Odoo 18 Insights: Unveiling the new features

A host of new features and modules are now available to enhance business operations with the release of Odoo version 18.

Whether you’re managing projects, optimising inventory, or updating your website, this version is designed to make tasks more efficient and straightforward. These improvements not only look great but also tackle common business process challenges.

The user experience in Odoo 18 has seen significant enhancements. The mobile user interface has been redesigned for a smoother experience, and simplified URLs make navigation more intuitive. For those managing multiple companies, the new company switcher allows seamless transitions between businesses.

Additionally, frequently used apps can now be turned into web apps, accessible directly from your desktop, tablet, or mobile device, reducing the need for multiple browser tabs.
Project management has also been improved with the introduction of the Project Top Bar. This feature provides a clear overview of project progress, deadlines, and status, making it easier to stay organised and focused.

1. Manufacturing: Stay Organised and Efficient

Manufacturing is all about the details, and losing track of one small thing can disrupt your entire operation. With Odoo 18, the product catalogue on BOMs and MOs brings all the product information right to your fingertips—no more searching or headaches.

Special instructions can now be added directly to work orders, ensuring no important detail gets lost. You can also fold and unfold instructions to keep everything neat and tidy.

• Top Bar Navigation: Easy access to all project-related records like analytics, sales orders, and timesheets.
• Customisable Views: Save, rename, and add preferred views to the top bar.
• Bill of Materials: Easily add missing components from the product catalogue.
• Manufacturing Orders: Add notes and fold long instructions for better clarity.

2. Inventory: Precision in Management

Odoo 18 streamlines inventory management with push/pull rules for efficient stock flow and detailed tracking by lot or serial number. The new dispatch management feature allows precise shipment coordination. You can easily monitor product values and transfer items between locations, ensuring seamless control over your inventory.

• Barcode App: Streamlined inventory management with mobile scanning.
• Inventory Valuation: Track costs and valuation based on lots and serial numbers.
• Unknown Pallet Identification: Scan unknown pallets with a phone or Zebra barcode scanner to identify contents.
• Automatic Product Creation: Scan barcodes to automatically create new products with information from the barcode database.
• Serial Number Tracking: Scan to receive all serial numbers and quantities at once.
• Improved Putaway Rules: Suggests correct storage locations based on past storage data.
• Serial Number Tracking: Track the cost of each unit by serial number, affecting inventory valuation upon delivery.

3. Delivery: More Organised and Efficient

Batch picking optimises delivery rounds and allows for efficient organisation. Delivery vehicles can be assigned, and orders are displayed in a map view. Automated batches improve storage and putaways by directing goods to appropriate locations.

• Vehicle Capacity Check: Ensure transfers fit in vehicles based on weight and volume.
• Route Preview: Click the map button to preview delivery routes.
• Wave Picking: Split transfers based on product location for efficient picking.
• Vehicle Capacity Check: Ensure transfers fit in vehicles based on weight and volume.
• Route Preview: Preview driver routes and set up navigation with Google Maps.

4. Website: Enhanced Building Tools

The website builder offers a streamlined way to enhance your online presence. Import your existing site with a click, and Odoo will replicate it accurately. Customise with new building blocks and previews. The quick translation tool supports multiple languages, and the font preview feature helps you easily update your site’s typography.

• New Styles: More sleek styles for website blocks with preview options.
• Snippet System: Customise and reuse building blocks across multiple pages.
• Automated Translations: Integrated AI for translating website content into multiple languages.
• Custom Fonts: Preview and import custom fonts for a unique website look.

5. Effortless Appointments: Simplified Scheduling

Setting appointments is now effortless with Odoo 18’s new quick-start page. Clients can easily book online, and real-time status updates keep everyone informed. It’s like having a virtual assistant to streamline your scheduling process.

• QuickStart Page: Fast creation of appointments with a new quick start page.
• Gantt View: Quick status changes for reservations.

6. Point of Sale: A Modern Approach

A smooth checkout process is key to a great shopping experience, and Odoo 18’s revamped Point of Sale system delivers just that. With a modern interface, your team can easily navigate on both desktop and mobile devices. The product variant selection has been made more intuitive, simplifying the process of finding exactly what you need.

Additionally, the new barcode lookup feature integrates seamlessly, speeding up transactions and ensuring customer satisfaction.

• Refreshed Interface: Improved interface for selling spare parts and managing attributes and variants.
• Barcode Scanning: Instant product creation by scanning barcodes.

7. Sales: Precision and Professionalism

Precision and professionalism are two words that define the new sales module features. The quotation calculator ensures accurate quotes, removing any guesswork. Impress clients with polished proposals using the enhanced PDF quote builder.

Configuring sales commission plans is now effortless, allowing you to reward your team effectively. With Odoo 18, generating detailed, customised quotes is quick using the smart button which does automatic cost adjustments.

• Quotation Calculator: Adjust shipping costs and configure elements like volume and delivery vehicle type.
• Customisable Quotations: Select what to show, include sections, and add product information.
• Commissions Module: Configure commissions based on monthly targets.
• MTSO (Made to Stock and Order): Automatically orders only the missing items needed to fulfill sales orders.
• RFID Scanning: Quickly scan shelves with an RFID scanner to update inventory automatically.

8. Accounting & Invoicing: Made Easy

Improved invoice editing ensures flawless invoices, catching duplicates before they land. There is added security is provided by the hashing on send feature. Clarity and efficiency are provided by the redesigned invoicing system, with a dynamic preview ensuring error-free invoices.

Financial control is now streamlined with quick reconciliation and revamped lock dates. Comprehensive financial management tools are offered through enhanced data selection and new budget features.

The new accounting module simplifies reconciliation, supports analytic budgeting, and flags overspending to maintain budget accuracy.

• Improved Interface: Display products and descriptions in the same column, easily change descriptions, and choose the right tax scope.
• Reconciliation Widget: Create transactions quickly and organise reconciled items neatly.
• Lock Dates: Prevent changes to past transactions.
• Data Selector: Filter profit and loss reports by month, quarter, or year.
• Financial Budgets: Compare reports with targets for a clear performance overview

Invoicing & Accounting: Analytic Budget feature

• Expense Tracking: Effortlessly track expenses with real-time updates. Track expenses and compare planned versus actual progress.
• Budget Management: Create multiple budgets, including project-specific ones.
• Forecasting: Add lines to set forecasted amounts and revise as needed.
• Automatic Calculations: Vendor bills automatically update committed amounts.
• Performance Gauging: Additional columns show theoretical amounts or percentages based on the period.
• Alerts: Lines turn red if purchases exceed the budget.

9. Recruitment: Effortless hiring with Odoo

The new recruitment module in Odoo version 18 can integrate with job boards for quick postings. AI can format job posts to meet requirements and accurately identifies applicants, preventing data entry errors.

Smart contact creation and multi-application management simplify handling resumes and profiles, making it easier to find the right candidate efficiently.

• Job Posting: Share job offers on job boards with formatted requirements.
• Candidate Management: Link candidates to multiple job offers.

Our Conclusion

Odoo 18 is packed with features designed to make your business operations smoother, smarter, and more enjoyable. This version significantly enhances the user experience with extensive new features and improvements across various applications.

From manufacturing and inventory to sales and recruitment, Odoo 18 offers intuitive tools designed to meet the needs of modern businesses. Whatever industry you’re in, Odoo 18 is built to help you grow.