California-based NetSuite makes the bold claim of being the number one financial management solution. Created in 1998 and acquired by multinational corporation Oracle in 2016, NetSuite is ideal for small businesses and global corporations alike, offering a solution for everyone. The software is highly customizable and easy to use, with the only obstacle for users being the sheer volume of features to navigate. You’re not restricted to just accounting functions either as NetSuite covers CRM, ecommerce, HR, marketing, analytics, payroll, and much more. NetSuite’s price depends on your business and the number of services you need, so you’ll have to speak with the sales team directly to get a solution tailored exactly to your needs, but you can experience the software first with a free tour.
# users | Unlimited |
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# clients | Unlimited |
Invoicing | |
Expense tracking |
After logging into your Oracle NetSuite account you’ll see a dashboard that is highly practical and customizable – although it isn’t the prettiest around. From here you can easily switch roles, see your reminders, view KPIs, and use the powerful search bar to find everything you need. For companies that are able to take advantage of the unlimited number of users and clients that NetSuite allows you to add, this is an essential tool.
Who gets access to which function is another highly customizable aspect of the software. Each user is assigned a role – you can use a default one or create your own – and permission settings can be tweaked. Every role gets its own dashboard, which you can edit how you see fit. For example, your sales team will be able to view KPIs and your HR department will see the upcoming dates to process payroll.
There are no issues with security because all data is encrypted end to end with two-factor authentication required for important operations. Users don’t need to worry about downtime either, as NetSuite guarantees 99.5% uptime and is very open about the status of its networks.
The first time you create an invoice you’ll discover that option isn’t the easiest to access, as it’s buried in a few menus. Helpfully, you can save the process to your favorites to get there instantly in the future. On the invoicing page, you’ll find an exhaustive list of options available to you, allowing you to easily add commissions, discounts, tax rates, and shipping information. There are neat extras too, like being able to request a fraud review and getting notifications for low stock items. As you would expect from NetSuite, customization is king. So, if you do want to add some information to your invoices that isn’t already there then you can create your own custom fields as well.
As with invoicing, inventory options are pretty much unlimited. You’ll easily be able to keep on top of stock levels by setting up reorder points. You can also work out shipping and handling costs, update your online store, and add different types of discounts (like wholesale and employee discount). NetSuite’s inventory is particularly impressive for companies who have stock in different places, as you can set up not only the location of your warehouses but then divide those up into different areas.
NetSuite makes project management simple. When creating a new project you can use templates to quickly get started. From there you’re able to set up cost management, plan budgets, and create ‘what if’ scenarios for each project. It’s possible to handle all estimates, bookings, cash flow, and invoices for a project in one place. Everything links in with NetSuite’s other services, enabling you to track every aspect of your project for maximum efficiency.
Like everything else with NetSuite, the easy-to-use report builder means you can create reports to suit your needs. The report builder is comprehensive, allowing you to edit every filter, chart, and sorting option. You can even alter the layouts to make them more presentable and highlight more data. The handy preview option lets you check that everything is perfect before your new report is complete. If this sounds like a lot of work, then you can save time by using one of the many templates instead.
Web app | |
Mobile optimized | |
macOS | |
Linux |
The NetSuite website is easily adjustable to any browser. While it’s recommended you use either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari, on your desktop there’s no real limit. The same is true for mobiles and tablets, where the website adapts to your screen size, so you’ll have no problem using the software on the go. Alternatively, there are dedicated apps for Android and iOS. However, the app isn’t as easy to navigate as the browser version and it takes some getting used to. You may even find yourself spending more time stuck in the menus than doing actual work. Despite that, the app does work offline, and you’ll still be able to access most of the important features you need with some notable exceptions like printing.
Beyond covering every aspect of accounting you can think of, Oracle NetSuite provides plenty of other services too. One such extra is SuitePeople, which gives you HR and payroll solutions with onboarding, organization charts, time management, and payroll for employees and contractors. There’s also SuiteCommerce – an ecommerce service that combines order management, POS, marketing, customer support, and financials – and Bronto, an email marketing service. You’ll even find solutions for business intelligence and analytics.
In the unlikely event that NetSuite doesn’t already provide everything you need, you can head over to the SuiteApp store. Here you’ll find hundreds of apps covering everything from asset management to productivity tools and warehouse management. There’s also SuiteBuilder, which allows developers to create their own SuiteApp program.
The cost of a NetSuite subscription varies from customer to customer, so you’ll need to contact the company to find out your price. There are also a lot of other local vendors that are licensed to sell the product, but it’s always a good idea to shop direct. Although prices vary, users can expect to pay a base price of around $999 per month and an additional $99 per user. This is very expensive in comparison to other services as you won’t be able to pay for just the accounting features individually, but you do get a lot more bang for your buck having everything in one place.
To find out your ideal NetSuite subscription you can get in touch with the sales team via live chat feature or over the phone. Since the company has offices all over the world, you’ll have no trouble getting in touch in your time zone. Unfortunately, there aren’t any free trials to test out the service first, but you can sign up for a free product tour on the NetSuite website.
Visa | |
Mastercard | |
American Express | |
Discover |
24/7 | |
Live chat | |
Phone |
What level of customer service you get depends on your subscription, but overall it’s high quality. Support is divided into Basic and Premium, but even the Basic package offers 24/7 support for critical issues, something that Premium users enjoy for any query. Indeed, Premium users can expect a response within an hour for urgent problems. There’s also a community where you can interact with other users to get help and tips. Although NetSuite is active on social media through Facebook and Twitter this isn’t the ideal avenue for support.
Since NetSuite has such a huge amount of functions and features it needs the relevant documentation to match. And it certainly delivers here too. First, there’s a blog with news and updates that will no doubt be of help to your business. There’s a wealth of PDF files that guide you through all of the many features as well. NetSuite regularly hosts online events that will help you get the most out of the software. But the best way to truly understand all the ins and outs of NetSuite is to register for the company’s own training program. The program isn’t free, but it’s the fastest and most effective way to learn.
No matter the size of your business, you’ll find everything you need with Oracle NetSuite and you’ll never be concerned about outgrowing the software. Perhaps the only set back is that small businesses may not be able to afford the steep costs. Although users may find the sheer volume of features and services that NetSuite provides overwhelming at first, by taking advantage of the documentation, tutorials, and training courses you’ll become an expert in no time. Once users have really gotten to grips with NetSuite, they’ll be able to see how with each tweak and customizable feature the software can become an essential part of your business. The SuiteApp store containing hundreds of integrations is the icing on the cake, making NetSuite the ultimate online accounting solution. Unfortunately, there isn’t a free trial for users to test out first, but we recommend taking advantage of the free tour to see the unlimited possibilities of NetSuite.
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