Odoo Base - Core Platform

The foundation module providing essential functionality for the entire Odoo system

Odoo Base is the core and mandatory module of the Odoo system, providing foundational functionality that all other modules depend on. This module manages users, companies, partners, access rights, and basic system configurations.

The Base module is the starting point for every Odoo implementation, providing the infrastructure to build and extend other business functions such as sales, accounting, inventory, and manufacturing.

User Management
Company Management
Partner Management
Access Rights
System Configuration
Multi-company
Multi-language
Multi-currency

Basic Terminology

Basic Terminology

TermVietnameseDescription
UserNgười dùngAccount to log into the Odoo system
CompanyCông tyLegal entity in multi-company system
PartnerĐối tácCustomer, supplier, or contact
Access GroupNhóm quyềnGroup for access rights management
Record RuleQuy tắc bản ghiRule for data access control
SequenceChuỗiAutomatic number generator for documents
Unit of MeasureĐơn vị đo lườngProduct measurement unit
CurrencyTiền tệCurrency unit and exchange rate

User Management

The user management system in Odoo Base allows creating and managing user accounts with different access rights. Each user can be assigned to multiple access groups to control access to modules and functions.


Creating New Users

Access: Settings → Users & Companies → Users

Click "Create" and fill in information:

Steps

  • 1. Enter user name and email

  • 2. Select user type: Internal User (internal staff) or Portal User (customer/partner)

  • 3. Assign access rights groups

  • 4. Set default company and allowed companies

  • 5. Configure language and timezone

  • 6. Send login invitation email or set password manually


User Permissions

Odoo uses Group-based Access Control:

Steps

  • 1. Access Rights: Access to modules and menus

  • 2. Record Rules: Rules controlling which data users can view/edit

  • 3. Field-level Security: Control access to individual data fields

  • 4. Multi-company Rules: Permission rules by company


Company Management

Odoo supports multi-company environments, allowing management of multiple legal entities in the same database. Each company can have its own configuration for accounting, inventory, and business settings.


Company Configuration

Access: Settings → Users & Companies → Companies

Steps

  • 1. Basic information: Name, address, phone, email, website

  • 2. Logo and brand colors

  • 3. Tax information: Tax ID, business registration

  • 4. Default currency configuration

  • 5. Header/footer setup for reports and documents

  • 6. Bank and payment account configuration


Multi-company Environment

When working with multiple companies:

Steps

  • 1. Users can be assigned to multiple companies

  • 2. Switch current company via menu in top right corner

  • 3. Data is separated by company (orders, invoices, inventory)

  • 4. Some data can be shared between companies (products, partners)

  • 5. Configure inter-company transactions for transactions between companies


Partner Management

The Base module provides a centralized partner management system, storing information about customers, suppliers, and contacts. Partners are core entities used across all business modules.


Creating and Managing Partners

Access: Contacts → Contacts

Steps

  • 1. Basic information: Name, type (Individual/Company)

  • 2. Addresses: Support multiple addresses (delivery, invoice, contact)

  • 3. Contact information: Phone, email, website

  • 4. Classification: Customer, Supplier, or both

  • 5. Tax and payment information

  • 6. Tags and partner categorization

  • 7. Notes and attachments


Partner Addresses

Each partner can have multiple addresses for different purposes:

Steps

  • 1. Contact: Main contact address

  • 2. Invoice: Billing address

  • 3. Delivery: Shipping address

  • 4. Other: Other addresses

  • 5. Private: Personal address (for employees)


System Configuration

The Base module provides basic system configuration tools for the entire Odoo system.


General Settings

Access: Settings → General Settings

Steps

  • 1. Company information and logo

  • 2. Languages: Install and activate languages

  • 3. Currencies: Configure currencies and automatic exchange rates

  • 4. Email: Configure outgoing and incoming email servers

  • 5. Integrations: Google Calendar, Google Drive, OAuth

  • 6. Developer Mode: Enable developer mode


Automatic Sequences

Manage number sequences for documents:

Access: Settings → Technical → Sequences

Steps

  • 1. Format: Prefix + Number + Suffix (e.g., SO001, INV/2024/001)

  • 2. Padding: Minimum number of digits

  • 3. Increment: Step between numbers

  • 4. Reset: By year, month, or no reset

  • 5. Company-specific: Separate sequences per company


Units of Measure

Manage units of measure and conversions:

Access: Settings → Technical → Units of Measure

Steps

  • 1. Categories: Length, Weight, Volume, Time, Units

  • 2. Base unit: Reference unit in each category

  • 3. Conversion ratio: Automatic conversion between units

  • 4. Rounding: Precision when converting


Multi-language

Odoo supports multi-language for interface and data:

Steps

  • 1. Install language: Settings → Translations → Load a Translation

  • 2. Translate data: Product names, descriptions can have multiple languages

  • 3. User language: Each user selects their own language

  • 4. Partner language: Automatically use customer language

  • 5. Custom translations: Modify translations via Settings → Translations


Multi-currency

Support transactions with multiple currencies:

Steps

  • 1. Activate: Settings → Accounting → Multi-Currencies

  • 2. Configure currencies: Settings → Accounting → Currencies

  • 3. Exchange rates: Manual update or automatic from ECB/Yahoo

  • 4. Exchange difference accounts: For accounting

  • 5. Prices by currency: Pricelist supports multiple currencies


Automation and Scheduled Actions

Automate recurring tasks:

Access: Settings → Technical → Automation → Scheduled Actions

Steps

  • 1. Cron Jobs: Run tasks on schedule (daily, hourly)

  • 2. Server Actions: Event-based automation

  • 3. Email Templates: Send automated emails

  • 4. Automated Actions: Triggers based on data changes


Best Practices - User Management

Steps

  • 1. Use access groups instead of direct permissions for each user

  • 2. Create custom access groups for special roles

  • 3. Regularly review and revoke unnecessary permissions

  • 4. Use Portal Users for customers/partners to save licenses

  • 5. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for important accounts


Best Practices - Data Management

Steps

  • 1. Use Tags to categorize partners instead of creating many fields

  • 2. Standardize partner data before bulk import

  • 3. Use External ID for data that needs sync with other systems

  • 4. Backup data regularly before major changes

  • 5. Use Archive instead of Delete to keep history


Best Practices - Performance

Steps

  • 1. Limit number of companies in one database

  • 2. Use Record Rules wisely to avoid performance impact

  • 3. Archive old records that are no longer used

  • 4. Optimize Scheduled Actions to avoid running many heavy tasks simultaneously

  • 5. Monitor database size and vacuum periodically


Access Rights

To fully use administrative features in the Base module, users need:

Steps

  • 1. Settings: Access to Settings menu

  • 2. Administration / Settings: System administration rights

  • 3. Administration / Access Rights: User and permission management rights

  • 4. Technical Features: Access to technical features (Developer Mode)