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Odoo guide

What is Odoo? The complete guide to the ERP platform

Odoo is an open-source, all-in-one business platform that runs accounting, inventory, CRM, manufacturing, HR and e-commerce in one system.

  • 170k+Companies on Odoo worldwide, per Odoo
  • 50+Core official Odoo apps
  • 43k+Community modules

How Odoo works, and which edition fits

One platform for every business function

Odoo integrates more than 50 core apps, from accounting, inventory and CRM to manufacturing, HR, e-commerce and project management. Every app talks to every other app natively, so data flows in real time across the operation.

  • Replaces disconnected tools with one integrated system
  • No integrations to build between modules from different vendors

Modular by design

You start with the modules you need today, for example Accounting and Inventory, and add CRM, Manufacturing or HR later as the business evolves. No forced bundles and no paying for features you will never use.

Community and Enterprise editions

Community is free under the LGPL licence, suits startups and small businesses, and has no Studio, limited reporting, no multi-company management and no official support. Enterprise adds advanced accounting, Studio, mobile apps, IoT, VoIP, marketing automation and support.

  • Community: free, open source, core modules
  • Enterprise: from €24.90/user/month (Standard) or €37.40/user/month (Custom)
  • We implement both; for strict GST and compliance needs we typically recommend Enterprise

From TinyERP to Odoo 18

Fabien Pinckaers started the platform in Belgium. It grew from a one-person project into one of the most widely adopted business software products.

  • 2005: TinyERP launched
  • 2009: renamed OpenERP
  • 2014: rebranded Odoo, expanding beyond ERP
  • 2024: Odoo 18 released (UI, AI integrations, ESG reporting, compliance for 120+ countries)
  • 2026: Odoo 18.3 released in January

Odoo in numbers (as stated by Odoo)

Odoo reports about 12M active users and adds roughly 13,000 new clients a month. It reported €650M revenue in 2025, and India is among its top four countries for adoption with the US, Belgium and France.

How TCB Infotech implements Odoo

  1. Discovery and audit

    We map your workflows, pain points and goals before touching any configuration.

  2. Solution design

    An Odoo system architected around how your business works, not a generic template.

  3. Iterative development

    Modules built and configured with constant feedback loops.

  4. Testing and training

    Your team is confident and the system is checked before launch.

  5. Data migration

    Historical data moved safely from legacy systems such as Tally or SAP.

  6. Go-live and beyond

    Smooth deployment followed by dedicated ongoing support.

Questions we are asked

What is Odoo ERP?

Odoo is open-source enterprise resource planning software: an integrated suite covering CRM, Sales, Accounting, Inventory, Manufacturing, HR, Marketing, Website and E-commerce on one unified platform.

What is the difference between Odoo Community and Enterprise editions?

Community is the free, open-source edition with core modules and basic functionality. Enterprise is the licensed edition that adds Studio, IoT, the full accounting module, multi-company support, Odoo.sh hosting, mobile support and professional support.

Is Odoo suitable for small businesses?

Yes. Its modular structure lets you start with only the apps you need, which keeps initial costs low, and add more apps as the business grows.

Which industries is Odoo suited to?

Odoo is industry-agnostic and has been deployed across manufacturing, retail, food and hospitality, real estate and construction, professional services, e-commerce, education and more.

Related

The other services in this section, and related pages from TCB Infotech.

Talk to an Odoo specialist

Free consultation. We tell you if Odoo is not the right fit.