Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is a boon to most organizations and businesses today. These systems help streamline core business activities, including resource management, human resources, supply chain management, and procurement. In some cases, ERP software also offers features for ecommerce and CRM.
This is why ERP software like Odoo enjoy popularity among businesses today. Odoo comes with capabilities for a wide range of business processes, such as accounting, project management, and inventory management. The platform can also help grow your business through marketing automation and email marketing features.
Despite the platform’s versatility, however, users have voiced complaints about the software’s steep learning curve and elaborate installation process. So we’ve listed Odoo alternatives for you to try out in case the platform doesn’t match your needs.
What is Odoo?
Odoo is a popular ERP software that helps businesses manage operations as efficiently as possible. The platform covers nearly all aspects of running a business, from back-office functions like inventory control, accounting, and HR to front-office processes like sales and CRM.
All these capabilities are combined into one platform for more effective management. This ERP solution can also generate reports to keep you updated on your business’ performance.
One of Odoo’s best features is that the platform is completely cloud-based. This means you can access your data anywhere there’s a computer and an Internet connection.
Why look for Odoo alternatives?
While there’s no doubt that Odoo is a versatile ERP solution, there have also been complaints about the software. For instance, some users point out that the software’s user interface can be challenging to navigate. This makes onboarding a more challenging process, especially for organizations with a higher number of users.
Odoo’s documentation for its services integration tools also leaves a lot to be desired. This may prove to be a problem for business owners who need training and guidance on using the platform. Additionally, some users complain of Odoo’s tendency to be resource-intensive, particularly when the tool is used to build websites.
The good news is that we’ve compiled a list of Odoo alternatives for you to consider.
Odoo Alternatives
1. JIRA
JIRA works as a project management and tracking platform for businesses. The software lets you map out projects by breaking down large, complex projects into simpler tasks. You can also assign these tasks to team members and set due dates. Add priority levels to tasks so team members can easily prioritize amidst multiple tasks and projects.
JIRA also offers the capabilities of the best workflow management software. The platform comes with built-in features that allow you to create the best workflow for your business. With its workflow features, the software increases accountability and transparency as your team works.
Though JIRA is commonly used by IT departments, the platform works great for a wide variety of projects and business activities.
2. Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project streamlines business operations with its set of robust features. The platform helps business owners develop plans and projects, manage resources, and oversee workloads and project progress. More importantly, the software makes it easier for you to view and compare how your business distributes and uses resources across projects.
One particular Microsoft Project feature that greatly improves project management is dynamic scheduling. This capability draws information from project duration, team members assigned, and the effort needed to create optimized schedules.
Other features included with the platform are built-in integrations with productivity and task management software.
3. Trello
Trello provides a centralized platform for a wide range of business activities, particularly for managing projects and tasks. Through Trello’s web-based interface, managers can easily assign tasks to cards and organize these cards into lists. Drag-and-drop features and a user-friendly interface ensure that the platform doesn’t affect your productivity.
Trello makes sure that all project details are visible to involved users and that project progress is always updated in real-time. This greatly improves collaboration and communication across teams and departments. The platform adjusts to your workflow and not the other way around, so you can be sure that you can take full advantage of Trello’s features.
4. Workfront
Workfront provides robust management solutions for a wide variety of business activities, including marketing, IT, and services. The platform improves productivity by allowing managers and executives to plan, execute, and oversee projects and tasks all from one platform.
The platform also incorporates AI-enabled technology to intelligently distribute resources, making it unique among these Odoo alternatives. It assigns work to teams or individuals based on priority and skills requirements, as well as availability. You also have the option to choose between various project management methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall.
Moreover, Workfront offers plenty of native integrations to ensure a seamless workflow. The platform, for instance, integrates with communication tools like Slack.
5. SAP ERP
As one of the best Odoo alternatives, SAP ERP helps executives and managers oversee a wide range of business activities. These processes include financial management, product lifecycle management, SCM, and human capital management. Add-on cloud modules also extend the platform’s capabilities.
