Location/Region: Palmira, COL
Industry: Industrial equipment and components
Apps implemented: CRM, Sales, Inventory, Accounting, Documents
Software
Replaced: Site Open
Company size: 15
Hosting type: Odoo online
From Palmira, Colombia, Polybandas has transformed its industrial operations thanks to Odoo. With a team of 15 people, this Colombian company went from struggling with cost traceability to achieving sustained growth of 43.2% in 2024 and a further 30% so far in 2025. The secret: a strategic Odoo implementation that has impacted everything from accounting to inventory control.
Polybandas offers industrial solutions in mechanical power transmission, lubrication, fluid and material transport, as well as leak detection. Its focus is on the manufacturing industry, which accounts for 95% of its customer base. Although it also serves the automotive sector and individual clients, its strength lies in delivering highly specialized technical solutions that improve the efficiency and availability of industrial machinery.
Founded in 2009, the company took a new direction in 2017 when three mechanical engineers, including Catherine Valencia Rodríguez, now General Manager, assumed leadership. Since then, they have focused on strengthening their value proposition based on technical knowledge and innovation, which has allowed them to represent prestigious brands with over 100 years in the market and operate as importers, primarily from the United States and Germany.
“We’ve realized that when we combine strong technical knowledge with truly reliable products, we can make a real difference in industrial processes in Colombia. There are many machines that still have a lot of untapped potential, and that’s where we come in: providing concrete solutions that optimize performance and increase our clients’ productivity.”
Before Odoo: Accounting Challenges and Low Visibility
Before implementing Odoo, Polybandas used a locally developed accounting software that, while it allowed basic inventory management and accounting operations, had major limitations in key functions like cost calculation and traceability.
One of the main issues was the system’s inability to accurately calculate the true cost of imported products. For example, if an imported spare part had a base price plus international freight, duties, and other expenses, the system failed to reflect the total cost properly. This created significant distortions in financial reports and profit margin analysis. Moreover, it didn’t support average cost inventory handling well, which led to confusion and loss of control.
"That software gave us incoherent numbers: costs were miscalculated and traceability was practically nonexistent. We needed a solution that truly reflected the reality of our operations and allowed us to make decisions based on reliable information."
Odoo Changed the Game for Polybandas
It was during their search for a more comprehensive solution that they discovered Odoo. From the start, they saw that the platform not only met their accounting needs, but also offered an integrated view of their entire business operation.
The implementation of Odoo at Polybandas has meant much more than a technological upgrade. The company has achieved more agile, secure, and strategic management thanks to the integration of key modules that addressed their actual needs. Below are four examples of how this tool has redefined their internal processes:
Strategic visualization with dashboards: One of the first modules that made a difference was the dashboard. It allowed teams to access critical data in real time, facilitating informed decision-making. Indicators like sales by salesperson type, inventory levels, profit margins, and financial statements are now just a click away. Unlike other ERP systems, where this feature is not always integrated or customizable, Odoo offered Polybandas the ability to tailor the visualizations to their specific needs.
"What we look for is order and reliability, fundamental pillars for the company to grow alongside our suppliers. And it all starts with having clear, accurate, real-time information."
Cloud-based document management: Before Odoo, document management at Polybandas relied on physical servers on their premises. This entailed energy costs, space requirements, and constant concerns about security and backup. With the Documents module, all that became a thing of the past. Information is now hosted in the cloud, with access controlled by team role: sales, accounting, management, or partners. This migration has not only improved operations but also brought greater peace of mind.
Discoveries that make a difference: Beyond the main modules, Polybandas has also found value in lesser-known features, such as the use of analytical tags in Accounting. These allow for more detailed analysis of operations, a powerful tool they are beginning to explore in greater depth.
Commercial tracking with CRM: The growth of the sales team, including staff in other regions, led the company to intensively use the CRM module. While they had known about the tool before, it wasn't until the team expanded that it became central to daily work. The CRM has allowed them to record business opportunities, qualify them, link them to quotations, and conduct detailed follow-up through the calendar. Although there was some resistance at first, they now acknowledge that earlier adoption would have prevented rework and information loss that used to be scattered across chats and personal notes.
"Odoo also brought a cultural transformation. We’ve learned that if a quotation isn’t generated through the CRM, it won’t be properly linked to the commercial process. It taught us to work more efficiently".
The Future: Growth and more automation
What lies ahead for Polybandas involves strengthening strategic partnerships, geographic expansion, and a strong commitment to technology. Currently, the company is focused on reinforcing relationships with its main international suppliers, including Gates Corporation and Martin Sprocket & Gear (both from the U.S.), as well as companies like Optibelt (Germany) and Spectroline (U.S.). These partnerships are key to growing together, ensuring quality, support, and innovative solutions.
Digital transformation is also a central part of the plan. Polybandas aims to enhance its online presence through its website, social media, and management tools that will enable greater traceability and process efficiency. With Odoo’s support, they hope to improve information control and interdepartmental connectivity, allowing them to sustain their growth in an organized and reliable way.
Regarding territorial expansion, the company plans to strengthen its presence in other regions of Colombia. They have already taken concrete steps in Antioquia and the Eje Cafetero, where they have technical staff dedicated to commercial development, and they are evaluating the possibility of establishing physical locations. Additionally, while their main focus remains the local market, they have served specific opportunities in countries like Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
"Our goal is to grow in every sense: alongside our suppliers, through the use of technology, expanding to new regions, and adding tools that allow us to move forward with order, efficiency, and reliability."
Polybandas’ story shows that with vision, strategic partnerships, and the support of tools like Odoo, any business can take the next step in its transformation. If you’re looking to improve traceability, information control, or strengthen your presence in new markets, let this example inspire you. No matter the size of your company, with the right technology and a growth mindset, you too can take your operations to the next level. Are you ready to start your transformation with Odoo?