In the world of boutique guitar effects pedals, precision, speed, and creativity are non-negotiable. That’s why Keeley Electronics, a cult favorite among musicians, plugged into Odoo to fine-tune its operations. From streamlining inventory to accelerating production workflows, Odoo’s apps hit all the right notes for this company. With 40 employees and a fiercely loyal customer base, Keeley has improved efficiency and clarity, without missing a beat.
Founded in 2001 by electrical engineer and guitarist Robert Keeley, Keeley Electronics began as a passion project modifying existing pedals to enhance their sound. His hobby quickly gained traction, with demand for his customized pedals growing so rapidly that he launched his own product line. Today, the company is recognized as one of the top names in the guitar effects pedal industry, thanks to its commitment to craftsmanship, sound quality, and innovation.
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, its core mission is to create devices that transform how guitars sound, bringing creativity and tonal richness to musicians around the world. With years of consistent growth, they’ve evolved from a homegrown operation into a globally respected brand.
"We were one of those companies that grew quickly, and outgrew the systems we had. Odoo helped us clean up our processes and scale efficiently."
From Pedalboard Chaos to Seamless Harmony
Before switching to Odoo, Keeley Electronics relied on a fragmented tech stack that included Fishbowl for inventory and manufacturing, and Sage for sales. These standalone systems didn’t communicate with one another, resulting in duplication of efforts, inefficiencies, and a chaotic workflow. As a fast-growing manufacturer with intricate component lists and product variations, they needed a solution that could tie everything together.
Searching for something more robust and centralized, Keeley also considered other enterprise solutions, but many came with higher costs and implementation complexity. Odoo stood out not only for its affordability, but because it matched their exact operational needs, without unnecessary complications.
"We were using multiple systems that didn’t talk to each other. Odoo was the only one that felt like it was made for us.”
Odoo became the secret weapon
Mark Vollertsen, Keeley’s Production Manager, spearheaded the search for a better ERP solution. After extensive research, including tutorials, YouTube videos, and documentation reviews, he found Odoo’s ecosystem the most intuitive and aligned with their operational challenges. The decision to adopt Odoo wasn’t just about replacing software.
Implementation began with several core apps including Sales, Manufacturing, Inventory, and PLM. Each played a critical role, but the PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) module had the biggest impact. With frequent engineering changes to their PCB boards, the app streamlined the approval and revision process, reducing confusion and versioning errors.
Another game-changer was the Shop Floor module. It allowed Keeley to break down operations into granular, step-by-step instructions that were previously managed through disjointed manuals or verbal communication. This clarity significantly improved production accuracy.
Thanks to Odoo, the company also consolidated its workflow. Tasks that previously required four to five work orders across different apps and departments are now managed with a single work order that flows seamlessly through Odoo’s operations pipeline. This reduced the burden on management and improved alignment across teams.
Data organization also got a major upgrade. With the ability to clean up legacy information and centralize it in Odoo, the entire team now benefits from real-time visibility and clean master data, improving both day-to-day operations and strategic planning.
For a company obsessed with precision, customization, and top-tier performance, Keeley Electronics needed a system that could keep up. Odoo delivered.
But it didn’t stop there. “Also, the planning production module, being able to plan and have confidence that the durations and everything are going to line up, that’s been huge,” Mark says.
With Odoo, Keeley can schedule with accuracy, manage inventory like a pro, and make informed decisions that drive output without compromising quality. When it comes to measuring the impact, Mark points to a faster production cycle and reduced administrative overhead.
"One of the big things is setting the Min and Max replenishment levels. It gives me a good overview of what we need to order. That visibility translates to less guessing, fewer delays, and a smoother supply chain.”
What’s next?
Looking forward, Keeley Electronics is focused on sustaining its operational efficiency while continuing to innovate. With Odoo’s scalable platform in place, the company is exploring further automation and data-driven decision-making to support new product lines and expanding demand.
They also plan to keep refining their use of features like Chatter, activity logging, and approvals across apps. These tools have already proven useful in creating transparency and structure, and the team is excited to deepen their adoption of them.
"The implementation process has been excellent. Honestly, there hasn’t been a single question I’ve asked that didn’t come back with a solid answer. I’m really happy with how it’s all gone."
Keeley Electronics’ success with Odoo demonstrates the real-world benefits of switching to an integrated, customizable ERP solution. For any growing manufacturer or creative tech company struggling with disconnected systems, Odoo offers a flexible, cost-effective way to regain control, accelerate processes, and focus on what really matters: innovation and excellence. Discover what Odoo can do for your business today.
