Odoo 18 Highlights: Everything You Need to Know!

Odoo has always been a significant player in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions, providing businesses a platform to manage their operations more effectively. 

With its Odoo 18 release, the ERP giant has introduced us to some exciting new improvements to its previous modules, powerful features, and add-ons that give an edge to your customer relationships. These new updates are designed similarly to the existing Odoo versions, maximizing impact while simplifying workflow operations.

This blog looks at Odoo 18’s highlights. The following sections explain the new launch in more detail.

Odoo 18: A Quick Synopsis

Welcome to Odoo 18, where innovation meets efficiency! 

The latest Odoo 18 has sophisticated features and upgrades. They strive to improve usability, performance, and procedures. Whether seeking new modules or creative tools, Odoo 18’s features will match your company’s demands.

Odoo’s 18 new features are meant to minimize friction in various sectors. These updates are designed to make regular activities more accessible and streamlined for your operations.

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Latest Features of the Odoo 18 CRM

Modernize User Interface

As an Odoo user, upgrading to the platform’s version, Odoo 18, will result in a more modern user experience. The community has enabled accurate and more organized layouts with reduced URLs, making navigating easier. The primary goal of this UI redesign is to provide users with a consistent experience while tripling productivity.

The new Odoo feature, “Company Switcher,” provides a rapid and easy changeover between businesses regardless of the platform (smartphone, tablet, or desktop) you 

work on. Furthermore, you can access Project Top Bar, which is your assistant. It will monitor your project data, allowing you to see your project’s progress, deadline, and status at any time. 

Intuitive Website Builder

Your website is your business’s identity, and Odoo has made it more user-friendly with its website builder tool. Odoo 18’s latest website functionality allows you to import your existing site with a single click and overhaul it to make it more organized.

The new font preview makes it simple to give it a new appearance for increased web visibility and interaction. It also lets you personalize it with additional construction pieces and previews. The preview has also included a simple translation tool that allows you to integrate several languages, making it more accessible to a worldwide audience.

Innovative Inventory Management

Inventory management is critical for any firm that handles many physical items. Proper inventory management maintains a delicate balance between product availability and movement. As per the Odoo 18 release notes, it offers comprehensive inventory management capabilities, such as push/pull rules to maintain stock movement. It also enables firms to restock out-of-stock items, preventing supply chain disruptions.

[ Read More: Ready to unlock the potential of Odoo 18? Our Odoo Experts Can Help ]

Another feature, value by lot or serial number, provides a more thorough layer of inventory monitoring, assuring smooth operation. The new dispatch management shipping and feature tool lets you handle product delivery like an expert, providing complete control.

the barcode search feature lets you create product records on the fly, simply by scanning. No more manual data entry: simply point the scanner at a barcode and the product will automatically be created in the database with the right information.

Enhanced eCommerce Features

Odoo 18’s feature upgrade is only possible with eCommerce modules. The most recent open-source company management software version has included several upgrades in the eCommerce area. One of the most significant upgrades is improving the product filtering system, making it easier for consumers to browse products. Odoo 18 also has much better payment gateway options. Businesses that operate in different areas can profit significantly from these upgrades.

The latest Odoo 18 feature update for eCommerce delivers improved options for tailoring the purchasing experience. Businesses may now provide targeted product suggestions based on consumer behavior, dramatically increasing the potential for cross-selling and upselling.

Advanced Invoicing & Accounting

Accounting and invoicing can be challenging to manage in today’s ever-changing corporate environment. With Oddo 18’s new invoice editing function, accountants can easily detect duplication and prepare perfect bills. The company management software now includes “hashing on send” as an enhanced security feature to prevent undesired attacks.

Oddo has also incorporated reconciliation rapid build, dramatically improving account balance accuracy. Furthermore, the revamped lock dates feature gives you greater control over your finances. You may use the upgraded data selection and new budget feature tools to manage your funds more effectively and efficiently. 

