What Modules Are Available in Odoo and How Do They Work

What modules are available in Odoo and how do they work?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Odoo is a powerful open-source ERP with modular solutions for managing business functions like inventory, accounting, and CRM. Its flexibility allows businesses to scale easily, and many rely on Odoo Consulting Services for tailored implementation and customization.

 

In this blog, we’ll explore the list of Odoo modules, how they function, and how businesses can leverage Odoo custom module development to tailor the platform to their specific needs.

What Are Odoo Modules?

Laptop screen displaying the Odoo dashboard with various application modules such as CRM, Sales, Invoicing, Inventory, Accounting, Email Marketing, and Project Management.

Odoo modules are individual apps that manage specific business processes and work together to ensure seamless data flow across departments. Users can enable or disable them as needed. To meet unique needs, businesses often explore how to create a custom module in Odoo, allowing them to extend and tailor functionality.

 

There are three types of Odoo modules:

 

  • Odoo Core Modules: Pre-installed by default and essential to the ERP system (e.g., Sales, Inventory, CRM).

 

  • Community Modules: Developed by the Odoo community and available on the Odoo App Store.

 

  • Custom Modules: Tailored modules developed for specific business needs through Odoo custom module development.

List of Core Odoo ERP Modules

Desktop screen showing Odoo ERP dashboard with Inventory and Manufacturing modules including Inventory Adjustments, Manufacturing Orders, Work Orders, Repair Orders, Products, and Bills of Materials.

Here’s a quick list of Odoo modules available in its standard package:

Inventory & Manufacturing

  • Inventory Module in Odoo: Manages stock levels, warehouse operations, and deliveries.
  • Manufacturing (MRP): Handles bills of materials, work orders, and production planning.
  • Purchase: Tracks supplier orders and vendor bills.

Sales & Marketing

Desktop screen displaying Odoo Sales & Marketing dashboard with quotation rate, invoice analysis chart, sales opportunities metrics, and revenue pipeline overview.
  • Sales: Manages quotations, sales orders, and invoices.

  • CRM: Tracks leads, opportunities, and customer communications.

  • Email Marketing: Automates campaigns and mailing lists.

Finance

  • Accounting: General ledger, taxes, invoicing, and bank reconciliation.

  • Invoicing: Simple billing and payment tracking.

Human Resources

  • Employees: Employee profiles, contracts, and HR operations.

  • Payroll: Salary structure and payment processing.

Website & eCommerce

Computer screen displaying a website and eCommerce dashboard interface with modules for Shop, Products, Blog, and Reviews. The interface has a clean, modern design with a purple header.
  • Website Builder: Drag-and-drop tools to build websites.

  • eCommerce: Manages online store, products, and payments.

Productivity

  • Project Management: Task tracking, Gantt charts, and time tracking.

  • Timesheets: Log work hours and track billable time.

  • Helpdesk: Ticket management and customer support.

Spotlight: Odoo Inventory Module

Laptop screen displaying Odoo Inventory module overview with sections for Replenishment, Receipts, Delivery Orders, Manufacturing, and warehouse processing status.

The Odoo Inventory Module is one of the most powerful components of the system. It offers advanced warehouse management features and integrates with sales, purchase, and accounting modules to ensure smooth operations.

Key Features of the Inventory Module in Odoo:

  • Real-time stock level updates

     

  • Multi-warehouse and multi-location support

     

  • Barcode scanning for faster operations

     

  • Automated replenishment via reordering rules

     

  • Product traceability (lot/serial numbers)

     

  • Delivery route management

     

By using the inventory module in Odoo, businesses gain complete visibility into their supply chain, reduce stockouts, and optimize warehouse efficiency.

How to Develop an Odoo Module

Desktop screen showing Odoo interface for module development with Basic Module details including name, version, summary, category, and editable views.

If the standard modules don’t meet your needs, you can develop an Odoo module tailored to your workflow. Odoo is highly customizable, and its modular architecture allows developers to build new apps or extend existing ones.

Basic Steps to Develop an Odoo Module:

 

  • Set up a development environment with Odoo, Python, and PostgreSQL.

 

  • Create a custom module directory with a manifest.py file to define the module.

 

  • Define models using Python to manage data structures.

 

  • Create views and menus using XML to display data on the frontend.

 

  • Add security rules to control access rights.

 

  • Install and test the module on your Odoo instance.

Benefits of Odoo Custom Module Development

Laptop screen displaying Odoo Custom Module dashboard with module list including names, categories, status indicators, and project stages like New, In Progress, and Done.

Developing custom modules in Odoo can significantly enhance business operations by creating features tailored to specific workflows.

 

Why choose Odoo custom module development?

 

  • Meet unique business requirements

 

  • Automate specialized processes

 

  • Add industry-specific functionality

 

  • Improve team productivity

 

  • Stay ahead of competitors

Why Businesses Opt to Develop Odoo Modules

Laptop screen showing Odoo Apps dashboard featuring modules for Local Payment Gateways, Route Planning, and Fleet Tracking with install options.

