Location/Region: Amelia Island, FL
Industry: Pharmaceutical Marketing Research
Apps implemented: Sales, Purchase, Documents, Project, Subscriptions
Software
Replaced: NetSuite
Size of the company: 50
Hosting type: Odoo Online
For nearly 30 years, dtw Research, Inc. has been a leader in competitive intelligence for the pharmaceutical industry. With an extensive database of over a million promotional items dating back to 1996, dtw provides invaluable insights to pharmaceutical companies and ad agencies.
The company has analyzed 49,030 trade names across 173 different classifications of marketing materials, leveraging insights from thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide. However, as the industry evolved, dtw needed a more efficient way to manage purchasing, project workflows, and document organization. That’s when they turned to Odoo.
dtw Research was founded in 1983 in New Jersey, initially focusing on physician surveys and primary research. In 1996, the company shifted its core to competitive intelligence, launching CDP: Worldwide, a proprietary platform that compiles pharmaceutical promotional data. Since then, dtw has remained customer-focused, assisting with all competitive intelligence needs by delivering customized research and analytics. By 2013, dtw relocated to Florida, continuing its mission to provide unparalleled industry insights.
"We are the only company in this niche, and our experience and proprietary data set us apart."
Before Odoo, dtw Research faced significant inefficiencies in its purchasing process, project management, and document organization. The company relied on NetSuite, which lacked the flexibility dtw needed to customize operations. Additionally, email-heavy workflows created bottlenecks in sales and production coordination.
Finding the right solution
Matt Wetzel discovered Odoo through an online search while exploring ERP systems. After considering other options, he chose Odoo for its lightweight, open-source nature and ease of customization. The transition was facilitated by an Odoo consultant who worked onsite for a week to tailor the system to dtw’s unique needs.
"Before Odoo, our purchasing process took two days. Now, it takes just 10 minutes. The hands-on support was critical: Having an Odoo expert onsite to deeply understand our business ensured a smooth transition."
Since implementing Odoo, dtw Research has seen remarkable improvements in efficiency and organization across key business functions:
Purchasing optimization: The switch to Odoo’s RFQ and purchase order management system cut purchasing time from two days to just 10 minutes, allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks.
Streamlined project management: Odoo’s Project app, seamlessly integrated with the sales module, enhanced workflow visibility and eliminated the need for excessive emails.
Improved document organization: With Odoo’s document system, contracts and client records are now easily accessible, reducing time spent searching for critical files.
"The ability to connect sales to project was a game-changer. Our team instantly knows what to produce without back-and-forth emails.”
What is next for dtw Research?
dtw Research is focused on expanding its client base organically while embracing emerging technologies to enhance its services. A key priority is the integration of AI into its products and analytics, a process the company has been actively working on for the past six months. Additionally, the company is exploring Odoo’s subscription app to streamline its subscription-based services.
"As we continue evolving, AI will play a bigger role in our analytics, and we’re excited to see how Odoo can further support our business. If you’re searching for an ERP that simplifies processes and drives efficiency, I highly recommend giving it a try."
dtw Research’s success with Odoo highlights its ability to improve efficiency and simplify operations. For companies looking to integrate a flexible, cost-effective ERP system, Odoo offers a comprehensive solution tailored to diverse industry needs.
