Should I migrate to the newest version?
If you still use Odoo 6.1, 7, or 8, then this article can provide an overview of the migration process to the newer versions. In most cases, it doesn’t matter which version of Odoo you use. If you can meet all business needs using the heavily customized Odoo 6.1, then there may not be a need to transition to a newer version. Therefore, the decision as to whether to upgrade or not should depend on your business goals.
However, the new versions can give you access to modern features and functions. These version are faster, use a nicer UI, and of course, they are more stable and secure than the older ones. Additionally, a lot of new free modules appear in the Odoo Community in the new versions.
We recommend to think about migration if:
- You use Odoo 6.1/7 (Odoo 8 in some cases)
- Needed modules are not available for the old system
- Needed features are not available for the old system
- There are no highly-customized modules in your system
- You would like to increase performance
- You would like to get modern UI
- You want to be up-to-date
The oldest Odoo versions we recommend using right now are Odoo 9 and Odoo 8. Odoo SA doesn’t support Odoo 6.1 anymore and after Odoo 10 will be rolled out (Fall 2016), the same will be in effect for Odoo version 7.
Workflow of the migration
To prepare the system for migration, we divide all installed modules into three groups:
- Odoo Core Modules (Odoo SA)
- Community Modules
- Custom modules
All users utilize the core apps in Odoo, but not everyone needs additional or custom modules (apps) from Odoo community. In this case, Odoo SA make the migration without the help from other partners. For Odoo v8 or lower versions, migration is a paid service.
Odoo Core Modules (Odoo SA)
The most problematic migration is for Odoo Core. It is not feasible to migrate from Odoo 8 to Odoo 9 without signing an Odoo Enterprise Contract. Odoo Community is working on it, but there is no information on the expected release date. To be honest, looks like it will always be at least one version behind…
It is not feasible to migrate from Odoo 8 to Odoo 9 without signing an Odoo Enterprise Contract.
Of course if you use Odoo 6.1/7/8 as a CRM, you can install Odoo Community 9 and migrate simple data using the export / import functionality. However if you use Odoo for Warehouse Management, PM, Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable, etc., you are likely to encounter problems. There are big changes in Odoo 9 core modules compared to Odoo 6.1/7/8 which require additional tools or Odoo itself for the migration process.
Community modules
If the module was migrated to Odoo 9, it can take around one hour per module to migrate. If the module was not ported to Odoo 9, then it may take additional time and fee based on the complexity of the module. Odoo SA doesn’t migrate community modules for free. Currently, the fee stands at 1000 EUR per 1000 lines of code. Generally, this operation is performed by the Odoo partner (for example VentorTech).
First, partners should identify all non-core modules. For some of these, there may be alternative features in the new Odoo version. If that’s the case, some modules will not migrate at all. On the other hand, some of the community modules have already been updated. In the worst case scenario, you may have a module which is no longer supported. The partner should migrate the module and then your data, but this service incurs costs.
Other modules
Other modules require extra fee based on the complexity of the module. To provide an accurate and detailed estimate, we need to analyze all the processes and customizations and compare to improved processes in Odoo 9 Enterprise. Migration may take between 3 to 50 hours depending on the module’s complexity.
Costs. Lead time. Result
Cost
The cost of migration (enterprise contract) depends on a number of users. If you use Odoo 8 or lower version, Odoo S.A requires additional fee to migrate your ERP. Now, it’s half of the Enterprise contract cost for migration from v7 or v8 (onetime fee, next update is free). If you use Odoo 6.1 or lower version, please check the table below:
For example, suppose you have 10 users. The cost of the Enterprise Contract is 240 EUR/user/year. That’s 2400 euros for 10 users. If you use Odoo 8, the cost of migration adds up to 1200EUR (½ of 2400EUR) or 120EUR per user . Total cost, therefore, is 360EUR/user (240+120) and 240EUR/user after the first year.
Lead time
As Odoo SA indicates, the first upgrade to version 9.0 will require some time. If you do not have any custom/community modules, the migration can take 3 to 5 weeks. If you have a highly customized system, be prepared to wait up to 12 weeks. Again, the transition time depends on your database complexity.
Result
Now that you know how to migrate to Odoo 9, you can sign the Odoo Enterprise contract. The contract will grant you access to:
– Odoo 9 Enterprise (1-year license)
– Free update to Odoo 10 (Release in September 2016)
– Free bug fixes from vendor
You get Odoo 9 Enterprise + Odoo 10 and all bug fixes (core modules) from Odoo SA side. After the first year, you can decide whether to save the Enterprise contract or downgrade to Odoo 10 community.
Conclusions
- The only way to migrate to Odoo 9 is to sign the Enterprise Contract.
- TThe only way to migrate to Odoo 9 Community is to use export/import functionality. This is possible for “light” systems.
- TYou can install the latest version (Odoo 9 Community) and import data if you use Odoo only as a CRM.
- TThe cost of migration process is ½ of Odoo Enterprise value if you use Odoo 7 & 8. If you use the latest community version (Odoo 9), Odoo S.A provides the migration service for free (if you sign the enterprise contract).
