When businesses approach an ERP system like NetSuite, they often face a wall of misconceptions. Some believe NetSuite customization is a luxury only big companies can afford; others fear it will take forever or break their workflows. But how much of this is true?
Let’s break it down and expose the myths vs. the reality behind customization — so you can walk into your project clear-eyed and prepared.
Understanding the facts can help you make smarter investment decisions.
Customization, when done right, enhances system performance and user satisfaction.
Most importantly, it ensures your ERP system aligns perfectly with your unique business needs.
Busting the Myth: “Customization Is Too Expensive” or “It Takes Too Long”
The most prominent myth that cuts across all industries is: “customization is too expensive” – along with “it takes too long.”
Here’s the reality.
As with anything, customization has its fair share of expenses — but these expenses depend entirely on what is being executed. Many companies make the mistake of assuming every single level of customization will cost a fortune. Simple customizations such as adding generic custom fields, dashboards, or even an approval workflow are often easy, affordable, and can be executed rather quickly.
What is more shocking is that many of these small adjustments actually pay for themselves. Automating the manual processes such as report generation or customer notifications frees up hours of human effort each week. In the long run, this translates to a return on investment that compensates for the initial expenditure over time.
In terms of timing, only extensive customizations done at the enterprise-level such as multi-system integrations or deep functional rewrites take months. Most businesses begin with small, targeted enhancements that can be completed in days or weeks when collaborating with experienced consultants.
In other words, customization does not have to be slow or expensive — as long as it is executed in a sensible way that addresses the true needs of the business.
Different Customization Approaches: Native vs. SuiteApp
Another widespread misunderstanding is the notion that all customizations are “code-heavy,” meaning they require a developer or a team of developers. That is simply incorrect.
NetSuite offers two primary approaches to customization:
- Native Customization
These are customizations done within NetSuite using the built-in tools, such as SuiteFlow for process automation (workflows), SuiteScript for scripting (light coding), and SuiteBuilder (adding or altering fields, forms, and records). With native customization, you can change how the system works without bolting on tools, and, in most cases, that is what most companies do as the first step.
- SuiteApp Integration
These are applications that can be purchased off the shelf through the NetSuite marketplace; they are called SuiteApps. SuiteApps integrate into your system and offer additional features (like tax computations, payment processing, advanced reporting, etc.) all without any custom work being done. This approach often lowers time and cost because someone has already built a solution that addresses the problem you have.
Which category to use is dictated by business needs. Often, businesses combine the two: use native tools for basic customizations and SuiteApps for more advanced needs.
Real-Time Examples: Achieving ROI with NetSuite Customization
Let’s switch from the theoretical side to what can be observed in practice. How do businesses derive value from customization?
Example 1: An Optimized Financial Report
In one of the service firms, they implemented a customization that automated the preparation of custom reports for different chapters of the organizations. Custom reports for different departments would take at least twenty hours to compile–now, all that is left is analysis which the employees can focus on. They have greatly reduced time spent in admin work.
There is now less risk of data entry errors which once caused rescheduling of reporting deadlines. The finance team was able to provide critical business insights with noticeably faster turnaround time.
Example 2: Automated Order Processing
One of the distribution businesses integrated a SuiteApp that uploaded the online orders directly into NetSuite. There was no longer a need for double entry which decreased the order fulfilment cycle by 30%. This streamlined customer experience, but also drastically improved order accuracy.
More orders could be processed without need for extra staff due to the increased volume of sales. Competitive advantage was attained in the fast-paced market and operational efficiency was bolstered.
Example 3: Purchases Order Approval Custom Workflows
A mid-sized manufacturer has designed and implemented purchasing workflows that automated the ordering of purchase requests by value thresholds. Compliance was not only improved but also enhanced approval times from days to hours which improved approval timelines from hours to production line lead times.
The agile processes also improved the organization’s standing with vendors as payments were expedited. Implementation of these processes also shifted the focus of the managers from dealing with operational tasks to strategic decision making.
All these cases illustrate how the initial expenditure on customization investments was recouped within a few months due to the significant time savings, reduced errors or faster service delivery.
Realistic Timelines and Costs for Different Levels of Customization
Let’s talk numbers. What do you have in mind when budgeting for time and money towards customization?
Small Customizations (1-2 weeks)
With spending between $1,000 and $5,000, these will consist of creating saved searches, dashboards, or simple approval flows. The cost will depend on how complex the project is.
Medium Customizations (1-2 months)
New workflows, SuiteScripts, or external system (i.e; CRM) integration will fall into this category. It typically costs between $5,000 and $20,000.
Large Customizations (2-6 months)
Building new modules and/or custom applications and deep system integration are major time-consuming tasks which involve a lot of stakeholders. These can have budgets of $20,000-$50,000 depending on scope.
It’s crucial that you engage with consultants who are knowledgeable about your vertical. They are helpful in right sizing the level of customization and avoiding overengineering and overspending.
Final Takeaway
Avoiding your NetSuite Customization options should not be a cause for concern, rather, it should be approached with reasoned and strategic foresight. Many companies succumb to the customization blunder because they deem it too intricate, expensive, or a waste of time which is often untrue. Take the time to debunk the customization myths, analyze the options on hand, and learn success stories from businesses that have benefitted [1] tremendously already to provide yourself with character and zeal while undertaking your own project. You also need to manage your expectations adequately at each of the stages when it comes to timelines, costs, and outcomes. Instead of perceiving customization as a dreadful superfluous cost, you need to treat it as a wise decision: an avenue that guarantees your ideal NetSuite system is designed around your seamlessly integrated workflows, operational requirements, and futuristic visions. Done correctly, customization helps in measuring ROI which enables your organization to reap the benefits of increased growth and success.
