#75 The Best Hosting Option On The Market? I Take A Look At OPaaS For Odoo

The Next Level of Hosting? I Take A Look At OPAAS, Aimed At Battling It Out With Odoo Online & Odoo.sh And How It Might Have Given Me A Choice For The Future

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Well, hey, Odooers. This week I found myself looking for different hosting options away from your typical Odoo Online, Odoo SH etc out of curiosity. I am always one for assessing new, well-built, third-party solutions that could be a good alternative.

It's been an interesting journey, venturing into the open.

During my troubles, after assessing multiple options, I came across OPaaS, which was suggested to me by another Odooer.?As the techie I am, I started investigating, researching, and even playing around with the platform to gain further insight into its capabilities, so I thought I would share my thoughts on the hosting platform. quite honestly, it gives Odoo SH a very good run for it's money.?Maybe even beating it all together.

At any stage in the process, hosting is really important. I've been through and tested lots of them now, even written previous articles on options (which I will link below) but never found myself fully attached to a certain one. I like Odoo SH a LOT and still use it, but with third-party solutions growing further in the community, I wanted to venture out of my comfort zone and assess what else was on the market, and there, behold, OPaaS arose.?

OPaaS was founded in July 2023, and is based in Germany. It was founded by some excellent Odoo Consultants and aims to be even more secure, flexible, and scalable than Odoo SH?as a baseline. The solution started when the limits were reached with Odoo SH,?and as any business knows, the platform is only as good as its hosting.

So, without waffling on too much, let's take a look at OPaaS in a little more depth.

If you are a regular reader and community member of?Drinking The Purple Juice (DTPJ), then welcome back. With thousands of you tuning in each week, we are growing a fantastic community. If you are new here and it is the first time you are tuning in, then welcome aboard. DTPJ is the channel of choice being, the?Odoo Community Channel, keeping you informed and about the?current tips,?news?and?announcements?regarding Odoo.???

It's time to drink the purple juice!????

This Edition's Ingredients

Let's take a look at this article's ripe ingredients to see what's coming up.

• ?? What Is OPaaS?
• ??? The Benefits of OPaaS
• ? How Does OPaaS Compare to Market?
• ???My Point of View
• ?? Meet OPaaS At OXP 24!

Before we dive into the world of Odoo Hosting, make sure you check out my last article.

Yesterday, I discussed a pretty important topic, that being the current state of the Odoo App Store and the issues it has been causing in the recent weeks and months for customers/users and also app distributors. Drop into the conversation and let me know your thoughts on the ongoing situation with current concerns regarding code/apps being stolen and quality standards dropped; it's one to stay up to date with.?

What Is OPaaS?

OPaaS is what's classed as an Odoo Cloud Hosting solution that focuses on meeting the needs and requirements of individual customers. Expanding the market with the offerings and trying to overcome the existing limitations of other hosting providers out there.

Simple, Sovereign, Scaleable:

Simple: Minimised effort for you, and comprehensive technical support from OPAAS.

Sovereign: GDPR Compliant Odoo hosting for maximum control and data security.

Scaleable: Seamless and automated scaling up - perfect for companies of any size.

The cloud platform has been designed to give you the?flexibility,?scalability,?and security you need to run your Odoo applications efficiently and reliably, enabling you to scale your business and successfully expand globally. The foundation is based on the desire for more independence and the challenges faced by large companies in particular. Long loading times and inadequate security standards, which they overcome.?

OPaaS was created to remove these obstacles and then provide customers with an optimal hosting environment for their Odoo applications.

• Country-Specific Odoo Hosting
• Maximum Performance For Your Odoo System
• Suitable For Every Odoo Version

A team combined with technical expertise and a deep understanding of customer requirements to provide customised solutions has built a reliable infrastructure?as standard.

Free From Hosting Hurdles

Hosting can often be seen as a hurdle when it comes to software. Many companies, and rightly so, need dependable hosting that is free from performance bottlenecks, complex server management, security risks, time-consuming customisation, and scalability issues. OPAAS, as said before, looks to combat this with an installation that meets all requirements and further optimises server structures for maximum performance. With OPAAS experts, you can get support to meet flexible needs and requirements.

The 'All-Round' Package?

OPAAS aims to be that all-around package by the looks of things, including both services and functions. With server locations in North America, Europe and Germany, it pushes users to be then compliant with GDPR-compliant hosting in association with European and German data protection standards. Full compatibility with all Odoo versions is a nice plus as well for those who want to remain on an older Odoo version but are not in the 3-year support timeframe which is required by Odoo.?

In addition to that OPaaS has integrated monitoring where you can then monitor CPU, Memory, Storage and Network and can be further expanded if required.

