Location/Region: East Greenbush, NY
Industry: Flags e-commerce and manufacturing
Apps implemented: Sales, Contacts, Inventory, Accounting, and Manufacturing
Company size: 30
Software replaced: Big Business
Hosting type: Odoo Online
Gettysburg Flag Works, a family-owned e-commerce and manufacturing company specializing in flags, banners, and flagpoles, has elevated its operations to a new level with Odoo. From handling complex custom orders for businesses, schools, and municipalities to selling historical and military flags online, Gettysburg Flag Works has found a unified solution that brings all its sales, inventory, and accounting processes together in one place.
Founded in 1993, Gettysburg Flag Works started humbly with the founder selling flags out of the back of his car. Eventually, he opened a retail store in East Greenbush, New York, and launched an online store. "He was online at the time of 9/11, which is when everything kind of exploded for him. Sales of the American flag went through the roof, and from there he just continued growing," recalls Maria Coffey, co-owner and marketing manager.
Today, the company operates a manufacturing facility in East Greenbush, serving both B2C customers through e-commerce platforms and B2B clients requiring custom projects. This flexibility, along with a broad assortment ranging from American flags to historical and military flags, sets Gettysburg Flag Works apart in a competitive market.
"We can do custom flags for colleges and universities, cities and towns, businesses, you name it. We cover a lot of ground in regards to the types of flags that we offer."
Maria Coffey
Co-owner and marketing manager of Gettysburg Flag Works
Challenges Before Odoo
Before adopting Odoo, Gettysburg Flag Works faced operational inefficiencies and software limitations. "We were working with any kind of CRM, obviously housing all of our customer information as well as our product information, and we were limited regarding tax collection. That was a big pain point for us," Maria explains.
Previously, the company used a small software called Big Business. The limitations were apparent: it could not scale, lacked automation, and the owners worried about losing support if the company went out of business. They also evaluated alternatives like NetSuite but found them too large and expensive for their midsize operation.
"We wanted to go with something a little bit bigger but not too big...something that could accommodate our needs without costing millions of dollars."
Maria Coffey
Co-owner and marketing manager of Gettysburg Flag Works
How Odoo Became the Solution?
Maria first discovered Odoo while researching potential CRM and ERP solutions online.
Gettysburg Flag Works now relies on Odoo as the central hub for its entire business. Key apps implemented include Sales, Contacts, Inventory, Accounting, and, to a smaller extent, Manufacturing.
Since adopting Odoo, the impact has been dramatic.
Centralized Operations: Orders from Magento, Amazon, Etsy, and eBay all flow into Odoo, eliminating the previous need to manage multiple platforms separately.
Pipeline Monitoring: The sales team tracks their own pipelines daily, logistics monitors all orders across channels, and the shipping manager handles warehouse sheets and pick/pack operations seamlessly.
Accounting Efficiency: Vendor bills, purchase orders, and overall accounting operations are housed in Odoo, improving accuracy and workflow.
Real-Time Access: Staff can filter, monitor, and report on operations in real time, enhancing responsiveness to customer needs.
Automation Potential: While some processes are still manually monitored, Odoo provides the platform for future automation, allowing orders to move through stages automatically based on classification.
"We are able to have everything in one place...monitor the pipeline...see it in real time and access it very easily. It’s very easy to work with in the sense of filtering out what you might want to see that day or at that moment."
Maria Coffey
Co-owner and marketing manager of Gettysburg Flag Works
What’s Next for Gettysburg Flag Works
Looking ahead, Gettysburg Flag Works is focused on growth and innovation. One of the company’s key priorities is expanding its product offerings, especially in preparation for America’s 250th birthday. This milestone presents an opportunity to introduce new commemorative flags, banners, and related merchandise, allowing the company to engage both existing and new customers in creative ways.
Beyond product expansion, Gettysburg Flag Works is committed to enhancing operational efficiency through further automation. While Odoo has already centralized sales, inventory, and accounting processes, the team plans to leverage additional Odoo modules, including Marketing Automation and Social Media Apps, to simplify campaigns, monitor customer engagement, and reduce manual workloads. By integrating these tools, the company aims to free staff to focus on strategic initiatives, creative projects, and customer service improvements.
The company also sees potential in using Odoo’s workflow automation to handle order processing more efficiently. Maria Coffey notes that automating the pipeline will allow orders to move through the system based on classification, reducing manual oversight and accelerating fulfillment. This approach not only enhances internal efficiency but also ensures a smoother, more reliable experience for customers.
Gettysburg Flag Works exemplifies how the right ERP system can unify operations, provide real-time visibility into all aspects of the business, and serve as a foundation for both operational improvements and future growth. With these initiatives, the company is poised to continue innovating while maintaining the high level of customization and service that sets it apart in the flag and banner market. See how Odoo can empower your company to reach new heights of innovation and growth.