NetSuite is a powerful ERP solution that can greatly benefit businesses that implement it and utilize it well. However, NetSuite is not a system that you can purchase one day and start using the next. Why? Well, NetSuite needs to be plugged into all of your business operations so that it can gather and sort your company data in a way that enables visibility across the organization.
What is NetSuite Integration?
NetSuite integration refers to connecting third-party solutions to NetSuite in a way that allows your business to benefit from specialized tools provided by the third-party solution, while also preserving your data integrity and business functions on the back end in NetSuite.
Integrating the solutions you use to manage your business operations encompasses everything from connecting NetSuite to a B2C payments solution that broadens your potential customer base through customer payment plans, to sending information to a 3rd-party shipping solution. Additionally, while NetSuite has all the tools you need to manage your business, there may be other software solutions that you want to keep using in place of certain NetSuite Modules.
In order to implement NetSuite and tailor it to meet the unique needs of your organization, you will need someone to perform integrations. There are two primary integration options you can choose from, connector platforms and custom integrations. Each of the NetSuite integration methods has its pros and cons. We are partnered with many of the most common connector companies and can set up the service for you. But let's go over some of the pros and cons of each of the two methods for NetSuite integrations.
What platforms can I integrate with NetSuite?
Really, the question you should be asking is, what software can't you integrate with NetSuite? We already mentioned a few examples of NetSuite integrations, but let's go over a few of the most common types of NetSuite integrations to give you an idea of how flexible NetSuite really is.
E-commerce integrations are one of the most common types of integration into NetSuite that companies ask for. While NetSuite offers its own e-commerce solutions, SuiteCommerce and SuiteCommerce Advanced, sometimes it doesn't make sense for companies to migrate their online stores to those platforms. Instead, you can connect your own e-commerce store on a platform like BigCommerce, Shopify, Magento, or WooCommerce. Additionally, you can list your products on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Ebay for higher levels of visibility on the web.
Another common type of NetSuite integration is CRM. Again, there is a NetSuite CRM module, but companies often connect platforms like Salesforce, Facebook, Insightly, or HubSpot in order to have a wider reach and an enhanced toolkit for their CRM operations.
It doesn't stop there! Companies integrate many other types of software with their NetSuite system, including platforms like PayPal, LinkedIn, ShipStation, and DocuSign! Wondering if NetSuite can be connected with your favorite software solutions? Check out this list of NetSuite Integrations that companies frequently ask for! Remember, that's not an exhaustive list, and as you will see below, a good NetSuite Partner can create a custom integration with NetSuite for most software solutions.
Using a Connector Service
There are several options for connector services, and some are more expensive than others. You may see some like Channel Advisor that start at about $40,000, including implementation and the first year of the annual subscription. The pricing model is variable and based on each company's size.
Pros:
- Less maintenance liability
- Platform-based
- One location for multiple integrations
- Easier for non-developers to make minor changes
- Requires fewer hours to implement
Cons:
- Require subscription fees
- Still require technical expertise for non-standard work
- Becomes more technical as the integration grows
There are definite benefits to having a connector service like Channel Advisor or Celigo. We like both of them, which is why we are partners with them!
Having a Custom Integration to NetSuite Built
Our team at Anchor Group builds custom NetSuite integrations for our partners all the time. Most of them require similar coding processes, so we tackle new integration software. Using SOAP calls or API calls via NetSuite RESTlets make integrations very easy for developers. We have seen companies come to us before or after using connector software because they wanted either something more robust that was too difficult to complete in a connector (although not impossible) or to cut down on overhead company costs. Here are some of the pros and cons of building a custom integration to NetSuite.
Pros:
- Unlimited customization capability
- Zero subscription costs
- Designed just for your business
Cons:
- You are responsible for any maintenance
- Takes a little longer to implement
- Requires a developer for minor changes
It will be up to you to decide which method is best for you. Both are good options, but you can determine which makes the most sense for your business. You can often get a custom NetSuite integration for about $10,000. This obviously depends on some other factors, but there are possible subscription savings over the long run when using this method.
NetSuite Integration Partners
The next thing that you should know is who can handle these different kinds of NetSuite implementations. Most NetSuite Partners will know how to perform both implementations and will be able to advise you on which option will be the better fit for each use case. But, it is important to know how to find the right NetSuite Partner. One of the most important things here, especially for an initial NetSuite implementation, is to get cost estimates from more than one NetSuite Partner so that you can be sure you are getting a good deal. Just keep in mind that at some point, you get the level of service you pay for, which is why we recommend utilizing a small to mid-size NetSuite Partner that encompasses the expertise of a large consulting firm with the responsiveness of a freelance consultant, all encompassed within a low-cost structure.
That's all for now! Hopefully, this post gives you something to work with while trying to understand NetSuite and what it can do for your business. If you have any questions and want some free consulting advice, feel free to contact our team at Anchor Group.
Oracle NetSuite Partner
Anchor Group is both an Oracle NetSuite Alliance Partner and an Oracle NetSuite Commerce Partner, which means we are ready to handle everything from initial NetSuite Implementations to SuiteCommerce Advanced version migrations. We know that we might not be the right fit for you, but we have connections all across the NetSuite space, so we can point you in the direction of the people you need if it isn't us.
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