Odoo costs about $400 a year.
But what’s even more expensive is an Odoo expert – somebody who can actually put this accounting tool to proper use.
Here’s a detailed guide on what you should be seeking in an Odoo expert.
Let’s start.
Key Takeaways
- Before hiring an Odoo expert, make sure you understand the scope of Odoo and your specific business needs.
- Hiring the right Odoo expert helps businesses create an efficient workflow for improved business management.
- 36% of businesses struggle with cybersecurity issues, so make sure you hire a developer who follows all essential security measures.
- Hire an Odoo developer who uses project management tools like Trello.
10 things to consider when hiring an Odoo expert
There are two aspects to consider before hiring an Odoo developer.If you understand that clearly, the process and results of Odoo implementation will meet your expectations.
The first thing that you should look at is the needs of your business.
It is important to have clarity about what you want to achieve from an Odoo implementation. Is there any specific feature or functionality that you think an Odoo module can help you with?
Let’s say, your business is constantly experiencing low stock. So your need is to find a system with strong inventory management features to help you optimize your inventory and reduce supply chain management issues.
The second thing to consider is the scope of Odoo itself.
Do you think Odoo can help you achieve whatever you have set out to achieve? Don’t just look at your current business needs. Evaluate if Odoo has the potential to evolve with your growing business.
You want software that connects different systems to simplify your processes, not add to their complexity.
The data synchronization should be smooth and accurate. Because there’s really no point in adding Odoo to your workflow if you have to double-check the authenticity of the data, making sure it’s consistent across departments.
This will further increase your burden. And in that case, you can decide against adding Odoo to your business.
So, only go ahead with this implementation if you are sure it will meet your specific business needs perfectly.
Now let’s look at a few considerations before you hire an Odoo developer for your business.
1. Technical expertise
When you’re hiring an Odoo developer, you should have a primary list of things to consider and a secondary one.
Technical skills should top your primary list of considerations.
The Odoo developer you hire should have knowledge of the best ways to customize and implement this software. They should also be aware of the most cost-effective and efficient way it can be done.
Odoo offers various certifications to developers across the world. Look for Odoo developers who have earned these certifications. Such certifications always showcase how well-versed they are with Odoo and its modules.
Besides Odoo, look for developers with a detailed understanding of Python and JavaScript which are programming languages used to perform coding.
But keep in mind that an ideal Odoo developer is not someone who can only write codes. You want someone who understands your business needs and customizes this implementation to improve your business and its processes.
You can figure this out by asking candidates how they would implement Odoo into your business to improve productivity and help you reduce costs.
The answer would help you decide whether or not they have the technical skills you are looking for in your business.
2. Experience
Speaking of primary considerations, you also want to factor in their experience.
It means finding out whether they have worked in a similar situation. You should hire someone who has worked in your industry as they would have better insight into specific challenges, let’s say, compliance issues.
Also, you should find out what projects they have worked on previously to determine their suitability for your project.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter if they have successfully worked in a hospitality business when you are looking for someone who specifically understands the complexity of the retail or e-commerce industry.
When someone has experience in the same industry, they come into your business with knowledge but also confidence.
3. Cultural fit
A major aspect that should be in your secondary list of considerations is the cultural fit.
You want an Odoo developer who can work together with your existing team. They should have the ability to break down complex problems into simple solutions.
An ideal Odoo developer should have the ability to accept feedback. They should also be okay to answer questions. Good things only happen where there is collaboration, engagement, and an open room for discussion.
4. Cost and value analysis
Almost 70% of businesses outsource software development as they find it to be more feasible in the long run.
Most of the time businesses are fixated on the service charges of the developer rather than looking at the value they might add to their businesses.
If you have a solid Odoo developer on the waiting list, and the only reason you’re not hiring them is because they are “expensive” you might want to bring a shift in your perspective.
Think of all the ways they can improve your business, eventually, increasing productivity, and with that, the revenue.
If you focus on the expected ROI rather than the initial investment, you’ll make a much more successful hiring.
Most Odoo developers charge you on an hourly basis or from project to project. Now this is a trap that you want to avoid, even if it comes at the expense of a qualified developer.
5. Flexibility
How a developer reacts to new technology says a lot about their ability to adapt and learn.
A small business is in a growing phase. Its needs aren’t always going to be the same. They will evolve, and with that, you’d need technology and an efficient approach to meet those changes successfully.
So make sure you hire an Odoo developer who is flexible and comfortable with “change in plans”.
It’s better to avoid developers who are stuck in their ways. The right one will be curious and even excited about new problems.
Now here’s how you can find a developer who is flexible.
Ask candidates how they would respond to specific situations and how they will use technology to solve problems.
For example, you can ask if they use specific tools that handle transactions in different currencies in case you expand your business and decide to go global. You can ask if Odoo offers this functionality or if there are any third-party applications that Odoo can connect with to gain this functionality.
6. Project management skills
It doesn’t matter how qualified and technically skilled you are if you can’t meet deadlines. You should also have an organized approach to Odoo implementation and they should align with the actual needs of the business.
Imagine hiring an Odoo developer who simply cannot stick to your budget.
Also, every business has a specific structure, and while it is great to break the monotony every once in a while, some processes are there to maintain the discipline.
For example, businesses use project management tools, like Wrike or Jira, and even Trello to track project progress and ensure every team member is on the same page.
Now it would be extremely difficult to work with a developer who simply can’t follow certain processes. It could even disturb the workflow of other resources and create confusion regarding project responsibilities.
So, it is best to hire a developer who knows how to use project management tools.
7. Security
New technology is being introduced to the world on a daily basis. While it helps businesses improve efficiency, it also comes with cybersecurity risks.
The number of businesses that have experienced cybersecurity issues in the last couple of years has increased from 27% to 36%.
This is why it is important to hire a developer who understands the risks involved in implementing any kind of software, including Odoo. This will ensure they follow all safety protocols and do regular checkups to ensure data security.
You can ask candidates if they are aware of secure coding practices and if they have ever experienced data breaches in the past.
8. Problem-solving skills
When you’re hiring a developer, don’t just focus on their resume. Education doesn’t imply they possess problem-solving skills.
The world of software development is full of creativity, requiring developers to think out of the box and come up with innovative ways to solve problems.
Let’s say, your business is receiving poor customer satisfaction. The right developer would use Odoo functionality to help you identify problems. They would use Odoo CRM to identify the common issues that your customers face.
You can come up with questions more relevant to your business during the hiring process.
9. Documentation
It is extremely important to hire an Odoo developer who prioritizes documentation. This is a necessary step that helps create a process that can be continued. What it does is it helps future developers to expand Odoo functionality without any dependency on the current developer.
So documentation guides other developers as they are explained every step of the implementation. Hire a developer who documents every code they use. It should be readable and simple.
In case a problem arises in the future, other developers on the project can also solve it, using this documentation as context.
10. Commitment and continuous support
The final aspect that you must consider before hiring an Odoo developer is their long-term commitment to Odoo.
Odoo is an open-source software which means it receives regular updates. Does your Odoo expert make an effort to learn about every new update?
Make sure you add this clause to your contract. The right developer would be keen on learning and will be open-minded towards these updates.
Instead of getting intimidated, they would take the time to understand the new features, pricing strategy, and any structural changes made to the software.
The bottom line
When you hire an Odoo expert, make sure they possess both primary and secondary skills.
So they should be a cultural fit but also have the necessary technical skills to perform Odoo implementation successfully.
The idea is to hire someone flexible enough to learn and grow with your business.
Ledger Labs has been helping businesses with Odoo accounting for over 12 years.
Book a consultation appointment with us to find out how we can help you.
