ERP solutions are vitally important for driving transformation within a business. They combine business processes and breakdown data silos to streamline various operations.

From effectively managing inventory to sales and finance operations, or improving customer service, ERP software plays an undeniable role in modern business.

As inventory and supply chain plays a key part, the selecting the suitable ERP can be challenging.  While most business software claims to offer the best solution, they often fall short of meeting specific organizational needs.

Two renowned ERP solutions are Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Odoo. The comparison between Microsoft Dynamics vs. Odoo gives a clear picture into the management of inventory and supply chain by these systems. First, let us understand what each solution offers.  

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Dynamics Business Central combines apps for managing finance, sales, customer service, supply chain, inventory and more. Beyond functional features, AI, analytics, automation, and reporting help organizations drive reliable performance.

Business Central can be easily customized and effortlessly integrated with Microsoft technology and third-party apps. The cloud architecture and ability to perform inventory and supply chain operations make the solution adaptable to various industries, including retail, manufacturing, and others.

Odoo ERP

Odoo ERP comes with a range of Odoo business apps. Together, these solutions form ERP, which helps organizations manage key business functions, including inventory. The ERP platform matches with business of all types and industries. The flexible architecture and customization capabilities allows users to tailor the system to their specific needs.

ERP for inventory

Inventory management with Business Central

Business Central leverages includes a robust inventory management system that provides real-time visibility into inventory. This AI-powered feature has sufficient capability to overcome inventory challenges today’s organizations face. Here we look into this:

Key capabilities of inventory management in Business Central

Real-time tracking of inventory

Inventory management feature creates the opportunity for organizations to track inventory levels across various locations in real-time. This secures the availability of stock levels in stores and warehouses. With the live view of inventory, organizations can prevent the issues of overstocking and stock-out situations.

Automated replenishment

Business Central supports automatic replenishment process, in which the system automatically reorder inventory based on the reorder point. It is a critical threshold defined by organizations, upon reaching which the system automatically replenishes orders to avoid stock out situations. By automating the process, the system save time.

Item tracking

Business Central provides the ability to track inventory items through serial numbers, lot numbers, or other specific identifiers. This empowers businesses to track the movement of items across various stages.

Barcode scanning

Barcode scanning allows for efficient inventory management with accurate data entry and tracking inventory levels. Barcode scanning capabilities improves speed and accuracy in warehouse operations.

Inventory management with Odoo

Odoo provides inventory management to streamline inventory process. With real-time tracking, businesses can efficiently manage inventory across multiple locations to ensure proper supply chain. Here are the highlights of inventory management feature in Odoo ERP

Real-time inventory tracking

Odoo provides real-time visibility into inventory across locations which helps organizations maintain optimal level of inventory.

Reordering rules

Organizations can configure reordering rules to automate inventory replenishment. The ERP will automatically create purchase orders when stock fall below a predefined reorder point.

Barcode scanning

Odoo supports barcode scanning to simply the tracking of products. It automatically captures product information when scanned and ensure accurate data entry for each product.

Warehouse operations

Odoo allows organizations to manage various warehouses with ease. The solution facilitates setting up complex storage structures, transferring goods between warehouses, and tracking inventory from a centralized platform.

Supply Chain Management: Business Central vs. Odoo

Dynamics 365 Business Central

• Vendor management: Manage good and quality relationships with vendors, identify performance, manage contracts, and streamline procurement process.

• Demand forecasting: Built-in intelligence simplify forecasting demand process and plan resources.
• Order management: Automates the sales and purchase order processes.
• Capacity planning: Plan production and supply resources based on demand and resource availability.
• Global supply chain: Multicurrency and multilanguage support simplify global supply chain operations.

Business Central gives organizations complete visibility into supply chains which helps improve decision-making with complete control.

Odoo

• Procurement automation: Automated stock replenishment process based on stock levels and sales forecasts.
• Multi-level routes: Supports push and pull rules, drop-shipping, cross-docking, and make-to-order flows.
• Supplier management: Easily manage supplier information, pricing, and lead times.
• Manufacturing and MRP: Production planning and materials requirement planning (MRP) into the supply chain flow.
• Customizable workflows: Tailor supply chain processes to match your exact business requirements.

Odoo adapt to various supply chain models which makes it attractive for businesses with unique or evolving needs.

Both Dynamics 365 Business Central and Odoo integrate inventory and SCM capabilities. However, the selection of the right ERP depends on your business size and the industry you are in.

Dynamics 365 Business Central is appropriate in the scenarios where you need an integrated solution with finance, customer service, sales, AI, analytics, automation, and Microsoft 365 tools. It suits well for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Odoo is suitable for businesses that need highly customizable and modular solution. It seamlessly adapts to small and medium sized enterprises.

Inventory and supply chain management are vital parts of business success. Business Central provides the benefits of Microsoft Cloud intelligence, which is significant for driving transformation in the modern age.

With various other factors like increased flexibility and scalability, cloud-based architecture, and the robust integration capability with Microsoft technology and third-party systems, Business Central proves to be the best ERP for inventory and supply chain management solution for today’s businesses.

To learn more about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, get in touch with the leading Microsoft Gold partner, IAX SERVICES.

FAQ Section

Why organizations need the ERP for inventory and supply chain?

Right ERP helps organizations with managing inventory and supply chain. It gets rid of stock-outs and overstocking issues, streamlines replenishment processes, and helps maintain optimal inventory for smoother supply chain.

What is the role of Dynamics 365 Business Central in inventory and supply chain management?

Business Central offers real-time visibility into stocks across various locations, automate stock replenishment, integrate barcode scanning capability, manage vendor relationships, supports demand forecasting, and global supply chain capabilities.

Why Odoo ERP?

Odoo supports real-time inventory tracking, configuration of reordering rules for automated replenishment, barcode scanning for efficient tracking, and easy multiple warehouse management.

Which ERP solution is better?

Both Business Central and Odoo are designed for efficient inventory and supply chain management. Business central which is Microsoft cloud-based offers distinct advantages when it comes to integration and customization. On the other hand, Odoo fits for meeting today’s inventory and supply chain needs but can involve complex integration and customization processes.