NetSuite Review

A review of NetSuite inventory management tools

Mark Hammersley

Mark Hammersley

Last updated 11o July 2020


NetSuite

3.7  Stackupp rating


Pricing from

$ 999.00 / month

Free Plan?

No


Best for

medium-sized and large businesses. medium-sized and large businesses. NetSuite is a popular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution that comes with a package of inventory management features.

NetSuite is best-known for its customizable ERP (enterprise resource planning) solution. NetSuite offers an array of features, encompassing ecommerce store-fronts, email marketing, customer relationship management, and more. A suite of financial planning, accounting, and inventory management tools form the backbone of the app, and various extras modules can be added to this. NetSuite operates a custom pricing model and the software is highly configurable, so you’ll have a great deal of freedom in tailoring it for your needs.

Overall, we felt that NetSuite was more geared towards larger retailers. That said, smaller companies will find a lot to like. If you’re looking for a comprehensive solution to run an array of tasks in addition to inventory management, then it’s a good option.

Is NetSuite right for you?

you are a smaller business owner in the same camp, you should also consider NetSuite. Pricing isn’t published on the site, and the software is customized to each user, so you’ll have to get in touch to discuss your needs.

Advantages

  • Robust set of inventory management features.
  • Excellent solution for users looking for a feature-rich ERP, not inventory management tools exclusively.
  • Cloud-based so all backend tasks are managed by NetSuite/Oracle.

Drawbacks

  • Doesn’t really work as a stand-alone inventory management solution.
  • Interface isn’t very user-friendly.
  • Integrations are clunky and costly.

Ease of Use

Rated 3/5 for Ease of Use

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.

What customers are saying...

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.

Features

Rated 4.5/5 for Features

(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.

Integrations

Rated 3.5/5 for Integrations

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.

How much does NetSuite cost?

Rated 3.5/5 for Pricing

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.

Help and Support

Rated 4/5 for Help and Support

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.

The Bottom Line

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.

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