Don’t Go it Alone: The Value of a NetSuite Consultant

Implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform like NetSuite is a big undertaking, and unfortunately isn’t a “one and done” exercise.  After go-live, there are always going to be changes to make, tweaks that need to happen and adjustments that will help you get the very most out of your new IT investment.

No company is a static entity. It grows, contracts, adds new business lines, signs on new customers and hires new employees—any or all of which may impact ERP needs. While NetSuite’s inherent capabilities have been well proven, a seasoned NetSuite consultant brings a level of understanding and expertise that your IT team will need to be able to keep the system running smoothly, optimize it for your unique operations, and ensure that it continues to scale over time.

The Indispensable NetSuite Consultant

Getting the most out of a complex software system takes a certain knack that general IT teams don’t always possess. While they can deftly navigate the complexities of their companies’ broader IT requirements, these teams may not have the NetSuite-specific experience and expertise that a successful NetSuite implementation and optimization requires.

That’s where companies like ScaleNorth step in to help. Laser-focused on NetSuite, they understand its nuances, best practices, and the intricacies of tailoring this leading ERP to your unique business requirements.

NetSuite consultants also understand that companies want tangible return on investment (ROI) from their technology investments. Put simply, the era where organizations invested in tech “for the sake of investing in tech” is over; today's businesses demand solutions that directly contribute to the bottom line in a provable and scalable manner. This is where the strategic guidance of ScaleNorth’s NetSuite consultants proves invaluable.

Going beyond the tech, ScaleNorth’s team members bring financial acumen and business strategy to the table, allowing them to not just implement NetSuite optimizations, but provide strategic guidance on custom solutions and areas for optimization. They don’t just implement software, they architect solutions, working closely with your stakeholders to deeply understand your current state, your future aspirations and the specific business challenges that NetSuite will help you conquer.

Scaling Your Business with NetSuite

In this competitive business landscape, NetSuite not only has to be the right fit for your unique company needs now, but it also has to provide the sustainability and scalability your company needs to succeed. Turning to a skilled NetSuite consultant for implementation and optimization guidance not only saves time and money, but it can also help bolster company growth.

Think of the NetSuite consultant not just as your go-to resource for break-fix activities, but also as the architect and builder of your future business state. They do this via:

• Crafting customizations, scripts and integrations that tailor the ERP to your firm’s specific needs and growth goals.
• Delving into the technical intricacies and writing the code that brings new functionalities to life behind the scenes.
• Operating as the strategic guide and functional expert who possesses a deep understanding of business processes and how the ERP’s native capabilities help optimize workflows.
• Translating business requirements into actionable NetSuite configurations and then guiding your team on how to maximize these features.
• Bringing a nuanced understanding of how your company’s different departments interact, where efficiencies can be gained and how NetSuite can become a true growth engine.

Don’t Try to Go it Alone

With how vast the IT landscape has become, it is impossible to expect your IT team to be master of all things under the sun. Further, for many businesses it does not make sense to hire a full-time NetSuite resource, nor would that single resource be an expert in all-things NetSuite.

With a full-stack NetSuite consulting team like ScaleNorth, you gain flexible access to a resource that’s entirely focused on NetSuite and its surrounding ecosystem. And, when a certain challenge stumps the consultant, they have access to a brain trust of over 275 NetSuite professionals to help identify a solution.

The right NetSuite consultant will also help you:

• Automate more processes, integrate more third-party applications into your new ERP and streamline your workflows.
• Scale with fewer internal resources, since your partner will become an embedded part of your team.
• Focus on more strategic initiatives instead of mundane tasks like data entry, spreadsheet shuffling and report generation.
• Improve operational visibility across your entire enterprise.
• Make better financial decisions that unlock growth and improve competitive advantage.
• Identify new areas of opportunity (versus always being mired in historical data, spreadsheets and problem-solving) like new business lines, mergers and acquisitions.
• Better prepare for slow periods, down seasons and economic downturns.
• Add on more NetSuite modules as soon as you need them (or in some cases, before you even know that you need them).

Using an in-house NetSuite team can create bottlenecks and demand issues, but ScaleNorth’s consultants can scale their hours up or down as needed, allowing you to remain agile and flexible.

6 Things to Look for in a NetSuite Consultant

Every organization is unique, which is why the one-size-fits-all approach never works when it comes to implementing and optimizing leading ERP systems like NetSuite. A consultant who understands the intricacies of your business processes and requirements—plus all of the ins and outs of NetSuite—can tailor the ERP to optimize workflows, automate tasks and enhance overall efficiency for your company (and not the other way around).

The question is, how do you know if you’re picking the right NetSuite consultant for your specific situation? Here are six traits and qualities to look for as you evaluate your options:

1. Possesses the right qualifications and certifications. Make sure that everyone on your project holds the essential NetSuite qualifications and has experience working with specific modules like manufacturing, warehousing, accounting or CRM.
2. Is knowledgeable and trustworthy. Check out customer success stories on the company’s website or ask for referrals from past customers.
3. Answers questions directly. If the consultant you’re talking to can’t answer a question directly, or if they beat around the bush, reach out to the next one on your list of candidates.
4. Has experience with and understands your industry. Ideally, you want to work with a consultant that already understands the intricacies of your industry and the challenges that your company is facing.
5. Handles setbacks and challenges professionally. All ERP projects come with some challenges, but the important thing is that your partner handles those issues swiftly and professionally.
6. Is committed to a long-term working relationship. As mentioned earlier, ERP is not a set it and forget it exercise, so make sure your NetSuite consultant is invested in your software’s long-term success.

NetSuite is an extremely powerful ERP platform, but optimizing the software for sustained value generation demands dedicated expertise. A skilled ScaleNorth NetSuite consultant will guarantee that your system is precisely tailored to your company’s unique needs, scales effectively and delivers a solid return on your technology investment.

To learn more about how ScaleNorth’s NetSuite Managed Services Program can help your business scale, contact us today.