Education Centre: Valencia Polytechnic University
At the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), more and more professors are using Odoo as teaching support software. Theory can sometimes fall short, and it is necessary to illustrate concepts in the most practical way possible so that students can fully grasp them.
In this case, Odoo is an increasingly popular solution, both because of its free version for teachers and students and because of its modular and open-source nature, which gives great freedom when it comes to practice.
Implementation in the classroom
Odoo has been used in some of the UPV's classes for more than eight years. The initial motivation for integrating Odoo into the classes was the great functionality it offers, as well as the fact that it is an intuitive and simple system that can be used and taken advantage of from the very beginning.
It can be related to different subjects because different business flows can be replicated, regardless of the sector. In addition, the support offered by Odoo, which has increased considerably in recent years, is noteworthy, helping in the integration of teaching plans.
This support comes largely from the Odoo Education team, which is responsible for assisting both teachers and students in using Odoo in the classroom. This includes both face-to-face and online training, creating and sharing materials, providing support, and monitoring the implementation of the software in the classroom.
An example of its use in UPV classrooms is with the inventory and manufacturing modules, which students can use to develop examples of business workflows in their own databases. This helps them improve their understanding of key concepts.
Theory put into practice
By working directly with an ERP system, students gain a practical and concrete understanding of how integrated information systems work in a company. It also allows them to execute real workflows and operational processes, exposing them to the daily challenges of the business environment.
“This practical experience not only reinforces their learning, but also significantly increases their motivation and interest in the subject.”
One of the most notable features of Odoo, according to professors at the Polytechnic University, is the manufacturing module. Its ability to adapt to the specific processes of different business sectors stands out. Related to this module is the inventory module, which has been greatly improved and also allows for the simulation of different workflows.
Although they consider Odoo to be an intuitive tool, getting started can always be challenging. In this case, the initial barrier was having sufficient knowledge to be able to conduct full sessions using the tool and resolve any questions that arose. On the one hand, there may be questions about how it works, but on the other hand, there may be errors in the configurations that generate errors in the database. Without a little more in-depth knowledge, it can be more difficult to identify the source of the error.
However, thanks to the support of the Odoo education team during the first sessions and the training provided, this was not a problem. Odoo always recommends the support of experts at the beginning, regardless of whether you are a customer, teacher, or student.
The UPV unequivocally recommends the use of Odoo among teachers. They consider it a very powerful tool for students to understand, in a practical way, how ERP systems and real business processes work.
Furthermore, it is not just about learning about information systems, but also about business processes, such as sales, warehouse management, product manufacturing, and many more.
“It allows you to simulate different integrated business environments and carry out their processes with the related information flow, which greatly enriches the learning experience.”
Practical application in the job market
In addition to the aforementioned, using Odoo in the classroom not only brings practical application closer to the theoretical approach of the classes, but also generates employment opportunities. Ultimately, companies use ERP systems in their daily operations to manage their activities, so knowing how they work is a great opportunity for the job market.
In this specific class at the UPV, we have the case of a student who used the system in class and is now an employee of Odoo in the Valencia office. In this way, the Odoo educational program not only helps in the training of students, but also in their future employability.
