When planning an ERP implementation, it is essential to evaluate not only the implementation budget but also the long-term support and maintenance costs. This topic is especially critical when choosing Odoo SaaS (Odoo Online) and planning future customizations.
A general overview of post-implementation support costs and typical support scenarios is described in this article:
Odoo for Beginners: What Costs to Expect After ERP Implementation
How Support Works in Odoo SaaS (Standard Usage)
When using Odoo SaaS, the client receives a fully managed platform:
- hosting, infrastructure, and security handled by Odoo;
- automatic updates and backups;
- SLA-based platform reliability;
- full support for standard, out-of-the-box functionality.
In this scenario, all technical responsibility lies with Odoo.
There are no additional costs for servers, DevOps, or baseline technical support.
What Changes When You Customize Odoo SaaS
A critical cost factor appears as soon as customizations are introduced.
This includes:
- custom Python or JavaScript code;
- advanced logic implemented via Odoo Studio (custom code blocks);
- non-standard automation or workflow logic.
Once custom code is added, it falls outside standard Odoo SaaS support coverage.
As a result:
- custom logic is reviewed and handled separately;
- issue investigation and fixes may be charged additionally;
- system upgrades become more complex and time-consuming.
Official Odoo Policy on Custom Code in SaaS
According to Odoo’s official support and SaaS policies:
- custom code in Odoo SaaS is not covered by standard subscription support;
- analysis, fixes, and adaptations are handled by Odoo Support or Engineering teams;
- costs depend on:
Services for Covered Extra Modules are charged based on the number of lines of code in these modules. When the Customer opts for the maintenance of Covered Extra Modules, the charge is a monthly fee per 100 lines of code... link to the source
- code volume and complexity;
- impact on standard modules;
- upgrade compatibility requirements.
These costs are not fixed and can significantly increase the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over time — sometimes exceeding the original implementation budget.
Why This Matters at the Proposal Stage
If SaaS customization and support implications are not addressed early, organizations often face:
- unexpected support invoices;
- dependency on vendor-side engineering for troubleshooting;
- limited flexibility during scaling;
- higher risks and costs during major system upgrades.
For CTOs and financial decision makers, this is a strategic and architectural consideration, not a technical detail.
How to Avoid Uncontrolled SaaS Support Costs
If your goal is to:
- leverage Odoo SaaS,
- control long-term support expenses,
- and still maintain business flexibility,
👉 a pre-implementation consultation is strongly recommended.
During such a consultation, I help to:
- identify requirements that can be solved using standard Odoo functionality;
- determine when SaaS is the right choice — and when it is not;
- distinguish between configuration, low-code, and full custom development from a support perspective;
- design an architecture with predictable long-term costs.
Recommendation
If you plan to use Odoo SaaS and require custom functionality,
consult before development begins.
This approach helps avoid hidden costs, protect your budget, and ensure long-term system sustainability.