Odoo 18 Roadmap Detailed Overview

 A Little Bit About the Features of Odoo 17

Let's take a quick look at the highlights of what users and developers got from October 2023 in Odoo 17. In UI/UX, users got a new interface with improved navigation. The design is cleaner with improved icons and a more consistent layout. A dark theme mode has been introduced to reduce eye strain. For a long time, for companies that process very large amounts of data, some operations were difficult for the Odoo system, but not for version 17. Optimizations in the backend code and database queries have resulted in significantly faster page load times and overall system responsiveness. Odoo 17 can handle larger volumes of data and more concurrent users, making it suitable for growing businesses and enterprises with high transaction volumes.

Quite a few updates also affected the standard modules of Odoo. Such as improved quotation templates and improved channel management in the Sales and CRM modules; improved inventory estimation and production planning in the Inventory and MRP modules; automated bank account reconciliation and tax localization in the Accounting module; as well as more improvements in the HR, Project Management and E-commerce modules. Security improvements were also made, where security protocols were strengthened, including better data encryption and more robust user authentication methods. Ensured compliance with the latest international regulations and standards, including GDPR and other data protection laws.

What's in Odoo 18 Roadmap

Odoo S. A. plans to introduce a more informative and customizable dashboard in the accounting module. Some changes will also affect the Product Form. Changes to the names in the settings for a better logical understanding of which process is used. See the screen shot by Odoo S. A.

Now let's go through the modules where and what changes and improvements are expected.

Sales Module in Odoo 18

Commission Dependencies: Improvements are expected in the commission dependencies, allowing you to set dependencies based on the following points:

• Amount Invoiced: The total amount that has been invoiced.
• Amount Sold: The total amount sold.
• Margin: The profit margin on sales.
• Sold Quantity: The quantity of items sold.
• Invoiced Quantity: The quantity of items invoiced.
• New MRR: Monthly Recurring Revenue for subscriptions.

Combination of Different Rules: You will have the ability to combine various rules with specific weights (ponderation) for particular products, product categories, or recurring periods. This allows for more flexible and tailored commission structures.

-        There will be opportunities to sell, rent combo products anywhere:

PoS + Sales, Ecommerce, Rental, Subscriptions

-        PDF Quote builder 2.0. Convenient tool for translations, dynamic model fields, customization of layout

Point of Sale Module in Odoo 18

• Create Products Without Leaving PoS Interface: Users will be able to create new products directly within the Point of Sale interface, streamlining the process and improving efficiency.

• PoS Events: The system will include PoS events to better manage and track sales activities, promotions, and other events directly within the PoS module.

• Product with Variants Displayed Like in E-commerce: Products with variants will be displayed in the PoS interface similarly to how they are shown in e-commerce platforms, making it easier for users to select and manage different product options.

• New Designs for Better UX at Login and Payment Screen: The login and payment screens will have new designs aimed at improving the user experience, making them more intuitive and user-friendly.

E-Commerce Module in Odoo 18

• New Location Widget: A new location widget will be introduced to enhance user experience, allowing customers to easily input and manage their location details.
  

• Various SEO Improvements: Several SEO improvements will be implemented to help increase the visibility of e-commerce websites on search engines, thereby attracting more organic traffic.

• Generating a Mega Menu Based on E-commerce Categories: The system will be able to generate a mega menu automatically based on e-commerce categories, providing a more organized and navigable structure for customers.

• Allowing Multiple Warehouses on a Website and Display Stock Quantity on the Product Page: E-commerce websites will be able to manage multiple warehouses, with the ability to display stock quantities for products from different warehouses directly on the product page.

• Improved Click & Collect Flow: The Click & Collect process will be enhanced to provide a smoother and more efficient experience for customers choosing to pick up their orders in-store.

Inventory and Purchase Modules in Odoo 18

• Order Pickings in Batch for Delivery Round and Map View of the Batch: Users will be able to group order pickings into batches for delivery rounds. Additionally, a map view of the batch will be available to visualize and optimize delivery routes.
  