[ Read More: Odoo Accounting: Multipurpose Cloud-Based Accounting Software for Your Business ]

Smart HR and Employee Management

Human resource management is one of the most complicated positions. However, Odoo 18 feature improvements focused on this business area and included several user-friendly enhancements. The HR models, including a new performance assessment system suite, allow managers to assign daily tasks and project goals, track progress, and conduct reviews.

Payroll administration has also undergone an upgrade, and many operations, including computation and payment distribution, are now completely automated, considerably decreasing mistakes and effort. Leave management has been improved with new capabilities, making it easier for employees to seek time off on specific days and for managers to accept or refuse these requests.

Improved Sales and CRM

Understanding the importance of customer relationship management (CRM) in corporate operations, Odoo 18 includes numerous sophisticated capabilities that improve relationship management efficiency. With the new lead rating system, sales can focus on potential prospects. It will allow them to delve into critical details, review their performance, and complete sales more efficiently.

Odoo 18 has configurable quotation templates for efficiently constructing customized quotations. Accepted quotations may be simply turned into orders, streamlining the sales process and accelerating transaction completion. Furthermore, the sales management pipeline update gives sales managers a comprehensive picture of all opportunities, giving them an advantage in finding the most promising offers.

Odoo 18’s quote calculator lets you create accurate quotes – no more guessing!

And don’t worry about commission plans: you can now easily set them up, which means you can reward your Sales team exactly the way you want.

Effortless Online Appointment Scheduling

Making an appointment with the newest Odoo 18 is no longer difficult. The improved quick-start function simplifies appointment scheduling and provides real-time progress information. With this ultra-modern Odoo 18 feature, you and your clients are now on the same page, eliminating any difficulty or uncertainty.

Refined Point of Sale (POS)

You don’t want your customers to have a negative purchasing experience due to a cumbersome checkout procedure. Odoo 18’s Point of Sale (POS) system transforms checkout, providing a streamlined and efficient experience. Its user-friendly layout, available on desktop and mobile devices, allows your staff to browse easily.

It allows you to create goods from the POS interface without leaving it. You must simply enter the product name, sales price (without taxes), POS category, customer taxes, etc. The enhanced product variation selection and integrated barcode search improve operations by expediting transactions and assuring customer satisfaction.

Revamped Project Management

Odoo 18 features various new tools to help with project management. One of the most notable features is the Gannt Chart, which gives a detailed visual representation of the project schedule and task relationships. This flagship feature enables project managers to track development progress rapidly and safely.

It has also taken care of the major project section. In Odoo 18, you will use the task dependency management system to create a results-driven roadmap for large, complicated projects. They can also link jobs so the next one can begin once the previous one is done. Odoo 18 has enhanced time tracking by allowing team members to record hours and managers to evaluate and approve timesheets directly on the platform.

Odoo 18 VS. 17: What You Need to Know?

Although Odoo 18 introduced many updates over its previous versions, most users might need clarification about upgrading to the latest level. Therefore, this section looks at the difference between the Odoo 17 vs. 18. Let’s get started! 

#1 User Interface

• Odoo 17: Functional yet cluttered, which may affect user productivity.
• Odoo 18: It features a cleaner appearance, faster navigation, and more customization choices for a more straightforward user experience.

Odoo 18 has a contemporary and user-friendly design, allowing users to access tools and modules more effectively. The simplified design shortens the learning curve and increases overall productivity, allowing your staff to complete jobs more efficiently.

#2 Accounting

• Odoo 17: Basic financial instruments require manual reconciliation, which may be time-consuming.
• Odoo 18: Introduces AI-powered reconciliation, real-time reporting, and multi-currency compatibility to simplify financial management operations.

Odoo 18’s extensive accounting capabilities enable organizations to automate financial operations, decrease mistakes, and make smarter financial decisions. Real-time reporting allows you to rapidly monitor your company’s financial health, which helps with strategic planning and forecasting.

