How to Prepare Your Team for a Smooth NetSuite Rollout?

Implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system like NetSuite can be a major undertaking that requires careful planning and preparation. A successful rollout hinges on getting your team ready to adopt and fully utilize the new system. An organized, trained team will ensure a smooth transition to the new platform.

Conduct a Needs Assessment

Before implementing any new software, it’s important to clearly define your business requirements and how the system will address them.

• Identify current pain points. Where are inefficiencies in your current processes? What tasks are unnecessarily time-consuming? Pinpointing these issues will allow you to find solutions in your new system.
• Determine essential features. What capabilities do you need from your ERP platform? What workflows and integrations need to be supported? Outline must-have functionality.
• Assess team structure. Who in your organization will be using the software? Map out team workflows and how data flows between departments to determine implementation needs.

Thoroughly understanding your business needs ensures your NetSuite rollout directly solves existing problems.

Plan the Implementation Strategy

The success of your NetSuite launch relies on an organized, step-by-step NetSuite implementation plan.

Important elements to include:

• Set realistic deadlines. Create a detailed project timeline with milestones for configuring, testing, training, and go-live. Build in contingencies for potential delays.
• Assign owner roles. Clearly define who is responsible for each implementation task and deliverable.
• Allow time for quality assurance. Don’t skimp on testing – this ensures configured processes work as expected before launch.

With a solid plan in place, all teams understand assignments and can properly prepare for rollout.

Configure Workflows in NetSuite

NetSuite is highly customizable – leverage this to configure the system for your exact business requirements identified earlier.

• Map out data flow. Diagram how data connects various business processes from end to end transaction lifecycles. This later serves as a blueprint configuring automated workflows in NetSuite.
• Set up workflows. Configure workflows that eliminate manual steps by triggering actions based on various transaction events and data changes in the system.
• Customize forms. Tailor order forms, customer invoices and other documents to collect relevant data your business needs.

While complex, proper configuration from the start prevents future inefficiencies by capturing accurate data and streamlining processes in NetSuite.

Develop a Training Program

The most well-designed system will fail if users don’t understand how to properly leverage it. Thorough training ensures your staff is proficient in the new software.

• Assess skill levels. Conduct workshops with users to gauge existing ability in using similar platforms. This identifies who may need more training.
• Create video tutorials. Develop on-demand training videos and reference guides that allow users to refresh knowledge as needed.
• Perform simulated workflows. Have users walk through real-life business scenarios in a test environment to practice using the configured system.
• Address knowledge gaps. Use feedback during training sessions to create additional content targeting struggling areas.

Hands-on, customized training gives teams the confidence needed to fully embrace the new platform.

Perform Final Testing

Before officially launching, have both admin teams and end-users conduct full testing to catch any remaining issues not covered in initial QA.

• Test with real-life data. Load up the system with existing customer, order and inventory data to validate accuracy and configured automations.
• Verify customized workflows. Have users validate that bespoke workflows created in the configuration phase operate fully end-to-end.
• Address issues immediately. Compile a punchlist of remaining bugs and functionality gaps drums up during testing for rapid iteration.

While often rushed, final testing ensures no surprises occur down the line once rolled out to all staff.

Hold Employee Orientations

Host large group orientation meetings right before launch to share best practices with all employees simultaneously.

Share materials like:

• Usage guidelines. Set organization policies for data entry rules, account security and system permissions ahead of rollout.
• Point persons. Provide contact details of subject matter experts that can answer platform-related questions moving forward.
• Contingency plans. Create help desk tickets or phone support lines to resolve issues with minimal downtime or business disruption after launch.

Group orientations set standards on system governance so employees access and operate NetSuite properly long after implementation.

With the right preparation, your teams can swiftly get up to speed on NetSuite capabilities. Be thorough in planning the rollout every step of the way from initial training to post go-live support. When managed correctly, this complex process becomes a smooth journey that realizes the full benefits of your NetSuite investment from day one of implementation.

Why Choose Anchor Group for NetSuite Implementation?

With over 15 years experience rolling out NetSuite to more than 1000 global organizations, Anchor Group develops tailored solutions that meet unique business needs.

Their implementation process leverages leading front-end methodologies that promote collaboration with customers every step of the way. This expert guidance enables organizations to maximize value from their NetSuite investment.

Key benefits of Anchor Group’s NetSuite services include:

Industry Expertise for Complex Organizations

• Possess extensive knowledge across financials, inventory management, and HR processes for sophisticated, omnichannel businesses.
• Recommend platforms beyond NetSuite like analytics, ecommerce and POS to create integrated technology solutions.
• Serve both B2B and B2C business models including wholesale distribution, manufacturing, retail and professional services.

Focus on Customer Business Objectives

• Take the time upfront to deeply understand your organization’s challenges, driving principles, and desired outcomes from digital transformation.
• Map out required capabilities in NetSuite to design the optimal solution focused on your specific business goals like improved efficiency, cost reduction or accelerated growth.
• Ensure adoption of configured processes across all user personas through stakeholder inclusion and change management.

Non-Profit Expertise

• Extensive experience rolling out NetSuite to higher education institutions, foundations, hospitals and global non-profits.
• Provide guidance on automating unique fundraising process like pledge and grant management in NetSuite through CRM+ configuration.
• Assist social impact organizations in tracking outputs and outcomes against missions using real-time performance dashboards.

Anchor Group can guide your organization through the intricacies of implementing NetSuite to unlock value. With deep platform expertise and people-first focus, they launch solutions designed for each customer’s individual requirements. Contact Anchor Group today to schedule a consultation.