Oracle NetSuite Stands Tall Against Competing Cloud Services...It's Catch-Up Time For Everyone Else
Updated April 17, 2023
Oracle NetSuite Stands Tall Against Competing Cloud Services...It's Catch-Up Time For Everyone Else
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
NetSuite Mid-Market edition
Modules Used
- Demand Planning Module
- OneWorld (multi-country and multi-currency)
Overall Satisfaction with NetSuite ERP
We currently use Oracle NetSuite to power all aspects of our organization. Accounting, order processing, inventory management, purchasing, supply planning...all major day-to-day enterprise functions are handled by this cloud software. We installed NetSuite at my current company in 2018 to replace an older and more traditional on-premise system that consisted of several software packages integrated and swapping information. One of the greatest features of Oracle NetSuite is that all operational aspects of the company are handle through this one software tool. When you begin the evaluation process, the sales team will present a nice graphic that looks like a wheel. In the center reads something like "single data source" and the spokes are the different core modules or functions. THIS is the real deal and the fact that everything comes from a single, powerful data model makes it a pleasure to work with.
Pros
- Integration. From Accounting to ERP to CRM, there is not much NetSuite can't handle. For a small to medium sized business, and even for many large organizations, I believe it is entirely possible to put all of the corporate system 'eggs' into one basket - that is on the NetSuite platform.
- Architecture. The back-end database and inner workings of the NetSuite platform, I would describe as 'different.' Not necessarily better and definitely not worse. However, working in the data is different and maybe not as familiar as when working with a traditional relational database. Because of this, it does take a little bit of getting used to. However, once you are 'used to' it - the ease and simplicity of the back end is a beautiful thing and makes extracting and working with data, again once you cross the learning curve, something to be desired. Took me a few short months to get the hang of things, but now, I couldn't imagine a more productive system.
- Performance. While not lighting-fast compared to some on-premise tools, the performance of the NetSuite platform is better that adequate and present no issues when using on a day-to-day basis.
- Consultants. We have had great success working with implementation specialists and consultants directly at Oracle. They are highly knowledgeable and easy to work with. I would highly recommend the native teams for implementation success.
Cons
- Support is not terrible but often works in different time zones and at different levels. It can be a challenge at times to resolve a problem but in fairness, we have never had a problem that wasn't solved.
- Account management is an experience in growing pains. ALL, and I mean every one of our Account Managers has been world-class. They have been willing to fight for our company and 'go to bat' for our needs. The one oddity from Oracle NetSuite is the number of times our Account Managers change position. They seem to always be reorganizing or employees are moving around within the company. I wouldn't consider it 'unstable', just a function of a hot company going through growth pains.
- Documentation and training. One of the beauties of the software is the automatic and bi-annual upgrades to the service. There is no chance of looking up one day and finding out you are six releases back in your software. However, even though we have benefited immensely from these development cycles, the documentation and training for new resources seems to be several months behind. We have seen more than one instance where a new and glad-to-get feature has no documentation available or very limited documentation to explain the new features.
- Not going to lie, NetSuite (for a smaller business) is an investment. Much more expensive than something like QuickBooks however...there is very little comparison in the feature sets of the two products. So if accounting is all you want, then you might find NetSuite a little overkill. However, if you want a tool that can handle growth (and I mean can handle a lot of growth), then look no further than NetSuite.
- NetSuite offers something called the Brainyard which is an information analysis to compare your company to other similar companies that use their software. It's a great tool to help gauge where you are at in the process of properly using the NetSuite platform.
- DELMIAWorks (formerly IQMS), Epicor ERP, Infor ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 (formerly Microsoft Dynamics CRM), QuickBooks Online Advanced, Sage Intacct and SAP Business One
On more than one occasion, we have evaluated alternative software. No one has the depth and breadth of a solution (for us) than Oracle NetSuite. Again, they were first to the cloud market all the way back in 1998 and they have such a lead against the competition. Some of the alternatives we took very far in the process but, comparing apples to apples and features to features no one stacked up to the totality of the solution as NetSuite does. I'm glad alternatives are working hard and competition in the space is always good. For us, NetSuite is still much farther ahead than anyone else.
Do you think NetSuite ERP delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with NetSuite ERP's feature set?
