Manufacturing management is a set of processes that ensure effective planning, control, coordination, and optimization of all stages of product creation. It includes resource management, shift planning, inventory control, quality assurance, logistics, order fulfillment, and interdepartmental communication.
In today’s competitive environment, managing production manually or via Excel spreadsheets does not provide the transparency and flexibility needed. Without a proper digital system, companies face common challenges:
- lack of accurate records;
- time lost on manual operations;
- difficulties scaling operations;
- poor communication between departments;
- high risk of human error.
That’s why automated Shop Floor Management Systems (SFMS) have become essential for businesses aiming to grow, save resources, and stay competitive.
Odoo covers all key manufacturing processes and allows you to tailor the system to the specific needs of your production. You can learn more about Odoo’s capabilities for manufacturing companies here.
Odoo for Manufacturing Management
Odoo is a powerful open-source ERP platform that offers a wide range of modules for managing every aspect of a business — including manufacturing. Its Manufacturing module is a comprehensive system designed to handle all stages of the production process.
An integral part of this system is Odoo Shop Floor — a tool specifically created to manage production operations on the ground level. It’s tailored for those working directly on the shop floor or production line, with a strong focus on simplifying day-to-day tasks. This module:
- provides workers with a clean and intuitive interface to log completed operations,
- displays only the tasks that are ready to be executed (e.g., those for which all required components are available),
- enables real-time tracking of specific production steps,
- integrates seamlessly with machines and work centers,
- offers better visibility for operators and significantly boosts the efficiency of daily workflows.
Expert Advice: How to Implement Odoo Shop Floor Effectively
In an Odoo podcast, experts Richard Shall and Charlotte Dendoncker shared practical advice based on their real-life experience implementing manufacturing management systems. The key message they emphasize is that digitalization is not just about moving processes into a system but about improving them.
Start by Rethinking Your Processes
One of the most important tips: don’t rush to automate everything at once. Begin by reflecting on your current processes. When implementing a manufacturing management system like Odoo, one of the key challenges is finding the right balance between automation and real-world flexibility.
As Charlotte Dendoncker points out, it’s easy to get carried away with configuring every possible detail in Odoo, but that can lead to a system that’s too rigid and disconnected from the actual flow of production. Not every step on the factory floor needs to be mirrored in the software — it’s more important to focus on what’s essential for control and visibility. This is especially true for customizable products or workflows that change frequently. Production environments can be unpredictable: a machine breaks down, a large order arrives, or an urgent change is required. In such cases, too much automation can actually slow things down. The real value lies in designing processes that allow operators and managers to react quickly and adjust on the fly, keeping the system aligned with what's truly happening on the floor.
It's important to automate where we can because you can save time, but sometimes it can, um, a bit overkill the process.
So we can make a conclusion: Small Steps Toward Big Results
Don’t try to implement the entire system at once. This can overwhelm the team and stall operations. Instead, adopt a modular approach — which is how Odoo is designed:
- identify priorities (what hurts the most right now);
- start with one or two prosess;
- test, adapt, and scale.
Start with small steps. Don’t try to cover the entire production all at once — it creates stress and resistance within the team.
Odoo is perfect for this flexible approach. You can begin with production management and later add inventory, quality control, procurement, PLM — depending on your pace, needs, and budget.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
Another important aspect is the team’s reaction to changes. People naturally fear new systems, especially if they don’t see clear benefits. According to the experts, the key to overcoming resistance is to show the practical value of the system to each role.
Operators need to see how the system simplifies their work; managers need to see the control and cost-saving benefits.
Unfortunately, even helpful software can go unused if:
- it’s too complex and users lack time to learn it;
- there’s no proper training, leaving the team to figure it out on their own.
These risks are significantly lower with Odoo. The system has a simple and intuitive interface, allowing employees to start using it almost immediately after brief training. From the integrator’s side, it’s essential to organize proper onboarding and support.
At SOLVVE, we don’t just install the system — we train every user, provide continuous support, and stay with you until Odoo becomes an integral part of your production workflow.
Team Involvement Is the Foundation of Success
Last but not least: successful implementation requires the whole team working together. Everyone must be involved — management, analysts, and end users. When everyone understands their role, the system is seen as a shared solution, not just another top-down initiative.
Successful implementation only happens when business, analysts, and users work as one team.
Case Study: From Excel to Odoo with Quality Control Implementation
One client shared their journey of managing production with Excel spreadsheets. Initially, it seemed practical — spreadsheets were familiar and required no special training. But over time, major issues arose:
- inconsistent data across departments;
- loss or duplication of information;
- inability to accurately track material stock;
- manual data updates taking too much time.
When order volumes grew, Excel couldn’t keep up. Everyone had their own file, and they couldn’t merge them in time.
After switching to Odoo, the company gained:
- a unified database for all departments;
- real-time automatic inventory updates;
- simplified tracking of production operations;
- a significant reduction in time spent on order processing and materials control.
They didn’t just save time. They finally saw the full picture of production instead of scattered fragments.
Another case: a company integrated quality control as part of their Odoo SFMS. Previously, inspections were random, with no standardized documentation — a risk for working with large clients. Thanks to Odoo, they:
- embedded quality checks into each production stage;
- implemented standardized checkpoints;
- gained the ability to detect and fix deviations quickly;
- met strict requirements of new clients.
Now they can prove they control quality — not just claim it. This opened the door to new contracts.
Key Requirements for Successful Implementation of a Manufacturing Management System
- Step-by-step implementation focused on delivering value at each phase.
- Full team involvement — from operators to managers.
- Integration with related modules (procurement, inventory, quality, PLM).
- Flexibility and adaptability to real-world conditions.
- User-friendly interface — the simpler, the better.
- Training and ongoing support to reduce resistance to change.
- Continuous improvement — ERP is not a one-time fix but an evolving tool.
🔧 Need help implementing Odoo in your production? We’ll help assess your processes, tailor the functionality to your needs, and implement the system with real people in mind. Сontact us