Location/Region: Phoenix, AZ
Industry: Tech furniture manufacturing
Apps implemented: Studio, Sales, Purchase, Manufacturing, CRM, Inventory, Accounting, Expenses and Document, among others
Software
Replaced: NetSuite, Shopify, Xero and Katana
Size of the company: >30
Hosting type: Odoo.sh
When U.S.-based manufacturer Heckler sought to simplify its operations and eliminate system chaos, Odoo became the backbone of its transformation. With powerful apps for accounting, manufacturing, sales, and customized dashboards, Odoo allowed Heckler to integrate all its processes into a single platform, cutting costs, reducing staffing needs, and boosting team alignment through real-time visibility and flexibility.
Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Heckler is a hardware and furniture design and manufacturing company specializing in technology-related furniture and accessories. The company focuses on professional audiovisual equipment, creating products that help companies deploy video meeting systems in their environments.
"All of our products are manufactured in Phoenix. It’s all U.S. manufacturing: tool-less, design-centric, available in multiple colors and styles."
Heckler partners with major technology brands, including Logitech, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Neat, which rely on its accessories and mounting solutions. From rolling stands for displays to technology-centric lecterns for higher education, Heckler’s products blend aesthetic precision with functionality.
From a Home Office Idea to a Global Brand
The company began in 2008 with a minimalist, Mac-centric computer desk designed for residential customers. When the iPad launched, Heckler saw its potential as a commercial tool and started designing mounting solutions and stands, becoming one of the first companies to do it “with style.”
“We were the first to make commercial-grade iPad stands that looked good,” recalls Dean. “Companies like Square, Shopify, PayPal, and Intuit bundled our hardware with their software; it became a business-in-a-box solution for point of sale.”
By 2017, the company had evolved again. This time, for the proAV industry, producing wall-mounted credenzas, rolling stands, and furniture for global clients. Today, Heckler exports worldwide, allowing corporations to standardize equipment across their offices.
"A lot of our products are developed specifically for export. Corporate clients can standardize on one SKU globally, knowing the box looks and works the same in South America or Europe."
The Struggle Before Odoo
Before discovering Odoo, Heckler faced challenges with complex, costly, and inflexible systems. “When I started in 2019, we were using NetSuite,” recalls Marshall Hardwick, Technical Solutions Manager. “It did what we wanted, but it was very locked in. You couldn’t easily make changes, and it was super expensive.”
The decision to abandon NetSuite came when the company’s renewal costs doubled unless they committed to a 10-year contract. “We left NetSuite on principle,” Dean explains. “We needed a fair licensing model, fair scalability, and a system that was easier to get into.”
After leaving NetSuite, the company attempted to function without an ERP, using a patchwork of Shopify, Xero, Katana and other cloud-based tools. But this fragmented system created inefficiencies and chaos.
"We tried to hodgepodge together several cloud solutions, hoping to live without an ERP. That experience did not go well."
How Odoo Became the Cornerstone of Growth
When searching for alternatives, Marshall discovered Odoo through extensive online research and tutorials. “I saw Odoo making a big push in America,” he says. “The pricing made sense, but more importantly, it allowed us to keep doing business our way. Other systems forced us to change how we worked. Odoo didn’t.”
Heckler now runs its business on a complete suite of Odoo, including Sales, Purchase, Manufacturing, CRM, Inventory, and Accounting, as well as the Expenses and Document Management apps. The team also uses several custom-built modules for RMA (returns), forecasting, inventory management, and Ramp credit card integrations. In addition, they’ve implemented the Shopify connector to manage e-commerce operations and Dashboard Ninja to visualize key performance metrics in real time.
"We use the Shopify connector and Dashboard Ninja to see our live metrics (shipping, invoicing, and sales goals) projected on the wall. Everyone stays synchronized, whether they’re at HQ or remote."
The real-time data visibility has also enhanced the company’s culture. “It’s created more of a culture of continuous improvement,” Dean adds. “We get suggestions from the team, ‘I wish Odoo did this’, and we implement them fast.”
One Source of Truth: The shift from multiple platforms to a unified Odoo environment was a turning point.“Going from 15 different platforms to just one source of truth is an amazing resource,” Marshall emphasizes. “Before, sales had to jump between platforms to track orders. Now, they can click once and see delivery and invoice status, everything is linked together.”
Empowering Teams and Cutting Costs: The integration of Odoo Accounting marked another milestone.
Previously, Heckler exported financial data to Xero, but the sync was one-way and unreliable. “It was duct-taped together,” Marshall says. “Nothing synchronized properly.” After fully moving accounting into Odoo in 2024, the change was dramatic. “The benefits were huge,” Dean explains. “We reduced the headcount in our accounting department by 50%, thanks to automation and accuracy.”
The company now saves approximately $250,000 annually in system investments and man-hours. “That includes $80,000 less per year in software costs and about $100,000 less in manual work,” notes Marshall.
"We’re achieving more with fewer people, no chaos, no consultants. Under any other system, that level of insight would’ve required more staff."
Operational Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction: With Odoo, Heckler transitioned to a lean manufacturing model, eliminating backlogs and improving accuracy. “When I started, we had a six-month backlog,” says Marshall. “Now it’s next to nothing. Today, significant lead time is reserved only for large orders. ”
Dean adds, “Odoo helps us predict when every part will arrive and when we can ship. Before, it was wild guesses. Now, when we say it ships Friday, it ships Friday.”
Next on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Heckler is focused on offering more complex and customizable products. “We’re working on allowing customers to configure one of our products with 45 different colors and multiple options,” Dean says. “That customization, from e-commerce through Odoo to the shipping floor, is a big focus this year.”
"From a systems perspective, we have many improvements planned: building shipping into Odoo, implementing customizations with version 19, shifting to Shop Floor, and adding automations like reconciliations. Our goal is to make the system work optimally for us."
Heckler’s journey with Odoo shows how integrated technology can empower manufacturing. From cutting costs to ensuring global consistency, Odoo has become an extension of their operations. Discover how Odoo’s flexible, scalable platform can unify your systems and streamline operations as it did for Heckler.
