Odoo Functional Consultant Vs. Technical

The terms “Odoo Functional Consultant,” “Technical Developer,” are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences between these roles, especially when it comes to implementing Enterprise Resource Planning software. Understanding the function of an ERP system is essential for a successful deployment, while the technical coding based on defined functionalities is also crucial.

Functional Consultant vs. Technical Developer

A Functional Consultant helps define the flow of your business within the ERP system by establishing proper business processes aligned with industry best practices. They focus on configuring the system to meet the needs of the business, ensuring smooth operations and maximizing the value of the ERP software.

In contrast, a Technical Developer works closely with the functional team to write the code that implements the features and functionalities defined by the Functional Consultant. They ensure the technical side of the system is built according to specifications, including customizations, integrations, and performance optimizations.

Let’s go more deeper into each role and understand what they do.

Odoo Functional Consultant

An Odoo functional consultant helps you to evaluate the ERP project, transforms your business processes into abstract and algorithmic business models. They help you to transform the use cases of your business into logical and technical views. There are many tasks which have been performed while working on any ERP projects.

These tasks include customizing the processes at optimum level to ensure ERP reacts according to the flow. They also provide you with documentation, guidelines on each and every aspects of your department.  Odoo consultant acts as a backbone to technical python team as they transform the technical code into functional areas which can be used by a layman.

A Functional team member also helps in proper training to the user and the ERP which has been implemented in a perfectly usable condition as per the choice of the customer and their business processes. Odoo consultant also help your company during the go live stages therefore the duties roles and responsibilities of Odoo Functional Consultant is vast and not just finish at the start of the project by technical team.

Role of a Functional Consultant in an End To End Odoo Implementation:

As discussed that  Functional Consultant role is vast till the final completion of the project including the training and go live stages. It may not be possible to define everything as far as role of Functional expert is concern as based on different industries such as Manufacturing, Trading or Services and based on the size of the business who are implementing Odoo ERP solution the role may be vast with various duties to perform.

• Business Processes Understanding – 

An Odoo consultant must have knowledge of different business areas including the design of the business flow. An ERP implementation can be carried out by any verticals such as Manufacturing or Trading therefore understanding of business flow, products, manufacturing flow is one of the important roles and duties of Consultant. They may prepare documentation with complete understanding of Business processes.

To create documentation they may have to sit with each department, understand their working, forms used, process flow etc. Without which an ERP implementation may not be successful.

• Understand Company Needs – 

An Odoo functional consultant understands company needs and requirement with respect to ERP software implementation. Evaluation of client demands for Odoo ERP and how a solution can be provided to enhance business processes.

• Configurations with Business Needs – 

Another essential duty of Functional consultant is to make sure that the software respond and react with the manner client is looking out for. He/She always coordinates with Technical team for mapping of different activities in the new system.

• Usability –

Once the development is completed functional consultants who handle software delivers the documentation, end user training, smooth start of the software to the client.  They also helps in understanding other requirements of the business which can be implemented in other phases.

After completing the redevelopment, They delivers end user training and ensures a smooth transition to the client. They may also report on the progress of the work effort, and follow-up to support the application on an ongoing basis.

What Skills do Odoo Functional Consultant Posses

As discussed above there are many duties which has been performed by Odoo consultant in this area we will understand what kind of skill do ERP functional consultant have.

• Logical understand to resolve complicated problems
• Odoo consultant should posses decision making skills for each and every module that has been required by the client.
• Powerful Communication – both Speaking and understanding is necessary to interact with different people of an organization.
• In and out knowledge on security configurations of Odoo
• Expert knowledge in workflow configurations.
• Extensive working experience with Odoo ERP software – Must be capable of handing atleast past 3 version of ERP software.
• Should be Punctual in meetings to ensure timely delivery of every task.
• Knowledge of different tools such as Red mine, Gantt View, Project Management tools, to ensure smooth working.

Odoo Technical Consusltant

As discussed that ERP implementation require people from different qualifications and experience who come together to successfully implement ERP software for your business. As the name suggests Odoo Technical Consultant is one who handles ERP from Technical and coding areas. Apart from Major degrees in Computer science or engineering the main area is the Odoo Technical Python language, and different concept of ERP software from technical view.

Technical Consultant is an important resource towards any ERP implementation as without them Functional consultant may not be in position to deliver successful project.

Below we have listed some of the responsibilities of Odoo Technical Consultant.

• Python Knowledge for Coding or designing is one of the base requirements
• Integration/ Unit testing Knowledge
• Troubleshooting and Debugging of code related issues
• Delivering and producing detailed design of Code & Unit test plans.
• Understanding of technical requirements and providing appropriate Module design in Odoo ERP software.
• Version Controlling and knowledge of industry verticals such as Trading, Manufacturing or any custom development of apps.

