Introduction
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?
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
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
- 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
- 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
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
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
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
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
| Category | Module | Functionality | How It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales & Customer Mgmt | CRM | Manage leads, opportunities, and sales pipelines | Tracks customer interactions and sales stages, with automation and reporting |
| Sales | Quotation, orders, customer invoicing | Generates quotes/orders and integrates with inventory and accounting | |
| Subscriptions | Manage recurring contracts | Automates renewal, billing, and subscription metrics | |
| POS (Point of Sale) | In-store sales system | Real-time integration with inventory, receipts, and payment options | |
| Rental | Track product rentals and returns | Manages rental orders, durations, and invoicing | |
| eCommerce | Online store with cart and product pages | Syncs with inventory, payment, and shipping modules |
Advanced Features You Can Add via Custom Modules
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
| Aspect | Odoo Studio | Custom Development |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | No-code/low-code tool to customize Odoo visually | Full-code approach using Python, XML, and Odoo framework |
| Target User | Business users, non-developers | Developers or technical teams |
| Use Cases | Add fields, buttons, automate workflows, reports | Complex logic, integrations, custom modules, APIs |
| Speed | Very fast | Slower (requires development cycle) |
| Flexibility | Limited to Studio’s features | Unlimited (full control over backend and frontend) |
| Maintenance | Easier, supported by Odoo | Requires own version control and developer maintenance |
| Upgrades | Seamless with Odoo updates | May break during upgrades without proper migration handling |
| Cost | Included in Odoo Enterprise (paid) | Potentially higher (developer time & testing) |
Best Practices for Customizing Odoo Modules
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.
2. How do modules interact in Odoo?
A new hire in the Recruitment module is automatically added to Employees.
This cross-functionality reduces manual work and increases efficiency.
3. What is the difference between Community and Enterprise modules?
Community (Free): Basic modules like CRM, Sales, Inventory, etc.
Enterprise (Paid): Adds advanced features like Studio, IoT, advanced Accounting, Timesheets, Helpdesk, etc.
4. What do I need to start developing Odoo modules?
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)
5. Is it better to use Odoo Studio or develop custom modules?
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.
6. Where can I find a list of all Odoo modules?
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.
7. Are Odoo modules free to use?
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.
8. Can I integrate custom modules with Odoo core modules?
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.
