Oracle NetSuite is the most popular mid-market ERP (enterprise resource planning) software in the world today and has over 40,000 customers worldwide.
While almost all of these companies use core ERP, more than two-thirds of them also use NetSuite to make their business workflows more efficient, merging customer relationship management (CRM) and ERP tools into one unified system. cloud based. system.
While NetSuite's ERP and CRM offerings are robust, businesses often need integration solutions to customize back-office processes. With the ERP market expected to grow to $50 billion by 2025, NetSuite integrations will only become more important and competition around NetSuite integrations will intensify.
In this article, we'll explore what constitutes a NetSuite integration, showcase the top integration solutions available, and discuss how to identify the best fit for your business.
What is NetSuite?
NetSuite offers a cloud-based business management platform used by more than 37,000 fast-growing companies worldwide. The platform is designed to help you optimize your operations, gain performance insights, and achieve significant cost savings and efficiency improvements.
NetSuite's cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system provides businesses with a comprehensive set of applications to effectively manage their operations while supporting growth. Companies of all sizes and across a wide range of industries rely on NetSuite to leverage its robust applications for finance, supply chain, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources, professional services, e-commerce, and more.
Additionally, NetSuite's functionality can be extended with specialized modules that meet the unique requirements of various ERP departments, such as finance, CRM, and others.
You can read more about all NetSuite modules here.
What are NetSuite integrations?
NetSuite integrations involve connecting a NetSuite deployment to other databases, systems, applications, and endpoints. A custom integration ensures seamless data flow between NetSuite and the rest of the software in your ecosystem. This data exchange can occur in one direction or bidirectionally.
For example, when new sales order data is added to NetSuite, it can be automatically synchronized with other systems such as your CRM and customer billing software, eliminating the need for manual data transfers.
Types of NetSuite Integrations
- NetSuite Connectors: NetSuite Connectors (formerly FarApp) provides point integration solutions for leading e-commerce, logistics and point-of-sale providers. Featured connectors include Shopify, Magneto, amazon, eBay, and WooCommerce.
- Custom Integrations: Custom integrations are built from scratch for unique needs or specialized software. They offer maximum flexibility but require developer experience.
- Suite applications: NetSuite's integrated API allows developers to connect the platform programmatically with various third-party systems. SuiteTalk allows developers to create custom integrations so data flows seamlessly from NetSuite to external software applications. It does this through a few different integration tools.
Benefits of NetSuite Integrations
Adding NetSuite integrations can save you a lot of money when implementing NetSuite into your business, for the simple reason that your ERP communicates much more effectively with the rest of your company.
Basically, adding integrations to NetSuite helps you with automating critical workflows such as expense approvals, document verification, customer billing, etc.
Whatever the business process, there are 3 key benefits to adding NetSuite integrations:
- Faster Workflows—Connecting your business applications to NetSuite will ensure they can work together without any data blockers, driving maximum productivity and value from all your business applications.
- Data consistency and accuracy—When you set up workflows between applications, you can ensure that data is periodically updated and reflected in NetSuite at the same time as your other tools (such as your CRM or Workplace applications). This will ensure that accurate data is used consistently across multiple software systems.
- Reduced manual effort – The direct consequence of the above is the reduction of costs in manual efforts to synchronize data and the reduction of monetary risk due to inaccurate data.
Here is an example
Below is a sample integration workflow for accounts payable in Nanonets, which integrates the following applications:
- NetSuite
- Gmail
- Google Drive + Microsoft OneDrive
- Slack/Teams for approval
- Multiple document storage applications are integrated to extract financial documents such as invoices or receipts.
- After processing, data can be synchronized with NetSuite for consistency and accuracy.
This reduces manual effort, automates data entry, and ensures data accuracy across all systems.
How to set up NetSuite integrations
Integration with NetSuite can involve any of the NetSuite Integration customization tools, such as SuiteTalk Web Services, SuiteCloud, or SuiteScript. SuiteTalk is a web services tool that facilitates integration between NetSuite and third-party systems.
You can read more about SuiteTalk APIs and how to use them (as well as SuiteScript, a programming language for NetSuite) in our NetSuite API guide.
However, not all companies have the time or internal resources to fully utilize SuiteTalk or SuiteScript. In such cases, you can opt for pre-built connectors or a NetSuite integration platform to quickly deploy and get started.
Here is a useful reference. on which solution might work best:
Must-Have NetSuite Integrations
Nanonetworks
AP Automation
The Nanonets AP automation platform is your ideal solution to streamline all accounts payable tasks. It uses advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate essential tasks, such as invoice data extraction and validation. With the new productivity and time savings that Nanonets offer, the possibilities are limitless.
sesame hr
Optimize HR processes
Sesame HR is a multi-device platform that allows you to digitize and streamline HR processes and make management faster and more efficient. Helps with time management in flextime companies and people analysis for better employee retention.
SMS for NetSuite from Sinch MessageMedia
SMS Notifications and Conversations
Expand the power of NetSuite by adding Sinch MessageMedia text-based notifications and two-way SMS conversations to the NetSuite platform. Use automated workflows, pre-built templates, batch processes, or saved searches to connect with your customers via text messages. Quickly confirm orders, coordinate appointments, schedule deliveries, and provide engaging customer support via SMS.
NetSuite Enclosure
Document storage and collaboration.
Box for NetSuite enables teams to work smarter by increasing collaboration and visibility across the organization. With the app, users can easily view and collaborate on content stored in Box directly within NetSuite. Box folders can be associated with specific NetSuite records to keep documents organized and ensure the right teams have access to the right content at all times.
DocuSign for NetSuite
Electronic signatures for agreements
Connect your NetSuite system with electronic signature to make agreement processes even more intuitive. Send agreements for signature with a single click and send the right documents to the right contacts with the right details combined from your NetSuite ERP and CRM systems. The integration is pre-built to work out of the box with no coding required.
How to choose the best integrations for your business
After selecting a few NetSuite integration options to consider, the next step is to compile a complete list of all third-party applications and current software you use.
Have each team member provide a list of the tools they use to ensure nothing is overlooked. This will serve as a solid foundation when deciding which is the best NetSuite integration solution for your business.
Additional factors that should influence your decision:
- Existing enterprise software – Do you use another ERP or a specific CRM tool that itself limits the number of integrations you would like to use?
- Personalization – Are you okay with basic automation or do you need to customize your software workflows to continue your business? In most cases, you may want to consider the latter.
- Security and Privacy – Select apps with appropriate data and privacy policies to ensure your data is not misused. At a minimum, you should be aware of GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.
- Ease of use – You and your team should easily understand and use the tool, integrate it seamlessly as promised, and get proper support from the vendor throughout the process.
A great example is something like Nanonets (if you're looking for finance or operations automation, that is). With a tool like Nanonets, you get the best of both worlds: fast automation for common use cases and the ability to create deep customizations that connect to multiple applications across your company.
