NetSuite Strengths & Weaknesses - The Straight Scoop Please!
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Sanjay
Aug 31, 2009, 1:16:59 PM8/31/09
to SocialERP
I am in a search for an on-demand accounting software and CRM system.
I'm trying to understand the strengths and weaknesses of NetSuite and
having a far more difficult time than I anticipated. I find NetSuite
representatives to be fairly responsive however they are far to salesy
- they fail to grasp the business problems and seem to constantly
revert to month-end sales tactics. I find it easy to get the
'standard' pricing from them, but it's like pulling teeth to get
pricing on all the add-on software pieces. I'm not even able to get a
list of all the add-on software components so that I can verify we are
purchasing every thing we will need. I'm certainly not going to make a
purchase decision before I understand the total cost. I originally
engaged with a NetSuite VAR, however, that VAR is now steering me
toward another software as a service product which makes me even more
cautious. Searching popular social networks uncovers volumes of
NetSuite press releases and far too many rants from upset former and
current customers (and their former business partners). I want to
trust my future vendor, but with every conversation I become more
frustrated and cyncial. Can anybody out there share with me the candid
strengths and weaknesses of the NetSuite accounting and CRM product?
I'm trying to understand the strengths and weaknesses of NetSuite and
having a far more difficult time than I anticipated. I find NetSuite
representatives to be fairly responsive however they are far to salesy
- they fail to grasp the business problems and seem to constantly
revert to month-end sales tactics. I find it easy to get the
'standard' pricing from them, but it's like pulling teeth to get
pricing on all the add-on software pieces. I'm not even able to get a
list of all the add-on software components so that I can verify we are
purchasing every thing we will need. I'm certainly not going to make a
purchase decision before I understand the total cost. I originally
engaged with a NetSuite VAR, however, that VAR is now steering me
toward another software as a service product which makes me even more
cautious. Searching popular social networks uncovers volumes of
NetSuite press releases and far too many rants from upset former and
current customers (and their former business partners). I want to
trust my future vendor, but with every conversation I become more
frustrated and cyncial. Can anybody out there share with me the candid
strengths and weaknesses of the NetSuite accounting and CRM product?
Katie
Sep 1, 2009, 3:56:55 PM9/1/09
to SocialERP
Having followed NetSuite for the last five years I can understand your
frustration. NetSuite is a complex company that continues to find its
way. Based on your request, here is my opinion of the company’s
strengths and weaknesses.
NetSuite strengths include company viability, SaaS (ERP and
accounting) market share leadership, strong fit in the small business
community, a strong accounting software product, a strong marketing
machine and a global support organization. With remaining IPO proceeds
and the deep pockets of Larry Ellison (who owns about two-thirds of
the company), the company has cash and access to cash to sustain its
operating losses. While many believe the accounting software product
is hard to use, few dispute that it has a deep feature set and good
overall functionality. I find the e-commerce storefront to be
particularly strong.
NetSuite weaknesses include an undesirable corporate reputation by
many but not all, constant (usually annual) product price increases, a
high number of optional add-on components which are often viewed as
sales tactics for up-selling, poor (offshore) customer support,
extremely high customer churn (believed to be about 50% annually),
high partner churn, a complex product this is very difficult to use, a
weak disaster recovery/business continuity resiliency due to only
operating one data center and a dreadful social media reputation. The
social media world has not been kind to NetSuite. You don’t have to
google very far or google beyond common phrases such as NetSuite Sucks
or NetSuite Churn to get an earful from disgruntled customers, former
customers, partners and former partners. Upset customers have gone so
far as to publish their recorded calls and email messages online and
file class action lawsuits.
frustration. NetSuite is a complex company that continues to find its
way. Based on your request, here is my opinion of the company’s
strengths and weaknesses.
NetSuite strengths include company viability, SaaS (ERP and
accounting) market share leadership, strong fit in the small business
community, a strong accounting software product, a strong marketing
machine and a global support organization. With remaining IPO proceeds
and the deep pockets of Larry Ellison (who owns about two-thirds of
the company), the company has cash and access to cash to sustain its
operating losses. While many believe the accounting software product
is hard to use, few dispute that it has a deep feature set and good
overall functionality. I find the e-commerce storefront to be
particularly strong.
