Odoo has built its name on versatility, scalability, and consistent evolution. From its beginnings as TinyERP to its current status as a comprehensive open-source business suite, Odoo is now a powerhouse trusted by over 7 million users worldwide. If you’ve been using Odoo or are planning to adopt it, the recent updates in versions 16, 17, and the much-anticipated 18 bring changes worth paying attention to.
Each version isn’t just about a new coat of paint—it’s about smarter tools, better performance, and more efficient workflows that directly impact your business operations. So whether you’re running a small company or managing a global enterprise, staying updated with the latest Odoo enhancements could mean the difference between average output and outstanding growth.
Let’s break down what’s changed, what’s improved, and what you should expect as we move from Odoo 16 to 18.
Odoo in Brief: The Power of Modularity
Odoo is best known for its modular architecture. Need CRM? There’s a module. Need accounting, project management, marketing automation, HR, manufacturing, or even a website? It’s all there—and it all talks to each other.
Unlike rigid traditional ERPs, Odoo lets businesses pick what they need, scale at their own pace, and adapt features to match their processes. Its open-source core offers transparency and flexibility, while the enterprise version offers more advanced tools and enterprise-level support.
The beauty of this system is that you don’t have to wait years for major releases. With Odoo’s yearly cadence of updates, users get a continuous stream of performance improvements and game-changing features.
What Odoo 16 Delivered (Released October 2022)
Odoo 16 was all about performance, clarity, and consolidation. Many long-time users described it as one of the most stable and efficient releases.
Massive Speed Improvements
Backend operations across multiple modules saw faster response times. Actions like loading dashboards, creating records, and running reports were noticeably quicker—especially for larger databases.
The Knowledge App (Think Notion… but Native)
Odoo introduced a fully integrated Knowledge app that allowed teams to create, organize, and share internal documentation. Whether it’s SOPs, how-to guides, or onboarding documents—this eliminates the need for external tools like Notion or Confluence.
New Website Builder
The upgraded website builder brought Bootstrap 5 compatibility, improved drag-and-drop editing, new animations, and more responsive design tools. It also made SEO simpler with better meta tools and structured data features.
Streamlined Accounting & Inventory
Accounting saw faster reconciliation, better VAT reports, and easier audit trails. Inventory got smarter with batch handling, improved barcode integration, and optimized warehouse routes.
Polish and Usability
Beyond features, Odoo 16 felt more refined. Navigation was simpler, fields were easier to edit inline, and the overall user experience felt smoother—even for non-technical users.
Odoo 17: The UI Overhaul and Functionality Boost (Released November 2023)
Odoo 17 marked a turning point—it didn’t just add features; it reimagined how users interact with the platform. For many, this version felt like stepping into a modern SaaS dashboard built for 2025.
Visual Refresh: Dark Mode & Smarter UI
Users finally got access to a native dark mode, making long hours of ERP work easier on the eyes. Alongside that, menus were simplified, icons were modernized, and responsiveness was improved across devices.
Advanced CRM Features
Sales teams loved Odoo 17 for its visual pipeline enhancements, AI lead scoring, and new quoting tools. It became easier to track lead interactions, send customized offers, and monitor sales metrics in real time.
Point of Sale Rebuilt for Hospitality
The POS module received a full redesign with better support for restaurants, cafes, and multi-location businesses. New tools for table management, custom menus, mobile ordering, and tips made it restaurant-ready out of the box.
Payroll & HR Made Easier
Odoo 17 expanded its local payroll support with pre-built rules for more countries. Employees could manage contracts, leaves, payslips, and expenses with fewer clicks.
Built-in Collaboration Tools
Collaboration became more real-time. Comments, chats, document editing, and project updates could now happen inside the ERP—reducing the need for Slack or email threads.
Better Website + eCommerce
Users could build smarter product pages, create custom landing pages, and offer a faster, more intuitive checkout experience. It made competing with tools like Shopify and WooCommerce much easier for small businesses.
Odoo 18: Smarter, Faster, and Future-Ready (2024–25)
Odoo 18 represents more than just versioning—it’s a clear move toward intelligent automation and deeper business insights.
Smart Automation Powered by AI
AI is no longer just a buzzword. Odoo 18 includes intelligent suggestions inside CRM, forecasting tools in inventory, and natural language input for creating tasks or searching records. Imagine typing “show me pending invoices from last week” and getting a report—instantly.
Seamless Mobile Experience
Every module is optimized for mobile, whether you’re tracking leads, logging expenses, or managing warehouse operations on the go. This makes it ideal for field sales teams and managers who work away from their desks.
Developer & Low-Code Friendly
Odoo Studio has become even more powerful. Businesses can now build custom apps without writing a line of code. For developers, Python 3.12 compatibility and enhanced RESTful APIs allow more complex, enterprise-scale integrations.
Data-Driven Dashboards
Business owners and decision-makers can now build dashboards that include live KPIs, visual charts, and predictive analytics—powered by machine learning.
Expanded Integrations
From Google Workspace to DocuSign, and newer payment gateways, Odoo 18 opens up better third-party connections. You no longer need middleware to sync systems or automate workflows.
Why You Should Care About Upgrading
Odoo doesn’t force upgrades, but staying on older versions means missing out on performance gains, new compliance tools, and security patches. In some cases, staying too long on a legacy version makes future upgrades more complex and expensive.
Plus, newer versions often make custom modules unnecessary by including those features natively—saving maintenance and dev costs.
Upgrading the Right Way: Tips Before You Switch
1. Audit Your Current Setup – List your modules, third-party apps, and custom developments. Know what could break.
2. Back Up Everything – Always test the upgrade on a cloned instance first.
3. Check Compatibility – Some apps may no longer be supported in the latest version. Check on apps.odoo.com.
4. Use Official Upgrade Services – Odoo offers a free upgrade path for enterprise customers. Or work with a certified Odoo partner who’s done this before.
5. Train Your Team – Every version comes with UI changes. Even small tweaks can impact productivity if teams aren’t trained.
Need Help Upgrading or Customizing Odoo?
If you’re still using Odoo 14, 15, or 17, upgrading to Odoo 18 is a smart move—especially with the latest features and performance improvements. At Alligator Infosoft, we offer complete Odoo ERP development, consulting, and upgrade services tailored to your business needs.
Our team has successfully helped businesses across various industries transition to the latest Odoo versions—ensuring zero data loss, no downtime, and seamless integration with existing systems. Whether you need custom module development, payment gateway integration, or full ERP optimization, we provide end-to-end solutions that deliver results.
Take the next step toward a smarter, faster, and more efficient business system.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discover how we can help you make the most of Odoo 18.
