🏪 Project Context & Challenges Faced
Colecta (name changed to protect confidentiality) is a growing supermarket chain located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The company was facing several challenges related to outdated systems and manual processes, including:
- Lack of consistency in inventory between different sales points
- Absence of real-time financial visibility
- Complex coordination of purchasing and pricing between sites
- Point of sale systems not integrated with back-office operations
The management wanted a unified solution that was easy to deploy, compliant with Swiss requirements, and aligned with their expansion strategy.
✅ Why Odoo was chosen
After evaluating several ERPs, Odoo stood out for the following reasons:
- Modular architecture allowing for gradual deployment
- Integrated Swiss localization and native multi-site management
- Affordable cost compared to traditional ERPs
- Open source flexibility with a large ecosystem
- Smooth integration between the cash register, sales, purchases, and accounting
Meta4 Technologies, the official partner of Odoo with local expertise, has been commissioned to lead the project.
⚙️ Implementation Process
Meta4 has chosen an agile deployment, in several stages, aligned with the client's operational priorities:
-
Analysis & framing:
- On-site workshops with key teams
- Mapping of existing processes
- Identification of quick wins (POS & inventory management)
-
Configuration & integration :
- Tax compliance (VAT, QR invoice)
- Centralization of items and barcodes
- Real-time synchronization of inventory between sites
-
Training & support for change:
- On-site training for teams
- Personalized support for managers
- Customized operational dashboards
-
Production launch & monitoring:
- Smooth transition without interruption of activity
- Post-launch functional adjustments
🔍 Key modules used
- Point of Sale (POS): fast, intuitive, tailored by store
- Inventory Management: real-time levels and supply alerts
- Sales & Purchases: unified tracking of orders and suppliers
- Accounting (Switzerland localization): VAT, QR invoices, multi-currency
- Website & e-commerce (Phase 2): planned for the future digital strategy
📈 Results & impacts
Within 3 months following the start of production:
- 30% reduction in stockouts
- 50% gain on monthly closing time
- 25% increase at checkout
- Increased visibility into supplier performance
- Better team adoption thanks to Odoo's ergonomics
“We finally have a system that adapts to our business, not the other way around. Meta4 has delivered a simple, effective, and well-thought-out solution.”
— Operations Manager at Colecta (name changed to protect the confidentiality of the actual client)
🤝 Conclusion
This project demonstrates Meta4 Technologies' ability to support Swiss retail SMEs in their digital transition through Odoo. Our local expertise, combined with a pragmatic approach, enables us to deliver concrete results quickly.
📞 Want to digitize your business?
Make an appointmentwith one of our Odoo experts for a free consultation.
