How to Hire Odoo Developer. Step-by-step Customer

Enterprise software solutions like Odoo have emerged as invaluable tools for companies of all sizes. Odoo, with its modular architecture and comprehensive suite of applications, requires developers who are adept at navigating its intricacies. However, hiring the right Odoo developer can be a daunting task, especially given the breadth and depth of expertise needed to truly harness the platform’s potential.

To guide you on this quest, we’ve assembled a roadmap that covers essential areas you should focus on when evaluating potential candidates. From understanding the basic qualifications to diving deep into advanced tasks, this guide aims to equip you with the tools and insights to make an informed hiring decision.

Become an Odoo Developer

If you want to become an Odoo Developer please review the requirements below carefully. Odoo is a comprehensive suite of business applications including sales, CRM, project management, manufacturing, inventory, accounting, and more. To be an effective Odoo developer, one needs a blend of technical, functional, and soft skills. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Technical Skills:

• Python Programming: The core of Odoo is written in Python, so proficiency in Python is crucial. Knowledge of Python’s standard libraries and best practices is a must.
• Web Technologies: Familiarity with JavaScript, XML, and HTML/CSS since Odoo’s client side is mainly written in these languages.
• PostgreSQL: Odoo uses PostgreSQL as its database. A developer should understand database concepts, writing SQL queries, and database optimization techniques.
• Odoo Framework: Understand the structure and core modules of the Odoo framework, the ORM layer, and the API.
• QWeb Templating: Odoo uses QWeb for its client-side and server-side templating. Familiarity with QWeb helps in designing custom reports and views.
• API Integrations: Experience with integrating Odoo with other software using API calls, especially if you’re working on projects that require connecting Odoo with other systems.

2. Functional Skills:

• Business Process Understanding: A grasp of business operations like sales, inventory, procurement, accounting, and manufacturing. This helps in understanding the client’s requirements and offering the right solution.
• Odoo Modules: In-depth knowledge of the built-in modules provided by Odoo, as they form the basis for any customization or extension.
• Customization & Configuration: Know how to customize Odoo without altering the core, using inheritance and custom modules.
• Data Migration: Techniques and tools to migrate data from other systems to Odoo or from older Odoo versions to newer ones.

3. Soft Skills:

• Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot issues, find the root cause, and provide appropriate solutions.
• Communication: Ability to understand the client’s requirements and explain technical details in simple terms.
• Time Management: Efficiently manage time to juggle multiple tasks or projects.
• Team Collaboration: Since Odoo projects can be vast, it’s often a team effort. Being a team player helps in delivering successful projects.
• Continuous Learning: The Odoo ecosystem is continuously evolving, with new versions and features being released. A good developer should always be updated with the latest changes.

4. Additional Skills (nice to have but not mandatory):

• Version Control Systems: Like Git, which is often used in collaboration and source code management.
• Linux/Unix: Basic command-line skills, especially if deploying Odoo on a Linux server.
• Deployment & Automation Tools: Familiarity with tools like Docker or knowledge about CI/CD can be beneficial.

Apart from the above, being a part of the Odoo community, engaging in forums, and contributing to open-source projects can also enhance a developer’s skills and reputation in the Odoo ecosystem.

Check-List for Odoo Developer Review and Assessment

If you’re looking to hire an Odoo developer, having a comprehensive checklist can help in evaluating the suitability of candidates. Here’s a suggested checklist for assessing an Odoo developer.

Category	Criteria	Details/Examples	Candidate’s Score/Comments
Basic Qualifications	Relevant academic degree	Computer Science, Software Engineering
	Odoo certification or training	Certifications from Odoo or other institutions
Technical Proficiency	Python programming skills	Sample code, past projects
	Web technologies experience	JavaScript, XML, HTML/CSS
	PostgreSQL knowledge	Database management, writing SQL queries
	Odoo framework expertise	Familiarity with core modules and architecture
	QWeb templating experience
	Ability to write/modify Odoo modules
	API integration knowledge	Integrating Odoo with other systems
	Version control familiarity	e.g., Git
Functional Knowledge	Business process understanding	Sales, CRM, Inventory, HR, etc.
	Odoo customization experience	Tailoring Odoo for specific business needs
	Data migration expertise	Techniques and tools for data transfers in Odoo
	Knowledge of recent Odoo versions	Familiarity with updates and new features
Past Experience & Portfolio	Years of experience with Odoo
	Types of projects completed	Implementations, module development, integrations
	Client references/testimonials
	Odoo community contributions	Open-source modules, forum activity
Soft Skills & Other Factors	Communication skills	Ability to explain technical details
	Problem-solving ability	Approach and resolution techniques
	Cultural fit	Compatibility with company culture/team
	Time management skills
Practical Test	Task or project results	Quality and efficiency of task completion
Deployment & Infrastructure Knowledge	Deployment experience	Deploying Odoo on various platforms
	Cloud services & hosting knowledge	AWS, DigitalOcean, etc.
	Security best practices	Odoo-specific security measures
	Tools and practices familiarity	Docker, CI/CD

Odoo Developer Testing Tasks

There are four technical tasks designed to assess different levels and aspects of an Odoo developer’s capabilities:

Task 1: Python Code Review

Objective: Assess the developer’s ability to review and identify issues in Python code related to Odoo.

