What is NetSuite and Why is it so Popular?

NetSuite is a cloud-based suite of enterprise-grade business management tools all managed under one excellent platform. NetSuite’s core functionality is built around enterprise resource planning.  In addition, it has since expanded into a number of different product offerings throughout the years including: CRM, HRM, eCommerce, PSA, and more.

So Why is NetSuite Popular?

NetSuite is more than just the flavor of the year ERP tool. You can argue NetSuite began the cloud revolution that is currently sweeping through offices around the globe. NetSuite’s accession to the top of the pack is based on disrupting the old status quo and changing the way people do business for the foreseeable future.

This sense of disruption has stayed with the organization and to this day, pushes them to be the leading edge of business software technology.

So after 20 years of successfully convincing the public that the cloud is the way forward, NetSuite has climbed to the top of the pile as the number one ERP solution available today, but what specifically does it owe this success to?

1. Cloud-Based – Of course! Log in from anywhere, no server maintenance, secure, reliable, and can grow with you.

2. Flexible – NetSuite is extremely configurable; allowing it to be used by many different types of businesses.

3. Customizable – The platform has many development options and a community of third-party developers that build dozens of “bundles” available for NetSuite users.

4. Integratable – NetSuite can connect to most other applications, databases, public and private API’s

5. UI – NetSuite’s dashboard setup spoils administrators with critical information elegantly and optimally displayed visually

What Does Netsuite Do…Specifically?

The short answer is “a lot,” but that doesn’t help anyone. It’s best to start with NetSuite’s core packages and work your way into the modules/addons.

NetSuite ERP Package Functionality

NetSuite has functionality out of the box for the following business processes with its most popular ERP offering

• Accounting
• Items and Inventory
• Customer Order Management
• Purchasing and Receiving
• Project Management
• Employee Management

NetSuite CRM Package Functionality

• Sales and Marketing Automation
• Customer Service Management

Popular Modules

NetSuite has added many “modules” to their offering since inception. Each module expands on the functionality of NetSuite while keeping the data and back-end completely integrated. Modules are sold separately or added in specific packages that can be put together for you based on your needs.

• SuiteCommerce Standard – eCommerce
• SuiteCommerce Advanced – eCommerce
• SuiteCommerce POS – Point of sale
• OpenAir – Staff Management
• SuitePeople – Payroll
• OneWorld – International Business
• SuiteBilling – Billing

For a complete list of all NetSuite modules and more info on what they can do for your business, click HERE.

NetSuite Adoption

With over 18,000 active customers, tons of good reviews, and blessings from all credible institutions that rate software solutions, NetSuite can make a good case for calling itself the number one ERP solution on the planet.

In G2Crowds “Magic Quadrant” NetSuite is ranked number 1 overall. If you’re not familiar with magic quadrants, they’re a great way to tell what the market thinks of an enterprise software solution. The data is based on credible reviews from real customers. The closer your solution is to the top right of the quadrant the better the market is responding to your solution.

Who Uses NetSuite?

While plenty of large enterprises use the NetSuite platform, according to G2Crowd, SAP still reigns supreme in the upper echelons of business.

But while NetSuite is happy to be considered a leader in the enterprise category, it really shines in the mid-market and SME segments. Which is logical as many of the advantages of cloud-based solutions apply more specifically to businesses with smaller budgets.

Industry Adoption 

NetSuite is flexible enough to be adopted by a number of different industries. However, Computer and Software companies currently dominate the landscape.

How Can You Get NetSuite?

In most cases, NetSuite is bought with the help a NetSuite partner that is known as a VAR or Value Added Reseller. Often, would-be NetSuite users are not familiar enough with the NetSuite platform to make optimal decisions during the configuration and implementation phases of the project. These users rely on the VAR to make those decisions for them. Along with consulting fresh NetSuite users, VARs also help negotiate the price of NetSuite, add an extra layer of support to help with user questions, and can do a lot of the heavy lifting with the initial implementation.

Purchases can be made directly through NetSuite. This is only recommended if you have a lot of NetSuite experience aboard your team, are preparing to use the SuiteSuccess program offered by NetSuite, or are planning on doing the NetSuite Implementation alone.

SuiteSuccess is a managed service NetSuite put together for newer users. It’s designed to reduce the number of failed implementations and poor quality experiences that happen as a result of lack of familiarity with the NetSuite platform.