Q: Is Odoo's manufacturing module too complex for a small manufacturer?

No. Odoo's manufacturing is modular. You can start simple with basic BOMs and add complexity like MPS and routing as you grow.

Q: Can we start with Zoho and migrate to Odoo later?

Technically yes, but it is expensive ($40k-$95k total migration cost). If you manufacture, starting with Odoo saves money and delivers immediate operational benefits.

Q: How long does Odoo manufacturing implementation take?

Typically 4-8 weeks. Zoho's custom MRP approach takes 3-6 months and results in fragile custom code.

Q: What if our manufacturing is outsourced?

Even outsourced assembly requires BOM tracking and QC. Odoo handles this natively. Zoho does not.

Can we use Zoho One for manufacturing?

Zoho One includes 50+ apps, but none are manufacturing-specific. It is optimized for services, CRM, and finance. It does not solve the manufacturing gap.

If we're only doing basic assembly, can Zoho work?

Only for very simple bundling. If you have multi-level BOMs, scheduling needs, or work order tracking, Zoho fails. Odoo handles all natively.

Zoho vs. Odoo Manufacturing: Quick Verdict

✓Zoho: No native manufacturing module. "Composite items" work for simple kits, but fail for complex BOMs.

✓Odoo: Full enterprise MRP. Multi-level BOMs, master production scheduling (MPS), shop floor tablets.

✓The Trap: Building a custom MRP in Zoho Creator costs $30k+ and $5k/year maintenance (fragile).

✓5-Year Cost Impact: Zoho (with workarounds & errors) $1.28M vs Odoo (native efficiency) $122K

Your manufacturing operation is growing. You're looking for an integrated business system—something to replace the mess of disconnected tools you're currently using (spreadsheets, email, WhatsApp group chats, three different notebooks for production tracking).

You research. You find Zoho. It seems perfect: 50+ integrated apps, affordable, quick to implement, strong reputation.

You ask: "Does Zoho do manufacturing?"

If you dig deep—and most companies don't—you'll find a single page in Zoho's help documentation that says something like this:

"As of now, we are yet to support manufacturing modules."

Translation: Zoho does not have manufacturing.

Not "limited manufacturing." Not "basic manufacturing." No manufacturing.

The Honest Reality: Zoho Has No Manufacturing

Let me be precise about what Zoho offers instead of manufacturing:

Zoho's "workaround" for manufacturing:

Create "composite items" (bundles). You combine components into a kit. When someone buys the kit, inventory is reduced for the kit itself.

But here's the critical flaw: Zoho does not track inventory for the components inside the kit.

Real scenario: You manufacture desks (1 desk = 4 legs + 1 top + 8 screws).

You sell 1 desk. Zoho reduces "Desk" inventory by 1.
But it does NOT reduce leg inventory, top inventory, or screw inventory.
Now your inventory is wrong. You have 4 fewer legs in real life, but Zoho thinks you have them.
Next job: You short yourself on legs. Rush order (premium price) or delay (upset customer).

What Manufacturing Actually Requires (What Zoho Can't Do)

Problem #1: Multi-Level Bill of Materials (BOM)

Manufacturers need deep nesting. A desktop computer uses a Case. The Case uses Panels. The Panels use Bulk Aluminum.

Zoho's approach: 1 level only ("Composite item"). No sub-levels. No bulk material calculation.

Odoo's approach: Multi-level BOM with unlimited nesting. It calculates material needs at all levels automatically. Result: Accurate raw material inventory.

Problem #2: Production Scheduling

You need to know: "Given current demand, inventory, and machine availability, what should we make this week?"

Zoho's approach: Manual. Spreadsheets. Guesswork. One scheduling error = $5k–$50k in rush costs.

Odoo's approach: Native Master Production Schedule (MPS). It automatically calculates demand, lead times, and capacity. It creates a Gantt chart showing exactly which job runs on which machine when.

Problem #3: Work Order Tracking

You need to track individual steps: Cutting, Drilling, Painting, Assembly.

Zoho's approach: None. Paper travelers on the shop floor. No visibility into status, bottlenecks, or operator efficiency.

Odoo's approach: Automatic. Tablet-based work orders for operators. Real-time status updates. Quality checkpoints built-in.

Problem #4: Manufacturing Routing

Defining the specific sequence of machines and skills needed (Route: Saw → Drill → Paint).

