7+ Best New Features Of Odoo 17 and Notices Before Upgrading

Odoo 17, released in 2023, brought exciting new features such as a revamped UI, new industry library, AI solution integration, and more. With these improvements, this version is expected to offer significant upgrades that transform the Odoo user experience and how businesses operate.

Delve into Odoo 17’s best improvements, additional notes on Odoo 17.1 and Odoo 17.2, and our recommendations for what you should consider before upgrading.

1. A fresh makeover

Odoo 17 introduces a redesigned user interface (UI) that enhances usability and accessibility. The traditional concept of Odoo with its distinctive purple image has been transformed. It presents a comprehensive redesign that seamlessly integrates a clean UI with modern elements. See the following image to spot the differences between Odoo 16 and Odoo 17’s interfaces:

Odoo has created alterations from app library icons to an entire UI overhaul. The design is not only clean but also engaging and enjoyable. Described by Odoo as a reflection of their vision to enhance workdays, one feature at a time, the new UI embodies a balance of functionality and aesthetics, offering a better user experience.

2. New industry library

The new Odoo library simplifies user onboarding by allowing you to choose your industry directly at setup - meaning that you won’t have to navigate through the extensive array of apps anymore. The picture below shows the Odoo apps by industry and users can choose from a range of industry categories such as manufacturing, NGO, retail, and more:

For example, if you choose a specific industry like manufacturing, a suite of relevant apps with pre-configured business workflows and demonstration data is ready to use. This approach ensures a smooth configuration process within your industry selection and reduces the complexities of implementation.

Following the industry-specific applications, Odoo 17 extends its performance across other operational workflows including retailing. Retailers can now benefit from its advanced transaction system and customer experience.

3. Improved POS

Odoo 17’s POS system offers many improvements to speed up transactions and enhance customer experience. It now lets customers place orders and make payments through QR code scanning on their mobile devices or by a self-service kiosk, as shown in the image below:

Significantly, the new Kitchen Display feature focuses on optimising order processing for kitchen staff. It offers versatility for handling online orders or preparing large customised orders. These updates enhance menu customisation with features like pricing combos for complete menus and improved variants for flexibility. Moreover, the Appointments integration enables customers to book tables online easily.

Significantly, not only these new capabilities in POS, but Odoo 17 also integrates AI-powered features to improve user interactions.

4. New AI integration

Odoo 17 integrates ChatGPT-powered AI into its solution ecosystem. From refining Knowledge articles to enhancing marketing campaigns and emails, ChatGPT empowers you to generate text alternatives. This strategic integration underscores Odoo's commitment to providing cutting-edge tools for a better user experience.

The screenshot shows the integration of ChatGPT copywriter to the Odoo Website app, helping users create auto-generated content tailored to their objectives:

Based on AI automation research by McKinsey Global Institute, AI integration in ERP systems has become a must in driving organisations’ revenue growth and reducing costs. Odoo 17's AI features align with this technology trend, helping users automate tasks and increase productivity.

5. New website scraper

In Odoo 17, a new website scraper feature allows users to migrate external websites into Odoo pages seamlessly, helping users reduce extra manual efforts. You can integrate external websites effortlessly by pasting your addresses, enabling Odoo to adapt the structure to fit well within the Odoo setting.

Moreover, Odoo provides an efficient method so that you can create new pages from the ground up with industry-specific templates and AI integration. The updates show a broader range of page templates, a redesigned header and footer, and an improved shape library. Significantly, Odoo 17 overhauled the customer portal, along with a refreshed front end for E-commerce, Events, Forums, and Appointments.

Additionally, new improvements are also complemented by significant updates to sales management, enhancing the way businesses create and manage quotations.

6. Significant updates in Sales apps

Odoo 17 introduces notable enhancements for sales operations. Firstly, the quotation builder now lets users craft personalised quotations with images, product descriptions, tailored messages, terms and conditions, as described in the picture below:

Furthermore, the product catalogue has had significant improvements. This helps users simplify the process of searching and adding products to quotations. With a single click, you can now access a comprehensive view of all products and improve your workflow’s efficiency. Not only salespeople, manufacturers and operation workers can also benefit from updates in the manufacturing apps in Odoo 17.

7. Manufacturing & inventory enhancements

Lastly, Odoo 17 also introduces major improvements in manufacturing and inventory management. First of all, the Manufacturing Order Overview consolidates essential data, such as component status and reordering options to streamline the replenishment process. You can efficiently compare vendors directly within the dynamic report to improve the management of manufacturing orders. The following screenshot shows the Manufacturing Overview dashboard in Odoo 17:

Secondly, in Odoo 17, the Shop Floor app replaces Tablet View and notably enhances the experience for work centre operators. Once a Manufacturing Order is confirmed, it appears on the Shop Floor, allowing operators to easily follow work instructions. A simple touch on the touchscreen instantly updates the database, and this marks a smoother and more efficient process.

