Description

Entreprendre Ici is a provincial organization focused on fostering entrepreneurship among Quebec’s ethnocultural communities. The organization helps immigrant and minority entrepreneurs overcome systemic barriers and navigate the various support services available within Quebec’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. They provide personalized guidance to ensure the success of ethnocultural diversity businesses, drawing on a vast network of over 600 organizations.

Contexte

This project was a rescue and migration effort, aimed at addressing several challenges the client faced with their previous Odoo integration. Having already used Odoo, Entreprendre Ici was looking to migrate from Odoo V16 to V17 while overcoming issues with their previous integrator. They had experienced technical complications, including data loss, during their last migration, and were looking for a reliable integration partner who could ensure a smooth migration. The client was utilizing Odoo.sh for their hosting environment.

Entreprendre Ici’s main goal was to migrate to a more stable version of Odoo while gaining more control over their processes. They sought to improve the training they had received on using Odoo. The organization was also looking for a more scalable and flexible solution, particularly for their annual bursary program (Bourses d'honneur).

The Solution and Project Implementation

To address these issues, we implemented a number of tailored solutions. First, we successfully migrated Entreprendre Ici from Odoo V16 to V17, ensuring that all existing modules and customizations were carried over smoothly. We worked closely with the client to address any data concerns and make sure that the migration process went off without a hitch. This migration was far smoother than their previous experience, ensuring both the technical stability and the integrity of their data.

While the client mostly kept the modules they had already been using, such as CRM, we also offered custom development of a new module for their Bourses d'honneur program. Before, applications for the program were done through a form on the website, they had to create new fields manually, such as document numbers, for each new iteration of the bursary program. We streamlined this process by developing a scalable survey system. Now, they can duplicate and modify surveys as needed, making the process more efficient and adaptable for future events. This not only saved time but also increased flexibility for the client, allowing them to focus more on their mission rather than on technical details.

The Results

The migration was executed on time, and the project was completed within the allocated budget. The kick-off for this project was in November 2024 and the go-live occurred in May 2025, after the client had completed their internal testing. Entreprendre Ici expressed satisfaction with the final result. The transition from Odoo V16 to V17 was much smoother than their previous experience, with no data loss and minimal disruptions. The client was also pleased with the more flexible and scalable solutions we provided for their Bourses d'honneur program. The custom development had taken around 35 hours of development time and was completed over a period of 3 weeks.

This case study highlights several key takeaways for future clients. First, it illustrates the importance of ensuring that migration projects are carefully managed to avoid the pitfalls of data loss and technical instability. Second, empowering clients with greater control over their CRM and business systems is essential. By providing Entreprendre Ici with the tools and knowledge to make changes independently, we helped them improve operational efficiency and avoid dependency on external resources.