If you're considering implementing NetSuite, it's important to understand the steps you need to take to ensure a successful transition to your new ERP system. In this guide, we'll take you through the process of preparing for and implementing NetSuite, from assessing your business needs to training your users and providing post-implementation support.
Preparing for your NetSuite Implementation
Assessing Your Business Needs
Before implementing NetSuite, it's important to assess your business needs and goals.
- What are your key drivers for integrating a new ERP?
- More streamlined financial workflows?
- Better reporting capabilities?
Identifying your goals ensures that you can focus on certain areas and achieve your desired outcomes.
One way to get a clearer understanding of your current workflows and areas for improvement is to conduct a business process review. This can help you identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in your current processes, as well as opportunities for automation and optimisation.
You can then place this into a business requirements document, which will be really helpful when going out to ERP partners and explaining what you need out of a system.
By understanding your business needs and pain points, you can better define your implementation goals and requirements. This will help ensure that your NetSuite implementation is tailored to your specific business needs.
Setting Implementation Goals
Setting clear implementation goals is crucial for a successful NetSuite rollout. Most projects fail not because of lack of resource or knowledge, but lack of structure. This includes identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success, and defining a timeline for the implementation.
When setting your implementation goals, it's important to make sure they are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, "get NetSuite implemented by mid next year" isn't useful. You need a goal such as "Go live with NetSuite on the 1st of January, staying to a budget of X and reducing manual work by 30%". This will help ensure that your goals are realistic and aligned with your overall business objectives.
Examples of other implementation KPIs might include reducing order processing time by 50%, increasing customer satisfaction ratings by 20%, or improving inventory accuracy to 99%.
Assembling Your Implementation Team
Implementing NetSuite requires a dedicated team with the right skills and expertise. Although the majority of the implementation will be carried out by your NetSuite partner, the success of the project is heavily reliant on a strong internal team.
Effective communication is key, and your implementation team should be able to clearly communicate business processes, data, goals, and progress to all stakeholders, including executives, managers, and end-users.
Choosing a NetSuite Partner
Choosing the right NetSuite partner can make all the difference for ensuring a successful implementation. The wrong partner can turn a pretty straight forward process into a nightmare, so it’s important to spend time assessing and choosing the best partner for your business.
Look for a partner with experience in your industry, a proven implementation methodology, and a strong customer support programme. When evaluating potential partners, be sure to ask for references from previous clients. This can help you get a better sense of their track record of success and their ability to deliver on their promises.
Agreeing a good price
The cost of a NetSuite implementation can vary significantly depending on your business needs. If your business only requires a few NetSuite modules, no customisations, and you only operate across one entity, then the costs will be fairly low. However, if you operate across multiple entities and require significant customisations, then the implementation will be longer and therefore more costly.
On average, NetSuite partners will charge anywhere from $600-$1600 per day, and implementations can take anywhere from 2 months to a year. So in total, you could be spending anywhere from $10,000 to $250,000.
It’s important that you understand your budget before deciding on an ERP system, and again when deciding on implementation partners. It is also important to factor an element of risk into your budget, as there is always a possibility that things may go wrong, and your implementation could take longer and cost more than you had originally anticipated.
At Threadgold Consulting, we tailor your implementation to fit your business needs. For clients with a lower budget, we can offer a rapid implementation method. We can deploy the software quickly using prebuilt functions and workflows, avoiding time consuming customisations. This means that we can get your business up and running on NetSuite as quickly as possible, reducing costs whilst ensuring you still have everything you need to run your business effectively.
Overall, by following these best practices for planning your NetSuite implementation, you can help ensure a successful rollout that meets your business needs and goals. For more information on NetSuite licensing, check out our NetSuite pricing guide.
The NetSuite Implementation Process
The implementation of NetSuite is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. The process involves several phases, each of which is critical for ensuring a successful implementation.
Project Kickoff and Discovery
The first phase of the implementation process involves project kickoff and discovery. This is where the project team meets with stakeholders to discuss the project scope, timeline, and requirements. It is important to engage all stakeholders and team members to ensure everyone is aligned on the implementation goals and requirements.
During this phase, the project team will conduct a detailed analysis of your business needs and requirements. This includes identifying pain points and areas where NetSuite can help streamline processes and improve efficiency. The team will also define the project scope, timeline, and budget.