Duties of Odoo Technical Developer / Team Lead

• Developing and providing solutions as per the business processes created by Functional Consultant.
• Effectively communication with junior developers/ Senior Developers
• Onsite technical development by travelling to client office.
• Designing, testing, installing and monitoring systems
• Documentation preparation & providing progress reports to customers
• Being involved in sales and support, and where appropriate, maintaining contact with client organizations
• Diving into industry trends, news, and changes in version and their functions

Whom to hire first for your Odoo Project ?

When starting an Odoo ERP implementation, deciding whether to hire a Functional Consultant or a Technical Consultant first depends on the specific needs of your business and the phase of the project.

Here’s an in-depth explanation of why the Functional Consultant should typically be the first hire, followed by a Technical Consultant, and how both roles contribute to a successful implementation.

1. Why Hire a Functional Consultant First?

The Functional Consultant plays a critical role in understanding and mapping your business processes to the ERP system. Here’s why they should be hired first:

• Business Process Understanding: The first step in an ERP implementation is to understand the business processes that need to be automated or optimized. A Functional Consultant works with you to understand the core operations of your business and defines how these operations should flow within the ERP system.
• Defining Requirements: The Functional Consultant gathers detailed requirements from your team and translates them into business workflows that will be implemented within Odoo. This includes the configuration of core modules like CRM, Sales, Purchase, Accounting, etc., based on your unique needs.
• Mapping Business Needs to Odoo: The Functional Consultant’s job is to ensure that the right modules are chosen and configured for your business. Without a clear understanding of business needs and processes, the implementation will lack focus and may lead to issues down the line.
• Business User Alignment: They interact with different business departments to ensure that the system aligns with your goals. Their feedback is essential in configuring the system in a way that is intuitive and efficient for end users.
• Testing and Training: After defining the business processes, Functional Consultants are responsible for creating test cases and training end users to ensure the system works as intended.

2. When to Bring in a Odoo Technical Consultant?

Once the business requirements and processes are mapped out by the Functional Consultant, the Technical Consultant becomes crucial. Here’s why they come in at this stage:

• Customization and Development: If the requirements defined by the Functional Consultant cannot be fully met with the out-of-the-box features of Odoo, a Technical Consultant will write custom code or develop new features to fill those gaps. This includes custom reports, new modules, or integrating third-party systems.
• System Integration: A Technical Consultant ensures that Odoo integrates properly with any other software or hardware systems your business uses. This may include accounting software, inventory systems, or POS systems, among others.
• Optimizing System Performance: As the ERP system is being configured and customized, the Technical Consultant ensures that the solution is optimized for performance. This involves addressing scalability, server requirements, and troubleshooting any technical issues that arise.
• Data Migration: A critical part of the implementation process is migrating data from legacy systems to Odoo. A Technical Consultant handles the extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) of data to ensure that your company’s historical data is properly imported into the new system.
• Post-Implementation Support: After the system is live, the Technical Consultant provides ongoing support to troubleshoot any technical issues and ensure the system continues to perform smoothly.

3. How They Work Together:

• Collaboration: The Functional and Technical Consultants work hand-in-hand. The Functional Consultant defines business processes and needs, while the Technical Consultant brings those processes to life through coding, integrations, and customizations.
• Feedback Loop: The Functional Consultant and Technical Consultant maintain continuous communication. As business processes evolve or new requirements arise, the Functional Consultant communicates these changes, and the Technical Consultant adapts the system accordingly.

By hiring the Functional Consultant first, you ensure that your business needs are properly understood and mapped, making it easier for the Technical Consultant to create a tailored solution that meets those needs. Both roles are essential, but starting with a Functional Consultant will set a strong foundation for the success of your Odoo implementation.

Steps to Hire Functional & Technical Consultant for your Odoo Projects ?

As we discussed above that the roles and responsibilities of both Functional and Technical consultant are vast therefore hiring on company payroll may be time consuming and cost consuming. At Globalteckz we are official partner and provide you with a complete team for your ERP project.  We follow powerful approach to provide you with resources who are experienced in Odoo with a proper understanding of your organization requirements and objectives.

Conclusion : 

As we mentioned above that there are different roles and responsibilities that has been carried out by Odoo Functional and Technical expert. We would like to conclude our blog post that both Expertise is important for your business as with only strong technical expert you can excel in coding but functionality management of each module with ease is necessary to the people or employees at lower level who are the actual ERP users that make your implementation successful.

Hiring these experience resources on payroll of your company can be cost consuming and improper judgement can create issues during the implementation. Therefore, taking help of Odoo Partner can ensure you with successful Odoo Implementations.

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