What it is
Odoo is a Belgian open-source ERP made of dozens of apps on a shared database: CRM, sales, invoicing, accounting, inventory, manufacturing, website, e-commerce and point of sale. You start with one app and add more as you grow. It has localizations with e-invoicing for several Latin American countries, and you can run it in Odoo's cloud or on your own servers.
How to use it
- Start with one free app, such as CRM or invoicing, and add modules when you need them.
- Connect sales, inventory and accounting so every order updates stock and the books.
- Issue e-invoices with your country's localization, such as CFDI in Mexico.
- Launch an online store on the same catalog and inventory as your ERP.
- Customize forms and workflows with Odoo Studio or custom modules.
What it's good for
- A distributor in Guadalajara that needs multi-warehouse inventory, CFDI and accounting in one system.
- A furniture maker in Medellín planning production, buying raw materials and invoicing with the DIAN.
- A cosmetics brand in Santiago selling online and in store from a single inventory.
Pros
- One app free forever with unlimited users on Odoo Online
- Every app shares the same data, with no integrations between modules
- Tax localizations for Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Peru
- Open-source Community edition you can self-host
Cons
- A solid rollout usually requires a partner and consulting hours
- The external API and self-hosting Enterprise require the Custom plan
- Custom modules make upgrading to new versions harder