Although Odoo offers a rich library of apps, every business has its own unique processes. That’s where Odoo custom module development becomes essential.

Common Use Cases for Custom Modules:

  • Manufacturing companies needing a customized bill of materials system.

     

  • Retailers integrating local payment gateways or POS hardware.

     

  • Healthcare providers managing patient data workflows.

     

  • Logistics firms needing route planning and fleet tracking.

     

Developing an Odoo module gives you the power to tailor the ERP system to your needs rather than conforming your business processes to off-the-shelf software.

Odoo Modules Comparison Table

CategoryModuleFunctionalityHow It Works
Sales & Customer MgmtCRMManage leads, opportunities, and sales pipelinesTracks customer interactions and sales stages, with automation and reporting
SalesQuotation, orders, customer invoicingGenerates quotes/orders and integrates with inventory and accounting
SubscriptionsManage recurring contractsAutomates renewal, billing, and subscription metrics
POS (Point of Sale)In-store sales systemReal-time integration with inventory, receipts, and payment options
RentalTrack product rentals and returnsManages rental orders, durations, and invoicing
eCommerceOnline store with cart and product pagesSyncs with inventory, payment, and shipping modules

Advanced Features You Can Add via Custom Modules

Desktop screen displaying modular interface with advanced Odoo features including Chat, Subscription, Invoices, Knowledge Base, Analytics, and Inventory.

If you’re exploring how to develop Odoo modules, consider including some of these advanced functionalities:

 

  • Dynamic Dashboards: Interactive, real-time KPIs across departments.

  • Approval Workflows: Multi-level approvals for purchases or HR actions.

  • Automated Reports: Scheduled reports via email in Excel or PDF.

  • Third-party Integration: APIs for payment gateways, SMS, or external CRM.

  • AI Features: Predictive inventory replenishment or customer scoring.

These features can be built into a module using Python and XML, then packaged and deployed in your Odoo environment.

Odoo Studio vs Custom Development

AspectOdoo StudioCustom Development
DefinitionNo-code/low-code tool to customize Odoo visuallyFull-code approach using Python, XML, and Odoo framework
Target UserBusiness users, non-developersDevelopers or technical teams
Use CasesAdd fields, buttons, automate workflows, reportsComplex logic, integrations, custom modules, APIs
SpeedVery fastSlower (requires development cycle)
FlexibilityLimited to Studio’s featuresUnlimited (full control over backend and frontend)
MaintenanceEasier, supported by OdooRequires own version control and developer maintenance
UpgradesSeamless with Odoo updatesMay break during upgrades without proper migration handling
CostIncluded in Odoo Enterprise (paid)Potentially higher (developer time & testing)

Best Practices for Customizing Odoo Modules

Desktop screen showing Odoo Product Template form with tabs for Model, Views, Fields, Access Rights, and Advanced Properties for module customization.

If you’re planning to develop an Odoo module, follow these tips to ensure long-term scalability and maintainability:

 

  • Keep custom code separate from core code

 

  • Follow Odoo coding guidelines

 

  • Use version control (e.g., Git)

 

  • Ensure compatibility with future Odoo versions

 

  • Test thoroughly before deployment

Conclusion

Odoo offers a wide range of modules to streamline operations across departments, making it one of the most flexible ERP systems available. By exploring the list of Odoo modules and understanding how they work, businesses can start strong. And when standard features aren’t enough, developing Odoo modules or investing in Odoo customization services  can give your company a real competitive edge.

FAQ'S

1. What is a module in Odoo?

A module in Odoo is a functional building block that adds a specific set of features to the Odoo platform. Modules allow you to customize Odoo based on your business needs—from sales and inventory to HR and website management. essential business operations and can be extended or integrated as needed.

  • A new hire in the Recruitment module is automatically added to Employees.

This cross-functionality reduces manual work and increases efficiency.

  • Community (Free): Basic modules like CRM, Sales, Inventory, etc.

  • Enterprise (Paid): Adds advanced features like Studio, IoT, advanced Accounting, Timesheets, Helpdesk, etc.

To develop Odoo modules, you need:

  • A working Odoo installation (Community or Enterprise)

  • Python programming knowledge

  • Basic understanding of XML for views

  • Familiarity with Odoo’s ORM (Object-Relational Mapping)

  • A development environment (like VS Code) and version control (like Git)

Odoo Studio is great for simple customizations like adding fields or modifying views. However, for complex workflows, integrations, or automation, Odoo custom module development offers more flexibility and control.

You can view a complete list of Odoo modules on the official Odoo App Store, where both core and third-party modules are available. You can also explore default modules from within your Odoo dashboard under the “Apps” section.

Odoo Community Edition modules are free and open source. However, some features and modules are only available in the Enterprise Edition, which requires a paid subscription. Third-party apps from the Odoo App Store may also be paid.

Yes, one of the advantages of Odoo is its modular and integrated architecture. You can develop custom modules that work in sync with Odoo core modules like Sales, CRM, or Inventory to enhance or extend functionality.

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