The NetSuite Implementation Process that Ensures a Successful NetSuite Deployment

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Following a proper NetSuite Implementation Process is one of the critical keys to a successful NetSuite deployment. The preparation for implementation is the most important part, think about it as doing the initial research for an essay. In this blog, we will break down the best way to approach your implementation project. It’s unusual for different NetSuite partners to have their own approach to NetSuite setup. All approaches have a few key components in common, such as planning, execution, testing, and going live.

Let’s have a look into each phase, in detail!

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The Discovery Phase

In this step of implementation questions such as goals, project scope, potential integration systems, NetSuite gap analysis, customization options, and requirements are identified and discussed.

The Planning Phase

When planning businesses must establish timelines, identify key resources and responsibilities for both internal and external teams. Factors such as team members’ responsibilities must be determined, how onboarding key users look like, project timelines must be established with goal setting and status check-ins. Process engineering needs to be looked at by creating an outline of how old processes will be converted to new processes within NetSuite.

The Execution Phase

Getting hands-on with NetSuite involves migrating data from the previous system, configuring key processes such as “procure to pay” or other specific processes that were outlined in the planning phase. Other parts of the execution include setting up charts of accounts and account balances, configuring settings such as accounting or shipping & costs. In this phase many configurations must be made, such as building automation, integrations, workflows, and customizations, even setting roles and permissions within the organization.

Training Phase

If you’ve read our previous blogs, you’d know that we always stress the importance of training. This is an often-overlooked stage that we have found to be critical to the implementation’s success after the external resources have departed. How can users be expected to utilize the software after the specialists have left if there is no appropriate training? Proper training enables users to get up and running quickly and identify issues sooner.

Testing Phase

The testing process can also be an overlooked step. Testing is a must to ensure that the goals set are matching. Depending on the business, there may be many phases of testing to ensure company requirements are being met.

Use-Case Testing – When the development team and external teams ensure that all processes and customizations are set up during the execution phase and are in a working manner according to goals and requirements established in the planning phase.

User Acceptance Testing – When users test processes and customizations that are set up during the execution phase. This is where training comes in and the reason we suggest an appropriate training session before testing begins. How are employees testing the new system if they are not able to navigate the new software?

The Go-Live phase

Once everything is deemed ready, is when you find out if all the planning and work will pay off as you begin to utilize NetSuite in your day-to-day business activities.

Post-Go-Live-Support

Make sure you have external resources to refer to during the first few months. There are things that may have been missed during testing and when you initially go live that won’t appear right away. Furthermore, maximizing the platform’s ROI is a continuous process that will need adjusting and updates in the years ahead to maintain and keep up with business changes. If you’ve gotten this far with your implementation partner, it’s definitely a good idea to keep them around because they’ll be the most experienced with your environment and can discuss future updates with you.

Partner Implementation

Having a NetSuite partner to handle your implementation is the most recommended option. You can choose the best partner for your needs with experience in your industry, and most of the partners are smaller organizations that can provide top-tier customer service with a personal touch and quick response time.