Location/Region: Dallas, TX
Industry: Wireless communication systems
Apps implemented: Sales, Accounting, Inventory, Purchase, CRM, Manufacturing
Software
Replaced: NetSuite
Size of the company: >25
Hosting type: Odoo Online
When Long Range Solutions (LRS) decided to modernize its operations, CEO Mike Piper knew the company needed a system as reliable and flexible as the communication products they deliver worldwide. With customers spanning restaurants, hospitals, and factories, and thousands of shipments leaving their facility every month, LRS turned to Odoo to connect every process (from purchasing and inventory to accounting and invoicing) in one efficient platform.
Long Range Solutions LLC (LRS) specializes in wireless communication systems, best known for the restaurant pagers that buzz when it’s your turn to be served. But their technology goes far beyond dining. From table tracking in hospitality to notification systems in healthcare and manufacturing, LRS provides reliable, radio frequency (RF)-based communication tools that perform where Wi-Fi or cell signals can’t.
Founded in November 2020, the company carries forward a legacy brand that dates back to the late 1990’s under the name Long Range Systems. With a 25-person team and 13 distributors across the globe, LRS combines outsourced manufacturing in China and the Philippines with final configuration and quality assurance in the U.S., ensuring each product is uniquely programmed to avoid interference and deliver flawless communication.
"We sell around the world and configure every set that goes out specifically for that customer, so that two clients don’t get the same system ID."
The Challenge: Outdated Systems and Rising Costs
Before implementing Odoo, Long Range Solutions ran its operations on NetSuite. Although robust, it became a growing source of frustration. The system’s complexity made reporting difficult without extensive training, and unpredictable price increases created budgeting headaches.
"I found it difficult to use, especially the reporting feature. You almost needed a degree in NetSuite to put reports together. Also, it was very expensive, and they wouldn’t tell me next year’s pricing until just before renewal, when it was too late to switch."
After two years of escalating costs and limited flexibility, LRS began searching for an alternative ERP that could better align with its size, needs, and culture of efficiency. The team also considered Microsoft Dynamics, but found it pricier and less suited for small-to-medium enterprises. Meanwhile, smaller systems like QuickBooks didn’t offer the depth LRS required.
"NetSuite is supposedly for smaller businesses, but it’s really not,” Piper notes. “QuickBooks was too small. Microsoft Dynamics was pricier. We couldn’t find anything that, for the same price, offers as much as Odoo.”
Turning the Page: Odoo Powers a
New Era of Efficiency
Piper first learned about Odoo through recommendations in his network. The open-source nature of the platform immediately appealed to him, offering both flexibility and cost savings. With guidance from Odoo’s team, Piper led the transition internally without hiring external IT consultants.
"We do about six million a year in revenue, and ship to four or five thousand different locations each month. I was able to do the transition myself without bringing in any outside IT people. That’s a credit to Odoo."
The implementation began in January and went live by July, a six-month sprint that transformed how the company managed every step of its supply chain:
Unified Operations Across the Globe: Today, Odoo connects major processes under one system. The company uses multiple core apps, including Accounting, Sales, Purchasing, Inventory, Manufacturing, and Contacts, to manage its global operations seamlessly.
- Odoo’s flexibility allowed LRS to handle complex order flows. Each shipment passes through a three-stage pick, pack, and ship process, while maintaining unique serial numbers and programming configurations. “We may do programming before the pack, serial number correction before or after the pack, and then we ship and invoice,” Piper explains.
Streamlined Payments and Reduced Receivables: One of the biggest improvements came from integrating Stripe for payment collection through Odoo. The company moved from manually charging credit cards after shipping to an immediate payment model for most customers.
- This simple workflow change dramatically reduced accounts receivable and eliminated the risk of uncollected payments. “Now, the payment comes to us before we ship,” says Piper. “We send out the quote, they pay, which confirms the order. It’s much easier and faster.”
Smarter Customer Management: Migrating nearly 20,000 contacts from NetSuite was one of the most complex parts of the transition. Odoo’s Contacts app allowed LRS to structure its relationships between corporate, franchise, and local entities, for example, managing multi-level customers like Panera Bread (with thousands of locations under different franchise groups). Though the process involved trial and error, Piper notes that mastering Odoo’s parent-child contact relationships and address management now enables precise reporting and invoicing.
Learning the Odoo Way
The shift wasn’t without challenges. Piper and his team spent about a year refining processes and correcting early mistakes, from contact setup to handling order changes and serial number tracking. Yet, every fix made the system more tailored to their needs. "Once you learn to do things the Odoo way, everything works properly," Piper admits.
Having implemented large-scale systems like SAP and Oracle earlier in his career, Piper values Odoo’s balance between capability and affordability.
"For small to medium businesses, I couldn’t find anything that, for the same price, offers as much. Odoo worked out very well for what we needed, and we got through the transition successfully."
What’s Next for Long Range Solutions
With 80% of its products already redesigned, LRS plans to complete a full modernization of its lineup within the next year. The company is also diversifying its customer base beyond restaurants, expanding further into healthcare, manufacturing, and other industries that rely on fast, reliable communication systems. As it continues to grow globally, LRS is confident Odoo will remain at the center of its operations, supporting future innovation and customer service improvements.
"We’re all happy we made the switch. Everybody’s used to it, and we like it very much."
Long Range Solutions’ experience shows how the right ERP can help even small teams manage global operations efficiently. Odoo empowered LRS to cut costs, streamline payments, and connect every stage of production and distribution, all without a single external IT consultant. If your business is growing, diversifying, or simply ready to replace costly, rigid systems, Odoo offers the flexibility and power to help you tune into success, just as LRS did.
