Today, it takes an army to run a business and when it comes to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), choosing the right implementation partner is the ‘army.’
As statistics go, about 60% of ERP projects fail, so it takes a well-equipped team to ensure your company falls within the thriving 40%.
While this stat above may be concerning, choosing NetSuite as your ERP is already a plus. And the last thing you need to worry about is bad implementation.
You need the right NetSuite implementation partner to do better, work faster, and achieve more with your NetSuite software.
NetSuite Implementation partners are experts dedicated to helping you configure your NetSuite software to suit your business needs.
They are highly knowledgeable and will give you first-row answers to all the questions you may have.
These implementation partners have the experience and expertise to help you cut costs, save time, and intimate your business processes with the NetSuite software to get you the best ROI for your purchase.
While it can be tempting to settle for any implementation partner, don’t.
The burden of a lousy implementation doesn’t fall on the software alone. You’ll be relying on your implementation partner for guidance and training throughout the process.
So how can you tell which vendors are the best at implementing NetSuite and which ones you should avoid?
This guide will explore the factors to consider when selecting your NetSuite implementation partner.
Let’s jump right in!
How to Choose the Right NetSuite Implementation Partner (And Avoid Disaster)
- Technical expertise
Your implementation partner should have deep knowledge of NetSuite technology and industry best practices for data management and reporting systems.
Your NetSuite partner should be able to explain how it has implemented NetSuite for other clients, including any challenges and successes it has encountered.
If you consider an Application Service Provider (ASP) or Independent Software Vendor (ISV) solution, make sure that its technical team has experience with NetSuite’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) architecture.
You want someone who has helped other companies implement NetSuite solutions similar to yours and will be able to make recommendations based on their experience.
- Transparency and communication
The best NetSuite implementation partners can do two things for their clients:
- Ensure that they meet the client’s unique needs and goals
- Ensure that the client is comfortable throughout the process and provide a sense of stability. That all starts with communication.
Communication is a crucial component of achieving any vital goal.
If your implementation partner isn’t responsive and available to answer your questions or address your concerns, your project may prove to be more complex and costly than it needs to be.
It’s also vital to ensure they have the bandwidth and resources to improve communication and collaboration, such as project and task management tools.
- Cost
The cost of NetSuite implementation varies from one partner to another.
Some partners may charge for travel expenses or other costs associated with the project, while some may not. However, the cost depends on business size, platform requirements, and other factors such as customization requirements.
Naturally, you would want to find the lowest cost option. But that shouldn’t be your first call.
Finding an experienced NetSuite consultant with a clear understanding of your needs is equally important. So, finding the right balance between quality and cost is vital.
Before finalizing, be sure to get an estimate of the total cost for your project, including all phases of development and maintenance.
This can help you determine whether the vendor can provide a solution that meets your needs within budget.
- Industry knowledge
To implement your software, your NetSuite consulting partner should ensure that your selection of modules (and even customizations) are appropriate for your industry.
Your partner should be able to review your current processes and suggest improvements that make sense for your business.
Some partners have only a small number of clients in specific industries when it comes to industry knowledge.
In comparison, others may have worked with dozens or even hundreds of companies in similar verticals.
NetSuite has a particular set of standard functionalities across all industries, such as sales, fulfillment, marketing, accounting, etc.
The more experience your partner has in your industry, the better they’ll be able to understand your unique challenges and needs and offer appropriate suggestions and solutions.
- Ability to work with you as an extension of your team
Another critical consideration is how well the implementation partner will be able to work with your team. It’s important to work with someone who matches your business’ culture.
A smooth relationship between you and your implementation partner will increase your company’s chances of a successful NetSuite implementation.
You should find someone who understands the nuances of your organization and will be able to tailor their efforts to your situation.
While many companies like yours use NetSuite as their ERP solution, using an implementation consultant partner is still slightly outside the typical scope of work. So, ensure that you feel confident in their abilities to work with your team without sacrificing quality or efficiency.
- Long term support
In any business relationship, long-term support is vital.
The work doesn’t end with the initial implementation – you and your partner will be working together for years.
You need to know that your partner will still be there for you as you continue to grow and learn about your new software.
While the actual implementation is an essential part of a successful system, it’s only one step to ensure that you get the return on investment (ROI) and the long-term value you expect.
If you are looking at several partners and long-term support is a deciding factor, here are some key questions to ask:
- Do they charge per user or seat?
- How do they charge for additional support?
- What percentage of their staff are NetSuite Certified Consultants (NCCs)?
- Do they offer 24x7x365 support?