Seamless Hosting For International Presence

Due to OPAAS having a global presence, they are also able to host your Odoo instance in different regions to ensure optimal performance and low latency, no matter the size of your business that being a small start-up looking to have a solution in place to scale up or an already established entity or company. Flexible cloud hosting that adapts/supports growth.

If you are already liking the sound of it, OPAAS run a Partner Scheme with the likes of:

• Google
• T-Systems
• PrimeHive
• OBS Solutions
• Sunseeker
• SmartBrix
• Ginkgo
• Desoutter
• EMKA
• ABAKUS
• Rato Consulting
• Falinwa

You can find out more information via the link below if interested.

The Benefits of OPAAS

As with any product in a competitive market, OPAAS has to stand out to ensure that customers get value for their money, so I took a further look at the many features of their Odoo hosting.

Quick & Easy Setup

OPAAS take care of the entire setup and configuration.

Automated Checks

Protection against data loss is taken pretty seriously, so regular automatic backups and fast recovery are provided if fingers crossed, the worst never does happen. With a standard backup policy, backups are made daily, which are then stored in the following 7 days, 4 weeks (monthly), 6 months and yearly. Unlike Odoo SH, OPaaS automatically back up all staging environments accordingly.

Email Gateways

E-mails can be sent and also received?directly within the Odoo instance.

Odoo Certified Apps

All Odoo-certified apps can be used in your hosted instance.

24/7 Monitoring

The OPAAS Odoo servers are monitored and maintained 24/7 around the clock.

Third-Party Applications

Seamless integration of third-party apps into your Odoo instance if required.

Integrated Tools For Developers/System Administrators

Optimise the development and administration across your Odoo instance with some super powerful tools that are on offer through OPAAS.

DNS & Routes

Super simple administration and configuration of domain names and network paths.

Complete GitHub Integration

Complete GitHub Integration, through automated testing and deployment with every single commit, pull, request, merge or fork that is needed.

GDPR Compliant

As disclosed by OPAAS, Data Processing operations comply with the strict requirements of the GDPR and ensure the highest standards of data protection and data security.

Full Control Over The Infrastructure

All aspects of the infrastructure can be further customised according to specific needs.

Customised Firewall

Customise firewall settings to match the specific needs of your Odoo system.

Archive Systems

Maintain control, over the location, encryption, and access to your data.

Flexible Worker Distribution

Workers can be individually distributed to staging environments and added as required.

Secure Shell Access (SSH)

Enjoy all the convenient shell access to your development, staging and production containers.

Reliable Staging & Backup Servers

Back up your data with daily incremental backups stored on three separate servers.

Hosting In North America, Europe & Germany

Take advantage of OPAAS with different hosting options in geographic locations to ensure low latency and fast data processing across North America, Europe and Germany.

Compatible With All Odoo Versions

Unlike, many other Odoo hosting options, OPAAS supports all Odoo versions, so regular updates all the way to newer versions are not necessary if that is the desired approach. Unlike Odoo SH,?OPaaS do not force upgrades. Supporting all versions from Odoo 12 onwards means that you don't have to upgrade if that is your preferred option.

VPN Tunneling And IP Access Control

An encrypted connection enables reliable and protected use.

Data Sovereignty

The OPAAS solution is fully compatible with Odoo Community version.

Maximum Security/Performance

In order to protect your Odoo system from aspects like cyber attacks through your Odoo Website and also avoid performance losses, the website is further separated from the Odoo system in the background so that the fully integrated operation of the entire system is then not affected in this circumstance.

Indervidual e-Mail Domain Approval

To provide more security, the e-mail domain is only released for your respective project.

To find out more information on how companies are using OPAAS, you can have a look at some of the Customer Success Stories which are listed in their blogs.???

How Does OPAAS Compare to Other Hosting Options Across The Market Like Odoo Online & Odoo SH?

When comparing any hosting option, I think it is important to weigh up and assess based on what else is on the market for comparison. For this reason and instance, let's compare Odoo Online and Odoo SH?for what is supported as advertised by OPAAS.

Regarding the e-mail gateway, there are no additional costs for the benefit. The standard daily volume is limited to 300 emails by their conditions; however, this can be extended if needed. The standard limit is there to stop spam and the system being exploited.

If you want to learn more about?OPAAS?as a hosting option for Odoo, you can book a free demo via the link below, which is available in English and German.

