NetSuite for Distribution Guide
What is NetSuite for distribution? NetSuite for distribution is a cloud-based ERP solution designed for distribution companies. It offers comprehensive tools to manage inventory, streamline order processing, optimize warehouse operations, handle procurement, and manage the entire distribution network.
How can NetSuite help my distribution business? NetSuite helps your distribution business by providing real-time visibility into inventory, improving order accuracy and fulfillment, optimizing warehouse operations, streamlining procurement, and enabling efficient supply chain management. It also offers robust financial management, customer relationship management, and business intelligence capabilities.
Can NetSuite handle multiple warehouse locations? Yes, NetSuite supports multiple warehouse locations, allowing you to track and manage inventory across different warehouses in real-time. This helps you gain better control over inventory levels, streamline order fulfillment, and ensure efficient distribution.
Can NetSuite handle different pricing structures for customers? Absolutely. NetSuite offers flexible pricing capabilities, allowing you to set up customer-specific pricing, apply discounts, promotional codes, and manage price levels based on customer segments. This flexibility helps you optimize pricing strategies and provide personalized pricing.
Can NetSuite automate procurement processes? Yes, NetSuite offers features to automate procurement processes, including requisition management, vendor bidding, price comparisons, and purchase contract management. These workflows streamline procurement, improve supplier relationships, and enhance cost control.
Does NetSuite provide visibility into financial performance? Yes, NetSuite's financial management capabilities provide real-time visibility into your distribution business's financial performance. It includes modules for general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, tax management, financial reporting, and budgeting. You can track financial metrics, generate accurate reports, and make informed decisions.
Can NetSuite help with demand planning and forecasting? Yes, NetSuite offers demand planning and forecasting capabilities. These features help you anticipate customer demand, optimize inventory levels, and ensure sufficient stock to meet orders. By leveraging demand planning, you can reduce stockouts, minimize excess inventory, and improve supply chain efficiency.
Is NetSuite scalable as my distribution business grows? Absolutely. NetSuite is designed to scale with your business. It offers flexible packages that can accommodate increasing user counts, customer records, and advanced functionalities. You can easily upgrade your NetSuite subscription to meet growing demands.
Can I access NetSuite remotely or on mobile devices? Yes, NetSuite is a cloud-based solution, allowing remote access from any device with an internet connection. You can access NetSuite through web browsers or mobile apps, providing flexibility to manage your distribution operations from anywhere.
Is NetSuite secure for my distribution business data? NetSuite prioritizes data security. As a leading cloud-based ERP provider, NetSuite implements robust security measures, including encryption, access controls, regular data backups, and industry-standard security protocols, to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
NetSuite Distribution Functionality
Inventory Management:
NetSuite allows tracking of inventory in real-time across multiple locations, providing immediate visibility into goods across the supply chain to meet demand effectively. The system can automatically calculate reorder points based on lead time, preferred stock level, and historical or sales forecast data. Various costing methods, including standard, moving average, FIFO, and item-specific methods, are supported for flexibility in inventory valuation.
Order Management:
NetSuite’s order management capabilities streamline the order processing by eliminating manual bottlenecks, preventing errors, and establishing a smooth flow from sales quote to order fulfillment. It accommodates multiple price levels, customer and currency specific pricing, percent- or amount-based discounts, and promotional codes. Returns and refunds are managed efficiently, with cross-channel returns management features that improve customer satisfaction and protect profit margin.
Warehouse and Fulfillment:
NetSuite offers a robust Warehouse Management System (WMS) that optimizes warehouse operations using industry-leading best practices—including intelligent pick and pack processes, handheld barcode scanning, cycle counting, and integration with shipping systems. Its demand-based automated replenishment system ensures sufficient stock in the right locations.
Procurement:
NetSuite simplifies procurement with capabilities for direct and indirect spend. The system supports the requisition process, vendor bidding, price comparisons, purchase contract management, and more, providing real-time visibility into liabilities and improving cash flow.
Supply Chain Management:
NetSuite offers end-to-end supply chain management, with capabilities to control and monitor the entire distribution network. It supports supply chain collaboration, supply chain control towers, transfer orders, and demand planning. Adjustments can be made globally to maintain optimal inventory levels.
Financial Management:
NetSuite provides a real-time view of financial status, cash flow, and performance metrics. With built-in flexibility, it handles revenue recognition, tax requirements, and reporting at the divisional and subsidiary levels. NetSuite’s financial management solution includes general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, tax management, financial reporting, and budgeting.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM):
NetSuite’s CRM module maintains customer contact information and offers sales force automation, marketing automation, customer service management, and customer insights. Capabilities like quote and order management, upsell, renewals, and customer online self-service are delivered through NetSuite CRM.
Business Intelligence:
NetSuite’s built-in business intelligence provides real-time insights into key business performance indicators for a unified, real-time view of the organization’s performance. Highly customizable dashboards offer real-time visibility across the entire organization, enabling monitoring, drill down, analysis, and display of key performance metrics.
Scalability:
NetSuite is built to support both large and small businesses and offers a range of packages. As your business grows, you can easily upgrade your package to accommodate more users, more customer records, and advanced features. NetSuite is designed to grow with your business.
Cloud-Based:
NetSuite is cloud-based, and doesn't require the usual hardware, maintenance, and upgrades that on-premises systems require. Data can be accessed anytime, anywhere with a web browser or mobile app, beneficial for businesses with remote teams or multiple locations. Additionally, with data stored in secure, remote locations, businesses can ensure recovery in case of disasters.
