Hosting for Odoo ERP – 3 flexible options

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In the course of digitalization, it is not only large corporations that now use an ERP system to map all business processes digitally. Whether inventory management, purchasing, sales or accounting – ERP systems now also exist for small and med-sized enterprises, start-ups or scale-ups. One of these lean and flexible ERPs is the open source solution Odoo. Why Odoo ERP specifically satisfies the needs of SMEs and start-ups, we have explained in this post in detail.

Today we would like to present the different ways you can host the ERP solution. This plays an important role, especially during the introduction of a new ERP system or the migration of an existing one. Some ERP vendors now only offer the option of hosting the system in a public cloud due to a cloud-only strategy. Not with Odoo ERP. The Belgian software company offers a total of three deployment options: vendor-owned cloud, managed cloud service or on-premise. But how exactly do these options differ and what advantages or disadvantages do they come with?

Odoo Cloud

If you only need standard features and Odoo’s own modules, the Odoo Cloud is suitable for hosting. The Odoo Cloud is included with the purchase of the licenses; if you only want to use a single Odoo module, it is even free of charge. The Odoo Cloud is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and provides the configuration out-of-the-box. For you, this means that you can get started immediately without extensive pre-work. Fast and inexpensive on the one hand, but inflexible on the other. The disadvantages of the Odoo Cloud are quite obvious: individual customizations are only possible to a very limited extent, and in addition, no external modules can be used.

Odoo Cloud at a glance

  • Free hosting (included with the purchase of the licenses; even completely free when using a single module)
  • SaaS
  • Preconfigured
  • no external modules
  • limited customizing

Odoo SH

If you want more flexibility and the ability to customize Odoo yourself, Odoo SH is the choice for you. This is Odoo’s own cloud platform that enables the development, testing and rollout of custom developments. Odoo SH can be operated in either a private or a public cloud. In distinction to Odoo Cloud, Odoo SH is a PaaS, i.e. an infrastructure or platform with far-reaching possibilities. These include database replication, staging server, backup server or SSH access. More functions, more possibilities for in-house development, on the other hand, of course, this also means more costs for e.g. manpower, test systems or storage capacity. Finally, the use of Odoo SH is a matter of consideration for you: Do I need my own developments because the standard is not enough? Do these adjustments and developments justify the higher costs?

Odoo SH at a glance

  • Managed cloud hosting (private and public cloud possible)
  • Extensive customizing possible
  • External modules (third-party apps) can be used
  • Git repository for developments included
  • Multisystem landscape possible
  • Costs:
    • Developer
    • Testing Systems
    • Storage capacity

On-Premise

Last but not least, Odoo also offers you the classic option of hosting the entire system on your own servers. In doing so, Odoo is bucking the trend of many providers’ cloud-only strategy. With the on-premise version, you have full flexibility. You can host Odoo on your own server infrastructure, access the databases directly, but also integrate third-party applications and customize Odoo to your own needs. Of course, this flexibility comes at a price. You have to operate and manage the infrastructure yourself, ensure data security and also import updates for Odoo manually. The cost and effort for this version exceeds the cloud versions, but offers you greater flexibility and autonomy.

On-Premise at a glance

  • Self-managed
  • Direct database access
  • External modules (third-party apps can be used)
  • Extensive customizing possible
  • Multisystem landscape
  • Bigger management effort
  • Manual import of source code updates

Conclusion

Three different hosting options, three different strategies to consider. Do you want more flexibility in customizing and developing your own features or is the standard Odoo version enough for you? Would you rather have direct access to the databases and have the management be your responsibility? Odoo offers an option for all possibilities. It is important that you consider a suitable strategy in advance and evaluate the different options.