Exciting Features Expected in Odoo 18: A Glimpse Into Future

Odoo, widely popular for its versatility, has taken the world of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software by storm. With its rich ecosystem of 16,000 ready-to-use, in-built custom apps, it has gained immense popularity, wide recognition, and an extensive user base. These in-built apps streamline various business operations, including sales, marketing, finance, human resources, manufacturing & inventory, website building, and many more.

Did you know that Odoo ERP is the 8th most popular in India and 14th most popular across the Internet in the open-source category? According to statistics, Odoo was used by 73,318 live websites across the world in November 2023.

Every year, Odoo releases a new version. Last year, it released Odoo 17 (the current version) with an improvised, more responsive user interface, enhanced security, increased performance, and more integrations. It is a significant upgrade to all its previous versions with multiple new features and improvements.

Recently, the CEO and founder of Odoo, Fabien Pinckaers, took to LinkedIn and shared an update about reviewing Odoo Website Builder’s UI. Also, he penned down a post asking the audience for any idea of a killing feature for Odoo 18. As a result, a large number of people shared their thoughts and feedback.

This blog explores a glimpse into Odoo 18’s expected features.

A Sneak Peek Into 10 Most Expected Odoo 18 Features 

1. Upgraded Marketing Module 

It is expected that Odoo 18 will have improved features in the marketing module to match the standards of MailChimp’s features. Here are some expected improvements:

• The integration of contacts and mailing contacts for seamless data use in email segmentation.
• Upgrade to the outgoing email server so that emails do not arrive in spam, i.e., reducing spam occurrences for outgoing emails.
• Simplified Marketing Automation setup, making it easy for novices or average users to set it up.
• Automatic linking of survey responses and event registrations to the relevant contact if the participant registers without logging in.
• No limit on the distribution of newsletters. 

2. Sales: Target Vs Achievement Report

Odoo 18 may incorporate a feature in the Sales module where users can set goals for a specific salesperson and then review a report on their actual monthly, quarterly, yearly, etc., sales activity.

In short, Odoo 18 may have a feature that generates reports on an individual salesperson’s target vs achievement. This feature significantly simplifies sales commission.

3. Improved Mobile Usability for CRM and Quotes 

Though creating quotes from the mobile has considerably improved in Odoo 17, there is room for improvement to be expected in Odoo 18. The following are some expected improvements:

• A quick and easy opportunity lookup feature for easy and seamless access.
• Limit fields on mobile view (contact details, notes, last communication or chatter) to achieve maximum optimization.
• A clear, straightforward interface for note-taking. Plus, a dictation option for hands-free input.
• A simplified quote-building process with a comprehensive guide.
• A shortcut for immediate quote sending and on-screen signing.

4. Non-Financial Reporting 

Non-financial reporting refers to disclosing information that is not based on financial figures or metrics. It primarily focuses on a company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. These ESG factors play a vital role in determining the company’s sustainability and ethical practices.

With non-financial reports, the company’s stakeholders, customers, and employees can gain insights into its environmental impact.

We can strongly expect Odoo 18 to have a feature for non-financial reporting, especially CO2 emissions reporting. It helps organizations actively manage CO2 emissions and meet their sustainability goals.

5. Website Builder’s UI 

This is the image Fabien Pinckaers shared on LinkedIn, asking the audience to vote for the preferred choice regarding Odoo Website Builder’s UI.

As you can see, it has three options:

• First: The current version
• Second: No icons with more structure
• Third: Only icons

Many Odoo users found Option 2 to be user-friendly, as it is more focused on structure and is text-based. Text labels leave no room for confusion and ensure intuitive navigation, especially for users who are new to Odoo.

Regarding Option 3, having only icons can be visually appealing but less accessible, requiring users to decipher icons. Additionally, if Option 3 is finalized, we can expect the Settings icon rather than the one used commonly as a filter icon.

6. Streamlined Activity Completion

We can contemplate the mass activity completion feature analogous to HubSpot in Odoo 18. This feature ensures seamless workflow, rapid task completion, no delays in activity completion, and improved user experience. The idea is to display the current activity on the top of the view. So, users can either skip or complete the activity without requiring to switch between tabs.

This feature benefits in the following ways:

• Multiple activities are completed in minutes.
• Tool hygiene is maintained, eliminating unnecessary steps to address activities.
• CRM and ERP remain updated.