• Improved Automated Batches: The system will support the combination of waves and batches, allowing for more efficient and streamlined processing of orders.

• Better Putaways: Enhanced putaway functionality will enable users to send products to locations where they already are or were previously stored, improving the organization and retrieval of inventory.

-        More other things in Inventory and Barcode block: Valuation by lots; New push rules and flexible routes; MTSO: MTO that can pick a part in the stock and procure the remaining; Allow to scan QR code containing mass data; Aggregate lines of same products in batches; Hide theoretical quantity in inventory adjustments; Barcode app can be installed as a PWA on mobile devices.

-        In Purchase and Shipping block: Improved reports; Merge RfQs manually; Purchase templates; Shipping methods availability per weight, volume, and/or product tags; New shipping connectors for Fedex, DHL and USPS; Improved Fedex, DHL and UPS;

MRP Module in Odoo 18

• UI Remap Updates and Automatic Replenishment: The user interface (UI) for MRP will receive updates to improve usability and efficiency. Additionally, automatic replenishment features will be enhanced to ensure that materials and products are restocked as needed, reducing manual intervention and preventing stockouts.

• Gantt View Improvements: The Gantt view will be improved to provide a clearer, more detailed visualization of production schedules and timelines. This will help in better planning and management of manufacturing processes.

-        More things: Project & MO Link; Quality and multi step for Repair Orders; MRP Documents Refactor; Product Catalog for BOM, MO, Repair; Mass Produce Redesign.

Accounting Module in Odoo 18

• Invoicing:

       ​- Product & Description in One Column: The invoicing layout will be streamlined by combining the product and description into a single column, making invoices more concise and easier to read.

​ - Layout Configuration Preview: Users will be able to preview the invoice layout configuration, allowing them to see how the final invoice will look before finalizing it.

​ - Tax Selection Guide: A new guide will assist users in selecting the appropriate tax rates for their invoices, ensuring compliance and accuracy.

• Wizard Revamp and Hash on Send: The wizard for various accounting processes will be revamped to improve user experience. Additionally, hashing will occur when sending documents rather than on post or on demand, enhancing security and integrity.

• Kanban Quick Create: A quick create feature in the Kanban view will be introduced, allowing users to rapidly add and manage reconciliation entries, improving efficiency and workflow.

-        And more things in Invoicing, Banks, Reports, Analytic blocks

HR and Payroll Modules in Odoo 18

• Attendances:

  ​- Report on Overtime: The system will provide detailed reports on overtime, helping to ​track and manage extra working hours.

​ - Management of Fingerprints: Fingerprint management will be integrated for more ​ ​ ​accurate and secure attendance tracking.

​ - New Onboarding: The onboarding process will be revamped to ensure a smoother ​ ​experience for new employees.

• Recruitment:

​ - Jobs Menu on Website: A dedicated jobs menu will be available on the website, making ​it easier for applicants to find and apply for open positions.

​ - Onboarding Rewritten: The onboarding process for new recruits will be rewritten to ​ ​enhance usability and efficiency.

​ - Regex to Parse Job Boards Incoming Emails: The system will use regex to parse incoming ​emails from job boards, streamlining the recruitment process.

​ - Post on Job Boards Directly (Monster) - Work in Progress: Direct posting to job boards ​like Monster will be supported, simplifying the recruitment process.

​ - Conditional Questions on the Website for Each Job Position: Conditional questions can ​be set up on the website for each job position, allowing for more tailored and relevant ​ ​candidate screening.

​ - Populate Job Position from Applicant’s Pool Based on Skills: Job positions can be ​ ​ ​populated from the applicant pool based on their skills, ensuring a better match between ​ candidates and roles.

•  Time Off:

​ - Improved Productivity: Various enhancements will be made to improve productivity in ​managing time off.

​ - Ability to Enable/Disable Public Holidays: Users can enable or disable public holidays in ​the system as needed.

