PROJECT BRIEF Multi-Client Odoo ERP Platform with Offline-First Architecture, Bank Integration, AI Analytics & Zero-Trust Security 1. Project Overview We are building a **scalable, multi-tenant Odoo Enterprise-based ERP and accounting infrastructure** to deliver outsourced accounting, tax, payroll, inventory, and operational services to multiple clients across industries, including: * Pharmacy * Restaurant * Retail / Clothing * Manufacturing * NGO / Fund Accounting * Merchant / POS businesses The platform must be: * Cloud-first (Odoo.sh preferred) * One database per client (strict isolation) * Offline-first for operations (Africa-ready: unreliable internet/electricity) * Secure by design (zero-trust architecture) * AI-enabled for predictive analytics * Fully documented and production-grade This is not a simple Odoo configuration project. We are building a financial infrastructure platform. We are seeking a senior Odoo architect/backend engineer with security and systems design expertise --- # 2. Multi-Client ERP Architecture ## Core Model * One Odoo database per client * Industry-specific template databases * Central “Firm Core Module” including: * Role-based access control (ACL + record rules) * Period close workflow * Tax workflow tracking * Audit logs * Event UUID tracking for offline sync * Document classification & archival logic Client isolation must be absolute. --- # 3. Offline-First Architecture (Critical Requirement) Because many clients operate in unstable infrastructure environments, the system must continue operational activity during outages. ## A. Edge Node Design Each client site may include: * Mini PC / Edge Server * UPS power supply * Local LAN/WiFi network * Optional 4G failover router Edge Node must include: * Local event capture layer * Local event queue database * Sync engine with retry logic * UUID-based idempotency control * Conflict resolution rules * Device identity & authentication * Audit logs Cloud Odoo remains the system of record. --- ## B. Offline Inventory Receiving Edge must allow: * PO-based receiving * Barcode scanning * Quantity entry * Lot/serial capture (mandatory for pharmacy) * Timestamp + user tracking * Local queue storage Upon reconnection: * Sync via API * Create stock picking * Validate move * Trigger accounting entries * Reject duplicates using event UUID --- ## C. Offline Inventory Dispatching Edge must allow: * SO-based dispatch * Barcode scan * Quantity confirmation * Optional signature capture * Local event storage Upon reconnection: * Sync delivery event * Create stock picking * Trigger COGS + inventory accounting --- ## D. Offline POS * Must leverage Odoo POS offline capability * Auto-sync on reconnect * Prevent duplicate posting * Cash payment safe handling --- ## E. Optional Offline HR Attendance (Phase 2) * Local attendance capture * Sync later to cloud HR --- # 4. Inventory Accounting Integration All accounting remains cloud-based. Receiving: * Debit Inventory Asset * Credit GRNI or AP Dispatch: * Debit COGS * Credit Inventory No accounting logic is allowed on the Edge Node. --- # 5. Bank Feed Integration The system must support: * Direct bank synchronization (daily or near-real-time) * Integration with Plaid/Yodlee/regional aggregators * Token monitoring & renewal handling * Automated reconciliation rules * CSV/OFX fallback imports Bank sync remains cloud-based only. --- # 6. Tax Workflow Management Per client database: * Install correct localization * Configure tax grids & mappings * Generate tax reports * Workflow: Review → Submit → Pay tracking * Filing proof storage * Audit trail Portal-based filing is acceptable in Phase 1. --- # 7. Automated NAS Archiving All uploaded documents must be archived automatically to NAS using a structured hierarchy: FirmArchive ClientCode/ YYYY/ MM/ YYYY-MM-DD Category/ file Preferred architecture: * Attachments stored in S3-compatible object storage * Scheduled export to NAS * Deterministic naming * Encryption at rest * Integrity validation --- # 8. AI Analytics & Predictive Engine We require a background AI system capable of: ## A. Cross-Client Intelligence (Anonymized) * Revenue trend analysis * Margin benchmarking * Cash flow cycle analysis * Inventory turnover benchmarking * Expense ratio comparison Client identities must not be exposed across datasets. --- ## B. Predictive Models AI must provide: * Cash flow forecasting * Inventory restocking prediction * Revenue forecasting * Fraud risk detection * Expense anomaly detection * Tax anomaly detection * Slow-moving inventory alerts * Client financial risk scoring --- ## C. Architecture Requirements The developer must propose: * Separate AI microservice OR data warehouse model * ETL pipeline from client databases * Secure API-based data access * Scheduled model retraining * Explainable outputs * Dashboard integration into firm admin portal --- # 9. Security (Non-Negotiable) The system must follow zero-trust principles. ## Administrative Access * All admin access must be SSH-only via: * VPN or Zero-Trust Gateway * Bastion host * Key-based SSH authentication only * MFA required * No public DB exposure * Root login disabled * IP allowlisting where feasible ## Web Security * HTTPS only * Hardened TLS * WAF + DDoS protection * Rate limiting on login endpoints * MFA for firm users (mandatory) * Strong RBAC enforcement ## Edge Sync Security * Signed API requests (JWT/HMAC) * Device identity * Replay protection * Encrypted local queue storage * Tamper-evident logs ## Backup Security * Encryption at rest & in transit * Immutable backup options preferred * Quarterly restore testing The developer must provide: * Threat model * Hardening checklist * Logging/monitoring plan * Security acceptance tests No claims of “attack-"proof"—only defensible, layered security. --- # 10. Deliverables The developer must deliver: * Complete architecture documentation * Custom Odoo modules * Edge sync engine * AI engine implementation * Bank feed integration * NAS archival automation * Deployment scripts * Testing framework * Disaster recovery plan * Full source code ownership transfer --- # 11. Required Expertise * Advanced Odoo Enterprise * Python backend * Event-driven architecture * Offline synchronization systems * Financial ERP design * Bank API integrations * AI/ML system development * Data pipeline design * Zero-trust security architecture * Linux server hardening --- # 12. Proposal Requirements Please include: 1. Similar ERP systems built 2. Offline sync architecture approach 3. AI stack proposal 4. Security architecture approach 5. Estimated timeline (Architecture + MVP + Full build) 6. Pricing structure 7. Availability for long-term collaboration --- # Important We are building a long-term financial infrastructure platform. We are seeking: * Architect-level thinking * Clean, maintainable code * Scalable design * Security-first mindset * Long-term technical partner