NetSuite vs. Skubana

We found the NetSuite dashboard to be a little difficult to use and dated, especially compared to some of the other providers we’ve reviewed. While NetSuite is a browser app, the interface resembles legacy software, with a menu bar across the top and a lot of widgets and on-page links. It’s not terrible. But it’s not fantastic either.

We are using an older version of the e-commerce platform and it is not particularly user friendly.

Nothing is user-friendly, despite their claims. Even simple changes require vast coding knowledge.

The system offers a good basic ERP structure for small businesses.

Skubana is a browser app with a fairly typical user interface design. A central login page links to management dashboards for orders, shipments, inventory, analytics, and so on.

We thought that Skubana’s interface was reasonably intuitive and easy-to-use. It’s not the most straightforward on the market, and there is a slight learning curve, especially when it comes to the analytics dashboard. That said, it’s by no means the worst.

"It's a fantastic platform that has helped us leverage multiple additional technologies."

"It takes a little bit of time to fully learn everything about Skubana, I'm sure we still have a lot to learn."

"It takes a little bit of time to fully learn everything about Skubana, I'm sure we still have a lot to learn."

(Note: The focus in this review is on the inventory management features in NetSuite, not on its capabilities as an ERP.)

When it comes to features, NetSuite has everything you would expect from a typical inventory management solution. And the integrations library - easily one of the most extensive we’ve come across - makes up for any shortcomings in native functionality. Users can also take advantage of a mobile app (available on both Android and Apple), although it is somewhat limited.

First and foremost, the Netsuite feature-set includes comprehensive inventory, reorder, and delivery management tools. Its “Manufacturing Execution System” also makes it easy for manufacturers to manage parts deliveries, production lines, bills of materials, and complex supply chains. Retailers have access to a POS (point of sale system), barcode scanning assistant, automation settings, team permissions, and more. Users can also leverage an in-depth analytics dashboard. In short, it has everything you need to manage your warehouses and orders.

Finally, Oracle employs stringent security data safeguarding practices, including regular audits, managed access to servers, and protected premises. NetSuite has met numerous security standards like SOC 1, SOC 2, and PCI-DSS, making it an ideal choice for retailers that need to ensure security compliance.

On the surface, Skubana’s feature-kit appears less comprehensive than many of its competitors. There’s no mobile app, native barcode scanning, POS, or accounting integrations.

But it’s important to remember that the platform has been designed with multichannel retailers in mind. For this specific group, few other platforms come close to providing the same level of functionality.

Among the most notable features are the individual channel reporting tools, the API for building custom integrations, automation bots which can be used to manage inventory on third-party marketplaces, and advanced options for organizing parent-child and bundled products.

Skubana also excels on the training front. Users have access to onboarding consultants (full onboarding takes between four and six weeks), long-term client success managers, and a complete and highly-praised support package.

The analytics tools also rank among the best in the industry. Retailers can access a myriad of metrics, including turnover for specific channels, fulfillment rates, carrying costs, inventory age, and more. There are dedicated features for calculating customer value, keeping on top of accounting tasks, and maintaining a big-picture view across multiple stores.

Finally, all Skubana servers are run using AWS (Amazon Web Servers) and are fully secure. Reviews indicate that software is well-maintained from a technical standpoint and suitable for scaling companies.

NetSuite integrations work slightly differently compared to most other inventory management providers. Rather than offer a library of connectors built by its own development team, users have access to integrations in the App Suite, all of which have been created by third-party services. NetSuite has been around for a long time, and the integrations library is very extensive. But just remember that additional functionality comes with a price-tag.

Retailers that want to link up with third-party marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, Walmart, and so on, can take advantage of the FarApp integration. NetSuite doesn’t offer any in-house functionality for multi-channel sales in this regard, so you’ll need the app.

ShipJunction, ShipStation, Pacejet, and Descartes Shipping are the most popular shipping apps and extend the order management functionality offered by NetSuite. In terms of ecommerce connectors, virtually all major platforms are provided for, including Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and others. Most of these add-ons have been created by Celigo.

Notably, NetSuite also offers an array of apps for catering to international audiences, enabling users to manage multiple currencies, languages, international shipping locations, and so on. If you’ve struggled to find an inventory management solution that allows you to serve a global market effectively, then you will definitely like what’s on offer.

