Odoo & Expandable: Bridging Education and Business

Odoo develops intuitive ERP software that helps businesses perform more efficiently. Their three Expandable Trailers, however, aren’t used for corporate demos, they’re dedicated entirely to education. Why? And how does this initiative connect to their overall mission? Charline Louis, who leads Odoo’s education team, explains how the idea evolved and what it means for their brand.

About Odoo

Odoo builds business software designed to make companies stronger and more connected.
“Our mission is to make companies a better place to work by offering intuitive, accessible tools,” says Charline Louis. “We provide a standard solution that meets about 85% of the needs of small and mid-sized businesses, and we keep it flexible for everything else.”

Odoo currently offers more than 30 core applications and continues to expand its ecosystem through a global network of 1,500+ developers, adding over 16,000 apps and integrations. Millions of users benefit from the platform’s easy-to-use interface and scalable design, giving companies access to the tools they need to grow efficiently.

"Our Expandable trailers aren't just a space; they're a dynamic ecosystem where education meets the cutting edge of business software."

Charline Louis

Odoo

Searching for a mobile solution

When Odoo opened its new office a few years ago, the team initially planned to include a dedicated showroom. “Shortly after moving in, we needed that space for more offices,” Charline recalls. “The showroom project had to be put on hold.”

Around that time, a personal connection sparked a new idea. “Our CEO’s daughter once participated in science lessons inside a mobile classroom trailer,” Charline says. “That experience inspired us. We began exploring the idea of a mobile unit with an educational purpose, and that’s when we discovered Expandable.”

Front view of Odoo's LabOdoo Expandable trailer with closed doors

Building the concept

The original showroom plan quickly evolved into something new. “We started thinking about how to connect our products with education,” Charline explains. “We noticed a clear gap between academic learning and real-world business practice, and we wanted to help bridge it.”

To do that, Odoo created Woody Furniture, a fictional company designed as a teaching tool. “It allows students to learn how different departments operate,” says Charline. “They can explore daily business processes like accounting, HR, or logistics, all supported by Odoo software.”

To make the project fully independent, the team equipped the trailer with its own generator and batteries. “That way, we didn’t have to rely on external power,” Charline notes. “Being able to operate anywhere meant schools could participate without worrying about logistics or cost.”

Bridging the gap

In just eighteen months, the LabOdoo mobile classroom visited 115 schools and welcomed more than 6,400 students. Teachers value the hands-on learning experience, while students enjoy the interactivity and direct link to real business tools.

“The feedback has been fantastic,” Charline says. “Our mobile roadshow helps students understand how business works beyond theory. It’s a bridge between education and employment, and it’s free for schools to join.”

She adds with a smile, “Who knows? Maybe someday those students will remember Odoo when they need software for their own companies.”