NetSuite FAQs: Answers to Common Questions for Businesses

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NetSuite General FAQs

1. Is NetSuite a cloud-based SaaS solution?

Yes, NetSuite operates as a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, fully hosted in the cloud. It eliminates the need for on-premises servers and offers automatic updates, data security, and scalability. This means lower IT overhead and the flexibility to access the platform from anywhere.

2. Is NetSuite a CRM?

Yes, NetSuite includes a built-in CRM module that helps manage customer relationships, sales, marketing campaigns, and customer support, all in one place. It’s an integrated CRM solution designed to enhance the customer journey and improve sales performance.

3. How many customers does NetSuite have?

As of 2024, NetSuite serves over 40,000 customers across more than 215 countries, ranging from small startups to large enterprises in a variety of industries.

4. Who owns NetSuite?

NetSuite is owned by Oracle Corporation, which acquired NetSuite Inc. in November 2016 for approximately $9.3 billion. Since the acquisition, NetSuite operates as the Oracle NetSuite Global Business Unit, overseen by Executive Vice President Evan Goldberg. It is branded as “Oracle’s Cloud ERP for Small and Mid-sized Enterprises, with the capability to scale up to Fortune 500 companies.

5. When was NetSuite founded?

NetSuite was founded in 1998 by Evan Goldberg under the name NetLedger, making it one of the first cloud-based ERP solutions.

NetSuite Licensing, Costs & Terms FAQs

6. How much does NetSuite cost?

The cost of NetSuite varies based on factors like the number of users and selected modules. Typically, licensing fees range from $1,000 to $3,000 per month for small businesses, while larger enterprises may exceed $10,000 per month. For a customized quote, consult our NetSuite partner or check our NetSuite Pricing Guide and use our NetSuite cost calculator for an estimate.

7. What are NetSuite’s “Terms of Service”?

NetSuite’s Terms of Service outline the user agreements regarding data usage, service uptime, privacy, and support. You can access the official document on NetSuite’s main terms.

8. What is NetSuite’s “Up-time Guarantee”?

NetSuite offers an uptime guarantee of 99.5%, ensuring reliable and consistent access to its services. If NetSuite fails to meet this guarantee, customers may be eligible for service credits as per their service level commitments.

9. What happens if my ISP goes down?

If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) goes down, access to NetSuite will be temporarily unavailable until connectivity is restored. However, you can access NetSuite from any device with an internet connection, providing flexibility in emergencies.

10. Does NetSuite have a free trial or demo version available?

Yes, NetSuite offers demo videos of its modules for potential customers. You can view a demo directly on the NetSuite website here. For a guided product tour, please fill out this form here. If you need temporary free trial access to a NetSuite account, contact us.

11. What are NetSuite’s scheduled maintenance windows?

NetSuite’s scheduled maintenance windows are primarily reserved for Saturdays from 10:00 PM to 10:20 PM (PST), which is used for routine updates when necessary. Regular maintenance is communicated in advance—typically at least a week before—and generally takes place during nighttime hours on weekends. These updates usually require less than 10-15 hours each quarter.

NetSuite may also perform unscheduled maintenance at its discretion. In such cases, they aim to notify customers in advance. Unlike scheduled maintenance, unscheduled maintenance counts against the uptime guarantee.

NetSuite Security & Compliance FAQs

12. How secure is my data in NetSuite?

NetSuite secures your data with industry-standard encryption for all data transmissions and user credentials. It supports custom encryption, uses token-based authentication, and requires multi-factor authentication (MFA) for secure access.

13. What certifications does NetSuite have for security and compliance?

NetSuite holds key security and compliance certifications:

  • Security: SOC 1 & 2 Type II, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001:2013. Compliance with NIST 800-53 and TX-RAMP Level 1.
  • Performance: Regular audits for SOC 1 & 2, PCI, and ISO standards. Risk management follows NIST and ISO 27000 guidelines.
  • Privacy: ISO 27018 for personal data protection, EU Cloud Code of Conduct compliance, and EU-approved Binding Corporate Rules (BCR-p) for GDPR.

