New updates in Odoo 18
At the Odoo Experience in October 2024, Odoo presented the latest version – Odoo 18. Every year, Odoo offers exciting new updates and functionalities that are intended to optimize workflows and increase efficiency in Odoo users' companies.
Odoo 18 offers a wide range of optimizations and new options - especially for developers, but of course there are also many new features for everyday users. That's why we have compiled an overview of some of the most important improvements below.
You can also see more in the video here:
If you are already using Odoo and are interested in upgrading to Odoo 18, or are you curious to hear more about Odoo, you are more than welcome to contact us.
Improved user interface and navigation
With Odoo 18 you get a significantly improved user interface. The updated layout makes it even easier for you to find the right tools when you need them:
New design and intuitive navigation
With Odoo 18, you get access to a new top bar in the project management app that makes it easy to access essential data such as analytics, sales orders and timesheets. The new top bar is customizable to your needs – each user can set which modules and data to display, so you can quickly access the most important tools and reports. This reduces training time and makes it easier to navigate between tasks, which is a clear improvement compared to Odoo 17.
Smarter change of company
For companies with a multi-company setup, it will now be easier to switch between different companies or subsidiaries. With Odoo 18, you get a new shortcut (ALT + SHIFT + U) to quickly switch to another company. This means you no longer have to go through multiple clicks to change context – everything happens instantly, saving time and preventing confusion, especially in complex business environments.
Readable URLs
In Odoo 18, URLs have become significantly more readable and editable. Where Odoo 17 often used incomprehensible IDs (e.g. /web#id=123&model=res.partner), Odoo 18 now displays URLs that include meaningful names – e.g. /partners/companyname. This makes it easy to share links and navigate directly to specific pages, improving both the user experience and SEO.
Improved sales management
In addition to optimizing the user interface, Odoo has also improved the sales administration itself. They have done this by introducing a number of new features that make it even easier for salespeople to manage their work tasks, communicate effectively with customers, and work flexibly, no matter where they are:
Tailored offers
Odoo 18 introduces a new PDF Quote Builder that makes it even easier for sellers to create customized quotes with a professional layout. In the new version, it is possible to add additional documents that are merged into the final quote PDF. This can be, for example, a project description, product documentation, terms and conditions, agreement terms, etc.
In addition, different headers and footers can be added, so that each offer can be customized for each customer. It is also possible to insert dynamic text fields that Odoo auto-fills based on content from the database, e.g. names, prices, delivery date, etc.
These new, additional features help ensure that the offers can be adapted to each customer's needs.
WhatsApp integration
WhatsApp has been integrated into the CRM and sales modules in Odoo 18. This allows salespeople to easily communicate with customers directly from the system. By creating different templates, it is easy and quick to send messages without having to write the same text over and over again. It is also possible to insert dynamic text fields that are automatically filled in when a message is sent. This can be, for example, for the customer's name, quote/invoice number, amount, etc.
With the WhatsApp integration, you can ensure faster and more personal communication, which can contribute to improved customer satisfaction and increased sales.
Offline functionality
For salespeople using the mobile app, it will also be easier to work on the go, whether they have internet access or not. Thanks to the new offline functionality, salespeople can now record information, create quotes, and update customer data, no matter where they are. When the mobile app regains internet access, all data will be automatically synchronized.
Read more about the improved mobile app later in this blog post.
Expanded modules and improved features
The new version of Odoo naturally builds on the strong and well-known apps from previous versions. With the update to version 18, you will of course still have access to these apps – but also to a number of new features that increase functionality:
CRM & Sales
- PDF
Quote Builder:
As previously written, the new PDF Quote Builder allows you to create customized quotes with a professional layout. Unlike previous versions where quote templates were more limited, you can now easily add multiple attachments, dynamic text fields, etc. to highlight your products. - Improved lead management:
Updated and AI-powered CRM tools help you gain a better overview and identify the most promising leads. You also get the option to set individual goals, which is a clear upgrade over Odoo 17’s basic CRM. All of this helps optimize your sales processes.
Inventory & Manufacturing
- Automatic batch and serial number generation:
Products requiring traceability now have batch or serial numbers automatically generated upon receipt, optimizing inventory management – an upgrade that reduces manual effort compared to Odoo 17. - Direct product creation in PoS:
With Odoo 18, you can now create and edit products directly in the POS app, making daily retail operations more efficient than in Odoo 17.
Accounting & Finance
- Advanced reporting:
With improved dashboards and automated invoice processes, you get a better overview of your company's finances. Odoo 18 proposes automatic validation of supplier invoices after three unchanged imports – a feature that saves time and reduces errors. - New document layouts and templates:
In Odoo 18 you can customize your invoices and payment documents with greater detail and flexibility.
Document management and e-commerce
- Enhanced document management:
Share and organize files across departments with an updated document app that tightly integrates with sales, invoicing, and inventory management, ensuring all important information is available when you need it. - Updated website builder:
Build and customize your website and webshop even more easily with a new set of snippet blocks. You also have the option to implement AI-powered automatic translation to ensure a multilingual online presence.
Further improvements
In addition to the above, Odoo has also introduced many other new features – both for the other apps, but also for Odoo's basic system, including strengthened security, an improved mobile app, new and optimized APIs, and improved multi-company administration:
Increased security
Odoo 18 introduces advanced security features such as passkeys and improved two-factor authentication (2FA). Previous versions, such as Odoo 17, have basic security measures, but the new features provide significantly higher protection against unauthorized access.
Improved mobile app
The updated mobile app in Odoo 18 is designed to be faster and more responsive. The improved mobile app now also supports offline functionality, which means you can continue working even when internet access is limited. This means that employees on the go can do their work, record information such as material consumption, time, etc. even when there is no online connection. As soon as the app can connect to the internet again, it automatically synchronizes all the information and data that was recorded while the app was offline.
The offline functionality is not only suitable for field services, but also for POS users. If the system loses internet connection, the Odoo app can still be used, both to keep the inventory up to date and to accept payments. As soon as the Odoo app is back online, it automatically synchronizes data, including completing offline payments that have been made.
Integration and API improvements
With optimized APIs, it becomes easier to connect Odoo 18 with other systems and third-party apps. This enables a more cohesive digital infrastructure where data can be easily transferred between different IT systems.
Read more about Odoo integrations here ->
Improved multi-company administration
In addition to the new company switch shortcut, Odoo 18 has also improved the overall multi-company functionality, allowing you to easily manage and access data across multiple subsidiaries without losing context.
Why upgrade to Odoo 18?
Upgrading to Odoo 18 offers several benefits, especially if you are already running a previous version. With Odoo 18, you get a more modern, intuitive and secure platform. In addition, the expanded AI capabilities, improved user interfaces and a number of new automations ensure that your business can work more efficiently and make better decisions.
Before upgrading to Odoo 18, please be aware that there may be a need to adapt existing customizations and integrations, and there may be a short implementation phase where the system needs to be adjusted. Therefore, it can also be a great advantage to get help from an experienced Odoo partner as itpilot, who can ensure a smooth transition without downtime.
If you would like to hear more about Odoo or about your options for upgrading to Odoo 18, please contact us. Call us at +45 87 25 07 87 or fill out the contact form here.
