Don't Settle for Default Settings: How Customization Can Unlock NetSuite's Full Potential

February 28, 2024
 Person using laptop with green arrow and business graph. Customization Can Unlock NetSuite's Full Potential.

If you want to set up your business for success, NetSuite needs to do the heavy lifting for you. Because as your business grows, so do its specific needs and processes.

NetSuite is famous for its excellent flexibility and customization options. This sets it apart from other software. 

However, it also comes with a set of pre-configured default settings. You'll get these when you first implement the system. 

Not to say that NetSuite's default settings can't support your growing business. It definitely can. But these settings may not be the most optimal configuration to help your company thrive. 

The good news is, cloud management done right is a huge competitive advantage in business. 

Unlocking your NetSuite's full potential eliminates bottlenecks. It makes way for a more streamlined business process and better results. 

We'll guide you through the steps to keep your business running like clockwork. And how to use NetSuite customization to your advantage. So you don't have to settle for default settings.

What Are NetSuite’s Default Settings?

Netsuite’s default settings serve as a starting point. They're designed to work for a wide range of businesses. Its settings encompass various aspects of your system, including:

Roles and Permissions

NetSuite assigns default roles to users based on their job functions. These roles determine what areas of the system a user can access and what actions they can perform. 

For instance, a sales representative may access customer records but not financial reports. 

Record Types

NetSuite has predefined record types for common business entities. These include customers, vendors, and items. These record types come with default fields and forms to capture important information.

Workflows

NetSuite also has default workflows to automate your standard business processes. An example would be a default workflow for processing sales orders.

Reports and Dashboards

NetSuite provides default reports and dashboards that offer insights into your business operations. These reports cover areas like financials, sales, and inventory.

Tax Settings

NetSuite comes with default tax codes and settings based on common tax laws. You can customize these settings to align with your specific tax requirements.

The Limitations of Default Settings

As efficient as NetSuite's default settings are, they still have their limitations. It's not going to be the right setup you want off the bat. Especially when your business has highly unique or specific goals and needs. Some constraints include:

One Size Fits None

NetSuite’s default settings are inherently generic. They serve as a baseline for a broad range of businesses. There’s a huge tendency they won’t accurately reflect your business processes. 

Security Risks

Proper data management is a must for every business. Without adjusting default settings, there's a risk of security breaches and data leaks. Customize this setting to keep sensitive data safe from unauthorized users.

Data Integrity

Default record types and fields cover common use cases. But they may not capture all the specific information you need. 

Relying solely on these defaults could result in gaps in data collection. It could also affect data integrity and decision-making.

Inefficiencies

The default workflows may not be as efficient compared to customized workflows. They may lack the automation to streamline your processes and boost productivity significantly.

Download the Salary Guide to compare average salaries of top NetSuite ERP professionals.

How Can It Impact Your Business?

So, how do you know if your out-of-the-box NetSuite default settings are slowing you down?

Missed Opportunities

Relying on default settings can affect your ability to excel in the marketplace. Without tailored configurations, your business might miss out on potential efficiencies and insights.

Compliance Issues

Does your industry or location have specific regulatory requirements? Relying on default settings can lead to non-compliance. This could result in legal consequences or financial penalties.

Security Breaches

There's a lot at stake when it comes to data breaches. Inadequate role and permission customization could expose your data to security threats. You can lose customer trust, compromise sensitive information, and damage your company's reputation.

Inaccurate Reporting

Can your team access KPIs, goals, and metrics that reflect your business's unique data? It's hard to fully grasp your company's performance without custom reports and dashboards. This can hinder your ability to make timely, informed strategic decisions.

NetSuite's default settings provide a solid foundation for your business management needs. But it doesn't hurt to acknowledge and recognize their limitations. Doing so helps you take the necessary steps to tailor the system to your specific requirements.

The Power Of Customization: Tailoring NetSuite to Your Business Needs

NetSuite’s impressive capacity for customization lets you maximize this powerful ERP system. If you feel the impact of relying on default settings, our experts at Atticus can help. 

Optimize your NetSuite with a thorough NetSuite Systems Review with our certified consultants. This process identifies where you need to focus your efforts to unlock NetSuote's full potential

Why Customization Matters In NetSuite

Customization is not just a bonus feature in NetSuite. It's a fundamental aspect of making this ERP software effective for diverse industries and businesses. 