  ​- Display of Working Hours in the Calendar: Working hours will be displayed in the ​ ​ ​calendar for better visibility and planning.

​ - Confirmation Directly from the Overview Screen: Time off requests can be confirmed ​directly from the overview screen, simplifying the approval process.

  ​- Display of Incomplete Distribution Requests: Incomplete distribution requests will be ​ ​displayed ​for better tracking and management.

-        Other things in Appraisals, Lunch, Referrals, Fleet and Employee blocks. Payroll: Property fields in full flow; Global CSV export for banks; Transition report; Editable warnings on the dashboard.

CRM and Marketing Modules in Odoo 18

• New App Social Share: This app will allow users to leverage their communities to promote content. Users can send a postcard that can be published online with just one click, enhancing social engagement and reach.

• Improving WhatsApp Tool: The WhatsApp tool will be enhanced to include more flows, such as those for inventory management, marketing, and automation. This will provide a more integrated and streamlined communication channel for various business processes.

• More things: Many Social improvements; Create your own marketing opt-out page; Define the visibility of your event (via public link or for registered users only); Ability to see who clicked in your newsletters; Better email editor; New marketing automation; Easier email server configuration.

Knowledge Module in Odoo 18

• Always Locate Your Article: Improved navigation features will ensure that users can always find their articles easily, enhancing usability.

• Inserting Excalidraw Scenes into Articles: Users will be able to seamlessly insert Excalidraw scenes into their articles, enriching content with visual diagrams and illustrations.

• Search Inside Your Articles: Enhanced search capabilities within articles will allow users to quickly find specific content and information.

Documents Module in Odoo 18

• Access Shared Documents from the Portal: Users will be able to access shared documents directly from the portal, improving collaboration and accessibility.

• Attachments from Deleted Records are Sent to the Trash in Documents: Attachments from deleted records will be sent to the trash in the Documents module, allowing for easier recovery or permanent deletion as needed.

• Access Attachments from Accounting (e.g., from a Task): Users will have the ability to access attachments directly from accounting entries, such as those linked to tasks, enhancing integration and workflow efficiency.

• Preview XML File if PDF is Embedded: The system will support previewing XML files even if they are embedded within a PDF document, providing more comprehensive document viewing capabilities.

• Use SHIFT+S in the Split Tool to Identify White Pages and Preset Scissors: The split tool will include a feature where pressing SHIFT+S will help identify white pages and set preset scissors, improving document processing and organization.

• Batch Upload Improvements: Various enhancements will be made to batch upload functionality, making it easier and faster to upload multiple documents at once.

Conclusion

The Odoo 18 roadmap outlines a series of significant enhancements and new features that are set to elevate Odoo’s standing as a premier ERP solution. With a strong emphasis on enhancing user experience, boosting performance, and expanding integration capabilities, Odoo 18 is designed to meet the dynamic needs of businesses across various sectors. The anticipated updates in user interface, the introduction of new modules, and advanced functionalities showcase Odoo's dedication to continuous improvement and innovation.

For businesses, staying informed about the Odoo 18 roadmap is crucial for strategic planning and ensuring a seamless transition to the new version. The forthcoming features will empower organizations to streamline their processes, increase productivity, and maintain a competitive advantage. Developers and IT professionals will appreciate the enhanced API capabilities and integration options, which will facilitate the creation of more robust and compatible solutions.

As Odoo continues to evolve, the involvement and feedback of the community are instrumental in shaping its future. The roadmap not only provides insights into the exciting developments ahead but also encourages users and developers to actively participate in the platform's evolution.

In conclusion, the Odoo 18 roadmap reveals a host of advancements that promise to add significant value for users and help businesses tackle the challenges of modern operations. By preparing for these updates and utilizing the new features, organizations can optimize their Odoo experience and achieve higher levels of efficiency and success. The future of Odoo is bright, and the journey to Odoo 18 is one that businesses and developers should eagerly anticipate.