In distribution companies, most orders arrive by WhatsApp or a call with the sales rep, then get re-keyed into the system. The result is quantity errors, slower picking, and a sales rep who spends the day on data entry instead of selling.
What the portal offers
- A catalogue of the items available to that customer, at their own prices and discounts.
- Quick ordering, or repeating a past order in one click.
- Available quantities, or the expected availability date.
- Outstanding balance, credit limit, invoices and statement.
- The status of every order, from picking to delivery.
Why Odoo suits this
Customer-specific price lists, credit limits, stock and invoices all already live in Odoo. The portal simply shows them to the customer within their permissions, and every order from it becomes a real sales order that follows the same rules as a sales rep's order.
Odoo's portal or a custom one?
Odoo includes a customer portal and an online store that can be restricted to B2B customers, and that's enough for many companies. When you need very fast ordering over a large catalogue, a mobile app, or special rules per customer group, a custom portal is built and connected to Odoo.
Before launch
- Clean up price lists and discounts, because the portal will show any mistake to the customer directly.
- Clear images and descriptions, at least for the best-selling items.
- A clear rule for orders that exceed the credit limit.
- A gradual launch with a small group of cooperative customers.
- A new role for the sales rep: account management and growth, not order entry.
At MUNSAQ we start with Odoo's portal when it's enough, and build a custom portal when you really need one. Either way, Odoo stays the source of truth for prices, stock and balances.
