Odoo on Project Manufacturing Companies

If your business handles anything from modular products with predefined options to fully bespoke engineering designs, you know how quickly standard ERP systems hit a wall. Odoo 18 removes that barrier: it lets you manage both Configure-to-Order (CtO) and Engineering-to-Order (EtO) workflows in one unified platform, with minimal configuration and no extra coding.

You rarely see such a powerful system with the flexibility to accommodate edge-case scenarios.

Configure-to-Order: Fast, Variant-Driven Manufacturing

What you get: Products defined by a fixed set of options (think different sizes, finishes, or add-ons) where each combination automatically spawns the right manufacturing orders.

1. Attributes & Variants

   • Define your options (e.g. Model A, B, C) as product attributes.
   • Odoo auto-generates all possible variants, complete with their own bills of materials (BoMs) and routings.

2. Quotation Templates

   • Build a quotation template—“Metal Railings,” for example—that preloads every related product.
   • Your sales team simply picks a variant (Model B), enters quantity (20 straight sections, 4 corners), and the system calculates costs on the fly.

3. Zero-Code Production Orders

   • Hit Confirm on the quote and Odoo creates:

     • A delivery order for any stocked components
     • Exactly the manufacturing orders your shop floor needs

   • No custom modules, no extra scripting.

This streamlined approach means fast quotes, accurate costing, and on-time production—even if you’re juggling hundreds of variant combinations.

Engineering-to-Order: From Design to Delivery

What you get: A full project management loop, from initial design and client approvals through on-site adjustments and final installation—all linked to manufacturing, purchasing, and accounting.

1. Automatic Project Creation

   • Sell a zero-priced “Project Start” service item. Odoo spins up a new project, pulling in your favorite task template (e.g. Design → Site Measurement → Installation).

2. Top-Bar Project Dashboard

   • Within that project you see, at a glance:

     • Related Sales Orders & Invoices
     • Bills of Materials & Manufacturing Orders
     • Purchase Orders & Vendor Bills
     • A live profitability gauge (invoiced amount vs. expected costs)

3. Real-Time Change Orders

   • If on-site measurements change or the client requests tweaks, simply adjust the quote or add a change order. Odoo spawns new MOs, updates POs, and keeps everything traceable.

4. Client-Approved BoMs

   • Need the client to sign off on a BoM? Duplicate and tweak it in the Manufacturing app, then link that version to your project. You never lose sight of which design is active.

5. Built-In Cost Control

   • Low-stock components auto-trigger purchase orders, and vendor bills feed directly into the project’s financial dashboard. You always know where you stand on margins before you even ship.

Why Odoo 18 Works for Your Business

• Unified Environment: Sales, engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and accounting live under a single roof—no more juggling multiple tools or data silos.
• Extremely Flexible: From simple variant products to fully custom builds, Odoo adapts to your processes instead of forcing you into a rigid workflow.
• Minimal Setup: What used to require months of custom development in earlier Odoo versions now works almost out of the box.
• Actionable Insights: The project dashboard’s top-bar view gives executives and project managers instant visibility into revenue, costs, and profitability.

Ready to see it in action? Watch the embedded walkthrough below and discover how Odoo 18 can transform both your Configure-to-Order and Engineering-to-Order operations.

Taking your business to the next level