Business Operations with new Approval feature

Streamlining Business Operations with New Approval Feature in Odoo 18

In the complex landscape of business operations, it is vital to have robust approval controls in place to maintain order and compliance. Previous versions of Odoo already included an Approval application that facilitates the management of approval requests for various business operations. Users can configure specific approval types for different company departments, ensuring that important tasks receive the necessary reviews before proceeding. This application enhances control, improves compliance, and streamlines operations by allowing detailed customization of the approval process, including specifying different levels of approvals and the information required.

However, Odoo implemented a different way of approving in version 18, which is used in the workflows. Rather than creating approval requests manually, these are automatically generated when specific actions are performed. This requires some configuration, which will be explained below and can be done in almost every view of Odoo.

Configuring Approval Processes

Setting up approvals in Odoo Studio is simple. Users can navigate to the required view in Studio, select the action button, and easily add approval steps. This includes specifying approvers or groups and the conditions under which approvals should take place, making the configuration flexible and adaptable to specific business needs.

• Go to the view in which you want to add the approval step, and then click the Studio button.

• Select the button where you want to add the approval and click on +Add an approval step.

• All you need to do is specify the approver or approver group, the user you want to notify, and the sequence of this approval step, as you can add as many approvals as you need.

• Odoo will automatically save these changes, so if you want to remove them, use the trash can icon. You can close the Studio view when you have finished the flow.

All the changes will be available immediately.

Pros and Cons of Studio Approval Workflows

Pros:

• Controlled Process Flow: This system ensures that each step in a business process is correctly reviewed and approved, helping to prevent errors and ensure that everything is done correctly.

• Customizable Workflows: Odoo allows you to tailor the approval steps to the specific needs of your business. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, you can create workflows that work for you.

• Integrated Notifications: Everyone involved in the approval process receives timely updates. This helps keep everyone on the same page and ensures decisions are made quickly.

Cons:

• Initial Complexity: Setting up the system can be complicated. You need to work out who should approve what and when, which can take some time to get right.

• Training Requirements: Your team may need to learn how to use the new system. This training can take some time and may slow things down initially.

• Potential for Delays: While everyone is learning the new system, there may be some slowdowns in the speed at which things get done. But once everyone is up to speed, things usually move faster.

Conclusion of Using Odoo for Approval Workflows

Odoo Studio's approval features are a powerful tool for all types of businesses. By providing a system that checks every important action before it happens, Odoo helps to prevent errors and ensure that everything in your business runs smoothly. Its flexibility in setting up workflows means it can serve a wide range of industries and company sizes, adapting as a business grows or changes. Built-in notifications keep everyone in the loop, speeding up decision-making and maintaining a steady flow of work.

Using Odoo can be a huge benefit to any business, not only keeping your operations on track, but also increasing efficiency. By automating approvals, Odoo reduces the need for constant manual oversight, allowing your team to focus on more strategic tasks. This streamlined process can lead to significant productivity improvements and help organisations stay compliant with industry regulations.

In conclusion, Odoo's approval workflows are an essential tool for enhancing governance, improving operational efficiency and ensuring compliance across the board. They provide a structured, clear and effective way to manage approvals, making them invaluable to any organisation seeking sustainable growth and success in a competitive marketplace.