Here's why it’s a game-changer you shouldn’t miss out on:

Fits Your Unique Business Processes

Every business has processes and workflows distinct to its industry, size, and objectives. An efficient process for a retail business might not be suitable for a manufacturing company. 

So, customization in NetSuite allows you to align the software to your specific business operations. This makes sure that it seamlessly integrates into your workflow.

Let's say you run an e-commerce business. NetSuite's customization can help create order-processing workflows. They match your fulfilment and shipping processes.

Gives You Competitive Advantage

In a world where competition is fierce, standing out from the crowd is essential. 

Customizing NetSuite gives you the edge to meet industry-specific needs. By tailoring your ERP system, you can offer unique services to your customers. 

For instance, a manufacturing company can customize NetSuite to manage complex production schedules. This will help with on-time delivery and superior product quality. Consistently meeting customer demands would give them a distinct advantage in the market.

Ensures Scalability

As your business grows and evolves, so do your requirements. What works for a small startup may not work for a rapidly expanding enterprise. 

NetSuite's flexibility allows you to scale up your customization as needed. You can easily add new modules, fields, and functionalities without a complete system overhaul.

Take a retail chain expanding to new locations, for example. They can seamlessly customize NetSuite to incorporate new stores into its system. This allows them to effectively manage inventory and sales data centrally without disruptions.

Benefits of Tailoring NetSuite To Your Business Needs

An optimized NetSuite creates ways for your business to reach new levels of success. From real-time visibility, seamless integration, and a boost in productivity, the benefits are endless. A few perks include: 

  • Increased Efficiency
  • Enhanced Reporting and Analytics
  • Better User Adoption

Increased Efficiency

Customization eliminates any unnecessary steps and streamlines processes within NetSuite. This results in reduced manual data entry and faster decision-making. Ultimately, it will increase productivity across the organization.

Enhanced Reporting and Analytics

You gain more accurate insights by customizing NetSuite to capture and analyze data specific to your business. These insights can be crucial. They can help you make data-driven decisions that steer your organization toward success.

Healthcare providers can customize NetSuite's reporting tools for more accurate data. They can use reports to track the outcome and effectiveness of patient treatment.

Better User Adoption

Customized interfaces and functionalities make NetSuite more user-friendly. Employees can then quickly adapt to the system. It will help reduce the time and resources needed for training. At the same time, it will minimize errors due to system-related complexities.

For example, a non-profit organization can customize NetSuite for its donation tracking process. This will make it easier for staff to record and report on contributions accurately.

Download the Salary Guide to compare average salaries of top NetSuite ERP professionals.

Overcoming Challenges in NetSuite Customization

Jumping into customization without a well-defined plan is not advisable. Without a clear understanding of your customization objectives, you can easily overdo it. 

Yes, customizing NetSuite is essential to tailor it to your unique needs. However, excessive customization can lead to complications later on. 

Imagine an intricately customized NetSuite that no longer receives updates from the provider. This creates a system that's difficult to maintain, or worse, obsolete.

Over-customization also impacts how users interact with NetSuite. Users may need help to adapt to the changes. It can lead to frustration and reduced productivity. 

Keeping your team informed of changes avoids errors and slowdowns in your operations.

Key Takeaway

As helpful as NetSuite's default settings are, it may not be able to keep up with the demands of your expanding business. 

Through NetSuite customization, you can create a more streamlined operation. It gives you that competitive edge to stay ahead of the competition and fine-tunes your system to work smarter for you!

Say goodbye to default settings and repetitive tasks. And hello to a business that runs like a well-oiled machine. All thanks to NetSuite Customization.

Need help with aligning NetSuite to your business operations? Have the necessary help and support you need in an instant! Partner with Atticus Solutions today and gain a NetSuite expert in your team. 

Book a call with us today to discuss how we can maximize your NetSuite!

Download the Salary Guide to compare average salaries of top NetSuite ERP professionals.
SALARY GUIDE EBOOK

Compare NetSuite ERP talent salaries

Attracting top NetSuite talent with clear job descriptions is the first step. Understanding salaries is your next key move! Download this free salary guide to view talent costs, offshore hiring tips, and more

2024 Atticus Solutions. All Rights Reserved