Location/Region: Vernon, CA
Industry: Manufacturer and distributor of packaging supplies
Apps implemented: Accounting, Sales, Point of Sale, Inventory, Purchase, Website, Surveys, Manufacturing, and Subscriptions.
Software
Replaced: Legacy Software
Company size: 10
Hosting type: Odoo online
In the competitive world of packaging distribution, every second and every penny counts. For Packaging & More, a California-based manufacturer and distributor of packaging supplies, success depends on speed, organization, and precision. With Odoo, the company found not only a flexible ERP that matches its fast-paced operations but also a tool that gives it an edge in customer service, efficiency, and control.
Founded in 1993, Packaging & More began as a family-run business serving multiple industries, including men’s and women’s fashion, food, electronics, and beauty products. Today, under the leadership of CEO and Owner Jonathan Navi, the company has evolved into a dynamic organization based in Los Angeles.
When Mr. Navi took over the business about a decade ago, he brought a fresh perspective from his previous career in law. He quickly realized that the company needed structure and consistency to thrive. “There was no real infrastructure when I arrived; everything was disorganized and frankly, archaic.” he recalls. “We were so focused on reacting to every problem as it hit us that we couldn’t even start thinking about a consistent, scalable way to grow.”
Determined to create order and efficiency, Mr. Navi spent a month writing a detailed procedural guide for Odoo and for every operation within the company.
“Now, everything is systematized. We have detailed procedures to follow for every operation, which means we’ve moved completely away from the old, random, and reactive approach. Things are significantly more efficient today.”
Before Odoo: Struggling with an Outdated System
Before adopting Odoo, Packaging & More was using an old DOS-based ERP system that dated back to before Windows XP. When Microsoft phased out XP, the software became increasingly difficult to maintain. “It was completely cut off from the modern world. It wouldn’t generate essential documents like PDFs or handle basic communication like email. Without a chatter or follower thread, every conversation was siloed and untraceable,” Mr. Navi explains.
Even basic customer requests were tedious to fulfill. Mr. Navi recalls, “It crippled our workflow. We had to constantly work outside the system just to do simple things. If a customer asked for a report, we had to copy data manually from the program, paste it into Excel, fix all the columns and rows, and format it for hours,” he says. Generating reports, which now take one second in Odoo, once required two screens and hours of manual data entry.
The company considered other ERP vendors but found them too rigid and costly. “When I was interviewing the other ERP companies, I didn’t get a sense of flexibility. Anything I wanted to do required a whole project,” says Mr. Navi. “With Odoo, I can customize what I need myself.”
"Other ERPs felt restrictive. Odoo gives you the flexibility to build the system based on your needs, and that makes all the difference."
Odoo: The Advantage That Changes Everything
Mr. Navi first discovered Odoo while trying to build his own ERP system from scratch. After hiring a developer who initially used Drupal for the company’s eCommerce site, he realized how complex ERP truly was. “You can’t just make your own ERP system from scratch with one developer,” he says. “There’s accounting, journal entries, bank synchronization… It’s a whole world.”
He began evaluating real ERP solutions, and Odoo stood out for its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and all-in-one integration. The company went live on August 1, 2023, implementing a suite of apps, including Accounting, Sales, Point of Sale, Inventory, Purchase, Website, Surveys, Manufacturing, and Subscriptions.
Faster Operations, Clearer Processes, and Smarter Decisions
Total visibility in Inventory and Delivery: Before Odoo, Mr. Navi had no way to track orders in real time. “I didn’t know if they had been pulled, loaded, or delivered,” he says. Now, with Inventory Transfers and Routes, he can see every step, from stock to truck, and even identify the driver responsible for each delivery. “If a customer asks at 10 p.m. whether their order was delivered, I can check immediately and send the proof of delivery.”
"If a customer asks at 10 p.m. whether their order was delivered, I can check immediately and send the proof of delivery.”
Seamless Accounting and Banking: Automatic bank synchronization and reconciliation now save hours every week. “That alone saves so much time,” says Mr. Navi. He also uses the NACHA file export feature to handle multiple vendor payments simultaneously, “instead of sending them one by one.”
Better Sales and Purchasing Processes: Unlike the old system, which skipped key steps, Packaging & More now creates Sales Orders and Purchase Orders properly in Odoo. “Before, they would just invoice everything directly,” says Mr. Navi. “Now, we do it the proper way: sales orders first, then deliveries, then invoicing. It’s clear and organized.”
Stronger Communication and Accountability: Mr. Navi values Odoo’s Chatter feature the most: “If someone says they did something, I can see it in the chatter.” This feature centralizes discussions, logs actions, and eliminates confusion among employees and vendors.
A 70% Leap in Efficiency: One of the most impressive gains came during price increases. Previously, updating customer prices took three employees and an entire month. “Now it takes 30 minutes,” Mr. Navi says. “I just export all the pricelists into Excel, apply the formula, and import them back. Done.”
“Before Odoo, price adjustments took three people over the course of a month. Now it takes 30 minutes. Overall, we’re 70% more efficient."
Looking Ahead: Growth, Innovation, and Balance
For Mr. Navi, Odoo isn’t just a management system: it’s a platform for continuous improvement. As the company grows, he plans to integrate Odoo with shipping companies to calculate freight rates and manage nationwide deliveries more efficiently. “Just this week, we shipped two pallets to New Jersey,” he shares. “We’re exploring more relationships and possible Odoo integrations to make that process smoother.”
The company also keeps an eye on eco-friendly packaging trends, adjusting its product offerings based on market demand. “The demand for sustainable materials isn't a steady line; it's a series of stops and starts. We might see a massive surge for something like biodegradable plastics one quarter, and then the interest tapers off. Our challenge is maintaining agility to meet that volatile demand,” Mr. Navi explains. Despite these changes, he maintains a clear philosophy: “My philosophy is one of balance: I’m here to drive significant, sustainable growth, but I refuse to do it at the expense of my team or myself. Quality of life is paramount; revenue should be a reflection of smart work, not just relentless sacrifice.”
Packaging & More’s journey shows that digital transformation doesn’t have to be complicated or costly when you have the right tools and mindset. With Odoo, the company has achieved faster operations, clearer communication, and measurable results. If your business struggles with outdated systems or inefficient processes, it’s time to explore what Odoo can do for you.