- Do they offer phone support, only email, or both?
- Proximity
Proximity to the customer is one of the factors to consider when selecting your NetSuite implementation partner.
Once you’ve determined that NetSuite is a suitable ERP for your company, it’s often challenging to change ERPs midway. So, choosing a geographically close implementation partner is better, especially if you plan to leverage these partners’ expertise in other areas of your business.
Distance between your company and the implementation partner’s offices can affect how much time is spent on travel, creating unnecessary delays in the project and increased costs.
When it comes to implementing an ERP system for a company, there’s no shortage of tasks that require attention.
There may be constant meetings with team members, consultants, and stakeholders. There may also be research on how best to deploy different software features or how to integrate them with 3rd party applications.
- Implementation methodologies
One of the most important factors to consider when selecting your NetSuite implementation partner is their methodology.
While this might seem like a minor detail, it could affect effective implementation, both in terms of time and money.
An implementation methodology is a specific process that an implementation partner uses when implementing a NetSuite solution.
There are many implementation methodologies. Some run their implementations in-house (self-implementation), while others use an outside team of consultants and dedicated on-site resources (outsourced implementation).
It’s essential to ensure that they have a proven methodology for implementation and that their approach is compatible with your business and IT goals.
- Reputation
Reputation is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding which company to partner with for your NetSuite implementation.
The best way to assess reputation is to ask for references from companies that have used the vendor’s services.
Call a few references and determine how their experiences went, if they’d recommend the vendor and if they’d use them again.
The answers will give you a better idea of whether or not this vendor is the best fit for your project.
A partner company with a strong reputation in its industry can guide you through the implementation process with confidence and assurance, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises.
You want to feel confident that your NetSuite implementation will run smoothly.
- Size of the company/specific needs
When choosing your NetSuite implementation partner, the company’s needs will determine what type of help you need from the NetSuite implementation consultant.
You must have a clear understanding of your needs to make an informed decision about choosing the right implementation partner.
Here are some in-house questions to ask to determine what you need:
- Do you have a business case and a clear understanding of how implementation will increase your company’s bottom line?
- Is your current IT department lacking the skills or experience necessary to implement NetSuite properly?
- Is your IT department overworked, leaving them unable to provide adequate support or training after the initial rollout?
Once you know what you want, it’s easier to find an implementation partner that can offer services in line with those needs.
Benefits of Having A NetSuite Implementation Partner
The first thing you should know about NetSuite implementation partners is that they’re not all alike.
If you’re considering choosing an implementation partner, it’s essential to know the different types of expertise they can bring.
A high level of technical expertise
NetSuite is a compelling cloud software solution and can be overwhelming to learn and implement independently.
NetSuite offers plenty of resources for those new to its platform, but some elements require more of a learning curve than others. And your implementation partner can help you with everything from beginner training to advanced integration and customizations.
Having a NetSuite implementation partner can help you use the software in the most effective way possible.
Devotion to your company’s success
As a customer, you want someone who can help you understand how to get the most out of the platform and implement the right strategy for your specific business needs, including the provision of ongoing training and support after they’ve gone.
It’s always better to have a strong partnership before you need it than have it fall apart under pressure.
Experience with the different NetSuite versions
NetSuite Implementation partners often bring experience with the changes. So having a provider with experience working with the changes is invaluable.
They’ll help you figure out what new tools will help you on a personal level and which ones might not work. If they build the solution, they should show it well.
Consulting services
Your NetSuite implementation partner will provide consulting services beyond simply installing and configuring the software for you.
Consulting services include helping your business make sure that it optimally uses NetSuite and providing ongoing training for employees using the system regularly (such as sales reps).
Better value
You’ll get more for your money when you hire an experienced NetSuite professional.
Someone else may offer a one-size-fits-all package based on templates or canned solutions, which may not suit your organization’s needs.
Finding the perfect NetSuite Partner
Given all of this, it’s clear that choosing a NetSuite partner is more than just a plug-and-play arrangement. But it’s a great way to ensure that your implementation goes as smoothly as possible.
If you’ve decided to partner with a NetSuite Implementation consultant, take steps to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.
In addition, choose a partner with experience, proven results, and the expertise necessary to implement NetSuite solutions effectively.
On the other hand, if you’re in the midst of a project and still looking for a top-tier NetSuite implementation partner, don’t get discouraged.
Finding the perfect consulting partner is just like finding any other consultant.
You have to take your time to vet potential partners until you find the one. Not just for a successful implementation but years of continued software success.
To get started, book a call with a NetSuite expert today.