Odoo Theming: Customizing the Look and Feel of Your ERP Interface

As a business owner, you can’t overlook the significance of a complete business management software like Odoo. 

Thanks to its unique proposition, the software has gained an enormous reputation for its flexibility and significant customization options. One of its most powerful functions is the ability to customize the consumer interface (UI) to align with an employer’s brand and enhance the consumer experience. 

Interestingly, however, that’s not all! Users also have the option to customize the management software as per their unique approach. Setting themes in Odoo entails altering the ERP gadget’s visible elements to reflect a business’s unique identity. 

This article explores the significance of theming in Odoo, the stairs for creating a custom subject matter, and different ERP offerings in this process.

Importance of Custom Themes in Odoo

Theming in Odoo is important for several reasons, namely: 

Brand Consistency

Custom subject matters help businesses maintain constant brand identification across all platforms, including their ERP gadget. This consistency complements brand recognition and reinforces the company’s image.

User Experience

A properly designed theme improves the ERP system’s usability, making it more intuitive and user-pleasant. It can lead to accelerated productivity and consumer pride.

Differentiation

Custom topics set an enterprise apart from the competition by employing a unique look and experience that resonates with its corporate subculture and aesthetic options.

Adaptability

Tailoring the UI to satisfy particular needs guarantees that the ERP system can adapt to the business’s specific workflows and strategies. This way, your workforce won’t take the time required to settle with the process and be ready for operations in no time. 

Steps Involved in Creating A Custom Theme in Odoo

Customizing the Odoo interface includes numerous steps, from initial design to implementation and trying out. 

Here are the steps involved in creating a custom topic in Odoo (version 17):

1. Start with the Active Theme

Users will be sent to a new page where they may apply or change the theme after clicking the “Activate” button.

To apply the theme, you simply have to select “Choose your favorite Theme.” After this step, users will be sent to the website editor view, where they can select from various styles, snippet blocks, and themes.

You can also follow specific requirements like: 

• Gathering Requirements: Understand the enterprise necessities, branding suggestions, and user possibilities.

• Design Mockups: Create layout mockups and prototypes that outline the format, coloration schemes, fonts, and other visual elements.

• Feedback and Iteration: Gather remarks from stakeholders and iterate on the designs to ensure they meet the preferred goals.

After discussing theme installation and application on the Odoo 17 website, here are some steps to build a customized Odoo theme module.

2. Install the Required Files

The files required to create a custom theme are shown in the above image. The technical name of the theme must start with ‘theme_’ and then contain a unique name for the theme.

The content of the manifest file may be seen by using the supplied codes.

{

  ‘name’: ‘My Theme,’

  ‘version’: ‘17.0.1.0.0’,

  ‘category’: ‘Theme/sub_category’,

  ‘summary’: ‘Theme summary,’

  ‘description’: ‘Detailed theme description,’

  ‘depends’: [‘website’],

  ‘data’: [

      ‘views/theme_views.xml’

  ],

  ‘assets’: {

      ‘web.assets_frontend’: [],

    },

}

3. Set Up the Development Environment

Once you’ve encoded the theme, it’s time to dive into the improvement and installation of the critical surroundings:

Here are the factors you might want to consider:

• Install Odoo: Ensure that Odoo is mounted and nicely configured on your development server.

• Development Tools: Install improvement equipment, including an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), version control system (e.g., Git), and Odoo’s developer mode.

4. Develop the Theme

The improvement phase involves coding the subject matter primarily based on the designs:

1. Create a New Module: Issues are created as custom modules in Odoo. Use the Odoo scaffold command to generate a new module.

2. Directory Structure: Set up the module directory shape, along with folders for static documents (CSS, JavaScript, images), templates, and perspectives.

3. Modify Templates: Customize the XML templates to outline the layout and shape of the UI factors.

4. Styling: Write custom CSS to style the UI consistent with the design specs. Use Sass or LESS for greater doable and modular CSS.

5. JavaScript: Add JavaScript to enhance the interactivity and capability of the UI additives.

5. Integrate the Theme

Once you’ve integrated the custom theme into the Odoo instance, it’s time to modify the module’s appearance document to encompass the static files, templates, and any dependencies.

You might also want to install the custom theme module in Odoo through the Apps menu or the command line. Following this, activate the subject matter in Odoo, ensuring that all perspectives and templates are efficaciously applied.

6. Testing and Quality Assurance

Thorough checking out is important to make certain that the theme functions successfully:

• Cross-Browser Testing: Test the subject matter throughout extraordinary net browsers to ensure compatibility and consistency.

• Responsive Design: Verify that the topic is responsive and works nicely on various gadgets, such as computer systems, pills, and smartphones.

• User Testing: Conduct person testing classes to acquire feedback and identify usability issues.

7. Deployment and Maintenance

Once the theme is ready, it will be deployed to the manufacturing surroundings and back to the modern gadget before the new subject is deployed. Use model manipulation for a smooth deployment.

You might also want to contact your Odoo partner at this stage. They will educate customers on the brand-new interface and provide ongoing guidance on coping with issues.

You might also want to update the theme regularly to ensure compatibility with new Odoo variations and contain any feedback or improvements.

Role of Odoo Development Company and Odoo ERP Services

Creating and implementing a custom subject matter in Odoo may be a complicated procedure that requires an understanding design, development, and Odoo’s framework. This is where Odoo Development companies step into the picture

An Odoo development business enterprise specializes in custom solutions for Odoo, including subject matter improvement. Their expertise includes:

1.  Professional Design: Experienced designers who can create visually attractive and purposeful subject matters that align with your emblem.

2. Technical Proficiency: Developers professional in Odoo’s framework, able to customize templates, write green CSS and JavaScript, and ensure seamless integration.

3. Project Management: Effective assignment control practices to ensure well-timed shipping and adherence to assignment requirements.

Odoo ERP Services

Odoo ERP services embody a huge variety of offerings that aid the implementation and optimization of Odoo structures:

1. Consultation and Strategy: Providing strategic recommendations on theme improvement, helping corporations identify high-quality techniques to meet their desires.

2. Implementation Support: Assisting with installing and configuring custom topics, ensuring they’re correctly carried out and practical.

3. Training and User Adoption: Offering schooling periods to help customers adapt to the new interface, improving user adoption and pride.

4. Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Providing non-stop help to cope with troubles, carry out updates, and improve the subject matter.

Conclusion

Theming in Odoo effectively personalizes the look and experience of your ERP interface, enhancing brand consistency, consumer experience, and adaptability. 

Businesses can create a unique and effective interface that meets their specific wishes by following a dependent approach to theme development and leveraging the understanding of Odoo development services. 

As businesses seek approaches to differentiate themselves and improve operational efficiency, custom theming in Odoo is valuable in the virtual transformation adventure.

Still confused about the possibilities of theme setup? Visit our Odoo ERP services expert today!