As your business grows, so do the demands on your systems and processes. What once worked for your small team may now feel clunky, inefficient, and even frustrating.
If your ERP system is slowing you down, it may be time for an upgrade.
In this post, we’ll explore the common signs that indicate your current ERP is no longer cutting it and how NetSuite can provide the flexibility and scalability your business needs.
Warning signs that your current ERP is holding you back
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s a strong signal that your current ERP system is likely outdated and limiting your business growth:
- Manual workarounds – if your team regularly resorts to spreadsheets, emails or external tools to manage processes, your ERP isn’t integrated well enough to handle day-to-day operations smoothly. These manual workarounds are time-consuming and more prone to errors, often resulting in duplicate data and missed opportunities.
- Reporting delays – as your business scales, the demand for accurate, real-time data grows. If your ERP takes too long to generate reports or requires significant effort to pull data from multiple sources, you’re missing the critical insights needed for strategic decision-making.
- Integration difficulties – does your ERP struggle to integrate with other critical systems, such as your CRM, e-commerce platforms or accounting software? If yes, you’re likely wasting time transferring data between systems manually. A lack of integration hampers workflows, leading to a fragmented view of your business.
- Lack of scalability – if your business is growing, your ERP should be able to scale alongside it. Legacy systems often struggle with accommodating increased data, expanding operations, or adding new functionalities.
As a business owner or manager, you may not experience some of these issues directly in your day-to-day operations as often as your staff. While you may notice certain symptoms, you might not fully understand the extent of the problem. Gain a clearer picture by engaging with your end-users across different departments. Speak with or survey a diverse group of people to gather the most accurate insights.
Scenarios where NetSuite is the solution
If you find your business in certain scenarios, NetSuite comes into its own.
As your business expands internationally, managing multiple currencies and tax structures becomes more complex, never mind the different languages. NetSuite handles multi-country operations, providing real-time financial visibility and a consolidated view of operations across various geographies.
If your business operates multiple entities or subsidiaries, keeping track of finances, operations and compliance across these units might become cumbersome with a legacy ERP. NetSuite’s multi-entity capabilities allow you to manage finances and processes across different companies and regions while maintaining visibility and control over all operations.
Businesses with complex inventory needs (like large volumes of stock or intricate supply chains) might find their current ERP systems insufficient. NetSuite’s inventory management offers real-time tracking, advanced demand planning, and excellent integration with procurement and sales.
Evaluating current ERP costs vs. NetSuite’s ROI potential
If you’re considering an ERP upgrade, you’ll want to know if NetSuite’s potential benefits outweigh the migration and implementation costs. As NetSuite specialists, we’re confident that the answer is usually ‘yes’, but you should, of course, still carry out a cost-benefit analysis.
Start by evaluating the costs associated with your current ERP system. This includes licence fees, maintenance, training and lost productivity due to inefficiencies, among other things.
Then, compare those costs with NetSuite’s pricing model. Like most ERPs, it carries an upfront subscription cost. However, its cloud-based deployment usually leads to lower IT infrastructure costs and far fewer localised maintenance issues.
For most businesses, NetSuite brings enhanced long-term operational efficiency, and the ROI from this more than justifies investing in NetSuite. If your calculations suggest otherwise, we’d still love to hear from you.
Addressing common migration concerns
Transitioning to NetSuite might seem intimidating. Nevertheless, with careful planning and advanced support, the ROI makes it a valuable process. Here are a few common concerns (and how to navigate them):
- Data migration – the migration process requires careful planning (including data cleaning, mapping, and validation). Working with an experienced consultant like SuiteSparkle can help ensure accurate and quick transfer of data.
- Team training – for your NetSuite implementation to succeed, your team must be equipped to use the new system effectively. Proper training should be part of the implementation plan, with tailored sessions for different user groups based on their needs and roles.
- Business process alignment – as part of the migration process, you’ll want to ensure the NetSuite deployment aligns with your business processes. On the flip side, this could be a good opportunity to analyse your existing workflows and adjust them if there are ways you could increase efficiency and reduce bottlenecks and information silos. Again, we can work with you to map out processes and ensure the system supports your business’s operations.
Before starting the migration process, there are a few question to ask yourself to assess if your business is ready for an ERP upgrade.
Are your current systems unable to support your growth?
Do you face challenges with data accuracy, reporting, or decision-making?
Is your ERP failing to integrate with your other critical systems?
Are you expanding internationally or dealing with multi-entity management?
Do your teams frequently rely on manual workarounds or spreadsheets?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these, it’s a good sign that you’re ready to consider NetSuite as your new ERP solution.
Upgrade to NetSuite with SuiteSparkle by your side
If your ERP system is no longer supporting your growing business, it’s time to consider an upgrade. NetSuite offers the scalability and advanced features to keep your business ahead of the competition.
At SuiteSparkle, we specialise in tailoring NetSuite solutions to meet your specific needs, ensuring seamless integration and long-term success. With our hands-on approach and extensive expertise, we’re here to support you at every stage.
Contact us today to transform your business into a more efficient, streamlined operation.