The role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in inventory management: a case study of Capital Auto Parts, Hoima
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Date
2026-05-22
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
This study assessed the role of Odoo Enterprise ERP in inventory management at Capital Auto Parts, a multi-product automotive spare parts and industrial supplies company in Hoima, Uganda. The company deployed Odoo Enterprise in 2023 with three core modules: an Inventory module with barcode scanning, a Full Accounting Suite for real-time stock valuation, and Shipping Integrations for order tracking. The study covered the three-year implementation period from 2023 to 2026. Three specific objectives guided the study: to determine how the Odoo barcode scanning and warehouse modules affected inventory record accuracy, to explore the implementation and utilization challenges affecting daily operations, and to determine the impact of the Odoo shipping integrations and accounting suite on order fulfillment effectiveness. A cross-sectional case study design combining quantitative questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews was used. The overall sample included 65 customers, 50 of whom were firms and 15 of whom were internal staff. Finally, 62 questionnaires were returned, with a 95.4 percent response rate. The results indicated that Odoo Enterprise has a positive overall impact on inventory management. Regarding the accuracy of the inventory system, 85.7 percent confirmed that the system provides real-time inventory tracking and 85.7 percent confirmed consistent use of the barcode scanner and 85.7 percent confirmed that it provided an audit trail. The customer side reported a 97.9% satisfaction level in terms of having parts in stock at all times, 97.9% accuracy in the parts delivery information available, and 100.0%
accuracy in the physical delivery of parts ordered. 85.7 percent of employees said that order fulfillment system produces invoices and delivery notes quickly and accurately. Overall, customer satisfaction was very high: 100.0 per cent of customer firms confirmed that invoices are consistent with goods received and 100.0 per cent indicated that their overall satisfaction level with Capital Auto Parts inventory management is very high. A very high positive correlation (r = .949, p = .000) between system quality and order fulfillment effectiveness was found among internal staff, while a moderate to strong positive correlation (r = .630, p = .000) between customer perceived inventory accuracy and order fulfillment satisfaction was obtained among customer firms. All correlations were significant at the 0.01 level. However, the study also found that internet connectivity problems in Hoima caused regular system downtime, acknowledged by 78.6 percent of staff. Only 50.0 percent of staff felt adequately trained on all modules, and 64.3 percent confirmed that some staff still maintained parallel manual records. The study recommends that the company invest in a dedicated internet connection, develop a structured ongoing training programme, enforce a policy against parallel manual record-keeping, and fully configure the Odoo shipping integration module with local logistics providers. Keywords: ERP, Odoo Enterprise, Inventory Management, Barcode Scanning, Order Fulfillment, Capital Auto Parts, Hoima, Uganda.
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Undergraduate