Zoho's approach: None. Reliance on tribal knowledge ("Bob knows how to make it"). If Bob leaves, production stops.

Odoo's approach: Defined routes in system. Automatic resource planning ("Saw A is booked, schedule for tomorrow"). Bottle-neck alerts.

The Workaround Trap: Zoho Creator MRP

Because Zoho has no manufacturing, consultants often suggest: "Build your own MRP in Zoho Creator."

What this actually means:

Hire a developer ($20,000–$40,000 upfront)
Wait 3–6 months for build
Pay $3,000–$5,000/year maintenance for fragile custom code
Risk: When Zoho updates, your custom code breaks. Your factory stops.

This isn't buying software. It's outsourcing software development with zero guarantees.

Odoo's Manufacturing: Built In, Integrated, Enterprise-Grade

Odoo Manufacturing is native. It includes:

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Multi-level, unlimited nesting, component tracking.

Master Production Schedule

Demand-driven planning calculating exactly what to make.

Work Orders

Tablet-based tracking for individual production steps.

Capacity Planning

Real-time equipment and labor availability.

Quality Management

Built-in QC checkpoints and defect tracking.

Cost Tracking

Actual labor, material, and machine costs per job.

The Real Cost Comparison

Scenario: Custom Furniture Manufacturer ($2M revenue)

Zoho Path (Workaround)

Software: $37,868 (Year 1) + $5k/yr maintenance

Operational Losses (Annual):

Manual planner: $50,000
Inventory errors: $50,000
Schedule errors: $75,000
Forecast errors: $40,000

5-Year Total: $1,282,868

Odoo Path (Native)

Software: $76,600 (Year 1) + $11.6k/yr

Operational Improvements:

Eliminate manual planner: Saves $50k
Prevent schedule errors: Saves $75k
Optimize inventory: Saves $90k

5-Year Net Cost: $122,000

(Operational savings offset costs)

Difference: $2.14 Million Favoring Odoo

This is the cost of having—or not having—manufacturing software.

Your Next Step: Manufacturing Fit Assessment

You need manufacturing software if:

You make or assemble products (not just resell)
You have components with multiple levels (multi-level BOM)
You manage equipment/machinery
You need production scheduling
You track work orders
You have quality checkpoints

If any of these describe you, Zoho is NOT an option.

Get Your Manufacturing Assessment

Book a 20-minute "Manufacturing Fit Assessment" with Braincuber. We'll map your complexity, quantify your operational costs, and model your 3-year TCO. See exactly why Odoo is the right fit.

Stop compromising on visibility. Get the right tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Doesn't Zoho have a manufacturing module now (as of 2026)?

As of January 2026, Zoho Inventory still does not have a native manufacturing module. Zoho's help documentation explicitly states: "As of now, we are yet to support manufacturing modules." They continue recommending Zoho Creator as a workaround.

Can we use Zoho One (their integrated suite) for manufacturing?

Zoho One includes 50+ apps, but none are manufacturing-specific. Zoho One is optimized for CRM, finance, HR, and services. Manufacturing is still the gap. Zoho One does not solve this problem.

Is Odoo's manufacturing module too complex for a small manufacturer?

No. Odoo's manufacturing is modular. Start simple (basic BOMs and work orders). Add complexity (MPS, routing, forecasting) as you grow. Many small manufacturers successfully use Odoo manufacturing from day one.

Can we start with Zoho and migrate to Odoo later?

Technically yes, but migration is expensive. Data migration costs $10,000–$25,000. Re-implementation costs $30,000–$70,000. If you know you're manufacturing, start with Odoo. You'll save the migration cost and get 6+ months of operational improvements sooner.

If we're only doing basic assembly (no complex BOMs), can Zoho work?

Depends on "basic." If you're bundling 2–3 components into 1 finished product, Zoho's composite items might work (messy inventory though). If you have ANY multi-level components, scheduling needs, or work order tracking, Zoho fails. Odoo handles all natively.

How long does Odoo manufacturing implementation take?

4–8 weeks typical (assuming 50 employees). Zoho's custom MRP takes 3–6 months and results in fragile code. Odoo is shorter and enterprise-grade.

What if our manufacturing is outsourced (we just assemble)?

Even assembly requires BOM tracking, work order management, and quality control. Odoo handles this natively. Zoho does not.

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