Selecting the right ERP is crucial but challenging with so many options promising robust functionality. Legacy giants SAP and Oracle boast deep capabilities but at a high complexity and TCO cost. Nimble best-of-breed point solutions often deliver disappointing returns spreading resources and data across disconnected tools.
NetSuite strikes the optimal balance with an integrated cloud business suite combining strong functionality with ease of use. But how does it actually compare against alternatives across key evaluation criteria?
In this post, we’ll analyze NetSuite’s strengths and weaknesses versus leading options across six key considerations:
- Unified Data vs. Disjointed Silos
- Configurability vs. Customization
- Cloud Agility vs. On-Premise Rigidity
- Usability and Training
- Total Cost of Ownership
- Vendor Viability and Vision
We’ll also explain why over 30,000 organizations have chosen NetSuite – and how Anchor Group helps you get maximum value as a 5-star implementation partner.
#1 Data Consolidation: Unified Visibility vs. Scattered Silos
Lack of data visibility is the number one driver for investing in ERP. Yet most systems – especially large legacy suites – deliver disappointing insight because of fragmented information trapped in departmental silos.
Salesforce may excel at CRM but lacks native ERP or HCM capabilities. SAP or Oracle have strong financials but keep inventory, billing, and other modules separate. Stitching modules together is manual and error-prone with inconsistencies across reports.
In contrast, NetSuite was designed from inception as an integrated cloud suite spanning ERP, CRM, PSA, ecommerce, and HR on a unified database. This consolidates real-time data into a single version of the truth used across all departments.
The results are faster automated reporting and analytics with drill-down visibility across sales, orders, inventory, expenses, B2B commerce, services delivery, manufacturing, and more. Actionable insights empower faster and smarter decisions using comprehensive data in context.
While SAP or Microsoft offer impressive features, keep in mind you’re managing a complex web of linked on-premise systems with inconsistencies. NetSuite ensures one view across your entire business.
#2 Customization: Flexibility Not Overcomplexity
Virtually all ERP systems tout easy configurability to business needs out of the box. But vendor definitions of “configurable” can vary greatly. Legacy players like SAP and Oracle consider workflow custom code modifications as configuration.
While NetSuite supports customization through SuiteScript, JavaScript, and SuiteTalk, it provides ample leading practice process flexibility through configuration without customization complexity. For example, over 500 standard approval routing rules enable custom approval chains by role without scripting.
Often complex custom logic can be avoided in NetSuite through creative application of native functionality like saved searches, scheduled reports, and customizable forms/records. Moreover, NetSuite guarantees customizations carry over seamlessly during major upgrades – something Oracle and SAP cannot claim.
This ensures future flexibility and minimizes TCO. Carefully evaluate what vendors classify as configuration vs customization as the lines blur. With NetSuite, Tailoring is mostly through configuration, while deep customization is possible but not generally needed.
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#3 Deployment: Cloud Agility vs. On-Premise Anchors
The cloud revolution has fundamentally reshaped ERP buyer expectations over the past decade. NetSuite recognized earlier than competitors that the flexibility, agility, and TCO advantages of cloud-based systems would spark a mass migration from on-premise.
First to market over 20 years ago as a native multi-tenant SaaS ERP, NetSuite continues to rapidly expand capabilities across ecommerce, global financials, manufacturing, and people management without any version lock issues or upgrade disruption. New functionality is immediately available to all customers.
Despite efforts by SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft to cloud-wash legacy platforms, their architecture remains rooted in on-premise ideology. This requires complex replatforming to cloud while still dragging along technical debt that raises TCO. Hybrid options introduce inconsistencies across cloud vs ground deployments.
Pure cloud DNA makes NetSuite inherently designed for the advantages of the cloud without compromise: automatic upgrades, anywhere accessibility, flexibility, and speed. Don’t settle for cloud promises built on legacy foundations.
#4 Adoption: Ease of Use and Learning
Simplicity and intuitiveness sound great in vendor messaging but can be surprisingly tough to find in practice across ERP systems. Business users often require expensive training along with long ramp up times to gain feature proficiency due to poor UX design and complex navigation.
NetSuite sets itself apart with an intuitive interface aligning workflows to users’ mental models and real-world tasks. Dashboards display critical KPIs while drill-down explores detail. Graphical pipeline management mirrors sales thinking. Transactions easily attach files. One-click reporting and search meets the self-service analytics mantra.
In contrast, SAP and Oracle front load training costs along with lengthy onboarding times measured in months before users deliver value. Jumping between modules introduces further complexity. They are systems designed first for IT, not business users. Evaluate UX seriously – poor design has real productivity costs.
#5 TCO: The True Cost of ERP Ownership
Upfront costs dominate most ERP purchasing decisions. Yet analysts estimate ongoing expenses account for up to 75% of total cost of ownership over time. This holds especially true for legacy systems like SAP and high-end Oracle, where annual maintenance fees swell TCO.
But the simplicity of NetSuite’s single cloud suite slashes ongoing ownership costs in myriad ways:
- No annual maintenance fees that drain budgets
- Lower training and support costs with intuitive design
- Automatic upgrades built into subscription model
- Scales rapidly up or down to meet business needs
- Native functionality minimizes customization needs
- Consolidates systems and data for licensing efficiency
While NetSuite requires consulting investment upfront at implementation, this pays long-term dividends lowering TCO up to 50% over 5 years compared to alternatives. Calculate costs beyond initial purchase price for real ROI.
#6 Viability: Vendor Sustainability and Vision
ERP investments carry long lifecycles stretching 5+ years. The vendor landscape evolves rapidly as disruptors rise and incumbents merge or realign portfolios. Customers can easily end up owning so-called “legacy” solutions losing vendor R&D priority.
Oracle Fusion itself was such an attempt to create next-gen ERP on the heels of legacy acquisitions. Meanwhile SAP, Microsoft, and Infor continue buying adjacent functionality to patch together integrated suites. This leaves customers managing future uncertainty.
In contrast, NetSuite was born in the cloud and continues investing in a single platform staying at the cutting edge of ERP. With Oracle ownership, NetSuite gains extensive R&D resources without disruption to roadmaps or business focus. This creates a uniquely future-proof solution.
Consider vendor stability, culture, and long-term product visions when comparing options to avoid dead-end solutions. NetSuite’s singular focus and resources ensures continued leadership.
Get An Unmatched Implementation Experience with Anchor Group
Selecting a robust future-proof ERP is the first step. Realizing value depends on effectively deploying the platform within specific business contexts. This is where a tailored NetSuite implementation methodology matters.
As a 5-star NetSuite partner with over 100 successful deployments, Anchor Group brings deep expertise implementing NetSuite across roles, processes, and integrations for maximum ROI. We help you:
- Conduct readiness assessments identifying gaps to address
- Build a phased deployment plan matching business requirements
- Configure workflows aligned to your operational maturity
- Deliver user training driving adoption across the organization
- Create KPI reporting dashboards tailored to executives and managers
- Develop a change management strategy for continuous improvement post go-live
Get in touch with us to schedule a free consultation and demo from an ERP specialist. Together we can determine if NetSuite is the right choice for your growth. Partner with Anchor Group to implement an agile cloud foundation enabling visibility, efficiency and competitive advantage for the future.