Why Use a NetSuite Implementation Partner

As businesses grow, their technological needs increase. It’s the 2020s, meaning it’s not enough to keep things recorded in paper documents and disparate PDF files across your offices and devices. Financial management, inventory, eCommerce, CRM and general operations can get overwhelming when not left disconnected. That’s why investing in a NetSuite implementation is wise for small-to-medium-sized companies and mid-market organisations. 

However, while NetSuite can be a valuable, centralised ERP solution, it can be hard to start using it seamlessly in your business if you’re unfamiliar with it or not particularly tech-savvy. A NetSuite implementation partner will do more than just install software for you; they will align the ERP system with your business processes and goals, ensuring your team knows how to use the platform for maximum value. 

This article will explore the best reasons for implementing NetSuite with a professional partner, covering the benefits of getting support as well as covering the aspects you should look for from a partner. 

What a good NetSuite implementation process looks like

NetSuite integration should be based around six primary steps, all of which should contribute to its successful application in practice.

1. The first step should be your partner getting a comprehensive understanding of your company, its objectives and any existing systems.
   
2. Next, the partner should create an implementation plan, covering timelines, milestones and resource allocation, as well as workflows and configuration.
   
3. Third up is the practical configuration of customised modules, dashboards, reports and automated workflows, ensuring the system is totally suited to your needs.
   
4. The setup should then be rigorously tested for data accuracy, workflow efficiency and system readiness before it goes live.
   
5. Your partner should then equip your team with enough knowledge and tools to adopt NetSuite, including role-based training and documentation practices.
   
6. Finally comes the launch day, capping off the NetSuite implementation checklist with first-day challenges and the transition. 

These are the steps that any implementation partner should guide you through to ensure that you and your team can get the most out of NetSuite. 

What you need from your NetSuite implementation partner

You shouldn’t just choose an implementation partner willy-nilly. NetSuite should be a tool that you can use for years, which is why you need to ensure that the partner you work with will set you up for long-term success. 

Signifiers of a good NetSuite implementation partner include: 

• Consultant certification from NetSuite itself
• Proven experience of implementation over the years
• Demonstrable configuration that matches your unique business processes
• Clear, easy-to-understand project plans with defined timelines
• A structured deployment methodology with minimal business disruption
• Hands-on guides that can support you throughout the process
• Full risk management offerings
• Ongoing optimisation and support after the software has been launched

These are all essential offerings from any good NetSuite implementation partner. It’s important to choose a company that will bring the software to your company in an efficient, transparent way that aligns with your organisation’s operations. 

Why choose a partner?

Choosing a partner ensures that you get the technical expertise of a team with proper experience in the field, guaranteeing that your transition is as smooth as possible. This sort of technical expertise ensures that the implementation suits the scope of your operation, with minimal employee pushback and proper risk mitigation. 

Essentially, the partner means you can get the most out of your NetSuite installation and maximise your ROI, without messy data or confusing processes. It also means that you are fully adapted to the technology and can rely on ongoing support, rather than feeling lost at sea in new software. 

Make sure you do your due diligence when choosing your partner, as the wrong support could leave you more confused than if you just tried to set up yourself.