14. Is NetSuite GDPR, HIPAA, and DCAA compliant?

  • GDPR: NetSuite is compliant, adhering to EU regulations with certifications like ISO 27018 for personal data protection and compliance with the EU Cloud Code of Conduct (CoC). NetSuite also has Binding Corporate Rules (BCR-p) for GDPR compliance across Europe.
  • HIPAA: While NetSuite can support HIPAA compliance, it requires customers to configure the platform with the right security measures. This may involve implementing the necessary controls for handling protected health information (PHI) and entering a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Oracle.
  • DCAA: NetSuite offers features that can help meet DCAA audit requirements, including financial transparency, reporting, and audit trails. However, compliance depends on customer-specific configurations and processes tailored to the Defense Contract Audit Agency standards.

15. How does NetSuite handle disaster recovery and data backups?

NetSuite employs robust disaster recovery and data backup strategies, including data redundancy across multiple locations, comprehensive disaster recovery plans, and regular backups to ensure data integrity. This enterprise-level scalability keeps your business operational 24/7, minimizing downtime and protecting critical information.

NetSuite Financial Management & Accounting FAQs

16. Can NetSuite handle multi-currency transactions and global accounting standards?

Yes, NetSuite supports over 190 currencies and real-time currency conversion, enabling businesses to conduct multi-currency transactions seamlessly. Its multi-book accounting feature accommodates various accounting standards, allowing transactions to be posted to multiple sets of books simultaneously for compliance with local, regional, and headquarters-level reporting.

17. Can NetSuite handle tax compliance and global tax rules?

Yes, NetSuite’s SuiteTax provides a comprehensive global tax management system that automates tax compliance processes. It includes preconfigured tax codes and localized reporting for over 110 countries, allowing real-time tax calculations on sales and purchase transactions while adhering to tax regulations, including Intrastat reporting in the EU.

18. What are NetSuite’s financial consolidation capabilities for multi-subsidiary companies?

NetSuite automatically posts transactions at both local and headquarters levels, simplifying the generation of consolidated financial statements. Its unified platform allows for a standardized general ledger structure at the corporate level while giving subsidiaries the flexibility to maintain custom charts of accounts. This enables automatic mapping and posting of local transactions to the parent account in the correct currency and exchange rate.

19. Can NetSuite handle payroll?

Yes, NetSuite can handle payroll. NetSuite’s SuitePeople Payroll is a comprehensive payroll solution designed for U.S.-based employees. It automates key payroll processes such as calculating gross-to-net earnings, managing tax withholdings, deducting benefits, and scheduling payments, streamlining payroll management for businesses.

NetSuite Order Management & Inventory Control FAQs

20. How can NetSuite aid production control for manufacturers?

NetSuite’s Manufacturing Suite offers tools for work order management, scheduling, and capacity planning, making it suitable for complex manufacturing needs.

21. What are NetSuite’s WMS modules?

NetSuite’s WMS modules include features like barcode scanning, inventory tracking, cycle counting, and mobile access to optimize warehouse operations and reduce costs.

22. How can NetSuite improve shop floor control?

NetSuite’s Shop Floor Control module provides real-time data on work orders, production schedules, and machine performance, allowing manufacturers to manage production activities efficiently.

NetSuite Supply Chain & Logistics FAQs

23. Is NetSuite suitable for managing global supply chain operations?

Yes, NetSuite’s Supply Chain Management module supports multi-location inventory, demand planning, and logistics, making it ideal for global supply chain management.

24. What are NetSuite’s warehouse functions?

NetSuite supports functions like warehouse automation, pick-and-pack, cycle counting, and lot/serial tracking, helping optimize warehouse operations.

25. How does NetSuite support subscription-based or recurring billing for SaaS companies?

NetSuite’s Billing Management module supports subscription-based models, offering tools for invoicing, renewals, and revenue recognition, making it perfect for SaaS businesses.

