows users to access tools and modules more efficiently, reducing the learning curve and enabling teams to perform tasks more effectively.
Odoo 17 Supported a range of third-party integration but with limited flexibility, On the other hand Odoo 18 Features an upgraded application programming interface and improved integration capabilities, enabling businesses to synchronize data seamlessly across multiple platforms.
Enhanced Performance and Reporting
Odoo 17 provided excellent performance for mid-sized businesses, but Odoo 18 elevates this by offering greater scalability to support more intricate business processes while maintaining speed.
While Odoo 17 introduced solid reporting features, Odoo 18 took it a step further with enhanced customization and real-time analytic. Users now have more control over report generation, enabling them to perform detailed, tailored analysis that meets their specific business requirements.
Advanced AI and Automation Capabilities
Odoo 18 takes automation to the next level, leaving the manual-heavy processes of Odoo 17 in the past. With cutting-edge AI-powered workflows and predictive analytics, Odoo 18 transforms how businesses operate. Its advanced automation features identify data patterns, streamline repetitive tasks, and enable smarter, data-driven decision-making. These innovations free up your team to focus on what truly matters strategic initiatives and achieving core business goals. Say goodbye to inefficiencies and hello to a future powered by intelligent, automated processes with Odoo 18.
Improved Data Security and Compliance
Odoo 17: Provide basic security measures to meet fundamental protection needs. Odoo 18 enhances security through two-factor authentication (2FA), advanced encryption, and better user access controls, thereby ensuring robust data protection and compliance.
Key Business Module Enhancements:
- Inventory Management: Odoo 17 includes basic inventory tools that are suitable for straightforward needs. Odoo 18 Introduces AI-driven forecasting, smart reordering, improved barcode support, and advanced production planning to optimize inventory control and manufacturing workflows.
- Accounting and Finance: Odoo 17 provides essential financial tools, although manual reconciliation can be time-consuming. Odoo 18 Features AI-powered reconciliation, multi-currency support, real-time insights, and enhanced reporting capabilities, thereby simplifying financial management.
- CRM and Sales: Odoo 17 is a standard lead management tool for basic sales operations. Odoo 18 Offers automated lead scoring, advanced pipeline automation, and predictive analytics to prioritize high-value opportunities and close deals faster.
- HR and Recruitment: Odoo 17 offers strong HR capabilities for recruitment and management. Odoo 18 integrates automated onboarding, performance tracking, and employee engagement features, making talent management more efficient.
- E-Commerce Advancements: Odoo 17 offers basic tools for small-scale online stores. Odoo 18 Introduces customization themes, enhanced product management, and shipping integration, making it easier to scale up e-commerce operations and improve the shopping experience for customers.
Figure 1. PoS frontend in Odoo 17
Figure 2: Redesigned PoS Frontend interface in Odoo 18
Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate the differences in the PoS frontend between Odoo 17 and Odoo 18, as outlined in the table below.
Key changes for developers
|
Feature |
Odoo 17 |
Odoo 18 |
|
URL |
URLs are less user-friendly and difficult to modify manually.
|
More user-friendly URLs that can be edited manually, thereby improving usability, navigation, and SEO for websites. Example: https://confianz-qa.odoo.com/odoo/invoicing/10 |
|
Tour Revamp |
Tours require more manual actions. |
A revamped interface for recording, managing, and customizing onboarding and testing tours. You can enable/disable tours from the user menu. |
|
Product Types and Tracking |
Separate types: Storable and Consumable and Tracking options based on Storable Product (Inventory).
|
Simplified to a single type: Goods with a widget for a radio button. A Track inventory field was introduced instead of Tracking in the inventory.
