Yorkville Battery, a company dedicated to offering an array of battery-related services, has been in operation for nearly five decades. From repairing battery chargers to providing batteries for everything from toys to industrial machines, the company offers services that cater to nearly every type of battery need. With an ever-growing business, Jordan Schreppel, one of the owners, knew it was time to upgrade their operations. After exploring several software solutions, Odoo emerged as the game-changer that helped streamline processes and increase efficiency.
Founded in 1975, Yorkville Battery has remained a cornerstone of the battery service industry in Yorkville, New York. The company’s history traces back to Jordan’s grandfather, whose military background and passion for automotive work laid the foundation for what would become a highly specialized service business.
After Jordan’s father lost his job in the military, they decided to build a battery business, initially focusing on supplying automotive parts stores and repairing battery chargers. Today, Yorkville Battery has expanded its services to include everything from watch batteries to large-scale industrial battery systems.
“The key to our success has been our diversity. We don’t focus on just one thing; we do a little bit of everything in the battery world.”
Struggling with inefficiencies
Before adopting Odoo, Yorkville Battery faced challenges with managing work orders and customer information. Jordan and his team relied on Evernote for note-taking, Google Sheets for organizing data, and QuickBooks Point of Sale, which was later discontinued, leaving them to search for alternatives.
In addition, they briefly explored Shopify as a replacement, but the process was fraught with complications. The team realized that they needed a more integrated solution that could handle work orders, customer relations, and sales tracking seamlessly.
“We were using Evernote and Google Sheets, which just weren’t cutting it. We needed something more streamlined, something that could consolidate all our operations,” Jordan explains.
The Odoo evolution
Initially, Yorkville Battery implemented Odoo’s Helpdesk app, which helped organize work orders, store customer notes, and improve internal communication. As their team began to experience the ease and functionality of Odoo, they started looking into additional apps like CRM, employee management, and repair tracking.
Since implementing Odoo, the team at Yorkville Battery has noticed an improvement in how they manage inventory and repair tracking. The ability to record detailed repair notes within the Helpdesk app has allowed them to capture and access customer information more efficiently. Jordan mentioned that the repair tracking feature has been particularly valuable in ensuring customers’ requests are handled accurately and in a timely manner. This system also minimizes the risk of errors, as all repair data is stored in one place, allowing for smoother operations.
Another significant improvement has been in team communication. Previously, team members had to rely on separate tools to exchange updates, leading to occasional miscommunication. With Odoo, all internal communications and updates are centralized within the platform, reducing the chance of missed details or delays. This has led to a noticeable improvement in staff coordination, allowing Yorkville Battery to respond more quickly to customer needs and maintain a higher level of service.
Although still in the process of fully transitioning all functions to Odoo, the team has noted improvements in time savings and overall workflow. In particular, the CRM and work order tracking features are expected to provide even more value as they are fully integrated.
"Odoo is saving us time, helping us stay organized, and making things more efficient. We’re already seeing the positive effects of having everything in one place."
Looking ahead: Expanding capabilities and new horizons
.jpeg?access_token=7000de78-599f-4931-9034-75c2c9305e75)
Looking ahead, Yorkville Battery is focused on getting their Point of Sale system fully up and running within Odoo, which will bring even more benefits to their sales process. In addition to continuing to explore new features within Odoo, the company is also considering expanding its service offerings and increasing its reach beyond its current territory. With a firm foundation built on Odoo’s platform, the future looks promising for Yorkville Battery.
"Our next big goal is getting the Point of Sale up and running. We’re working hard on it, and we’re optimistic about what’s coming next."
Yorkville Battery’s journey with Odoo shows how even small businesses can benefit from streamlined operations and increased efficiency. Whether you’re managing a service-based business or handling complex product offerings, Odoo has the flexibility and features to support your growth. Take a page from Yorkville Battery’s playbook and see how Odoo can transform your business.
