GSDI amplifies visibility with Odoo

The decision to implement Odoo was driven by its user-friendly interface, open-source flexibility, and competitive pricing.

Since 2014, GSDI South Africa has served the local market with specialized surface treatments and the application of adhesive films, tarps, dibonds, and technical varnishes. As a branch of the GSDI Group, known for innovative, eco-conscious solutions in urban cosmetics, GSDI South Africa thrives on precision, creativity, and operational agility.

In the printing and surface treatment industry, seamless communication is non-negotiable. From understanding complex client specifications to managing last-minute artwork adjustments and coordinating production, every step requires tight collaboration.

But as GSDI expanded, its internally developed tools and disjointed accounting systems struggled to keep up. Teams were working on isolated platforms, with no centralized source of truth. Miscommunication became frequent, especially in cross-functional meetings, resulting in costly errors and delays. It was clear that growth demanded not just more staff or better equipment, but a smarter, more integrated digital backbone.

“Communication isn’t just important in printing, it’s make or break,” says Vincent Houdeville, Country Manager at GSDI South Africa.

The company turned to Odoo in 2024, looking for an ERP that was flexible, intuitive, and financially viable. The choice was quickly validated by Odoo’s user-friendly interface, open-source adaptability, and strong modular architecture.

“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,” explains Vincent Houdeville, Country Manager at GSDI South Africa.

Within months of implementation, GSDI saw significant improvements in coordination and waste reduction. By deploying Odoo’s Inventory, Manufacturing, and Project modules, the company centralized its processes and gained real-time visibility into operations.

“The way we manage stock now is completely different. We’re finally tracking usage properly, and our level of wastage has gone down,” notes Houdeville, highlighting the impact of the change.

What began as a search for operational efficiency has become a strategic shift. With Odoo, GSDI has laid the groundwork not only for solving current bottlenecks, but also for sustainable growth. Plans are now underway to extend Odoo’s adoption to other divisions of the GSDI Group.

“We’re not just fixing problems anymore, we’re planning for scale. Odoo is a great place to start,” concludes Vincent Houdeville, Country Manager at GSDI South Africa.