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IMPLEMENTATION
(read time: 6 minutes) SUITESUCCESS = YOUR SUCCESS
The SuiteSuccess methodology is top billing. I highly recommend as a new user you adopt the SuiteSuccess methodology and allow it to permeate all facets of your company. I often describe it this way: In the 'old days' of software development, we would sit down with (as an example) an AP Clerk and ask 'Show me how you do your job.' From there, we would take copious notes, then go back and replicate in the software the way they work. The problem with this process is that, although this may be a fine (and possibly an optimal way to record vendor payments), this may not be compatible with the NetSuite software. What then happens is the addition of custom fields, workflows or worse, scripts, to try and match the NetSuite software to the studied process. Then, along comes bi-annual upgrade time, and these functions must be vetted and tested. New employees must learn the nuances. A better solution is to start with a ardoise vierge - a blank slate. Ask the question: is this process (for example, paying vendors) unique to the way we do business? Is it part of our 'core competency' or 'special sauce'? If the answer is 'no', then save yourself the time and effort of reinventing this software wheel. Ask this question: NetSuite, if I were starting a new company and knew nothing about paying vendors, what would be the best and most efficient way of doing so in your software? The result will be a clean, upgradable, efficient, process in your beautiful new software. PREMIUM SUPPORT - DELAY FIRST, THEN CONSIDER ONLY 12 MONTHS
There is no doubt, NetSuite Premium support is fantastic and worth the investment. I have a few suggestions to maximize the investment... One - you are charged for support the minute you stroke a signature to your contract. As a completely green, noob NetSuite user, I can nearly guarantee you won't need premium support until at least 30 days into your implementation. If you are a bit slower in your migration, you might find you don't need support for even longer. I recommend holding off paying for this until you need it. Ask your sales manager to delay support for 30 or 60 days. Two - Once you have been using the software for a year, you will find the expense of Premium Support is no longer justified. Now, there are those more complicated installs and companies that have special coding and processes that can easily justify the value of the NetSuite support specialists. But for many, the Standard Support for break-fix issues is more than sufficient. 'More than' because, rarely, the software doesn't do what it's supposed to. LONGER CONTRACTS = LONGER SAVINGS
NetSuite often offers steep discounts off the list price. The amount of discount depends on many factors including:
I can't argue that the list price is or isn't a fair market price. I can only acknowledge that, for some companies, the price of NetSuite is perfect and for others, it's hard to afford the leap to true, enterprise-class computing. Regardless of where you are on the cost spectrum, if you find yourself with the opportunity for an extended period contract - take it! NetSuite contract language usually involves caps of no more than 5%, assuming the product matrix and licensing remain the same. Read differently, NetSuite is going to raise your rate by 5% at the next renewal. If you can negotiate a 36-month contract, this means (a) you enjoy your contract rate for three years and (b) the 5% increase will happen at the end of the third year, instead of the end of the first, second, and third. That's 15% savings over 36 months and will result in even more savings as you consider your compounded inflation has been pushed into the future! BE THE MASTER OF YOUR OWN DATA
The greatest satisfaction you will have when implementing NetSuite is the forced quality time you spend with your data. It's an opportunity to clean up, simplify, standardize, and remove all that baggage that probably made you want new software in the first place. Don't fall victim to thinking that Professional Services or the implementation consultant you hired will be complete in loading your initial data. They won't. It's not that they are bad at their job, they just don't care the same way you do. They will get it right and get it loaded on time. But, in the words of Smokey the Bear - only you will care enough to cull the bad entries, rename confusing fields, dig in and understand that out-of-place entry, run filters and...filter out the garbage you don't want in your pristine new software package. KEEP CONTRACTORS...CONTRACTORS (and hold them accountable)
Contractor and implementation consultants are worth it. Of course, there are occasional bad eggs or maybe you have the in-house talent that doesn't require extra assistance. But when you do use outside help - hold them accountable! This means - adhering to your customization standards (or your standard for not customizing). Make sure they follow your naming conventions and don't label assets (be it custom fields or searches or workflows or anything) under their consulting company or personal name. Make sure they describe custom fields with proper help text and properly document workflows and scripts. If you do it right, one day, they will move on from your company and you want to take over as if they had never been there. The best implementation is the transparent one, not one that requires you to call them back every few months for enhancements. COMMUNITIES ARE POWERFUL (and so is Reddit)
NetSuite communities are like bespoke social networking for NetSuite nurds. They are an essential way to connect to peers, learn more about this powerful software platform, get (and give) free advice, and generally help another NetSuite colleague out. My two favorites are the official Oracle NetSuite community and the Reddit NetSuite Unofficial Channel. The Oracle NetSuite Community is a little more complex to navigate and often has the voices of professionals and NetSuite project managers. The Reddit channel is more laid back and can offer you a laugh from time to time with candid responses. Become a part, you will be glad you did. LESS = MORE. BETTER. FASTER.
Piggybacking on the SuiteSuccess discussion at the top of the page, always remember the adage, "Less is More". Would you like to close your books in mere days? Don't build an accounting process and chart of accounts that require a battalion of accountants to close each month. Would you like to use handy features such as automated billing? Build your order process using standard and out-of-the-box tools and you can easily turn the feature on. Want to harness the power of Demand Planning and have the software direct you to planning and purchasing decisions? Build your purchasing process within the [vast and available] confines of the Demand Planning solution and you won't be disappointed. The main point is - remember how much more you can accomplish with fewer resources when those processes and procedures are stripped down to the bare essentials and executed cleanly and perfectly. |