Skubana relies quite heavily on third-party integrations to supplement its core feature-set. Barcode scanning and POS, for example, are only available through connectors. The downside to this approach is that it incurs extra costs because users have to pay for separate services.

While the Skubana integrations library is fairly solid, it’s not the best we’ve seen. Accounting apps for Xero and Quickbooks were notably absent, although Zapier makes up for this to an extent.

Where Skubana really shines, on the other hand, is in relation to omnichannel selling. A variety of EDI tools (SPS, eZCom, B2BGateway, etc.) enable retailers to sync up with practically any third-party marketplace, and native integrations are offered for Amazon, eBay, Groupon, Houzz, Jet, Newegg, Sears, Target, and Walmart. On the shopping cart front, 3dcart, BigCommerce, Magento, Shopify, and Shopify Plus are supported.

Skubana also offers an excellent array of its own integrations with shipping providers, including DHL, Endicia, FedEx, and UPS.

On the whole, while the integrations library might not be the most comprehensive we’ve reviewed, we were left with the impression that it’s been uniquely designed for multichannel retailers. If you sell on various marketplaces, you simply won’t find a more extensive set of connectors.

NetSuite doesn’t publish pricing, so it’s difficult to evaluate “value for money” thoroughly. It’s likely that the base licence for the core financials and inventory management software is around $1000 per month with an additional $100 per user per month.

Optional modules, which provide functionality across ecommerce, analytics, customer management, and so on, will increase the monthly total. For a company looking for a custom ERP, and not just an inventory management solution, this may be a cost-effective prospect.

It’s also important to note that integrations come with an additional monthly fee. So make sure to include the price of any that you’ll need in the final estimate.

Skubana is aimed at medium and large sellers dealing with high volumes. Pricing begins at $999/month. At this price-point, we feel that it isn’t suitable for smaller retailers unless they require an inventory management solution designed to sync with multiple marketplaces. For these independent retailers, a number of cheaper options are available.

It’s important to keep in mind that Skubana is the best multichannel platform on the market. The custom pricing model is also very competitive when compared to other providers, and there are no long-term contracts. If you’re considering opting for Skubana, get in touch for a free demo before making a decision.

Overall, the level and quality of support offered by NetSuite are good, even if the system is a little convoluted.

Users can choose between “Basic” and “Premium” customer service. Both packages include 24/7 support for “severity one” issues. The “Premium” plan” also provides business hours help with “severity three” and “severity four” issues. The support team is reached via the phone and support tickets/email. Users also have the option to join the community support forum and access the technical troubleshooting portal.

The training materials are of high quality, with an online area dedicated to educational resources. It’s also possible to work with an “Education Advisor” to streamline onboarding.

Customer support, which is via email (with a turnaround time of twenty-four hours), is generally very good. Users praise both the high level of technical assistance and the responsiveness of the customer service team when alerted to bugs and other backend issues. The FAQs and support documentation is also very extensive.

Skubana provides new users with a dedicated onboarding manager to help them get up and running as quickly as possible. In addition to this, retailers can access a “client success” representative who will help them to take full advantage of the platform.

The one downside is that Skubana doesn’t offer live chat or phone support, which could come in useful when time-sensitive problems arise.

NetSuite is unlike many other inventory management solutions in that it forms part of a broader enterprise resource planning app. Keep in mind that ecommerce and inventory tools are offered in conjunction with Netsuite’s accounting and financial features. If you already have a financial management system, then you should probably consider an alternative solution.

If, on the other hand, you’re in the market for a highly customizable, cost-effective, and comprehensive app that transcends the boundaries of typical inventory management software, then it’s an option that’s well worth considering. The integrations library is also one of the biggest we’ve ever seen.

It’s suitable for companies of all sizes, and the free trial is an excellent starting point for retailers that are drawn to it.

Skubana isn’t for everybody. If you’re a small online retailer, or if you only sell through one store, then there are other options available with more functionality and better pricing. Skubana also relies quite heavily on integrations.

If, on the other hand, you’re a reasonably high-volume multichannel seller, then Skubana is easily the best solution on the market, and it’s the small details that make the difference. Along with obvious tools like marketplace integrations and multichannel analytics, Skubana also provides less obvious features. These include bundled product options, management of different SKUs for identical products (which can be an issue when using marketplaces), and automation bots for streamlining workflows.

Customer support is excellent, so if you’re thinking about purchasing a subscription, get in touch with the company and ask for a free demo.