Reconsidering NetSuite’s Bad Reviews: Don’t Hit the Panic Button Yet
Not all NetSuite implementations go smoothly. Yet, that doesn't mean the ERP platform is subpar. Your company just needs preparation and the right partner to succeed.
If you’ve researched NetSuite, you know it’s challenging to implement. In fact, you may be stuck in a failing implementation right now, watching your budget dwindle as problems arise. Fortunately, all isn’t lost.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system failures are common. Technology Evaluation Centers reports that almost half of implementations crash and burn the first time when companies decline third-party oversight or planning with an ERP partner.
These failures also fuel many bad NetSuite ERP reviews. The product recently lost six places on Third Stage Consulting Group’s annual Top 10 ERP Systems report, falling from #2 in 2023 to #8 in 2024. The reason? Implementation results.
“Certain clients have encountered challenges due to the product’s relative inflexibility and inherent complexity,” the report says. “This complexity is linked to its Software-as-a-Service model, which, being multi-tenant, imposes limits on customization compared to other cloud solutions.”
It doesn’t take long to find other online reviews raging about “unclear processes” and “compromising agility.” So, you might ask yourself, “Is NetSuite the wrong choice for us?” Or even, “Did we make a mistake when we selected this system?”
Don’t panic. SuiteDynamics experts save NetSuite implementations with a stellar success rate. We partner with NetSuite to implement and customize the software for companies in various industries, and we believe in this product. We know the software might frustrate you at first, but it also can propel your business to new heights. You just need the right implementation partner.
What’s Up With NetSuite’s Bad Reviews?
We can’t speak to every failed NetSuite project. Implementations are complex—and so are the reasons why they struggle. However, SuiteDynamics CEO Jake Kleiner believes the system has received unfair criticism. In his experience, it’s highly customizable and manageable when implemented by someone who knows what they’re doing.
“I actually don’t think NetSuite is more complicated than other ERP systems,” he explains. “There are just more potential pitfalls, and in some cases, low-quality implementation support. That’s why you need a partner.”
We can sort many of these “pitfalls” into three main categories.
1. Endless Customization
NetSuite’s almost infinite customization capabilities tempt some clients to over-personalize instead of leveraging the platform’s best-in-breed native processes and workflows. This overzealousness makes the system more complicated than necessary and challenging to implement and operate.
2. Poor Implementation Partners
Not all NetSuite implementation partners are created equal. Some have limited experience and terrible project management skills, contributing to blown budgets, missed deadlines, and low-grade software solutions. Unfortunately, many NetSuite customers go live only to discover mis-loaded data and poorly configured systems.
In Kleiner’s experience, problems also occur because NetSuite implementers cut costs using “off-shore” IT workers. Although international experts might be talented, they don’t always understand American business operations, and consequently, work quality suffers.
3. Financial Inexperience
If you need financial software, the people setting it up must also understand the principles behind recording and tracking transactions. A NetSuite implementer’s lack of financial acumen can cause misrepresented financials, reports, and general ledger structures. Unfortunately, the NetSuite partner pool is full of agencies falling short in this area.
We understand how frustrating these issues can be. Kleiner established SuiteDynamics because he couldn't find a reliable implementation partner to set up a NetSuite ERP system in 2016. Consequently, reliability and attention to detail have become tenets of our work culture.
SuiteDynamics is a US-based company with remote and offshore resources overseen by domestic supervisors. We also staff our team with seasoned experts in various fields, including business and finance. These experts understand how NetSuite should serve all aspects of your business and ensure our solutions operate as expected.
Feel free to ask questions about our team and processes during a free consultation. We believe transparency is critical to NetSuite success.
How Do You Find the Right Implementation Partner?
The NetSuite partner pool is vast, and finding a quality implementation consultant you can trust may seem impossible. However, Kleiner offers some tips to help you find the right help while establishing a robust, reliable NetSuite ERP system for your business.