Moreover, the latest update introduces a notable feature to manufacturing orders, with a barcode scanner and mobile device compatibility. You can easily update information by scanning used components, and automatic printing upon barcode scanning, among other improvements. Moreover, the Odoo Inventory management app sees enhancements in the picking flow, allowing you to view quantities per location as reserving products.

8. Latest localisation features for Australia

As our CEO has updated earlier on LinkedIn about Odoo 17, this version delivers major localisation advancements for Australian companies, focusing on payroll processing, tax compliance and shipment solutions:

• Payroll: Facilitate the issuance of Australian contracts, PAYG withholding, multiple pay schedules, superannuation account management, ATO-compliant payslip, and salary structure.
• Tax: Feature improved BAS reporting, PAYG withholding and PEPPOL e-invoicing.
• Fulfilment: Integrate Starshipit to optimise real-time courier tracking and automate return label management.
• Finance: Update customer statements, remittance advice, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions and EFTPOS connection with Stripe.
• Business terms: Integrate automated GST, BAS reporting and local Australian terms.

Looking ahead to 2024, Odoo focuses on STP Phase 2 compliance, direct BAS lodgement, and application of SuperStream guidelines. Watch the video below to learn more about what specific actions have been done for each localisation feature:

Beyond these new features of Odoo 17, Odoo also revealed the latest release of its later versions - Odoo 17.1 and Odoo 17.2. Let’s discuss this in the next section.

Odoo 17.1 and Odoo 17.2: What new features are you missing?

Odoo 17.1 and Odoo 17.2 are built upon Odoo 17 by introducing advanced manufacturing, accounting, project management, and spreadsheet features. Both versions improve productivity with more automation features and advanced visualisation tools. Key features from Odoo 17.1 and Odoo 17.2 include:

• Accounting: Generate QR codes for vendor bills and streamline payment reconciliation.
• Manufacturing: Produce multiple serial numbers and automate lot transfer tracking.
• Spreadsheets: Auto-fill, scatter plots, improved pivot tables, and cell comments.
• E-commerce: Customers can access recurring plans directly on e-commerce product pages.
• Project management: Kanban sub-tasks, burn-up charts, and a better Gantt view.
• Inventory: Predefined lot tracking with split item picking for multiple locations.

You can learn every detail through Odoo’s official release notes for Odoo 17.1 and Odoo 17.2. With these exciting new features, you need to consider whether moving to Odoo 17 is a must-go-to option for the long term.

Should you upgrade to Odoo 17?

If you’re using Odoo 16, delaying the upgrade is understandable, but those with older versions of Odoo should consider upgrading for a better user and support experience.

Specifically, compared to Odoo 16 and older versions, Odoo 17 offers features that focus more on user experience. These include a revamped user interface, industry-specific apps, AI-powered solutions, and improved website development techniques. Here are four key reasons to upgrade:

• A more intuitive UI: Odoo 17’s UI has undergone a significant redesign with a more intuitive and contemporary look. This facilitates seamless navigation within the system.
• Industry-specific features: Odoo 17 offers a suite of innovative new features. Notably, the system now provides an industry library, advanced manufacturing and inventory management capabilities, user-friendly website creation tools, and more.
• AI-powered solutions: With Odoo 17, ChatGPT-powered AI solution is integrated into the Odoo ecosystem. This makes it easier for users to experience a more dynamic experience.
• End of support & bug fixing from Odoo for Odoo 14 or older versions: Moving to Odoo 17 helps you to stay with updated versions. According to Odoo’s long-term support policy, Odoo 17 marks the end of support and bug fixing for Odoo 14 and earlier versions.

Now if you have decided to upgrade, make sure to evaluate specific factors for a seamless upgrade process.

What are the key considerations before moving to Odoo 17?

These five key considerations will help you evaluate the current state of your existing system and plan accordingly:

• Assess the compatibility of your current modules and customisations with Odoo 17.
• Develop a thorough strategy for data migration. Safeguard all existing data, including databases, configurations, and customisations.
• Ensure comprehensive training and support for your teams to familiarise them with the new UI, features, and processes in Odoo 17.
• Focus on testing by creating a dedicated environment to evaluate the performance, functionalities, and integrations of Odoo 17.
• Get support from Odoo and the community to ensure you can access resources and documentation and get help for potential migration issues.

For more accurate details on Odoo 17, you can visit the official Odoo website, release notes, and community forums.

In conclusion, whether you’re already using Odoo or about to implement ERP for your business, Odoo 17 is a great choice. If you need assistance with Odoo 17 or other digital transformation scenarios, do not hesitate to discuss them with us. Havi Technology, certified as Odoo’s Official Partner in Australia, is always ready to provide comprehensive support throughout your implementation process.

References:

• Odoo (2023). Meet Odoo 17.
• Odoo. Supported versions.
• McKinsey & Company (2018). AI, automation, and the future of work: Ten things to solve for.