Overall Satisfaction with NetSuite
We used NetSuite for sales rep quoting, order entry, maintenance renewals, customer service, accounting and finance.
- It is exceptional at quoting, ordering, invoicing, revenue recognition, install base, renewals, purchasing, vendor billing, general ledger and financial reporting. Furthermore it is extensible, in that you can use java scripting and/or custom objects to manage requirements that are unique to your business. It has robust and flexible customer and item management capabilities.
- NetSuite is an intuitive business application that support best practice business processes. When implemented and managed properly, it can handle the great majority of business processes in a scalable, open and secure environment.
- The NetSuite platform also has an open API that enables integration with Salesforce. This requires a very clear integration methodology though. The methodology we used placed resulted in lower complexity and reliable uptime. Additionally, it had proper internal controls.
- NetSuite e-commerce is evolving. Historically, the knock against it was user interface. NetSuite is spending considerable time and effort to improve this functionality though.
- Also, as of late 2014, Advanced Projects now spans Project Management, Resource Allocation and Job Costing/Budgeting. They have been taking best practice workflows from OpenAir and putting them into native NetSuite. This solution will continue to be enhanced.
- This is tough to quantify, as our business was growing rapidly, so it was almost impossible to attribute specific numbers to NetSuite only. But, I estimate that we cut administrative costs by ~ 30% with simplified billing, licensing and install base management. We dramatically improved renewals cash flow by automating the process via NetSuite.
- We were up and running on the NetSuite GL in 1 month. We went live on Customer Support by the end of month 3. We fully implemented NetSuite with full integration to Salesforce within 5 months. We acquired 2 companies and opened up an office in Cork, Ireland in this same time period.
- Oracle eBusiness Suite,QuickBooks Online,QuickBooks Pro
NetSuite architecture is far superior to any of these. Technically and business process wise. Robust revenue recognition, multi-company, multi-currency. Scales to meet entire business requirements.
NetSuite ERP Feature Ratings
Using NetSuite
100 - Sales (for actuals and compensation)
Marketing (for promotion analysis and actuals by product)
Accounting
Product Management (for unit and $ analysis and item management)
Customer Service and Support
Marketing (for promotion analysis and actuals by product)
Accounting
Product Management (for unit and $ analysis and item management)
Customer Service and Support
3 - One business applications manager.
One technical NS administrator.
One integration expert.
One technical NS administrator.
One integration expert.
- Quote to Cash, including revenue recognition
- Procure to Pay
- GL to Financial Statements
- Operational reporting and analysis
Evaluating NetSuite and Competitors
QuickBooks
NetSuite Implementation
- Vendor implemented
- Implemented in-house
We used NetSuite Professional Services in a shared services model. They would meet with us and walk us through specific functionality. Then we would setup the rest of the functionality ourselves. For example, they would teach us how to enter an account in the chart of accounts, then we would enter the rest.
NetSuite Training
- Online training
- Self-taught
It was for me, but I believe that is because I have a public accounting background with a heavy emphasis on business workflows, risks and controls. Plus, I was an Oracle Applications Sales Consultant for 8 years. But for most organizations, I would recommend training sessions by functional area.
Additionally, NetSuite has excellent Help documentation.
Additionally, NetSuite has excellent Help documentation.
Configuring NetSuite
NetSuite Support
Using NetSuite
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using | Lots to learn |
- Fields and forms are easy to configure.
- Order to Cash, including revenue recognition.
- Multi-company, multi-currency
Yes - NetSuite's support for mobile devices—iOS, Android and
Windows Phones—ensures that your business users get real-time access to
the information they need.
Windows Phones—ensures that your business users get real-time access to
the information they need.
NetSuite Reliability
Integrating NetSuite
- Salesforce.com
- A custom product licensing system on SQL Server.
We initially created a custom object for quoting in Salesforce then integrated the transactional (line) item detail. This is very challenging, as you are recreating items, pricing, discounting, etc. Plus, this requires the integration to transfer all of the transactional detail leading to more inherent risk of failure.
We redesigned the integration to allow Sales Reps, on an opportunity in Salesforce, to click a button to launch the Sales Rep into NetSuite where they could enter the quote in NetSuite. Order Management could then process approved quotes to Orders and eventually Invoices. We transferred Quote Header (ID, amount, expiration date) information back into Salesforce so that Sales Manager could run Opportunity and Quote reports (ex. which opps have quotes that are expired). Best of all worlds.
We redesigned the integration to allow Sales Reps, on an opportunity in Salesforce, to click a button to launch the Sales Rep into NetSuite where they could enter the quote in NetSuite. Order Management could then process approved quotes to Orders and eventually Invoices. We transferred Quote Header (ID, amount, expiration date) information back into Salesforce so that Sales Manager could run Opportunity and Quote reports (ex. which opps have quotes that are expired). Best of all worlds.
- In my current role as President of SaaS Consulting Group, my team has done many integrations.
NetSuite now supports an integration with Salesforce.com.
- File import/export
- API (e.g. SOAP or REST)
- Javascript widgets
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Plan out your business process. Leverage each system's core process strengths (ex. NetSuite item master, quote to cash). Reduce transaction line item integration whenever possible.
Relationship with NetSuite
Private.