ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software has become a behemoth management tool for many mid to large enterprise organizations due to its ability to track and manage information across various departments and business functions, from accounting to CRM to supply chain management and beyond. Because of its rich capabilities, ERP can dramatically increase efficiencies within the business, regardless of its size or the industry it belongs to.
Not every company needs to jump into the ERP world right away. For many fast growth companies, the ERP solution might not be cost effective yet. But if you're company is ready to take the plunge, the next question becomes, which solution is the right one?
As ERP technologies continue to improve, a plethora of ERP solutions have arisen in the process. Among these solutions, the most prominent ones are the NetSuite and SAP Business One platforms. But with two systems offering a rich suite of capabilities, which would be the right ERP software for your business? What advantages and disadvantages does each platform have?
We shall look at some key similarities and differences between NetSuite and SAP in certain tasks and functions, as well as how each of them does certain operations.
Deployment
SAP Business One was originally meant to primarily be accessed on-premise at a user’s own IT system, but now it can be deployed through the cloud or a hybrid of the two. NetSuite, on the other hand, is entirely cloud-based, in which the service provider runs it at a shared data center in a remote location.
Both are mobile-friendly solutions and are accessible not only to employees but also to suppliers and customers as desired by the enterprise, whether they are within or outside the office premises. However, NetSuite, being a primarily cloud-based system, is easy to use and works across all major mobile operating systems. In addition, there is only one version of NetSuite, so users can access the system across any device without issues. On the other hand, SAP relies on partners to deliver web experiences
Customization and Workflow Management
Both systems provide customization features such as adding customized user-defined fields and tables to the database according to the company’s specifications. However, SAP is seen to have a more user-friendly dashboard as administrators can add widgets as they may see fit for the business’ SAP SYSTEM.
SAP’s dashboard stands out as it is particularly easy to use. It has clearly been designed with the user in mind, with the dashboard containing widgets that can be added or removed to tailor the individual user’s preferences.
Regular System Updates
NetSuite pushes automatic updates, which has its benefits as well as drawbacks. ERP systems are deployed within a multi-tenancy environment, so upgrades are deployed simultaneously to all users at NetSuite’s discretion and not at the user’s. This can pose a problem if a user’s ERP setup has been customized or has been integrated with other systems because of the risk of incompatibility. The timing could also be a problem if the upgrade is scheduled in the middle of an important task a user might be doing at that time.
On the other hand, SAP Business One’s license agreement is more open in that it allows users to implement a customization of any kind. In addition, users can also choose when to have upgrades deployed. One caveat though is that the customized components might not carry seamlessly over to the upgraded version, so users may have to do some additional troubleshooting.
Analytics and Reporting
Both SAP Business One and NetSuite not only are able to collect the data but are also proficient in analyzing and providing reports based on such data, something that sets them apart from other ERP systems, though each does these tasks somewhat differently.
NetSuite’s analytics lets users generate real-time reports for quick and easy optimization. It also delivers a real-time, 360-degree view of your customer, providing business intelligence from the lead through interactions, sales orders, fulfillment, and post-sale.
SAP, through its in-memory computing platform HANA, has similar functionality to that of NetSuite, with the added benefit of an Excel tool for interrogating data. On the other hand, SAP’s analytics offerings demand separate licenses, which adds to the time and cost of deployment.
Integration
SAP Business One and NetSuite both provide web services for accessing items in the ERP database. However, NetSuite is easier to integrate with other source systems with an effective XML, API, and Integration Management System and can optimize existing applications such as CRM, financials, project management, and other crucial processes. One drawback to this is that the integration is a tedious process that can consume a lot of resources, especially time and money.
SAP provides transparent access to the database, allowing for more flexibility for companies who want to examine the data with their own reporting tools. However, it does not have a standards-based open architecture for connecting to partners and other applications and the add-ons are fewer and less effective than NetSuite’s. Instead, SAP integrates with SAP-certified solutions, which by themselves provide integration with a variety of processes.
Choosing the right SAP system
For those looking for a simple, intuitive ERP application with excellent reporting and workflow management capabilities, then SAS Business One would be the solution of choice. For those looking specifically for e-commerce functionality, better and more add-ons and integration, and the advantages of being completely cloud-based, with better web access and no hardware-related costs, then NetSuite would be a better fit.
NetSuite and SAP Business One have their own particular strengths and choosing one over another will depend on one’s preferences. Nevertheless, both ERP systems are reliable solutions that users would be highly-satisfied with what each offers, especially if they are able to address their particular needs.
Pandoblox offers expertise in both platforms for businesses or individuals having difficulty choosing the right management platform. With our team of experts with knowledge and experience in both NetSuite and SAP, we help our clients determine the right platform that best fits the processes they have in place and addresses the present and future needs of the enterprise.
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