Background
Northeast Marine Industries Inc. (NEM), operating as Trailer Parts Depot, has been a trusted name in the marine and trailer parts industry since 1968. As a long-standing client of DimeSoft, NEM specializes in selling boat trailers and a comprehensive range of trailer parts. Their customer base includes dealers, repair shops, and the public, with sales conducted through telephone orders and their eCommerce platform.
Challenges
Over the years, NEM relied on an aging platform that began to present significant challenges. The outdated technology caused performance and reliability issues, and the system lacked the flexibility needed to accommodate evolving business processes. Recognizing the need for a modern, scalable solution, NEM turned to us for an upgrade.
Odoo Decision
Odoo emerged as the ideal solution for NEM. Our team collaborated closely with owners John and Bonnie to assess their unique business requirements and ensure Odoo would meet or exceed expectations across all operational areas.
One critical requirement was the handling of serial numbers for trailers, specifically their integration with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). To address this, we developed a custom module that extended Odoo’s serial number functionality, allowing NEM to maintain full traceability of trailers from end to end with all necessary reference information.
Seamless Website Transition & Enhanced User Experience
A key factor in NEM’s success has been their website’s intuitive navigation. Their previous system featured a “left-side mega menu” that provided customers with a visual reference for finding the right trailer parts quickly. To ensure a seamless transition, we replicated this functionality in Odoo, preserving the familiar interface while leveraging Odoo’s built-in URL redirection to maintain SEO rankings and customer satisfaction.
Implementation & Training
We installed and configured a fresh Odoo environment, incorporating the necessary customizations, and migrated NEM’s data from their legacy system. Before going live, we rigorously tested all workflows to confirm business continuity. Our team also conducted training sessions with NEM’s personnel, ensuring they were fully prepared for a smooth transition to the new system.
Continuous Optimization & Customization
After implementation, we worked closely with NEM to identify areas for further optimization, streamlining workflows and enhancing functionality. Odoo’s flexibility allowed us to tailor the system to fit NEM’s unique processes, addressing specific business needs through additional customizations, including:
- Enhanced credit card processing for seamless transactions.
- Integration with ShipStation for optimized shipping workflows.
- Automated data feeds for Google Merchant Center and other platforms.
- Shopper Approved integration for gathering valuable customer feedback.
- A custom sales analysis tool to track sales trends and profitability in real-time.
Results & Long-Term Success
Northeast Marine Industries has been successfully running on Odoo for over two years. The system has improved efficiency, reliability, and scalability, allowing NEM to focus on growing their business.
At DimeSoft, we believe in continuous improvement. We regularly survey our clients to assess our performance and identify areas for enhancement. Below are the questions we posed to John and Bonnie, along with their feedback on their Odoo experience.
Questions & Answers with John & Bonnie
What were the main factors that made you choose to move to Odoo from your old accounting and ERP?
Our last ERP system had several flaws that reduced our efficiency daily. DimeSoft prepared a presentation outlining Odoo’s features, advantages, and benefits, and it was clear that Odoo offered the best all-in-one solution, particularly the integration of website management, a critical feature for our business.
How do you feel the process of implementing Odoo and migrating from your old software went?
Dimesoft prepared for the migration several months before our go-live date to ensure a smooth transition. Dimesoft created a test environment where we could test all our functions in Odoo, allowing us to address any bugs proactively. With any significant migration, there were some bumps in the road, but the Dimesoft team quickly provided fixes, so we experienced minimal downtime.
What areas of your business were positively impacted by Odoo? Do you find certain processes or workflows simpler or more efficient working with Odoo?
With our previous ERP system, we struggled with managing serialized inventory, and Odoo has helped us better manage this aspect of our business. The workflows are straightforward, and most new users quickly learn to navigate and use the system effectively.
Can you quantify or estimate any increases in efficiencies, productivity, or profitability?
Odoo's speed of operation is an improvement over our last ERP system, especially during the order-taking and shipping processes. With our old ERP system, our shipping department would experience significant downtimes in its process, leading to a lack of productivity. Odoo allows for all of our users to work swiftly and efficiently across all departments.
What are your favorite features or time-savers in Odoo?
The analysis views module allows us to sort and view data quickly. Analysis Views is a powerful tool that we find invaluable to our business. Additionally, Odoo is stable, and we rarely experience any downtime because the system has experienced a “hiccup.” DimeSoft has created several “shortcuts” for us that help with inventory management and other business processes.
Do you find the ability to access Odoo from various devices and browsers useful in managing your business?
The browser-based system has allowed us the ultimate flexibility. With Odoo accessible on any computer with an internet connection, our team can accomplish tasks at home or while on the road during customer visits. We view this as an enormous benefit to our business.
How do you feel DimeSoft played a part in your adoption and migration to Odoo? How did DimeSoft work to make the transition smooth?
I cannot praise DimeSoft enough for their approach to our migration. They took the time to test Odoo to ensure a smooth transition. They make us feel like we are their only customer, not just during our migration but all the time. Dimesoft’s attention to detail and care for our business are paramount to us.
Has DimeSoft done a good job with software customization and support during and after your implementation?
One of DimeSoft's greatest strengths is its ability to customize Odoo for our business. Our business has some unique aspects, and DimeSoft has prioritized understanding these unique aspects and providing solutions for them. For example, Odoo did not have a pre-built customer return module, but DimeSoft created and integrated this functionality into an existing Odoo module. We process thousands of returns a year, so DimeSoft’s work on this customization is priceless to us.
What areas in Odoo could be improved to better fit your business and how would this benefit you?
We would like to see improvements to the Odoo mobile phone app. While it is functional, some functions can be difficult to perform. We expect the app to continue improving with user feedback from hundreds of thousands of customers.
How could we at DimeSoft have done a better job implementing your Odoo system? How could we improve your services and support after the sale?
We have zero complaints about DimeSoft's implementation of Odoo and their ongoing support. We consider DimeSoft to be our most important business partner and rely on them for much more than Odoo support.
We do not hesitate to recommend Odoo and DimeSoft’s services.