Guide to NetSuite for manufacturing and supply chains

In 2025, the demand for manufacturing services will be stronger than ever as businesses seek to modernise outdated systems and keep pace with industry changes. This guide explores how NetSuite’s advanced features can transform your manufacturing processes-from inventory management and order fulfilment to real-time visibility and shop floor automation.

Discover how Jacopo, a trusted NetSuite partner , tailors solutions to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and drive sustainable growth in the competitive manufacturing landscape.

Why Choose NetSuite for Manufacturing

NetSuite is built for manufacturers, and it is one integrated platform to manage procurement, production, and discrete manufacturing from start to finish. As one system, NetSuite simplifies business operations by combining all processes and data into one system, with all critical processes under one roof. NetSuite ERP has:

• Flexibility built-in: NetSuite adapts to your manufacturing processes as they change so that you can tune and refine operations and workflows over time.
• Global ERP: With multi-language and multi-currency capabilities, NetSuite has global supply chain management tools that are perfect for companies with global reach.
• Business-wide management: From financials and inventory to outstanding orders, NetSuite connects all parts of your business in real-time, allowing you to collaborate and be more efficient.

With these features, NetSuite’s cloud ERP provides manufacturers one source of truth for operational data, visibility, and control. All in one, so you can grow sustainably, eliminate operational silos and navigate industry complexity with ease.

Optimising the Manufacturing Process

NetSuite has tools to streamline and optimise your entire manufacturing process.

Inventory Management Best Practices

Inventory management is vital to cost optimisation and customer experience. NetSuite has several best practices to help you streamline your inventory:

Streamlining Order Management

NetSuite’s order management tools help manufacturers manage orders across multiple channels as they grow.

• Order lifecycle automation: NetSuite automates the entire order lifecycle from order promising and allocation to orchestration and execution so you have accurate records and efficient fulfilment.
• Multi-channel order management: Manage orders across multiple channels, web, call centres, B2B portals and marketplaces-a unified approach so all sales platforms are integrated.
• Scalability and cost management: As you grow, NetSuite helps you scale order management to handle more volume and manage labour costs.

Quality Management and Control

NetSuite’s quality management tools help manufacturers produce quality products efficiently and cost-effectively. Key traits include:

• Inspection plans and pass/fail criteria: Define inspection plans and criteria so all products meet quality standards. Collect and track inspection results in real-time for quality control.
• Cost reduction and quality improvement: Simplified processes and automated tracking can improve product quality and reduce overhead costs.
• Manufacturing analytics with SuiteAnalytics: Use the SuiteAnalytics Manufacturing Workbook to get manufacturing-specific analytics and reporting, see quality trends and identify areas for improvement.

Procurement and Sourcing

NetSuite’s procurement and sourcing tools allow manufacturers to streamline purchasing and supplier management so that materials are available at the best price.

Shop Floor Control and Automation

NetSuite’s Shop Floor Control and automation tools help manufacturing by giving real-time visibility and control of the production floor.

• Gather data for continuous improvement: Get detailed data from the manufacturing process to see opportunities for improvement and optimise workflows.
• Real-time shop floor updates: Team members can monitor and update shop floor activity in real time through a tablet-friendly, interactive app so you can respond to production needs quickly.
• User-friendly design: The layout is designed for manufacturing environments so it’s usable and durable in harsh conditions.
• NetSuite Manufacturing Mobile SuiteApp: Use this mobile app to capture and report shop floor data into NetSuite so you can track and make better decisions.

Understanding NetSuite Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

NetSuite’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is a cloud-based solution for real-time monitoring and managing production. You can make informed, data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and productivity by capturing and analysing shop floor data.

NetSuite MES includes:

These features make NetSuite MES an invaluable tool for manufacturers looking to optimise their manufacturing processes and ensure a competitive edge.

CRM and Marketing Integration

NetSuite’s CRM and marketing integration lets manufacturers manage the entire customer lifecycle through automated cloud-based processes. NetSuite CRM enables you to engage with customers and streamline operations by connecting customer data and marketing insights.

• Complete customer management: NetSuite CRM has salesforce automation , marketing automation, and customer support management on one platform. This gives customers a seamless experience and a single view of customer relationships.
• Better operational planning: With a complete view of sales activity, NetSuite CRM helps with shop floor planning and improves forecasting. With customer demand insights, manufacturers can schedule production to minimise delays and optimise resource usage.
• Omnichannel customer engagement: NetSuite CRM lets you connect with customers across multiple channels-web, mobile, in-store and call centres-so you can give them a consistent, personalised experience everywhere.

With NetSuite’s CRM and marketing, you can make data-driven decisions, streamline customer interactions and schedule production to meet demand for more efficiency.

Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities

NetSuite’s advanced manufacturing capabilities give manufacturers the tools to improve production accuracy and efficiency so all components and processes are optimised. NetSuite’s advanced manufacturing includes:

NetSuite’s advanced manufacturing ensures that every production stage is managed, resources are optimised, and output is high-quality.

Cloud-Based and Customisable

NetSuite’s cloud-based, customisable platform lets manufacturers tailor their systems to their needs so they can scale and grow as their businesses grow.

Why is this important?

A cloud-based ERP provides flexibility, accessibility and ease of integration without the need for complex on-premises infrastructure. NetSuite’s SuiteCloud Platform lets you configure your ERP, HR and commerce capabilities to fit your needs.

NetSuite’s cloud-based customisable solutions give you the flexibility to support long-term growth and agility.

Real-Time Visibility and Benchmarking

Real-time visibility is key to making informed decisions, customer satisfaction and process optimisation. NetSuite’s cloud-based platform gives manufacturers real-time visibility across all functions, from inventory tracking to order management and company-wide visibility.

• Company-wide real-time visibility: NetSuite gives you a single view of all critical data, so you can track inventory, manage orders and gain company-wide visibility for better resource allocation and planning.
• Benchmarking: NetSuite lets manufacturers compare themselves to industry standards so you can identify areas to improve and track progress in real-time. Benchmarking is critical to continuous improvement and competitiveness.

This cloud-based solution is not only scalable but also customisable, meeting the unique needs of each organisation. Its flexibility allows manufacturers to adapt quickly to industry changes while maintaining operational control and visibility.

Jacopo for your NetSuite for manufacturing partner

NetSuite offers powerful, cloud-based solutions tailored to the unique demands of manufacturing and supply chain businesses.

NetSuite equips organisations with tools to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and drive growth from real-time visibility and advanced inventory management to optimised procurement and seamless CRM integration.

The platform’s customisable features and robust analytics ensure that companies can meet industry standards while maintaining agility and efficiency. Jacopo empowers employees through data insights and customisable systems that enhance productivity and operational efficiency, significantly improving customer service across various business channels.

Contact Jacopo for a chat to learn how we can support your journey with NetSuite.

Originally published at https://jacopo.ee on November 19, 2024.