Yes
Did NetSuite ERP live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of NetSuite ERP go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy NetSuite ERP again?
Yes
NetSuite ERP Feature Ratings
Using NetSuite ERP
All of the users in our organization use NetSuite - from accounting to procurement to product development. As much as possible, we are invested in the platform and appreciate the ability to go to one location for all things related to the operation of our business.
We don't want to get into the specifics of headcount, but I can share that 99% of NetSuite is managed in-house. This is a testament to the ease of use of the product, our commitment to the platform, and our commitment to use the system out-of-the-box when possible.
- Accounting/Financials
- Procurement/Inventory Management
- Manufacturing and Production Scheduling
- N/A - We chose to use NetSuite out-of-the box to limit customizations, speed upgrades, and increase our utilization. The fact the software is so through is a testament to the investment in the complete platform.
- We would like to move all of our product development process onto the platform
Evaluating NetSuite ERP and Competitors
Yes - NetSuite replaced a small-tier operations platform, that was also build on and highly integrated with Sage PFW. Yes, as you can read from the name, Sage PFW was aged and in need of replacement. The small-tier software was integrated with newer versions of Sage, but the full integration of NetSuite is what attracted us to the platform.
- Cloud Solutions
- Ease of Use
It's difficult to pin the decision to purchase NetSuite to ONE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR. Because, what good is the greatest software ever if you can't afford it? What good is affordable software if the feature set is poor? What good is full-featured, reasonably priced software if it's abhorrently slow? NetSuite is a balance of all these - competitively priced, full-featured, backed by a large community of users and experts. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives but we found the balance between price and features to land in our sweet-spot.
I would not change a thing in our evaluation and selection process. NetSuite performed excellently during the pre-purchase sales cycle and provided access to knowledgable engineers and pre-sales professionals that were able to both answer questions and offer process recommendations. We had the right mix of competing vendors at similar price and feature tiers. NetSuite was able to win us as a customer through a fair, unbiased, and very open approach to software selection.
NetSuite ERP Implementation
- Implemented in-house
- Third-party professional services
We used in-house resources as well as engaged NetSuite Professional Services for our implementation. Our internal team worked hand-in-hand with NetSuite Professional services using the SuiteSuccess implementation method - NetSuite guides our internal team and our internal team does most of the heavy lifting. NetSuite Professional Services was always available for our needs and questions.
Yes - Professional Services implemented the SuiteSuccess plan for implementation: -> An introductory phase -> A phase for personalization and understanding our needs in more depth -> A phase for training and deeper personalization (based on the second phase) -> A phase for connecting with external partners, user acceptance testing -> The final conversion of data -> Product launch!
Change management was minimal
- Internal resource commitment
- Internal end user training
NetSuite ERP Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
At the recommendation of our sales manager, we purchased Premium Support for the first year. This allowed us to cover the period during system implementation and for a reasonable period after. After our first year, we were comfortable enough with the system that it no longer made sense for us to continue premium support. If I had to do again, I would purchase support the same way.
Yes - On multiple occasions we have come across bugs. In every situation the solutions proved to either be (a) our lack of understanding of the system processes or (b) and actual bug. In instances of (a) the support engineer kindly pointed us to the recommended and proper solution. In instances of (b) we were able to have enhancement requests or, even on one occasion an efix was created and updated.
Shortly after our implementation, we experienced our first bi-annual system update. Unfortunately, this update had a major bug in the SOAP APIs that caused our inbound EDI order processing system to fail. This was a major disaster for us and required an immediate efix. First of all, we were very green in the process. It was alarming to have such a major error bring us down. I'm happy to report that within days, the NetSuite development engineer had the problem resolved and an efix in place and promoted to production. We also learned a valuable lesson on utilizing the Release Preview process to test, test, test. I am happy to report that all these years later, we have not encountered a situation like we did that first upgrade.
Using NetSuite ERP
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Saved Searches
- Reports
- Dashboards
Yes - I can't speak much about the mobile interface. We mostly use it for Employee Expense reimbursement. I can see that a mobile force would have most of the tools they would need to operate on a daily basis. I have seen NetSuite employees dogfooding the tool when onsite, which is always impressive to see. From time-to-time we do use a mobile device or tablet to operate the system and it is usable.
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