In short, the end of mainstream maintenance for SAP Business One means…
- No patches, no corrections, no new functionality from SAP.
- Dedicated internal resources and budget are required for standard maintenance.
- OR third-party consultants are required to handle the maintenance activities, which can often be an expensive undertaking with hourly rates.
- SAP customers have less IT budget flexibility because a considerable amount is spent on regular system maintenance.
SAP customers are essentially left to fend for themselves, and skipping an upgrade can result in version lock as you can see from the SAP Business One upgrade strategy document. These customers who are not ready for an upgrade are required to devote internal resources or leverage third-party consultants to create patches and remain on-call to help maintain the system.
Additionally, on-premise SAP customers might face other challenges once the maintenance is no longer available, some of which are outlined here.
All of these requirements can quickly elevate the total cost of ownership and take a considerable portion of the IT budget.
By comparison, NetSuite’s 36,000 customers receive automatic bi-annual upgrades, and they are all running on the same multi-tenant cloud version of NetSuite.
For these reasons (and more), we think you should consider modernizing your business with NetSuite’s true cloud ERP.
Why should you consider modernizing your business with NetSuite?
In addition to being a true cloud ERP that is fully integrated, one of the biggest selling points is related to NetSuite’s upgrade cycles. NetSuite provides automatic upgrades to all customers twice per year to ensure everyone is running at the highest security levels and functionality. All customizations are seamlessly carried forward to the newest version, so patches are already applied. No version lock!
NetSuite even offers customers the ability to purchase an isolated sandbox account for conducting tests and executing transactions in a safe environment. These sandbox accounts can be extremely valuable for companies of all sizes because they can help mitigate possible risks associated with go-lives.
Take these insights with you! Click below for a free NetSuite ERP brochure.
Configurations and customizations are simplified in NetSuite. It supports standards-based application customization, point-and-click functionality, fast configuration of interfaces, processes, reports, and roles. NetSuite customers are empowered with the tools to DIY.
With SAP Business One, customizations require the use of a separate tool called MS Visual Studio, or customers are forced to hire an outside consulting firm to assist with these projects.
Easier Reporting and Analytics with NetSuite
NetSuite uses a single data source and database, which helps to streamline the reporting process and allows customers to identify a single source of truth. Its customers can easily build custom reports and drill down or drill through from summary to transaction levels. All data is updated in real time for a complete view of the business. (See our NetSuite support services and NetSuite rescue offerings.)
NetSuite SuiteAnalytics is a standard feature in the platform that provides a wide range of searches, KPIs, pre-configured dashboards, and reports that are industry-specific and based on best practices. In SuiteAnalytics, saved searches can be modified for different user roles, and the platform’s comprehensive user management enables customers to control access and permissions for these roles.
Adding fields to data input screens is drag and drop, and the information is updated instantaneously. NetSuite customers can quickly find the information they need the moment it is needed.
Let us know if you have questions about NetSuite’s reporting capabilities.
Customized reporting in SAP Business One requires an additional software package called SAP Crystal Reports. This is a separate integration and tool similar to MS Visual Studio mentioned above, and it still does not provide the same level of drill down or drill through capabilities compared to NetSuite.
NetSuite’s Native Ecommerce & Robust CRM vs SAP Business One
NetSuite’s fully integrated modular design is the biggest differentiator when compared to SAP Business One and other competitors. CRM, ecommerce, and a host of other modules natively integrate into the ERP, so customers can easily scale up or down as needed.
SuiteCommerce Advanced is NetSuite’s most powerful ecommerce solution that enables pixel-perfect design for web stores, and it seamlessly connects with back-office systems. NetSuite CRM provides robust functionalities for sales teams and partners with campaign management features that include upselling management, paid search integration, customer surveys, and more. (Click here to download a NetSuite CRM brochure.)
SAP Business One does not have a native ecommerce solution, and the CRM lacks the same capabilities as NetSuite’s out-of-the-box CRM. As a result, SAP customers are forced to execute custom integrations with third-party offerings like Magento, Shopify, or Salesforce. These situations can contribute to an ERP failure.
Are you still considering staying with SAP Business One?
NetSuite is a complete solution that can help run your entire business. If you still have reservations about NetSuite, then please let us know. We’d love to hear from you.
At SuiteCentric, we have decades of experience as NetSuite customers and consultants, so we’ve been on both sides of the equation. We are here to help you.