From SAP to Odoo: How Minimax Fire Solutions Group is transforming its global subsidiaries
Since 1902, Minimax has been the epitome of commercial fire protection. The company stands for innovation, safety, and reliability. In search of a flexible, scalable ERP system for its international subsidiaries, the Minimax Fire Solutions Group chose Odoo and braintec as its digitalization partner.
Minimax: 120 Years of Innovation in Fire Protection
From the inventor of the mobile fire extinguisher to the world market leader. Minimax has been shaping the fire protection industry for over 120 years. The company offers a broad spectrum of solutions: from water, gas, foam, and powder extinguishing systems to complex fire detection and alarm systems.
Minimax protects the most diverse properties and is applied everywhere from industry and public institutions to highly sensitive IT data centers. Today, Minimax employs over 10,000 people at 210 locations worldwide and is a globally operating heavyweight.
Initial Situation: From Excel to a Centralized ERP Strategy
The digital transformation started in a comparatively smaller subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates. The subsidiary aimed to expand its business model, moving from pure engineering services to independent project implementation. Specifically, this means the subsidiary is responsible for the entire technical planning, component procurement, transport, installation, and commissioning itself.
The local processes were based on a fragmented tool landscape. Accounting was outsourced externally. Time recording, cost control, and tracking of incoming and outgoing invoices were organized using various Excel spreadsheets. With the move to holistic project implementation, it was clear: an integrated, scalable software solution was indispensable to ensure efficiency and transparency.
Why Odoo?
Sven Mantwill, Finance Director of the Minimax Fire Solutions Group, faced a challenge: Minimax headquarters used SAP, but that version was already end-of-life, and the central IT was not yet ready for the new SAP version.
After an evaluation, the choice fell on Odoo. The decision against other large ERP providers was based on several key factors:
All-in-one-Integration
All-in-one-Integration: Odoo scores by uniting all important business processes in a single software. This establishes a central, reliable data source – the key to eliminating data silos. The entire process chain immediately becomes transparent throughout and significantly more efficient.
Intuitive User Interface
Odoo's modern User Experience significantly lowers the entry barrier. Thanks to the intuitive interface, employees can work productively faster without lengthy training.
International Suitability
Odoo's nearly 100 localizations are a strategic advantage. Starting in the UAE, the later global implementation in other countries was considered from the outset.
Multi-Company Management
Odoo offers the simple and quick option to integrate new subsidiaries into the existing structure. This ensures the future scalability of the system.
Cost Efficiency
Compared to competitors, Odoo's license costs are significantly lower. This clear cost advantage further increased the attractiveness of the ERP system.
"The choice of partner determines success," emphasizes Sven. With braintec, Minimax found the right sparring partner. This partnership goes beyond the implementation phase. braintec and Minimax have been working together for many years.
braintec project manager José Montero and Sven Mantwill from Minimax at Odoo Experience 2025
Odoo Implementation in Record Time: 10 Apps in 79 Days
The project kick-off with braintec took place in November 2021. The rollout was a sprint: after only 79 days, the Odoo system was ready for use. This fast Go-Live included data migration and all customer-specific adjustments for Minimax, including the integration of ten central Odoo apps such as CRM, Sales, Accounting, Time Tracking, and Projects.
"I was particularly pleased that we were able to complete the first phase on schedule and within budget. That was a very positive sign for our management, because that is not the standard for IT projects—at least not in our company."
Sven Mantwill
Chief Financial Officer of Minimax Fire Solutions Group
Why Restraint with Customizations of the Odoo Business Software Pays Off in the Long Run
A central success factor in an Odoo introduction is the correct handling of customizations. José Montero, Senior Project Manager at braintec, recommends consciously staying close to the Odoo standard.
"Every special adjustment can cause high migration costs in the long term and limit the flexibility of the system. It often pays off to wait first."
José Montero, Project Manager at braintec
Sven also had this experience: "As soon as we introduced Odoo in a new country, I had to slow down my colleagues with their special requests. Most of the time we waited 2-3 months – and many issues resolved themselves afterward."
Instead of rushing to implement special requests, braintec always shows several solutions.
"The Odoo experts at braintec always showed us different ways: 'We can implement it like this, but there is also Option A or B – which one suits you?' This approach is very helpful for us, as Odoo was new, and we couldn't immediately survey the full range of possibilities. I particularly appreciate exactly this kind of collaboration." according to Sven Mantwill.
In parallel, braintec supports the development of internal know-how, for instance regarding database structures, configurations, and user support. This creates a well-coordinated team of customer and partner. Or, as Sven put it: "The key to success lies in the customer and the Odoo partner forming a single team."
Thanks to the consistent use of the Odoo standard, Minimax was able to smoothly migrate from Odoo 15 to Version 18 in 2025.
Challenge Data Migration: Success Through Team Effort
The migration was carried out independently by Minimax's team, as requested. braintec acted as a sparring partner and intensively coached Minimax on database field names, structures, and setting up a suitable migration plan. The braintec File Data Importer – a tool developed by braintec that reliably enables highly complex data imports – was ready as a backup.
"We were able to migrate the data ourselves. braintec coached us, helped with questions, and supported us when we encountered problems. We really appreciated that."
From Pilot Project to Global Odoo Rollout with braintec
The successful Go-Live in the UAE was the starting signal for a long-term, strategic collaboration.
- Since February 2022, Odoo has been successfully implemented in four additional Minimax subsidiaries in Sweden, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Jordan. Some of the subsidiaries switched from SAP to Odoo.
- Three further implementations, including in Brazil, are currently underway.
- Additional business processes such as manufacturing and warehousing were digitized.
Project Cockpit
braintec developed the "Project Cockpit" exclusively for Minimax to maximize the transparency of project data over time.
This powerful, new tool makes it possible to equip every project (currently over 1,500) with a detailed project plan that provides the following key information at a glance:
Basic Project Info
Important master data such as customer, project type, and business unit.
Total Key Figures (Lifetime Values)
The central financial data over the entire project duration, including total revenue, total plan, all current values, and total commitments.
Monthly Detailed View
Key figures tailored to a specific reporting month selectable by the user.
With the Project Cockpit, Minimax project managers receive a clear, timely overview of the status and finances of their projects at any time.
Conclusion: Future-Proof with braintec and Odoo
With Odoo, the Minimax Fire Solutions Group has made the leap from fragmented standalone solutions to an integrated, globally scalable ERP strategy. Together with braintec as their Odoo Partner, the group is ideally positioned for digital expansion – and will remain a synonym for innovation and safety in the future.
Our Project Manager, José Montero, and Sven Mantwill from Minimax Fire Solutions Group, also presented this success story at Odoo Experience 2025 in Belgium. You can watch the talk here:
Historical firefighting
About Minimax Global Fire Solutions
Minimax Global Fire Solutions is a globally leading company in the field of fire protection. Since its founding in Germany in 1902, the name Minimax has stood for uncompromising quality, innovative solutions, and maximum safety.
Minimax supplies not just individual components, but the entire range of proven and future-oriented fire protection systems. Its core competence lies in the development, manufacturing, installation, and comprehensive servicing of tailor-made solutions. This allows them to cover virtually all industries and specific risk areas worldwide.
The Minimax Viking Group, which includes Minimax Global Fire Solutions, employs over 9,500 people worldwide. From its headquarters in Bad Oldesloe, Germany, its strong international presence guarantees that customers all over the world can rely on consistently high Minimax standards and profound technical expertise.
More about Minimax Global Fire Solutions
All pictures © Minimax Viking Gruppe.