1. Look for Certifications
Qualified implementation partners have earned NetSuite certifications, proving they have what it takes to work with the system. Check the company’s website to see what certifications it and its staff hold so you understand its areas of expertise. For example, SuiteDynamics has earned an Alliance Partner certification, meaning we have passed rigorous evaluations to work directly with NetSuite on implementations and customizations.
2. Get References
It’s a simple concept: Quality NetSuite partners produce happy clients. Look for positive feedback on the company’s website and check its Google reviews. Also, find NetSuite customers who might be familiar with the consultant’s work and ask about their experiences. You could even log onto sites like Reddit and ask for information.
Don’t simply trust what an implementation firm has told you about its service. Get a first-hand account from a business that has experienced it.
You can schedule a free consultation with SuiteDynamics to learn more about our business, certifications, and happy clients. We'll give you all the information you need to decide whether our company is the right partner to provide a positive NetSuite experience.
Should You Fear (or Regret) a NetSuite Implementation?
Plenty of NetSuite horror stories exist online—and they seem genuinely awful. It’s hard not to cringe as you imagine the harried employees who wrote them while dealing with malfunctioning software and ballooning costs.
Maybe you feel like one of those angry reviewers because you’re struggling with a NetSuite implementation that you just can’t get off the ground. We get how infuriating the situation must be, but don’t give up on NetSuite yet. It’s not a bad system—just one that’s often misunderstood.
Kleiner suggests starting a NetSuite implementation—or a NetSuite implementation save—by adjusting your expectations regarding two critical elements.
1. Time
Many NetSuite customers get frustrated because they believe their implementation is dragging on. However, ERP projects tend to last a while.
“Expect it's going to be at least a three- to four-month process,” he says. “It’s just going to take time. If you're hoping something will happen quicker, there's a high probability you'll be disappointed.”
2. Money
Begin a NetSuite project knowing it comes with a moderate-to-high price tag for licensing and implementation.
“Expect that while it's expensive to license, there is a fairly large investment to implement it as well,” Kleiner says. "And I think that's another area where people just expect it to be cheap, or they’re told it's cheap by NetSuite directly. Then, they either get a bad result because they go with a cheap partner or just don't have a realistic expectation of the cost.”
Kleiner advises that an implementation bill often totals one and a half times the price of your NetSuite license. Of course, that’s a one-time expense, but it contributes to a hefty start-up cost.
So, you must carefully consider the investment required for a NetSuite implementation. But the system has enormous benefits if you can spare the time and spend the money.
NetSuite may have fallen on Third Stage Consulting Group's Top 10. However, many other consulting groups and business news outlets still rank it highly. For example, Business-Software.com, an online business technology information source, dubbed NetSuite the best cloud ERP, best system for inventory, and best platform for midsized businesses in 2024.
Our experts are happy to answer your NetSuite questions, whether you’re starting from scratch or desperately trying to save a failed implementation. We'll demonstrate the system's benefits and offer a realistic timeline and cost estimation. If you decide to proceed with a NetSuite project or implementation rescue, you can start the journey feeling confident you’ve made a good decision.
Experience NetSuite Success
Don’t fear NetSuite. We know the system has thousands of reviews—and the bad ones feel horrifying.
Yet, you can experience the power of a NetSuite ERP without suffering its implementation pitfalls. You just need to understand what a project will take and find the right partner company to guide you.
SuiteDynamics believes in transparency, and our team will help create an accurate budget and timeline for your path to go-live. Our seasoned business and financial experts also understand how your system should function and can develop solutions that address your entire operation.
Additionally, if you’re struggling with a failed implementation, we can work with your current partner or take control of the project to identify issues and correct problems so your NetSuite ERP can finally launch.
Schedule a free consultation with us to talk about your needs and begin a NetSuite journey that ends with increased efficiency, boosted productivity, and resounding success.
We pull information from NetSuite material, SuiteDynamics experts, and other reliable sources to compose our blog posts and educational pieces. We ensure they are as accurate as possible at the time of writing. However, software evolves quickly, and although we work to maintain these posts, some details may fall out of date. Contact SuiteDynamics experts for the latest information on NetSuite ERP systems.