7. Gantt Views Enhancement 

Another expected improvement in Odoo 18 is the enhancement of Gantt views. You can expect flexible zoom and scroll features in the Gantt view that notably improves user experience.

Odoo 18 may provide intuitive controls for users to zoom in and out at any level within the Gantt view. Plus, a flexible left-to-right scroll to navigate through different time periods would be the cherry on the cake. This customized view focused on specific time periods enhances precision and improves navigation.

These two features make Odoo’s Gantt view more user-centric and versatile.

8. Draft Document Validation

Odoo 18 is planning to introduce a visible indicator that displays the number of documents currently present in the draft stage. It will allow users to determine the number or volume of documents that require validation. This ensures the timely validation of documents and streamlines the fiduciary process.

9. Visa/Mastercard Statement Scanning

Another great addition to expect in Odoo 18 is the integration of OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to scan Visa/Mastercard statements, extract information, and easily upload it into the accounting system. This drastically reduces the time required to enter statement details manually. Plus, it minimizes errors, which are more likely to occur with manual data entry.

10. ‘Save as Global’ for the Web Editor 

With the ‘Save as Global’ option on the web editor, you can save a configured custom block now and reuse it on other pages without making changes to all pages individually. When you save a block globally, the changes you make to one instance reflect across all pages wherever it is used. This eliminates the hassle of maintaining consistency manually.

Loyalty Points of Odoo 18 in Shop Portal Account

The loyalty points system in the Odoo 18 Shop Portal Account is designed to enhance customer retention and encourage repeat purchases by rewarding customers with points that can be redeemed for various benefits. This system integrates seamlessly into the existing Odoo framework, providing businesses with a powerful tool to boost customer engagement and sales.

Key Features of Loyalty Points in Odoo 18

1. Earning Points

Customers can accumulate loyalty points through various actions and transactions within the shop portal. Here are some ways customers can earn points:

• Making Purchases: Every purchase made on the shop portal earns points based on the amount spent. For example, customers might earn 1 point for every $10 spent.
• Account Sign-Up: New customers receive a welcome bonus of points when they create an account on the shop portal.
• Referrals: Customers can earn points by referring friends or family members who make a purchase on the site. This encourages word-of-mouth marketing.
• Special Promotions: During special promotional periods, customers can earn double or triple points on purchases, driving increased sales during those times.
• Writing Reviews: Rewarding customers for leaving product reviews encourages user-generated content and provides valuable feedback.

2. Redeeming Points

Loyalty points can be redeemed for various rewards, enhancing the shopping experience and providing tangible benefits to customers. Some redemption options include:

• Discounts: Customers can apply their accumulated points at checkout to receive discounts on their purchases. For example, 100 points might equal a $10 discount.
• Exclusive Products: Points can be redeemed for access to exclusive products or limited-time offers that are not available to regular shoppers.
• Free Shipping: Customers can use points to cover the cost of shipping, making their purchase more attractive.
• Gift Cards: Points can be converted into gift cards that customers can use for future purchases or give to others.

3. Points Management

The shop portal account interface provides a comprehensive points management system for customers:

1. Points Balance: Customers can view their current points balance in their account dashboard.
2. Points History: A detailed history of how points were earned and redeemed, helping customers keep track of their rewards.
3. Expiration Alerts: Notifications for points that are nearing expiration, encouraging customers to use their points before they lose them.

Editing POS Products Without Leaving the Frontend in Odoo 18

One of the anticipated features in Odoo 18 is the ability to edit Point of Sale (POS) products directly from the frontend interface. This enhancement aims to streamline the workflow for retail staff, enabling them to make real-time adjustments without having to switch between the backend and frontend systems.

Key Features of Frontend POS Product Editing

1. Real-Time Product Management

• Instant Updates: Staff can instantly update product details such as prices, descriptions, and availability directly from the POS interface. This means any changes are immediately reflected in the system, ensuring that the information is always current.
• Seamless Workflow: By allowing edits on the front end, staff can manage products without interrupting their sales process or needing access to the backend, enhancing efficiency.

2. User-Friendly Interface

• Intuitive Design: The editing interface is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, minimizing the need for extensive training. Staff can quickly make adjustments with minimal steps.
• Accessible Options: Key product attributes such as price, stock levels, and descriptions can be accessed and edited with a few clicks, directly from the product screen.

3. Enhanced Flexibility

• On-the-Fly Adjustments: This feature allows for immediate changes in response to customer inquiries or stock adjustments, providing flexibility in dynamic retail environments.
• Promotional Changes: Easily implement and update promotions or discounts directly from the POS, ensuring that all sales opportunities are maximized.

