Case Study: Vrije Universiteit Brussel achieves rapid digitisation of ventilator manufacturing and parts traceability with Odoo

VUB's Open-source Ventilators Project for COVID-19 Implements Odoo

VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), a major research university in Brussels, joined the BREATHNEY R&D effort to develop open‑source ventilators for COVID‑19. The project initially relied on Excel for bills of materials and production planning, lacking traceability of which parts went into each machine and limiting its ability to scale for mass manufacturing and hospital distribution.

Odoo delivered a focused, pro‑bono implementation on Odoo Online (Inventory, Manufacturing, Purchase, PLM, Rental) for 10 users, going live within days. The integrated ERP digitised spare‑parts intake and production processes, giving managers, engineers and purchasers clear oversight of each ventilator’s components and lifecycle and enabling faster, more reliable manufacturing and delivery.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Michiel Vrolix

Project Lead