Data Migration and Integration
The second phase involves migrating your data to NetSuite and integrating the system with other tools and applications your business uses. Data migration can be a complex process, and it's important to ensure data is accurate and properly formatted. Integration also requires careful planning and testing to ensure systems communicate effectively.
The project team will work with you to identify the data that needs to be migrated and develop a plan. This includes mapping data fields, cleaning up data, and ensuring data integrity. It is important to note that the quantity of data you decide to transfer over will have a significant impact on your overall implementation cost.
We advise that you transfer as little data as possible, and particularly avoid transferring over substantial historical data. Choosing to transfer all of your historical data can double, or even triple your implementation costs, so you can see why it is best to leave that behind with your old system!
The team will also work on integrating NetSuite with other tools and applications your business uses, such as CRM software or e-commerce platforms. Oracle are currently rolling out their new AI connector service, which means you can use AI to pull data from your different platforms, making it quicker and easier to see your data and make decisions.
System Configuration and Customisation
During the configuration and customisation phase, your NetSuite partner will work with you to tailor the system to your specific business needs. The project team will identify your business processes that need to be supported by NetSuite, and will configure the system accordingly.
This phase can often be fairly time consuming, as the team will have to create custom built configurations from scratch and ensure they work effectively. This is the stage of the project where you should factor in the highest amount of risk for the timeline and budget being exceeded.
User Training and Testing
Once all data is migrated, and customisations complete, the user training and testing phase will commence. Your NetSuite partner will train users on the new system and answer any questions or queries that users have.
The project team will develop a training plan that is tailored to your business needs and accommodates different learning styles. Training can be conducted in a variety of formats, such as classroom training, online training, or one-on-one coaching.
The team will also conduct thorough testing to identify and resolve any issues before go-live. Testing should involve both real data and simulated scenarios, and should involve a cross-section of users to ensure all scenarios are covered. They will identify any problems and resolve them before go-live.
Go-Live and Post-Implementation Support
The final phase involves going live with the new system and providing ongoing post-implementation support. The project team will work with you to develop a plan for going live with the new system.
This includes ensuring that all users are trained and ready to use the system, and that any issues are addressed before go-live. After go-live, the team will provide ongoing post-implementation support, which can include ongoing system maintenance, customisation, and training.
In conclusion, the NetSuite implementation process is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Each phase is critical for ensuring a successful implementation, and it's important to work with a NetSuite partner who has experience in implementing the system.
Final Thoughts
Implementing NetSuite can be a complex process, but with the right preparation and guidance, and the right partner, it can provide significant benefits to your business. By understanding the key components of NetSuite, setting clear implementation goals, assembling the right team, and following a proven implementation process, you can ensure a successful implementation and a more streamlined and efficient business.
FAQ
Q: How long does a NetSuite implementation take?
A: Timelines vary depending on complexity, customisations and the number of entities involved. Smaller projects may finish within a couple of months, while multi-entity or heavily customised setups can stretch close to a year. Planning, data readiness and decision-making speed also influence how quickly a project moves.
Q: What factors influence the cost of a NetSuite implementation?
A: Key drivers include modules selected, required customisations, integration needs and how much data you choose to migrate. Partner day rates and the overall project timeline also affect cost. Clear requirements and good internal preparation can help keep the project within budget.
Q: How much data should I migrate into NetSuite?
A: Most businesses benefit from migrating only the data needed to operate in the new system. Moving large volumes of historical data adds time, risk and cost without improving day to day use. Cleaning data in advance also helps avoid delays once configuration and testing begin.
Q: Why is choosing the right NetSuite partner important?
A: The right partner brings relevant experience, proven processes and reliable support, which helps keep the project stable and predictable. A poor fit can create delays, confusion and unnecessary rework. Reviewing methodology, communication style and references is an important part of the selection process.
Q: What are the biggest challenges in a NetSuite implementation?
A: Common issues include unclear requirements, unrealistic timelines, data quality problems and unexpected customisation needs. These challenges can slow the project or expand the scope if not managed early. Strong internal ownership and consistent communication help reduce these risks.
Q: What kind of training and post-implementation support is required?
A: Users need structured training tailored to their roles so they feel confident using the system from day one. After go live, continued support helps resolve questions, refine processes and introduce improvements as the business becomes more familiar with NetSuite. This ongoing attention strengthens long term adoption.
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