Have you been seeing those Odoo pop-ups more than you’d like lately? You know, the ones that say:
Ignoring them might feel good for a second, but it’s like sticking a band-aid on a leaking pipe – eventually, it will flood. So, let’s stop pretending these pop-ups aren’t there and do the smart thing—hit that upgrade button before it’s too late!
As Odoo 15 has already hit its end of life in October 2024, the clock is ticking for businesses still relying on this version.
While the thought of upgrading might seem daunting, the consequences of not upgrading could have long-term effects beyond just missing out on shiny new features.
Here’s why sticking with Odoo 15 could be a costly mistake—and why Upgrading to Odoo 18 is not just a choice, but a business necessity.
1. Odoo 15’s End of Life: Watch out for the Security Time Bomb
The most pressing reason to upgrade is security. Security patches and bug fixes stop rolling out when a version reaches its end of life. This leaves your system exposed to potential vulnerabilities.
According to a Gartner Partner, outdated software is responsible for nearly 60% of security breaches in enterprises, with unpatched systems being prime targets.
With Odoo 15’s official support ending in November 2024, your business will no longer benefit from regular updates. This means:
- Security vulnerabilities: Unpatched systems become a target for cyber threats.
- Compatibility issues: Future integrations or third-party applications may no longer support Odoo 15.
- Increased maintenance costs: Without official support, troubleshooting issues may require expensive custom solutions.
2. Operational Downtime and Inefficiency
When your software is outdated, you’re more likely to experience system crashes and downtime. Even small performance issues can add up, leading to hours or days of lost productivity.
A study from Harvard Business Review found that businesses suffer a 33% drop in productivity when they experience prolonged downtime due to outdated systems.
Odoo 15, being a legacy version soon to be unsupported, could become more prone to:
- Slower performance: As technology progresses, older systems struggle to keep up with modern demands.
- Compatibility issues: As third-party integrations evolve, Odoo 15 might no longer be compatible with the latest apps and tools, resulting in disconnects between systems.
- Manual workarounds: Without regular updates, workarounds become more common, leading to manual errors and inefficiencies.
3. Increased Maintenance Costs
You might think that sticking with Odoo 15 will save you money, but in reality, not upgrading could be more expensive in the long run. As Odoo 15 becomes obsolete, maintenance costs skyrocket. Without access to official support, you’ll likely need to hire specialized developers to patch issues, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
A 2019 Forrester study highlighted that companies spend up to 50% more on IT maintenance when using outdated systems. As the years go by, these costs will only increase.
Upgrading to Odoo 18 means you have access to:
- Built-in maintenance and updates with each new version.
- AI-powered troubleshooting that reduces downtime and fixes issues faster.
- Cost-effective subscription plans that offer more features and less reliance on costly custom development.
4. Not Upgrading to Odoo 18 Means Missing out on Growth Opportunities
Odoo 18 is packed with features that can unlock new growth opportunities for your business. By sticking with Odoo 15, you could be missing out on:
- Advanced AI and automation that boosts productivity. (According to a McKinsey report, companies that embrace advanced automation and AI can see a 15-30% increase in overall efficiency, allowing them to outpace competitors and seize market opportunities.)
- Smart reporting tools that help you make data-driven decisions faster.
- Next-gen user interfaces that enhance employee satisfaction and reduce training time.
End of Life Means End of Support for Odoo 15
Once Odoo 15 reaches its end of life, the expert pool for troubleshooting issues shrinks. It’s a simple fact: fewer professionals will specialize in outdated versions. This could result in:
- Delayed resolutions: It becomes harder to find the right expertise to solve issues swiftly.
- Lack of guidance: You might miss out on important updates or best practices that can optimize your use of Odoo.
Conclusion: Odoo 15 EOL calls for Upgrading to Odoo 18
While it may seem like a hassle to upgrade to Odoo 18, the risks of staying on Odoo 15 far outweigh the short-term effort.
Upgrade to Odoo 18 from 15 will help you stay competitive, secure, and efficient, all while unlocking features that streamline your operations and boost profitability. Don’t wait for the end-of-life support to catch up to you—upgrade now to make sure your business is equipped for the future.
Aktiv is here to help with a smooth transition, ensuring your business makes the most out of Odoo 18’s cutting-edge features.
