ERP to GC for SMEs: Odoo launches Queensland office as Belgian giant targets more small business clients

Enterprise resource planning giant Odoo has announced the launch of its first Australian office, promising to assist small and medium businesses with increasing their digital capabilities and capitalise on Queensland’s growing tech scene.

The Belgian company, which boasts more than 10 million users worldwide and a valuation of US$3.2 billion ($4.5 billion), revealed its plans to establish a dedicated Gold Coast outpost on Tuesday.

The company already has a presence in Australia, offering accounting systems compliant with local regulations, among other services.

But the company said its local operations would expose more Australian businesses to its suite of open-source software, covering business needs from CRM and automated marketing campaigns, all the way through to inventory management, e-commerce solutions, and human resource needs.

In doing so, Odoo will challenge existing enterprise resource management players like Netsuite and Salesforce, and more specialised platforms like Mailchimp and MYOB.

While many ERP providers cater to multinational firms, Odoo says it is focused on the smaller end of the spectrum and helping independent businesses build out their digital capabilities.

“[Our] mission is to help SMEs in their journey to digitalisation and improve their day-to-day operations,” the company said.

Odoo plans to hire at least 20 local staff to bolster its local ranks, and expects to kick off domestic operations this month.

The decision to build its operations on the Gold Coast was intentional, office director Kelian Buitendijk says, as the company hopes to enmesh itself with the region’s beachy lifestyle.

“We want to offer our employees a place where they can combine work, career growth and the best of the Australian lifestyle,” he said.

“Our office branch will replicate the same amazing company culture we have in Belgium: encouraging flexibility, responsibilities, autonomy and a work hard, play hard mindset.”

Its proximity to universities will allow Odoo access to top-level graduate talent, the company added.