Location/Region: Rockaway, NJ
Industry: Diagnostic tools manufacturing
Apps implemented: Sales, Manufacturing, Helpdesk/Support, Website, Inventory, Accounting, CRM and Studio.
Software
Replaced: QuickBooks and spreadsheets
Size of the company: 28
Hosting type: Odoo Online
Imagine you’re driving along, enjoying the ride, but suddenly, a light flashes on your dashboard. You’re not worried, though, because you can simply connect your phone to your car and instantly run a professional-grade diagnostic. This kind of power at your fingertips is what drives TOPDON USA, a company that not only builds automotive diagnostic tools but also uses Odoo to streamline every part of its growing global operation.
TOPDON USA is a manufacturer of advanced automotive diagnostic tools and equipment, the kind that helps both professionals and everyday car owners understand what’s happening under the hood. From battery testing, charging, and jump starters to ADAS calibration, EV charging stations, and thermal imaging cameras, TOPDON’s products equip automotive technicians with everything they need to repair vehicles efficiently and accurately.
Founded by industry veterans who saw a need for more affordable, high-performance tools, TOPDON USA entered the market with a clear mission: to provide professional-level diagnostic solutions at a lower price point than its competitors. “It’s becoming a very expensive industry to be in,” explains Chad Schnitz, Vice President of TOPDON USA, “but we’ve been able to streamline our processes to offer high-value products with good features and benefits at an aggressive price point.”
TOPDON’s flagship tool, a compact scanner that connects to your car through a smartphone, delivers shop-level diagnostics right to your driveway.
"We’re bringing professional diagnostics to the home user, and being able to do it all from your phone is pretty powerful."
Before Odoo: Lost in Spreadsheets and Disconnected Systems
When Chad joined TOPDON USA in 2021, the company’s processes were scattered across multiple spreadsheets and isolated tools. Shipping and receiving ran on one sheet, inventory on another, and accounting on a standalone platform that didn’t communicate with anything else.
Before adopting Odoo, TOPDON used QuickBooks and another accounting software “similar to Zoho Books,” but lacked any integrated ERP. The result was a constant chase to manually reconcile data. “We were creating more work for ourselves than going out and making sales happen,” Chad recalls. “We were bogged down by spreadsheets and software packages that didn’t talk to each other.”
The fragmentation didn’t just waste time; it also limited visibility across teams. Sales representatives couldn’t see customer trends or order history, while finance and operations worked from entirely different data sets.
"Everything was in different places. Shipping, inventory, accounting, none of it talked to each other. We were chasing spreadsheets instead of growing the business."
Odoo: The Engine Behind TOPDON’s Transformation
TOPDON discovered Odoo after extensive research. Chad tasked his accounting department with finding a single system that could unify accounting, shipping and receiving, tech support, RMAs, inventory, and manufacturing, with real-time visibility for sales and management. Odoo emerged as the clear choice.
As a startup, TOPDON implemented Odoo on its own to keep costs low. “We didn’t go through a gold star provider,” says Chad. “We just started from scratch and figured out what we needed as we went.”
They began with basic operations and gradually expanded, purchasing additional apps as their needs evolved. When Odoo switched to its all-inclusive model, giving access to the full suite of apps,TOPDON’s growth accelerated dramatically.
Today, the team relies on a wide range of Odoo apps to keep operations running seamlessly. They use Manufacturing to manage kits and packaged product assemblies, Helpdesk/Support for RMA processes and customer service, and Website integrated directly with order processing. Core functions like Inventory, Accounting, Sales, and CRM are all interconnected within the same platform, giving the company a unified view of its operations and customers.
The Support app has become their most used tool, with 10 team members managing support and RMAs through it daily. Their website is now fully integrated: every customer ticket submitted online automatically enters Odoo and routes through an automated workflow, no manual data entry required.
With over 200 active B2B customers and a small sales team, automation is critical. Odoo’s integrated order portal allows customers to place orders directly, triggering an automated sequence:
- Orders are reviewed and approved by sales and management.
- Shipping labels are automatically generated.
- Orders move seamlessly to the shipping department for fulfillment.
This eliminates the need for manual purchase orders, back-and-forth emails, and redundant data entry.
"Being able to process an order without ever touching a PO and having it automatically go to shipping for labeling has really streamlined our process.”
TOPDON has also taken advantage of Odoo’s Studio tools and website builder. They were able to create a simple yet powerful B2B portal that connects directly to inventory and pricing data, giving each customer personalized access.
"To create a website that connects to our order processing, with inventory and pricing levels already set up, was a big wow for me. It was already there, and we could have done it so much sooner.”
Since implementing Odoo, TOPDON USA estimates an 80% increase in overall efficiency. Teams now have instant access to shared information, reducing redundant communication and manual updates.
On the Road Ahead: Expanding Globally, Scaling Smartly
TOPDON USA is in rapid expansion mode. The company has grown beyond the U.S., opening offices in Canada, Panama, South America, and Spain, all built on the same Odoo foundation. “They were able to take what we created here in the U.S. and duplicate it for their office,” Chad explains. “Now everyone’s talking the same language and following the same process.”
The next phase for TOPDON focuses on deeper automation and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). The goal is to fully automate customer orders from input to shipment, no manual entry, no follow-ups. They’re also developing tools to export real-time inventory and tracking data directly to customers, eliminating the need for email updates.
"Our growth with Odoo is going to be more and more automation, fewer clicks, faster processes, and better customer experience.”
As TOPDON continues to expand globally, Odoo remains the platform powering its growth. From manufacturing to customer support, Odoo has allowed the company to scale efficiently, reduce manual work, and focus on innovation. Ready to shift your business into a higher gear? Discover how Odoo can help your team streamline operations, boost efficiency, and stay focused on what drives your success.
