Odoo SaaS vs guided ERP project: two very different ways to implement
Not all ways of using Odoo are the same.
This article explains the real differences between self-implementing Odoo as SaaS and undertaking an ERP project with guidance.
Editorial note
Choosing the implementation model is as important as choosing the software.
What is Odoo SaaS
Odoo SaaS is the model in which the infrastructure and technical operation are managed directly by Odoo. You can contract access to the software from their website.
This model includes:
- Immediate access to the platform
- Hosting managed by Odoo S.A.
- Automatic updates
- Basic support included
The company activates modules, configures options, and starts using the system on its own.
Self-service
The SaaS model is designed so that the company configures and manages Odoo without intermediaries, or with occasional help from Odoo directly.
What self-implementation entails
Self-implementing Odoo means that the company takes on:
A change project
An ERP project is not just installing software. It is redesigning how the company manages its operations.
What is an ERP project (with guidance)
An ERP project is an implementation process that includes:
- 1Analysis of the company's current operations
- 2Definition of processes in the system
- 3Assisted configuration of modules and workflows
- 4Data migration or loading
- 5Tailored training for each team
- 6Guidance during the go-live phase
The goal is for the ERP to reflect how the company actually works.
Key differences between SaaS and ERP project
When each model works
Can work when...
- Operations are very simple and standard
- Basic functionalities are sufficient
- You have a clear scope
- You are willing to learn incrementally
- Cost is the absolute priority
Is necessary when...
- You want to redefine and improve operations
- You are open to functional advice
- There are specific business rules
- There is a committed go-live date
- The ERP will be critical for the business
The hidden costs of SaaS without a project
SaaS seems more economical because it does not include services. But that does not mean the work disappears.
It simply becomes the company's responsibility:
Internal time
Hours the team spends learning, testing, configuring
Process errors
Incorrect configurations that affect operations
Rework
Redoing what was misconfigured once detected
Lost opportunities
Not using functionalities that would have added value
The real cost
The total cost is not what you pay per month. It is what you pay + what you invest + what you lose.
And that, in a SaaS without guidance, is usually much more than expected.
Checklist for deciding
Answer honestly before choosing the model:
Does anyone in my company know how to define ERP processes?
Do we have time to learn the system on our own?
Can we assume the risk of configuration errors?
Are our processes really that simple?
What happens if something fails and we have no one to turn to?
Practical rule:
- If you hesitate on more than 2 questions, consider a guided project
- If your answer is “no” to most, SaaS will end up being expensive
Total freedom
Community allows you to choose the implementation model without depending on licenses or on Odoo S.A.'s infrastructure.
What role does Community play in all this
Odoo Community is the free and open version of Odoo. It is not tied to the official SaaS model from Odoo S.A.
This means that:
- You can use it on any infrastructure
- You can hire guidance without paying a license
- You can combine OCA modules with custom developments
- Project control remains with the company
Choosing how to implement is as important as choosing the software. Do not let the initial price be your only criterion.
A well-implemented ERP is a tool that grows with you. A poorly implemented one is a problem that scales.