To help organize back-office functions, SAP ERP also incorporates the features of the best HRIS systems. The platform comes with capabilities for global HR governance and helps ensure that your business maintains full compliance with local and global HR regulations. Additionally, automation helps HR teams save time on administrative tasks.
With these powerful features, it’s easy to see why SAP ERP has a customer base of over 170,000 businesses today.
6. Basware
Basware serves as an all-in-one solution for businesses’ billing and invoicing needs. The platform helps businesses organize their financial processes and, in turn, ensures smooth operations. With Basware, business owners can also optimize their purchasing activities for maximum efficiency and productivity.
The platform fully automates source-to-pay activities, giving you access to over 200 of Basware’s global partner networks. You can use these networks to send and receive purchase orders, manage vendor data, and join payment programs. All these features make for more efficient cash flow management.
Moreover, the platform easily integrates with top ERPs such as SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft. This greatly improves efficiency and reduces the risks of managing purchasing activities across multiple ERPs.
7. SYSPRO
SYSPRO is considered as one of the most versatile Odoo alternatives for the manufacturing sector. The platform provides an intuitive interface to help manufacturers manage various activities, including supply chain planning, work order management, and document planning.
The software also improves the efficiency of distribution by providing features for warehouse automation. Additionally, you have the option to install the software on-premise or deploy it via cloud. This way, SYSPRO adjusts to meet your business’ needs.
For added convenience, SYSPRO also provides a mobile ERP platform. Through this mobile platform, you’ll be able to access your business information on any mobile device.
8. Siemens Opcenter APS
Formerly known as Preactor, Siemens Opcenter APS can be used by businesses of all sizes to achieve lean, agile production. The platform uses advanced algorithms to determine the best production schedules possible while balancing demand and capacity.
The platform also serves as a strategic decision tool, as it provides executives and managers with accurate data. This way, long and mid-term planning can be executed more efficiently. This software’s advanced planning capabilities also include schedule visualization, BOM level planning, and make-to-stock planning.
While Opcenter APS can be integrated with ERPs and other tools for data collection and forecasting, the platform can also be used on its own for planning and scheduling.
9. Nutcache
Nutcache improves overall business efficiency by organizing your workload and ensuring smooth progress for projects. The platform gives you an overview of tasks that need to be completed, whether by project or by due date. You also have the option to switch to a Gantt chart view for easier planning and progress tracking.
Additionally, the platform offers various invoicing features. Users can use the solution to log time and expenses and add these to invoices. The software also facilitates processing for credit card and online payments for added convenience.
Nutcache offers various plans to suit businesses’ varying needs. The most affordable plan-the Freelancer Plan-starts at $8.95 per month.
10. NetSuite
NetSuite is designed as a unified business management software. The platform incorporates ERP, financial management, ecommerce, and CRM into a single hub. The software’s scalability also makes it the ideal choice for fast-growing businesses and large organizations.
The platform’s core features include financial management and accounting. These features ensure that business owners enjoy real-time financial visibility, as well as advanced capabilities for billing and financial planning. Global accounting and consolidation features ensure full compliance with regulations and laws, too.
The software provides all users with a view of KPIs and reports, so everyone is always updated on the business’ performance. Similarly, it improves visibility into the production workflow, helping managers spot potential bottlenecks.
What’s the best Odoo alternative?
We’ve given you plenty of choices for ERP software if you don’t want to use Odoo for your business. These alternatives each have their pros and cons for you to consider. For instance, some of these alternatives will work better for manufacturing activities, others are more focused on project management, while some even belong to the top event management software.
To find the best Odoo alternative, you must first assess your business’ unique needs. Once you know what you’re looking for, go through each product on this list to find which platform can give you what you want. You can also sign up for free trials of these solutions so you can experience firsthand how each platform works.