NetSuite Customization & Flexibility FAQs

26. How flexible is NetSuite for customizations, API integrations, and third-party apps?

NetSuite is designed to be highly customizable and integration-friendly, providing several tools to adapt to unique business needs:

  1. Customizations: Through SuiteScript, NetSuite’s powerful scripting language, you can tailor workflows, forms, records, and more. Additionally, SuiteFlow allows you to create custom workflows without any coding, streamlining operations based on your requirements.
  2. API Integrations: NetSuite supports seamless integrations with external systems using SuiteTalk, a robust API framework. This ensures easy data exchange and integration with various platforms, including CRM, eCommerce, and more.
  3. Third-Party Apps: The SuiteApp marketplace offers a wide selection of pre-built third-party applications and integrations, enabling businesses to expand their NetSuite capabilities effortlessly.

27. How often does NetSuite update or release new features?

NetSuite releases two major updates per year, along with minor updates. These are automatically applied, ensuring users always have access to the latest features and improvements.

NetSuite Performance & Scalability FAQs

28. How does NetSuite handle performance and scalability for growing businesses?

NetSuite’s scalable cloud infrastructure supports businesses of all sizes, with performance monitoring tools that handle high transaction volumes and support multi-subsidiary reporting.

29. What are NetSuite’s performance monitoring tools for large organizations?

NetSuite includes tools like SuiteAnalytics, SuiteFlow, and performance dashboards that offer insights into system performance and data processing, tailored for large enterprises.

30. Does NetSuite offer solutions for latency issues or faster data processing?

Yes, NetSuite optimizes performance through load balancing, data caching, and global data centers, ensuring low latency and fast processing times.

NetSuite User Experience & Accessibility FAQS

31. How user-friendly is the NetSuite interface for new users?

NetSuite’s interface is designed to be intuitive, with a customizable dashboard that displays key metrics. New users may require initial training, but the platform’s drag-and-drop customization and easy navigation enhance usability.

32. Is NetSuite available in multiple languages?

Yes, NetSuite supports 27+ languages, making it suitable for multinational organizations.

33. Does NetSuite support mobile devices?

Yes, NetSuite offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, providing access to critical data, reports, and functions on the go.

34. Does NetSuite have accessibility features for users with disabilities?

NetSuite includes accessibility features like keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and customizable themes to assist users with disabilities.

35. What are SuiteProjects and OpenAir, and how do they differ?

SuiteProjects is NetSuite’s native project management module, while OpenAir is a legacy PSA solution that offers deeper functionality for resource management. SuiteProjects is better suited for NetSuite-centric businesses, while OpenAir provides robust integrations for larger enterprises.

NetSuite Support & Training FAQs

36. What are NetSuite’s customer support options?

NetSuite provides multiple support options, including:

  • Basic Support: 24/7 access to the help center, online case submission, and community forums.
  • Premium Support: Dedicated account managers, priority response, and advanced technical support.
  • Advanced Customer Support (ACS): For complex and large-scale deployments, offering proactive monitoring and optimization.

37. Does a NetSuite Partner Have Direct Support from NetSuite to Solve Issues?

Yes, NetSuite partners receive direct support from NetSuite. This includes access to a dedicated partner support portal for issue tracking, an assigned Partner Account Manager for guidance, and priority assistance for technical queries. These resources enable partners to efficiently resolve customer issues and deliver expert solutions backed by NetSuite’s support team.

NetSuite Integration Capabilities FAQs

38. Can I integrate NetSuite with my existing CRM system?

Yes, NetSuite can be integrated with popular CRM systems like Salesforce through built-in APIs, connectors like Celigo or custom middleware solutions, enabling seamless data flow between platforms.

39. How does NetSuite’s API work for data integrations?

NetSuite’s SuiteTalk API provides a SOAP-based web service, allowing integration with external systems for data exchange, CRUD operations, and custom workflows. It supports REST API for modern web integrations and is highly customizable.

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