NetSuite is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system from Oracle that is based around cloud infrastructure. Its capabilities range from managing your finances and accounts to other core functions like inventory management and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
The basic idea is to avoid data silos, and you can extend this concept by integrating NetSuite into a workflow with other existing systems you may have. This way, you can make it work alongside marketing software like HubSpot and Salesforce amongst various other pieces of software, or a dedicated data warehouse.
Get this right and you will have the ability to pull the relevant information from NetSuite and use it to gain more valuable insights with the help of dedicated analytics tools.So what exactly is NetSuite integration all about, and how will it benefit you? We’ll answer those questions in this post.
What is NetSuite integration?
NetSuite integration is the process by which you connect your NetSuite software deployment to other databases, systems and endpoints. By doing so, you facilitate a seamless flow of information between NetSuite and other applications deployed in your work environment.
For example, imagine some new data entering NetSuite. With the right integrations, this same information can automatically be made available to other systems that data will be important to – you will not need to transfer it manually. These integrations can be one-way setups, whereby information flows only from NetSuite to other software, or it can flow in both directions.
Making these integrations is a project in itself, which requires extensive planning before investing in a piece of software you intend to integrate with NetSuite. A thorough data integration strategy must be formulated, during which you consider the cost of the platform as well as the integration itself to ensure maximum cost- and time-efficiency.
NetSuite integration doesn’t necessarily have to be a difficult process however. There are companies out there who have already developed countless NetSuite integrations, and who offer their software at a cost to other businesses who want to benefit from these integrations. A prime example of this is Celigo.
What is Celigo?
Celigo is a well-respected Integration Platform as a Service (IPaaS) solution. It contains a set of automated tools designed to integrate different software applications with deployments in different environments. With Celigo, you will find a number of pre-built connectors, maps, transformations and business rules that can facilitate the development of applications and the orchestration of integrations.
Celigo is particularly closely linked with NetSuite, offering nearly two dozen out-of-the-box smart connectors for NetSuite integrations. If you are looking for a solution to integrate NetSuite with another piece of software, Celigo should definitely be on your radar and could likely already have an integration you can benefit from.
If you want to learn more about the powerful NetSuite integration capabilities in Celigo please read our informative article What is Celigo?
NetSuite Connector
NetSuite Connector enables the automated transfer of data between eCommerce storefronts, online marketplaces, point-of-sales systems and third-party logistics providers. The data is centralised in NetSuite, so the errors and delays that so often come with manual data entry are removed from the equation. Instead, with the use of pre-built connectors, you can synchronise inventory, order and fulfilment data with other commerce channels to track inventory accurately and make order processing more efficient.
What are the benefits of NetSuite integration?
There are many advantages to making your enterprise software and systems work more closely together. Among the many benefits of NetSuite integration, there are:
Improved Accuracy
Data is transferred automatically rather than manually, saving time and reducing errors for additional cost savings.
Easier Automation
Business processes can be automated more easily when data and other IT resources are shared between NetSuite and other IT systems.
Smoother Operations and Workflows
You can get an end-to-end look at your business processes for a more seamless flow.
Enhanced Communication
With NetSuite integration, it becomes easier to open lines of communication between the business and its vendors, partners and customers.
Data-based Decision Making
NetSuite integration makes the decision-making process more robust by pooling all business data in a single place so that you can understand the health of your business in real time.
How is NetSuite integration achieved?
To get the ball rolling on NetSuite integration, you might need to start by creating a NetSuite account ID. Within your NetSuite software, you will need to go to the Setup tab then Integration > Web Services Preferences. A NetSuite administrator can help you set this up if you need assistance.
To set up the integration, you may need to use the tools contained in NetSuite SuiteCloud. This is NetSuite’s own platform integration tool designed for building reliable and scalable integrations from scratch, and the tools you will need are SuiteTalk Web Services and SuiteScript.
The former is a specialist web services integration tool with capabilities for connecting NetSuite with third-party systems and applications. It facilitates coding using any programming language and offers the following benefits:
- Built-in support for the NetSuite ERP, CRM and ecommerce solutions
- Real-time integration of data
- Advanced features for security and error-handling
SuiteScript is a NetSuite platform based on JavaScript to enable the customisation and automation of business processes. By implementing SuiteScript, you can provide instructions for SuiteTalk on when to request data, where to pull it from and what to do with the data once it arrives in NetSuite.
Naturally, not all organisations have the in-house staff or the time to become skilled in the use of SuiteTalk and SuiteScript. This is why prebuilt connectors like Celigo and NetSuite Connector are so popular – they give you a framework to get up and running with NetSuite integrations more quickly.
The Main Challenges of NetSuite Integration
As you might expect, it is quite common to encounter certain challenges when setting up a NetSuite integration. Here are some of the most common challenges people encounter.
1. Slow Data Transfer Rates
NetSuite has relatively slow data transfer rates, so the process of transferring files between systems to databases may take some time and impede decision-making. This issue may be particularly pronounced if you are used to larger databases with faster data processing speeds.
2. NetSuite Concurrency Governance
NetSuite licences limit the number of connections. So if you are running multiple NetSuite connections simultaneously, you may find that errors occur. This problem can be easily solved by purchasing additional software licences or switching to different integration architecture.
3. Complex API
The NetSuite API can accommodate both REST and SOAP architectures, so there are many possibilities available. But not all of these possibilities are obvious to end-users, so it is important to be patient at every stage of the integration to learn the technical side of NetSuite and make the most out of the potential.
Conclusion
Essentially, there are three options available to you for performing a NetSuite integration. Your choice will probably be determined by your level of technical expertise, your IT budget and the nature of the applications you want to integrate with NetSuite.
1. You Build from Scratch
This requires a strong understanding of NetSuite’s APIs, XML and SuiteScript. SuiteCloud can help you integrate external data sources or admins, but this option is only really viable if you have people with the skill set to do it. If you can, it may save on subscription costs in the long term, but regular software maintenance will be required by other an in-house or external development team.
2. You Use a Connector
This would be where NetSuite Connector comes in. A connector is a purpose-built software tool for integrating NetSuite with other applications or systems. The NetSuite SuiteApp marketplace is also a good place to look.
3. You Utilise IPaaS
We previously mentioned Celigo, and there are other IPaaS applications to help you connect your IT environment and manage different integrations. This improves on NetSuite connectors because it enables multiple simultaneous integrations with a history of successful use cases. This can be the easiest way to achieve successful NetSuite integrations, but you must do your due diligence.
We have covered NetSuite integration in this article, but if you would like to learn more about NetSuite in general, please feel free to read the article What is NetSuite and how does it work?
Why choose Eventura to deliver your NetSuite ERP Project?
As an official NetSuite solution provider, we have successfully delivered countless NetSuite implementations and integrations. Our expert team of business analysts, developers, consultants, technicians and support staff can guide you through your entire project, from initial scoping through to implementation and on-going support.
We believe that NetSuite offers its customers a comprehensive suite of products that can digitally transform their businesses, replacing a range of disparate systems and softwares with one unified solution to business management.
If you would like to speak to one of our NetSuite experts, you can request a free call back here.