NetSuite weaknesses include an undesirable corporate reputation by
many but not all, constant (usually annual) product price increases, a
high number of optional add-on components which are often viewed as
sales tactics for up-selling, poor (offshore) customer support,
extremely high customer churn (believed to be about 50% annually),
high partner churn, a complex product this is very difficult to use, a
weak disaster recovery/business continuity resiliency due to only
operating one data center and a dreadful social media reputation. The
social media world has not been kind to NetSuite. You don’t have to
google very far or google beyond common phrases such as NetSuite Sucks
or NetSuite Churn to get an earful from disgruntled customers, former
customers, partners and former partners. Upset customers have gone so
far as to publish their recorded calls and email messages online and
file class action lawsuits.
Therese
Sep 3, 2009, 2:57:57 PM9/3/09
to SocialERP
NetSuite was of course born from the seeds of Oracle. Larry Ellison
owns 2/3 of NetSuite and the company’s executive team came from the
halls of Oracle. I have heard NetSuite referred to as “Little Oracle”
a few times. That may be a plus or a minus depending upon your
position. Here's my opinion on the strengths and weaknesses of
NetSuite.
Strengths: Front-to-back office integrated solution, application is a
mile wide and an inch deep (good or bad depending upon your
perspective), OneWorld is great tool for multi-company solution (for
companies with separate tax IDs), excellent PSA/Time & Billing (from
OpenAir acquisition), very strong e-commerce, Flex/SuiteScript good
javascripting tool for small work-arounds, good dashboards and also
have Analytics query tool (but no real data warehousing).
Weaknesses: CRM not as mature as accounting software (hence the
company’s origin and original name of NetLedger), application is hard
to use, accounting is clumsy (for example, COA configuration is
modeled after QuickBooks, limited to 26 characters and then has to
combined with separate Dept/Class/Location fields to substitute for a
real user-defined multi-segment COA key), system is missing key
modules (i.e. Fixed Assets) and terribly weak on others (Job Cost/
Project Accounting), company has very high customer turnover and not a
good relationship with many customers.
Good luck!
owns 2/3 of NetSuite and the company’s executive team came from the
halls of Oracle. I have heard NetSuite referred to as “Little Oracle”
a few times. That may be a plus or a minus depending upon your
position. Here's my opinion on the strengths and weaknesses of
NetSuite.
Strengths: Front-to-back office integrated solution, application is a
mile wide and an inch deep (good or bad depending upon your
perspective), OneWorld is great tool for multi-company solution (for
companies with separate tax IDs), excellent PSA/Time & Billing (from
OpenAir acquisition), very strong e-commerce, Flex/SuiteScript good
javascripting tool for small work-arounds, good dashboards and also
have Analytics query tool (but no real data warehousing).
Weaknesses: CRM not as mature as accounting software (hence the
company’s origin and original name of NetLedger), application is hard
to use, accounting is clumsy (for example, COA configuration is
modeled after QuickBooks, limited to 26 characters and then has to
combined with separate Dept/Class/Location fields to substitute for a
real user-defined multi-segment COA key), system is missing key
modules (i.e. Fixed Assets) and terribly weak on others (Job Cost/
Project Accounting), company has very high customer turnover and not a
good relationship with many customers.
Good luck!
Amy Lee
Sep 21, 2009, 7:57:05 AM9/21/09
to SocialERP
Check the NetSuite software reviews at http://www.erpsoftware360.com/netsuite.htm
and http://www.crmlandmark.com/netsuite.htm .
and http://www.crmlandmark.com/netsuite.htm .
Bart
Oct 28, 2009, 5:57:06 PM10/28/09
to SocialERP
NetSuite's customer and partner churn is excessive and legendary. The
ERPblogger illustrated a few key points regaarding NetSuite's customer
losses at http://www.erpblogger.com/netsuite-customerloss.htm.
ERPblogger illustrated a few key points regaarding NetSuite's customer
losses at http://www.erpblogger.com/netsuite-customerloss.htm.
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