New Location Selector Widget in Odoo 18

The new location selector widget in Odoo 18 aims to enhance the usability and efficiency of managing locations within the system. This widget provides an intuitive and streamlined interface for selecting and managing locations, making it easier for users to handle location-based operations such as inventory management, shipping, and logistics.

Key Features of the Location Selector Widget

1. Intuitive User Interface

• Simplified Selection: The location selector widget offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of selecting locations. Users can easily navigate through locations using a visual and interactive map or list view.
• Search and Filter Options: The widget includes powerful search and filter capabilities, allowing users to quickly find specific locations based on various criteria such as location name, type, or geographical area.

2. Real-Time Updates

• Dynamic Location Data: The widget displays real-time information about locations, ensuring that users have the most up-to-date data when making decisions. Any changes made to locations are instantly reflected in the widget.
• Interactive Map View: For businesses with multiple locations, the interactive map view provides a visual representation of all locations, making it easy to identify and select the desired location.

3. Integration with Other Modules

• Seamless Integration: The location selector widget integrates seamlessly with other Odoo modules such as Inventory, Sales, and Shipping. This integration ensures that location selection is consistent across different business processes.
• Automated Workflows: By integrating with other modules, the widget helps automate workflows that involve location-based decisions, such as assigning inventory to specific warehouses or selecting shipping locations.

Master Production Schedule (MPS) in Odoo 18 Manufacturing – New UI

The Master Production Schedule (MPS) in Odoo 18 Manufacturing comes with a revamped user interface (UI) designed to enhance production planning and scheduling efficiency.

Key Features

1. Enhanced User Interface

• Modern Design: Clean, intuitive layout for easier navigation.
• Interactive Elements: Drag-and-drop functionality and dynamic charts for easy adjustments.

2. Real-Time Data Integration

• Live Updates: Immediate reflection of changes in demand, inventory, and capacity.
• Seamless Synchronization: Consistent data across Inventory, Sales, and Procurement modules.

3. Improved Planning Tools

• Forecasting: Advanced tools for accurate demand prediction.
• Capacity Planning: Enhanced tools to optimize resource use and identify bottlenecks.
• Scenario Analysis: Ability to create and compare different production scenarios.

4. Customizable Views and Reports

• Tailored Dashboards: Customizable dashboards for quick access to relevant data.
• Detailed Reporting: In-depth insights into production performance.

One-Page Checkout Form in Odoo 18

The one-page checkout form in Odoo 18 is designed to streamline the purchasing process by consolidating all necessary checkout steps into a single page. This enhancement aims to improve the user experience, reduce cart abandonment rates, and increase conversion rates.

Key Features of the One-Page Checkout Form

1. Simplified User Experience

• Single Page Layout: All checkout steps, including billing, shipping, payment, and order review, are presented on one page, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple pages.
• Clear and Intuitive Design: The layout is clean and user-friendly, guiding customers through the process with clear instructions and minimal distractions.

2. Faster Checkout Process

• Auto-Fill Features: Integration with auto-fill functionalities for addresses and payment information speeds up the checkout process.
• Real-Time Validation: Instant validation of input fields ensures that customers are alerted to any errors immediately, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and the need for corrections.

3. Mobile-Friendly Design

• Responsive Layout: The checkout form is fully responsive, providing an optimal experience on mobile devices. This is crucial as more customers shop from their smartphones and tablets.
• Touch-Friendly Elements: Large buttons and touch-friendly input fields make it easy for mobile users to complete their purchases without frustration.

4. Integrated Payment Options

• Multiple Payment Methods: Support for various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, and other local payment options, is integrated into the form.
• Secure Transactions: Enhanced security features ensure that all payment transactions are secure, fostering customer trust.

Conclusion 

All these upcoming, expected features and improvements in Odoo 18 will undoubtedly lead to improved user experience, seamless navigation, enhanced mobile accessibility, and better workflow management. Well, this is not an exhaustive list of expected Odoo 18 features; we can expect many others that will ultimately boost productivity and streamline business processes.

Want to be the first one to avail of the benefits of Odoo 18 features? Make Kasolves your expert partner! Ksolves is an Odoo development company with a team of experienced Odoo specialists who understand client requirements and design tailored ERP systems. With a customized Odoo development process, we strive to cater to customer needs and deliver exceptional experiences.