- TEnterprise Contract is 240EUR per user with the minimum cost of 1200EUR or minimum of 5 users.
- TOdoo SA migrates all core modules and the partners migrate all community/custom modules. Advanced and quotation separately provided:
- TAdditional works related to removing your customizations, because Odoo already developed same features or your custom features are no longer needed and valid.
- TOdoo SA can migrate community/custom modules. The cost is 1000EUR per 1000 lines of code.
Cost of upgrade to Odoo v9
| Your Current Version | OpenERP 6.1 | OpenERP 7.0 | Odoo 7 & 8 | Odoo 9 Community | Odoo 10 |
| Enterprise contract (necessary to migrate) |
€240 x # of Users | €240 x # of Users | €240 x # of Users | €240 x # of Users | €240 x # of Users |
| Migration by Odoo SA | OE value* | ½ of the Enterprise contract cost* | ½ of OE value* | No migration needed | Free* |
| Community & Custom modules (Migration by Odoo SA) |
€1000 per 1000 Lines of Code | €1000 per 1000 Lines of Code | €1000 per 1000 Lines of Code | €1000 per 1000 Lines of Code | €1,000 per 1,000 Lines of Code |
| Community & Custom modules (Migration by Xpansa) |
€150-2500 / module | €150-2500 / module | €150-2500 / module | €150-2500 / module | 150-2500 EUR / module |
* If sign Enterprise Contract before Odoo 10 is officially released, then migration to Odoo 10 will be free
Related service – Odoo Enterprise installation
Automate your business processes!
Photo by Thomson Safaris Tanzania
- 3+ years of experience in product manager and product owner roles
- 6+ years of experience in sales and offline and online marketing
- 5+ years of experience in web and mobile project management
- 4+ years of experience in B2B marketing (IT companies, ERP systems)
- 5+ years of experience in warehouse management and logistics
- Main project roles: Marketing Manager, Project Manager, Product Owner, Consultant
- Primary objectives: Increase sales and brand awareness; implement marketing strategy; achieve objectives and goals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Education: Bachelor's degree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Experience:
Project Manager
Bookshop
Marketing Manager, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
XPANSA Group
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Current position: Co-founder & CBDO
VentorTech
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Licenses & certifications:
IT Product Management (Basic Level)
IT Product Management (Professional Level)
My Monday
5 Comments
Ferdinand
Hi,
I agree with you, but the cost of migration will be much higher for a heavily customized 6.1 system as we have implemented.
* its not only about migrating custom modules, but these must be redesigned in many cases because
** different data structure
** different functionality
** different UI layout
** which functionality of the custom module is covered by the new standard. (very hard to find out)
the new code must be tested by the developer AND the customer, as the outcome obviously has to match the results of the prior version.
To enable the customer to test it needs
* a lot of training
* a lot of time of the best people
a lot of customers won't have time and resources to fund yearly migration.
BTW my company developed a ERP system which didn't need migration for more than 20 years.....
clients have been very happy.....
Vitaliy Eremeev
Hello, Ferdinand,
yep, I agree with your thoughts. From the other hand, if you have a high customized system covers all you needs (vertical solutions), it's not reasonable to migrate just to migrate. If we are talking about Odoo, for me it's OK to migrate through the 2 versions(OpenERP 6.1 > Odoo 8, Odoo 8 > Odoo 10). Of course, you should use not high customized one to update your system snoozy and cheap.
Regarding "infinitely running system". I think, in our time it's impossible to use a system without updates.
Users want to have all things like "take and go". All should work out of the box and get updates organically.
Odoo is on the road to reach the goal. When core apps can close general processes without customizations the migration will be not needed at all like we see it in OS X from Apple and Win 10 from Microsoft. If you system works the same way, you chose the right approach.
Moses Abraham
Hello Ferdinand, I agree to your points.
Whether we get support from Odoo or with any partner, migration from 6.1/7/8 to 9 will have challenges. If your older system is complex and running for 1 or 2 years, switching to version 9 needs lot of testing by the developers as well as the users. Sales, Purchase and Accounting modules need to be compared number to number with the older version so that the change over doesn't affect the vendors and customers in the new version.
If Odoo doesn't come up with easy migration approach from one version to the next version, the customers will definitely lose confidence. If a company spends X$ in converting to 9, by the time they finish converting and testing, it will definitely irritate the customer when they see another version of Odoo released.
Nicholas RIegel
OpenERP and Odoo databases with core modules can be upgraded without an Enterprise contract. There are scripts, including OpenUpgrade (https://github.com/OCA/OpenUpgrade) that can accomplish this.
Vitaliy Eremeev
Hello Nicholas,
those scripts allow you to update Odoo up to version 8.
Any customer can try to do it by himself or ask official Odoo partner to help.
However, there are no scripts to update to Odoo 9 (Community). You can find a proof here - https://github.com/OCA/OpenUpgrade/issues/400
Looks like Odoo 10 will be released earlier than the way to migrate to Odoo 9 for free.