Published 8th September 2021
The Transition from OpenERP to Odoo
Saudi Arabian organizations are operating in an environment defined by rapid digital transformation, regulatory modernization, and increasing competition driven by Vision 2030. For many enterprises, legacy systems such as Open ERP have become a bottleneck—limiting scalability, compliance, and operational visibility. As decision-makers seek the best ERP system in Saudi Arabia, the transition from Open ERP to Odoo ERP Saudi Arabia has become a strategic imperative rather than a technical upgrade.
This article explores why Saudi businesses are migrating from Open ERP to Odoo, how the transition supports compliance and growth, and why partnering with iWesabe, a trusted Odoo partner Saudi Arabia, is critical to success.
Why OpenERP No Longer Meets Saudi Business Needs
OpenERP laid the foundation for modular ERP adoption, but it was built for a very different business landscape. Today, Saudi enterprises face challenges that OpenERP struggles to address effectively.
Key limitations include:
- Limited compliance readiness for ZATCA e-invoicing and VAT reporting
- Outdated user experience, reducing productivity and user adoption
- Scalability issues as organizations expand across regions and business lines
- Restricted customization flexibility compared to modern Odoo versions
- Higher maintenance costs due to legacy architecture
For CFOs and IT managers in Saudi Arabia, these challenges translate into higher operational risk, slower decision-making, and reduced ROI from ERP investments.
Odoo: The Evolution of OpenERP for Saudi Arabia
Odoo represents the natural evolution of Open ERP—re-engineered to meet the demands of modern, regulation-driven economies like Saudi Arabia. With continuous innovation, Odoo has become one of the most widely adopted ERP software solutions in Saudi Arabia.
What Makes Odoo ERP Ideal for Saudi Businesses?
Odoo offers a unified platform that supports both operational efficiency and regulatory compliance:
- ZATCA-compliant invoicing and reporting
- Built-in VAT configuration aligned with Saudi tax laws
- Modular architecture supporting finance, HR, supply chain, manufacturing, and CRM
- Cloud and on-premise deployment options
- Real-time analytics for executive decision-making
These capabilities position Odoo as a preferred choice among ERP companies in Saudi Arabia serving enterprises, SMEs, and fast-growing startups.
The changeover from OpenERP to Odoo discernibly focuses its web based methodology. Odoo comes with around 4000 applications for numerous business necessities and requirements.
There has been a lot of guesswork and wish list with version 8.0 between its partners and users. Ensuing are some features of version 8.0 that seems appealing at a glance.
1. Website
OpenERP turns up with this attribute of web where users can plan and administer content of their website. This option delivers a possibility to manage web content, products and other particulars which are commonly put on any company website. A user may build websites without having any technical expertise.
For building websites, install the 'website' component. Once this component is set up, a website menu will appear. The user can edit the page by following the ‘Edit’ button.
Odoo ecommerce lets you make amazing product catalogues together with product description. It permits you to build striking product pages and boost your online sales in a few easy clicks. Uncomplicated Drag and Drop intended interface enables you to generate spectacular product pages. Odoo ecommerce aids to administer ecommerce function with Odoo open source ERP. Users can artlessly incorporate our warehouse, delivery, and payment getaway services.
To employ the e-commerce element, set up the website sale component. Then a different menu ‘Shop’ is seen on top. The user can insert new products or edit the product descriptions with this menu.
Add to Cart: The user can place an order by following the ‘Add to Cart’ link.
The Reporting element is more vibrant which enables the user to alter the presentation of reports with ease and has the choice to use diverse filters effortlessly.
This element lets the user to make teams and follow their development in terms of leads, sales orders and Invoices. It offers easy interface for team management and operation tracking.
5. Live ChatThis feature gives live chat option to chat straight with clients in real time. It is a quick messaging option. When we set up the website live chat component, a new icon is revealed on the right hand side. The user can pick clients from this for messaging.
6. Warehouse ManagementOne of the most remarkable modifications to Odoo 8 is the Warehouse Management program, which gives a fresh barcode scanning feature for warehouse or execution staff. It allows superior product channeling, including first-in-first-out, last-in-first-out and closest, together with picking waves management.
Inbound shipments, internal movement, delivery orders etc. are included in Warehouse -> Operations -> All Operations menu. To generate new operations, go to the menu Warehouse -> Configuration -> Types of Operation.
The Business Benefits of Migrating from OpenERP to Odoo
Migrating to Odoo is not merely a system upgrade—it is a business transformation initiative.
1. Regulatory Confidence and Compliance
Saudi businesses must comply with ZATCA Phase 1 and Phase 2 e-invoicing mandates. Odoo ERP Saudi Arabia supports structured XML invoices, QR codes, and real-time reporting—reducing compliance risk and audit exposure.
2. Improved Financial Control and ROI
For CFOs, Odoo delivers:
- Automated accounting and reconciliation
- Real-time cash flow visibility
- Cost center and project-level profitability analysis
3. Scalable Digital Transformation
Aligned with Vision 2030, Odoo enables organizations to digitize end-to-end operations, integrate with government platforms, and support long-term growth without system limitations.
4. Enhanced User Adoption
Odoo’s modern interface and mobile accessibility significantly improve user engagement—reducing training costs and resistance to change.
The Role of a Trusted Odoo Partner in Saudi Arabia
The success of an Open ERP to Odoo transition depends heavily on implementation expertise. Choosing the best Odoo partner Saudi Arabia ensures that technical migration aligns with business objectives.
iWesabe is recognized as a reliable official partner and gold partner delivering Odoo service Saudi Arabia across multiple industries.
Why iWesabe for Odoo Implementation Saudi Arabia?
- Deep understanding of Saudi regulatory requirements
- Proven methodology for Open ERP to Odoo migration
- Experienced Odoo developers Saudi Arabia
- Tailored Odoo customization Saudi Arabia for industry-specific needs
- Ongoing Odoo support Saudi Arabia post go-live
As a best partner in the region, iWesabe focuses on delivering measurable outcomes—not just software deployment.
Best Practices for a Successful Transition
Saudi organizations planning the transition should consider the following best practices:
- Conduct a gap analysis between OpenERP and current Odoo modules
- Prioritize data accuracy and migration integrity
- Align ERP workflows with ZATCA and VAT requirements
- Invest in change management and user training
- Partner with an experienced Odoo implementation provider
These steps reduce operational disruption and accelerate value realization.
Odoo as the Best ERP System in Saudi Arabia
Among ERP software Saudi Arabia options, Odoo stands out for its balance of flexibility, cost-efficiency, and compliance readiness. For decision-makers evaluating long-term ERP strategy, Odoo offers:
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Faster deployment cycles
- Continuous innovation and updates
- Strong ecosystem of certified partners
With the right implementation partner, Odoo becomes a strategic asset rather than an IT expense.
Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Business with iWesabe
The transition from OpenERP to Odoo is a critical step for Saudi organizations seeking compliance, scalability, and operational excellence. As digital transformation accelerates under Vision 2030, businesses can no longer afford legacy limitations.
iWesabe stands among the most trusted ERP companies in Saudi Arabia, delivering end-to-end Odoo ERP Saudi Arabia services tailored to local business realities.
Planning to migrate from Open ERP or evaluate the best ERP system in Saudi Arabia ?
Contact iWesabe today to schedule a consultation with our Odoo experts and discover how a tailored Odoo implementation can drive compliance, efficiency, and sustainable growth for your business.
iWesabe Blogger
Published 8th September 2021
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