In a similar fashion to Odoo directly, OPAAS operates a price calculator that can be used to further determine aspects across your requirements which are needed:

• Currency
• Shared/Dedicated Hosting
• Yearly/Monthly Subscriptions
• Number of Workers
• Storage Needed
• Backup Storage Required
• Amount of Staging Environments

To find out more about the pricing, you can take a look at the calculator via the link below for more information on costings for your business/organisation or contact them directly if you have any further questions on your mind.

Pricewise comparison-wise, OPaaS comes in at €747.60 p/a for Shared Hosting, compared to €721.92 p/a for Odoo SH (1 Worker, 1 GB Storage, 1 Backup, 1 Stage) based on my calculation. Whilst Odoo SH wins it on price, we must remember that OPaaS is providing the additional flexibility of country-specific hosting locations rather than regional for SH, which, for the price difference, I have to give to OPaaS on that one. It's fantastic.

So, Would I Use OPaaS? My Thoughts On The Hosting Option Taking The Fight to Odoo.sh

So... the golden question. Here are my thoughts and experience on the process with OPaaS since I have now had some time to look at the product a little further.

I first supplied my GitHub-Username to OPaaS and accepted the repository. Upon my first attempts to log in, I had a little difficulty signing in with my GitHub SSO account, but the OPaaS team were VERY quick. Response within the hour and the siutation had been sorted. I was very impressed with the swift reply and solution.?

In a comparison of both products (OPaaS and Odoo SH) - my first impression was that they are very similar in design and functionality, which is great if you are switching, but the Core Server Access and Hosting Jurisdiction differed the most. With OPaaS offering wider flexibility on hosting options such as Germany, UK, North America etc, and granular server/root access which for a tech geek like me was a pure treat. Having full control over infrastructure with VPN Tunneling and IP Access Controls, including Customer-Specific Firewalls it was a far cleaner and rounded experience compared to Odoo SH.

I think it's also a great move by OPaaS to support older versions of Odoo, including both Community and Enterprise, which really does allow for that flexibility, with no upgrades forced upon you.?As the PaaS Owner, you have greater control over your upgrades and your technology infrastructure. Whilst OPaaS is effectively deemed a 'Self Hosted' option of Odoo, the infrastructure support is with OPaaS. However, this can likewise limit your support with Odoo, as it's deemed Self-Hosted, so ensure you have sufficient knowledge and skills in Odoo software to be able to self-support your own implementation or consult with an Odoo Partner.

Whilst both platforms have benefits and detractors, a key challenge I've historically faced with Odoo SH, when we talk infrastructure and information security, is the questions of data residency and general server security.

Whilst Odoo SH does provide dedicated servers, these come at a cost - primarily driven by the number of users. For shared hosting, the limitations become dedicated to the regions e.g. Belgium for me/Europe. Whilst this isn't generally an issue for some clients, it becomes an issue for larger enterprise clients who want local residency e.g. The United Kingdom. Whilst many enterprise infrastructure teams will want to self-host Odoo internally and apply their own security standards, OPaaS provides a self-hosted option that's Odoo-ready. While OPaaS is still in its infancy, its user interface is very familiar to developers and deployment specialists, which I love, and it feels right at home.

In summary, OPaaS is ideal for businesses and developers seeking more control over their hosting environment, with the added benefit of flexibility in hosting locations and a more hands-on infrastructure management experience. It offers comprehensive backup policies, advanced monitoring, and freedom from enforced upgrades. However, users should be prepared to manage their own Odoo instance, as support from Odoo will be more limited due to the self-hosted nature of the platform.?

On the other hand, Odoo SH provides a more streamlined, managed hosting experience with lower costs and integrated Odoo support. This platform is perfect for users who prefer simplicity and convenience without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.?

Both platforms have advantages, and the choice depends largely on the level of control, flexibility, and support that the user or business needs. When the time comes again for me to look at hosting, I would?100%?consider OPaaS. I find it fascinating and look forward to seeing where it takes with users and the wider community this year and into 2025.

Find OPAAS At Odoo Experience 2024!

In typical fashion, supporting the Odoo Community and users, OPAAS will be at OXP 24, so feel free to drop by the booth and have a conversation with the team to learn more.

Hall 10, Booth A

To find out more information regarding OXP, you can check out my previous article here, or additionally, check out the Odoo Experience website linked below. It's a fantastic chance for any Odooer to meet the community, check out the wider solutions on offer.

Thanks For Tuning In; Great to Put My Techie Hat Back On For A Few Hours to Try OPaaS!

As our community grows, here at?Drinking The Purple Juice, I just wanted to say thank you again for tuning into another article.?I'll continue reporting on all the news, insights, tips, tricks and information on Odoo as an ecosystem. All I ask is that you keep turning up! :)

If you ever fancy having a conversation or want to ask a question, drop me a message!???

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