Location/Region: Buffalo, NY
Industry: Manufacturing
Apps implemented: Sales, Purchase, Planning, Inventory, Accounting
Software
Replaced: SAP
Company size: 11
Hosting type: Odoo.sh
Founded in the 1990s in Shanghai by Robert Tu, INO (short for 'Innovation') has grown from humble beginnings into a global leader in conveyor belt manufacturing. Driven by core values of simplicity, agility, honesty, transparency, unity, accountability, and results, INO produces state-of-the-art conveyor belts for diverse applications, from grocery stores to manufacturing plants and amusement parks.
Interestingly, Robert Tu went to Buffalo in the early 1990s to pursue his Master’s at the University of Buffalo, and fell in love with the city. This connection came full circle with the establishment of INO USA in Buffalo, NY, in 2021, as the company expanded its global footprint. INO USA brings in conveyor belting and accessories from the INO group and sells them through distributors. They also operate a full-service belt shop where raw material slabs are cut to size, and accessories like sidewalls and guides are added. These ready-to-ship belts are distributed to factories across the country.
INO USA represents the next generation of INO’s development. The company’s President, Anya Tu, is the daughter of Robert Tu. She was just a little girl when her father was studying in Buffalo, and her leadership now symbolizes the continuation of her father’s vision and the company’s legacy of innovation. INO USA was the perfect combination of a group of experienced belting professionals already in place in Buffalo looking for a new opportunity and a better way to manage belting commerce, connecting with a company from China that had the experience, the resources, and the vision for innovation.
Over the past 35 years, the company has expanded its operations to include facilities in China, Germany, Poland, and the United States. The US branch, INO USA, experienced significant growth and faced the challenge of managing day-to-day operations effectively as it scaled. This led them to look for business software that could meet their evolving needs.
Before Odoo:
Struggling with SAP
Before implementing Odoo, INO USA used SAP Business One as their enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Robert Hochberg, Revenue and Administration Manager at INO USA, recalls how the company initially chose SAP, a brand they were familiar with, for their accounting needs. However, they quickly encountered numerous challenges that hampered their growth.
One of the most significant obstacles was asset management. SAP’s system required expensive customizations to handle tasks that were essential for INO USA, such as invoicing, inventory management, and asset tracking. “It was just a very clunky software,” says Robert. “Everything that we were trying to do had to be customized.”
Another major issue was reporting. Given that INO USA’s headquarters is based in Shanghai, providing accurate and timely reports to management in China was critical. However, SAP’s reporting capabilities fell short. “The reports that SAP offered weren’t really the types of reports we needed,” Robert explains. Each time a new report was required, it became a time-consuming process to create. “I never felt like I could pull the data that I needed in a concise way,” Robert adds.
The final straw came when it was time to file INO USA’s first tax return at the end of 2021. The complexity and time involved in gathering the necessary data to work with a CPA were overwhelming.
"We just didn’t see any way that it was going to be resolved unless we invested literally hundreds of thousands of dollars into SAP."
The Turnaround: A partnership with Odoo
With the limitations of SAP becoming apparent, INO USA needed a more efficient, affordable solution. It was around this time that Marco, the company’s General Manager and VP, spotted a billboard for Odoo while driving along the 190 highway in Buffalo. Intrigued by the ad, Marco did his research and was immediately impressed. After setting up a demo, INO USA made the decision to switch to Odoo.
The transition to Odoo in July 2022 marked a major shift for INO USA. The software proved to be an instant fit, and Robert describes their experience with it in three key terms: simple, transparent and quick.
- Simple: Odoo’s intuitive and easy-to-use interface has significantly simplified INO USA’s operations. “Our company’s tagline is ‘Belting made easy’,” Odoo’s ease of use aligned perfectly with the company values, allowing INO USA to streamline their workflows and increase productivity.
- Transparent: One of Odoo’s standout features is its ability to provide transparent, organized, and easily accessible data. “Reporting is probably my favorite aspect of Odoo compared to SAP,” Robert shares. Odoo’s system allows users to quickly pull any type of report needed, and the software’s “smart buttons” link related tasks and information, making it easy to access and manage.
- Quick: The speed at which INO USA can now perform tasks has drastically improved. For instance, invoicing and vendor billing, which once took an entire day with SAP, can now be completed in just a few hours each morning.
"It’s at least four times faster with Odoo. Also, the system’s automation has saved the company valuable time and allowed us to focus on more important tasks."
"Within a year, the company had already recouped the money they would have lost by continuing with SAP.
In addition to its usability, Odoo has proven to be an incredibly cost-effective solution for INO USA. “The value of Odoo is huge,” Robert says. Compared to the substantial payments they made in SAP, Odoo’s lower monthly fees provided a quicker return on investment.
Furthermore, Odoo offers flexibility and autonomy, enabling INO USA to make customizations to workflows and reports without relying on external support. Robert highlights the “Studio” feature, which allows him to modify reports and add lines to fit their specific needs—something that was not possible with SAP.
Looking to the future
INO USA is committed to fostering a corporate culture rooted in core values: simplicity, agility, honesty, transparency, unity, accountability, and results. These principles guide the company’s approach to business and innovation, ensuring that they remain adaptable, ethical, and focused on delivering quality products and services.
The success of INO USA’s partnership with Odoo demonstrates the transformative power of choosing the right business software. By switching to Odoo, INO USA has been able to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and maintain the transparency and simplicity that are core to their business values. As the company continues to grow and innovate in the conveyor belt industry, Odoo remains a critical partner, ensuring that their internal processes are as seamless and forward-thinking as the products they manufacture.
If your business is facing inefficiencies with outdated systems or costly solutions, Odoo offers an affordable, flexible alternative that streamlines workflows and supports growth. Take the next step towards greater efficiency and innovation—contact Odoo today and see how it can optimize your operations.