|
|
Combo Products |
Available exclusively at the point of sale, using a notebook page with a one2many field for combos. |
In Odoo 18, combo products also can be used in E-commerce and Sales with a direct many2many widget field. |
|
Purchase Agreement Types |
A separate menu for Blanket Orders and Purchase Alternatives is included by default. |
The blanket Orders menu was replaced by the Purchase Agreement menu. Agreement types are limited to two options: Blanket Order and Purchase Templates. |
|
RFQ Management from Portal |
Customers can view only the RFQ details from the portal. |
Customers can now accept or decline RFQs directly from the portal or via email. |
|
Auto Post Bills: a new form of bill. |
No auto post feature for vendor bills. |
Introduced Auto-validate Bills for vendors after importing three consecutive bills without changes. Configurable from vendor profiles. |
|
Document Layout |
N/A |
It has three new document layouts: Bubble, Wave, and folder layouts, for better customization. |
|
Journal Types |
Limited to sales, purchase, bank, cash, and miscellaneous journals. |
It has a new Credit Card journal type to register credit card payments. |
|
Subtask Creation |
In addition, subtasks cannot be created directly from Kanban cards. | Allows direct subtask creation from Kanban cards, thus improving task management. |
|
PoS Products |
Only creating/editing products from a backend is possible. |
Enables product creation and editing directly from the PoS application. |
|
PoS Frontend |
Functional but minimalist design with limited visual enhancements. |
Redesigned interface with a polished look, modern UI elements, and improved navigation. |
|
PoS Payment Methods |
Payment methods cannot be edited once validated before receipt printing. |
Allows editing payment methods before printing, thereby providing more flexibility. |
|
Website |
Limited colors and default themes. |
Updated color palette and improved theme selection. Enhanced website builder with snippet previews and keyword-based selection for easier customization. |
|
Snippet Library |
Includes drag-and-drop options but lacks previews and keyword-based selection. |
Over 60 new snippets were added with previews and keyword-based discovery for easier selection. Snippets can now be seamlessly replaced. |
|
Organization Chart |
No filtering options are available for the organization chart. |
Added filters for better navigation and organization. |
|
TimeOff Overview |
There is no option to approve/reject time off from the overview. |
Allows direct approval/rejection of time off from the overview screen. |
|
TimeOff Policies |
Cannot handle public holidays separately for time-off categories. |
New feature to include/exclude public holidays for specific time-off types. Dashboard visibility control for time-off types added. |
|
Automatic checkout and absence management |
There is no option for automatic check-out or missing hours tracking. |
Automatic checkout, absence management, and tracking for missing hours. |
Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrate the differences in Snippet Library functionality between Odoo 17 and Odoo 18, as detailed in the table above.
Figure 3: Conventional drag and drop snippet selection: Odoo 17
Figure 4: Advanced snippet selection: Odoo18
Conclusion: Is It Time to Upgrade?
Upgrading from Odoo 17 to Odoo 18 offers businesses a transformative leap in efficiency, functionality, and user experience. Odoo 18 introduces a sleek, intuitive interface that simplifies workflows and reduces complexity, enabling teams to work faster and more effectively. Enhanced mobile functionality ensures seamless access to critical business tools on the go, while upgraded API and integration capabilities enable smooth synchronization across platforms, fostering a more connected and dynamic ERP environment.
Odoo 18 represents a substantial leap forward in terms of user experience, performance, and functionality. With faster operations, expanded AI and automation capabilities, improved security, and better integration options, Odoo 18 is designed to empower businesses to stay competitive and efficient in a rapidly changing market.
Although Odoo 17 remains a solid option for small – to medium-sized companies, Odoo 18’s advanced features and scalability make it a compelling choice for growing businesses. By upgrading to Odoo 18, users can take advantage of its cutting-edge tools to optimize processes, improve productivity, and satisfy customers’ evolving demands.
If your business is ready to embrace the future of ERP, it is now the perfect time to make the switch to Odoo 18.
Ready to upgrade to Odoo-18? Confianz provides expert Odoo-18 implementation, migration, and support services. Future-proof your business with a seamless upgrade. Contact us today at +1 704 215 4622 or [email protected]!
