Product changes can affect engineering files, manufacturing plans and shop-floor instructions. When teams work from separate records, it can be hard to know which changes have been reviewed and when they should take effect. This guide explains how Odoo PLM supports product change management in a manufacturing environment.
What Is Odoo PLM?
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is the practice of managing product information and changes throughout a product’s lifecycle. A PLM platform helps teams maintain product records as designs develop and move towards manufacturing.
Odoo PLM is Odoo’s application for managing product-related engineering changes. It brings change records, product and Bill of Materials (BoM) revisions, and related documentation into a shared workflow. For manufacturers, this provides a consistent way to manage product updates as they progress from engineering review towards production.
Odoo PLM vs ERP: Is ERP a PLM Software?
ERP and PLM are related, but they serve different purposes. ERP software coordinates business operations such as finance, purchasing, inventory, sales and manufacturing. PLM focuses on product information and engineering changes across the product lifecycle.
Some ERP platforms include PLM capabilities or connect with a separate PLM system. Odoo provides PLM as an application within its broader Odoo ERP platform. This allows businesses to manage product lifecycle work alongside other operational processes in the same system, while keeping PLM’s role focused on product-related information and change management.
Odoo PLM Features for Engineering Change Management
Odoo PLM organises product-related engineering changes through ECOs and BoM revisions.
Engineering Change Orders for Product Changes
An Engineering Change Order (ECO) records the purpose and scope of a change, the affected product or BoM, and the people responsible for reviewing it. Teams can track each ECO through configured stages so changes follow the company’s review and approval process.
BoM Revisions, Comparison and Version Control
Teams can compare BoM revisions to see what was added, updated or removed. The version history also provides access to earlier BoMs for reference or restoration.
Design Documents and Change Traceability
Teams can attach design files, CAD files, PDFs and other documents to a BoM or ECO. Proposed file changes remain associated with the ECO during review. When the change is applied, approved files are linked to the production BoM, while archived files remain accessible from the ECO.
Odoo PLM Tutorial: How to Manage an ECO
An ECO moves from setup to review and approval. The exact stages can vary by change type and business process.
Configure ECO Types, Stages and Approvals
In the PLM app, create ECO types to group changes, such as BoM updates or product improvements. 
Set up stages for each type and assign required approvers to the review stage. Odoo’s standard stage names can be customised to match the company’s workflow. For the closing stage, configure it as the final stage and allow approved changes to be applied.
Create an ECO and Start a Revision
Select an ECO type and create a new ECO. Choose the applicable change scope, select the product and BoM if required, then enter a description, responsible person and effective date.
Click Start Revision. For a BoM change, Odoo creates a separate revision for editing.
Review, Approve and Apply the Changes
Review the proposed BoM or operation changes and complete the required approvals. Once approved, select Apply Changes to make the revision the production BoM. Odoo archives the previous production version, preserving it for reference.
Product-Only Change or New BoM Revision: Which Should You Use?
Choose the change scope based on what is changing. Use Product Only when updating product-level information without changing how the product is made. This option records the ECO but does not create a new BoM revision.
Create a new BoM revision when the change affects components, quantities or manufacturing operations. The revised BoM can be reviewed separately before it becomes active for production. This keeps product information changes distinct from changes to the manufacturing structure.
How Odoo PLM Integrates with Manufacturing, Inventory and CAD
Odoo PLM connects engineering changes with the operational records and design files used by manufacturing teams. What happens after a change depends on how the related Odoo apps and workflows are configured.
Odoo Manufacturing and Shop Floor
A BoM revision can include changes to components, operations, work centre details and production instructions. Once approved and applied, the updated BoM can be used in Odoo Manufacturing and Shop Floor to guide production. Draft manufacturing orders can be updated to the approved BoM, while ongoing orders can continue with their existing version.
Inventory and Quality Workflows
Changes to BoM components can inform inventory management in Odoo and procurement planning, particularly when a revision introduces new components, suppliers or lead-time requirements. Quality checks should be configured in the relevant Quality or Manufacturing workflows; an ECO records and controls the change, but does not by itself guarantee compliance or product quality.
CAD Files and SolidWorks Integration
For businesses using SolidWorks, data exchange with Odoo depends on the integration solution selected. Confirm the connector’s supported versions and which product, BoM and document data it synchronises before defining the workflow.
Business Benefits of Odoo PLM for Manufacturers
A defined PLM process can reduce the risk of teams acting on outdated specifications and give manufacturers more context when investigating product issues. The results depend on whether the ECO stages, approval rules and product data reflect the manufacturer’s actual processes.
What to Plan Before Implementing Odoo PLM
Before configuring Odoo PLM, decide which product changes need formal review and who can raise, assess and approve them. Define when a change requires a product-only ECO or a new BoM revision, and how the effective date and supporting documents will be recorded.
Also review existing product and BoM data, required connections with Manufacturing, Inventory or CAD tools, and user training needs. These decisions help keep the workflow practical and avoid customisations that do not address a clear business requirement.
A1 Consulting provides implementation, process setup, training and technical assistance for Odoo ERP for manufacturing. Manufacturers can include PLM requirements in a wider ERP project.
Odoo PLM FAQs
Is PLM the Same as SDLC?
No. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a methodology for designing, creating and maintaining software. PLM manages product information and changes across a broader product lifecycle, which may include design, manufacturing and post-launch support. A product containing software may involve both PLM and SDLC processes.
Does Odoo PLM Need to Be Installed Separately from Manufacturing?
In Odoo 19, PLM is a separate application and is not installed automatically with Manufacturing. It must be added from the Apps app. Adding applications may affect subscription costs, depending on the plan and setup.
Sally N.
BDM - Partner and Alliance
With over 7 years of experience in ERP advisory, Sally has worked closely with SMEs across Malaysia to streamline operations and drive digital transformation. Her deep understanding of business processes and hands-on approach have made her a trusted advisor to many growing companies. Through this blog post, Sally aims to share practical insights and real-world lessons drawn from her implementation experience, offering guidance to businesses navigating their own ERP journey.