When implementing Odoo ERP, many companies often misunderstand the differences between a Functional Consultant and a Technical Consultant. Although both roles are essential, they contribute to the success of the project in very different ways.
This article explains each role clearly, including responsibilities, required skills, and how organizations should plan their Odoo implementation team.
1. What Is an Odoo Functional Consultant?
An Odoo Functional Consultant is responsible for understanding business processes and aligning them with Odoo’s standard capabilities. This role focuses more on business logic, workflows, and system configuration rather than programming.
Key Responsibilities
- Gather and analyze business requirements
- Design workflows for Sales, Inventory, Accounting, Procurement, MRP, and other modules
- Configure and set up Odoo based on business needs
- Conduct gap analysis between business requirements and Odoo Standard
- Lead UAT, validate system quality, and ensure compliance
- Train users and support teams before and after Go-Live
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure system adoption
Required Skills
- Deep understanding of business processes
- Knowledge of Odoo Standard functionalities
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Ability to translate business needs into functional specifications
- Experience in Accounting, Operations, Logistics, or Business Analysis
Who Is This Role Suitable For?
- ERP consultants
- Business analysts
- Professionals from accounting, supply chain, or operations backgrounds
2. What Is an Odoo Technical Consultant?
An Odoo Technical Consultant focuses on software development and integration. This role ensures the system can deliver custom features, automate processes, or communicate with external platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop custom modules using Python and XML
- Perform API integrations (Shopee, Lazada, ZORT, payment gateways, etc.)
- Customize views, reports, and PDF layouts
- Debug system issues and improve performance
- Handle DevOps tasks: server deployment, Docker, Odoo.sh, AWS
- Automate processes using Scheduled Actions and Server Actions
- Ensure code quality, security, and maintainability
Required Skills
- Strong Python and Odoo ORM knowledge
- Proficiency in PostgreSQL
- Experience with XML, QWeb, JavaScript (optional)
- Familiarity with Linux, Docker, Git, and CI/CD pipelines
- Understanding of system architecture and integration patterns
Who Is This Role Suitable For?
- Software developers
- Engineers with backend development experience
- DevOps or system integration specialists
3. Which Role Does Your Organization Need?
The answer depends on the project’s complexity and maturity.
If you are new to Odoo
You will need a Functional Consultant to design the correct business flow and configure the system properly.
If you need customization or system integration
A Technical Consultant becomes essential to build features beyond Odoo Standard.
For medium to large-scale digital transformation
A complete team with both Functional + Technical is required for a stable, scalable implementation.
4. Common Mistakes Companies Often Make
- Letting developers design business processes without functional analysis
- Lacking functional expertise in accounting or inventory
- Skipping proper UAT and rushing into Go-Live
- Customizing too early without exploring Odoo Standard
- Using only one role to cover both areas, leading to system inconsistency
Conclusion
Both Functional and Technical Consultants are equally critical in an Odoo project, but they focus on different dimensions.
- The Functional Consultant ensures business correctness.
- The Technical Consultant ensures system capability and flexibility.
A successful Odoo implementation requires collaboration between both roles, supported by clear communication, strong project governance, and a structured methodology.
If your company is looking for a professional Odoo implementation team with full Functional, Technical, and DevOps capabilities, IMOTIF is ready to help deliver a complete ERP solution tailored for your business.
