Gathering requirements
Setting up an Odoo system is no easy task. Many companies get into trouble by believing that they can just install the software and throw in some data. Inevitably, the scope of the project grows and what was supposed to be a simple system ends up becoming a confusing mess. Fortunately, Odoo's modular design will allow you to take a systematic approach to implement Odoo for your business.
Implementing Odoo using a modular approach
The bare bones installation of Odoo simply provides a limited messaging system. To manage your Odoo implementation, you must begin with the planning of the applications with which you will work first. Odoo allows you to install just what you need now and then install additional Odoo applications as you better define your requirements. It can be valuable to take this approach when you are considering how to implement Odoo for your own business.
Introducing Silkworm – our real-world case study
To best understand how to work with Odoo, we will build our exercises around a real-world case study. Silkworm is a custom apparel, promotional products, and graphic design company that provides unparalleled customer service. Using Odoo's modular design, we will begin by implementing the sales management application to set up the selling of basic products. In this specific case, we will be selling t-shirts. As we proceed through the book, we will continue to expand the system by installing additional applications.
Using Odoo online – installing your first application
When you use Odoo's online trial on enterprise services, they will handle all the details, not only for installation of the Odoo software but also for creating the database. All you have to do is select the first application you wish install from the list provided on Odoo's setup page.
For our purposes, we are going to begin by implementing the sales order application. In Odoo's trial version, the sales order application is bundled inside the Quote Builder on their installation page.