#3 CRM & Sales

• Odoo 17: Standard lead management, making it appropriate for basic sales activities.
• Odoo 18: Provides automated lead scoring and enhanced pipeline automation, allowing sales teams to focus on high-value leads and complete transactions quickly.

The improved CRM features in Odoo 18 allow your sales staff to focus on the most promising prospects, expedite the sales process, and raise conversion rates. Automating repetitive processes lets your staff focus on connection-building and smart selling. 

#4 Inventory & Manufacturing

• Odoo 17: Simple inventory tools that may not fulfill complicated inventory requirements.
• Odoo 18: Smart reordering, sophisticated production planning, and improved barcode support help optimize manufacturing process and inventory control.

Odoo 18’s inventory efficiency and production management are critical for firms handling stock and supply networks. Odoo 18’s intelligent features help decrease mistakes, minimize stockouts, and improve overall warehouse and production efficiency.

#5 eCommerce

• Odoo 17: Simple product management is ideal for small-scale online stores.
• Odoo 18: Customizable themes, improved product management, and shipping connections help firms expand their e-commerce operations easily.

In today’s competitive e-commerce environment, having an appealing and effective online store is critical. Odoo 18 allows you to provide a better shopping experience for your clients, resulting in higher sales and satisfaction.

#6 AI & Automation

• Odoo 17: Limited automation features result in additional manual setups.
• Odoo 18: AI-powered workflows and predictive analytics are integrated, allowing more informed decision-making and automating mundane procedures.

Odoo 18 can use AI to uncover data trends and aid strategic decision-making. Process automation saves money and improves efficiency, allowing your staff to focus on essential company tasks.

#7 Mobile Optimization

• Odoo 17: Offers basic mobile capabilities that may need to be improved for consumers constantly on the go.
• Odoo 18: Provides a more compatible and faster mobile experience, providing consistent functioning across all devices.

With the growing need for mobile-first experiences, Odoo 18’s mobile optimization enables you to run your business from anywhere. The updated mobile app guarantees access to crucial company information even on the road.

#8 Security

• Odoo 17: Offers basic security procedures that address fundamental protection needs.
• Odoo 18: It improves security with two-factor authentication (2FA) and superior encryption, providing more protection for your company data.

Protecting your company data is critical in today’s digital world. Odoo 18’s sophisticated security measures preserve essential information from cyber attacks, providing peace of mind.

Feature	Odoo 17	Odoo 18
User Interface	Functional but slightly cluttered, which can impact user productivity.	Features a cleaner design with faster navigation and enhanced customization options.
Accounting	Basic financial tools with manual reconciliation which can be time-consuming.	Introduces AI-powered reconciliation, multi-currency support, and real-time reports.
CRM & Sales	Standard lead management is suitable for basic sales operations.	Offers automated lead scoring and advanced pipeline automation.
Inventory & Manufacturing	Basic inventory tools that may not meet complex inventory needs.	Provides improved barcode support, smart reordering, and advanced production planning.
eCommerce	Simple product management suitable for small-scale online stores.	Features enhanced product management, customizable themes, and shipping integration.
AI & Automation	Limited automation features, leading to more manual tasks.	Incorporates AI-powered workflows and predictive analytics.
Mobile Optimization	Basic mobile functionality that may not suffice for on-the-go users.	Delivers a convenient mobile experience, ensuring seamless operations across all devices.
Security	Basic security measures that cover fundamental protection needs.	Enhances security with two-factor authentication (2FA) and advanced encryption.

Now You Know!

Odoo 18 features innovations to help organizations run more efficiently and successfully. Whether you work in manufacturing, retail, or services, the new features in Odoo 18 provide the tools you need to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment.

From automation to improved project management, the new edition of Odoo fulfills its promise of a potent ERP that revolutionizes your operations. Change how your business works; sign up for our Odoo development services now!