Location/Region: South Africa
Industry: Printing/Branding
Apps implemented: Accounting, Employees, Sales, CRM, Projects, Purchases, Inventory, Studio, Quality, Documents, Manufacturing, Sign, Rental.
Software Replaced: Xero, Self-made applications (Appsheet), Excel
Company size: 30
Hosting type: Odoo online
GSDI Group has developed innovative, economical and Eco-friendly solutions in urban cosmetics to answer companies’ daily needs in decoration, protection, and renovation.
GSDI South Africa opened its doors in 2014 to service it’s South African client's needs in specialised surface treatments, as well as the application of adhesive films, tarps, dibonds, and other various technical varnishes. Odoo came in when GSDI was looking for a user-friendly and open-source system.
Broken telephone between departments
GSDI had always prioritized collaboration between departments, an essential in the printing business, where communication isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. From understanding client specifications to adjusting artwork and executing production, every step depends on seamless coordination.
But as the company grew, it became clear that their custom-built application and disconnected accounting tools were no longer up to the task. With teams working on different platforms and using various formats, crucial information was often lost in translation, especially during meetings, causing delays, errors, and inefficiencies. The lack of centralized data collection and integration made it difficult to track performance, prevent wastage, or scale operations efficiently.
"Communication isn’t just important in printing, it’s make or break."
Making the cost-effective, open-source choice.
Recognizing the need for a centralized platform, GSDI started exploring ERP solutions. The decision to implement Odoo was driven by its user-friendly interface, open-source flexibility, and competitive pricing.
"We liked that Odoo is open-source, and the price point made sense for our business. But more than that, the interface was simple enough for everyone to get on board"
All-in-one solution for the all-in-one business.
Since the implementation of Odoo in 2024, GSDI has seen noticeable improvements in efficiency and waste reduction, especially thanks to the Inventory, Manufacturing, and Project modules.
The ability to align teams under a single platform has unlocked productivity across the board.
"The way we manage stock now is completely different. We’re finally tracking usage properly, and our level of wastage has gone down."
Vincent Houdeville, Country Manager
A unified group with the Odoo armour
The GSDI team is now considering the use of Odoo across the entire group. With successful adoption in core departments, the next step includes exploring systems that work best for the company.
GSDI sees Odoo not just as a solution, but as a foundation for growth.
"We're not just fixing problems anymore, we're planning for scale. Odoo is a great place to start."