Task Description:

Given the following Python code, which is part of an Odoo custom module, review the code and provide feedback on:

1. Coding style and best practices.
2. Potential bugs or errors.
3. Optimization opportunities.
4. Any other general feedback.

from odoo import api, fields, models

class CustomSaleOrder(models.Model):
    _name = 'custom.sale.order'
    _inherits = 'sale.order'

    custom_field = fields.Char(string='Custom Field')

    def action_confirm(self):
        for order in self:
            if not order.partner_id:
                raise exceptions.ValidationError("Partner is not defined!")
            if order.custom_field == 'test':
                raise exceptions.ValidationError("Invalid value for custom field.")
        super(CustomSaleOrder, self).action_confirm()

Task 2. Advanced Odoo Development with Multi-currency

Objective: Assess the developer’s proficiency in Odoo’s multi-currency mechanisms and their ability to integrate them into custom functionality.

Task Description:

Your client operates in multiple countries and deals with different currencies. They have an existing module where each sale order’s total amount is logged. They want to have a feature that:

1. Automatically fetches currency exchange rates daily and updates the Odoo system.
2. Converts and records the sale order’s total amount into three primary currencies: USD, EUR, and GBP, regardless of the original currency of the sale order.
3. Shows a report that lists each sale order’s total in its original currency and its equivalent in USD, EUR, and GBP.

Implement the above requirements, ensuring:

• The currency exchange rates are fetched from a reliable source (you can mock this or use a real API).
• The converted amounts are accurately recorded and are updated if the exchange rates change.
• The report provides clear information and handles cases where the original currency is one of the primary currencies.

Provide the Python code, XML data/views, and any other components necessary for the implementation.

Task 3: Advanced Odoo Development Task

Objective: Test the developer’s advanced skills and experience in developing with the Odoo framework.

Task Description:

The customer has an existing module where the employees’ birthdays are recorded and stored. The requirement is to create an automated scheduler in Odoo that:

1. Checks for employee birthdays every day.
2. Sends an automated birthday email to the employee with a custom message.
3. Posts a birthday message on the company’s internal chatter.

Implement the above requirements. Ensure that:

• The scheduler runs every day at a specific time.
• The email sending mechanism is efficient and does not stall if the number of employees is large.
• The chatter message is posted in a specific channel dedicated to general announcements.

Provide the Python code, XML data, and any other required components for the implementation.

Task 4: The Odoo Wizard’s Quest for the Lost Widget

Objective: Assess the developer’s creativity, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of Odoo’s frontend and backend integration.

Task Description:

Legend has it that in the world of Odoo, there exists a rare and mystical widget known as the “ChronoSlider”. It allows users to travel through time (in terms of data) and see the records as they appeared on a given date!

Your quest:

1. Create the ChronoSlider widget: This widget, when placed on a form view, will allow users to slide through dates (from the past to today). As the user slides through, the form’s data should update to show the state of that record on the chosen date. For simplicity, you can limit this functionality to specific models, e.g., res.partner.
2. Temporal Archives: Implement a mechanism that archives the state of a record daily (only for the days when it changes). This is what the ChronoSlider will use to fetch historical data.
3. Easter Egg: As it’s a time-traveling feature, add a fun easter egg! If a user sets the ChronoSlider to April 1st, 2022 (the birthdate of the mythical creature ‘ChatGPT’), the form displays a whimsical message or visual effect.

Implement the above requirements ensuring:

• Smooth user experience when interacting with the ChronoSlider.
• Efficient storage and retrieval mechanism for the Temporal Archives.
• Clear user feedback if no historical data is available for a selected date.

Provide the Python code, JavaScript, XML data/views, and any other components necessary for the implementation.

Hire Odoo Developer Step-by-Step Guide for Customer

1. Define Your Requirements:
   • Before you even start your search, clarify what you need. Are you looking for a developer for a one-time project or long-term collaboration? What specific modules or functionalities do you want to address?
2. Research Potential Partners:
   • Explore various partners and providers in the Odoo ecosystem. While there are many individual freelancers and companies out there, aligning with a known partner ensures reliability.
3. Engage with ERPixel:
   • As a reliable Odoo partner, ERPixel has a proven track record of delivering high-quality solutions. Initiate a conversation with them to understand their offerings, expertise, and how they can cater to your requirements.
4. Ask for Case Studies or Portfolios:
   • Whether you’re engaging with ERPixel or another provider, ask for specific case studies or portfolios. This provides insight into their past work and the types of challenges they’ve tackled.
5. Technical Evaluation:
   • Use the aforementioned testing tasks to evaluate potential candidates or teams. This ensures you’re getting someone (or a team) technically capable of handling your Odoo needs.
6. Discuss Project Management and Communication:
   • Once you’re assured of technical capabilities, understand how your potential partner manages projects. What tools do they use? How often will you receive updates? Effective communication is key to successful collaboration.
7. Negotiate Contract Terms:
   • Discuss the specifics of the engagement – timelines, deliverables, costs, and any support or maintenance terms. Ensure all parties have a clear understanding of what’s expected.
8. Initiate the Project:
   • With everything in place, kick off your project. Regular checkpoints and feedback loops will ensure the project stays on track and meets your expectations.
9. Post-Implementation Support:
   • After your immediate needs are addressed, think long-term. Odoo reliable partners like ERPixel often offer post-implementation support, training, and maintenance. Discuss and finalize these terms to ensure smooth operations down the road.
10. Stay Updated:

• The world of Odoo is always evolving. Stay in touch with your Odoo partner, like ERPixel, to keep abreast of new features, modules, or best practices that can benefit your business.