Let’s take a quick minute to talk about the ugly stepsister of manufacturing and distribution: the supply chain. Your order-to-cash process and warehouse management may be on point, but supply chains are often where things start to fall apart. And if you don’t have full visibility and control over your supply chain, then you’re in trouble.
That’s where NetSuite comes in. NetSuite simplifies, connects, and streamlines your supply chain so you can have confidence that every aspect of your business flows beautifully.
Here’s how.
Supply Chains in NetSuite
1. Unified Data Across Your Supply Chain
Unification is the first (and arguably most powerful) tool in NetSuite’s belt to streamline your supply chain. If your supply chain data is hanging out in a siloed system, that’s an issue. And if all your other processes (purchase orders, inventory, shipping and vendor performance, etc.) each live in their own systems, that’s a recipe for a disastrous supply chain.
NetSuite changes that by bringing all your supply chain data (including supply chain adjacent data) into one single, cloud-based platform. That means you get real-time visibility. Did you add a new vendor? Are you overstocking a product in your warehouse? Is demand for an item fluctuating with the seasons? Your supply chain needs access to all that data in real time if you want to stay on top of orders. And with NetSuite, it does.
2. Smarter Inventory and Demand Planning
Overstocking eats into your cash reserves, but stockouts damage customer relationships. Without the right tools, striking the right balance on inventory and demand planning is hard. NetSuite’s demand planning and inventory management features provide the support you need, so you can have demand planning without the headache. With these features, you can do things like (1) forecast demand based on historical and seasonal trends, (2) automatically generate purchase orders and inventory transfers, and (3) maintain optimal stock levels across all your store and warehouse locations. With the right configuration, NetSuite keeps your shelves stocked just enough without the guesswork.
3. Streamlined Purchasing and Vendor Management
Without strong purchasing and vendor management, your supply chain falls apart. You need a way to know who your preferred vendors are for specific items and what the lead time is for those vendors, as well as things like pricing brackets, approvals, and more. NetSuite makes it easier to manage vendors, pricing, and procurement through automation. With NetSuite, you can (1) set up vendor records with lead times, preferred pricing, and approval rules, (2) automate purchase order creation and approvals, and (3) track vendor performance over time. Using NetSuite’s automation tools for vendor management helps to reduce time-consuming, error-prone manual entry while speeding up purchasing.
4. Connected Fulfillment and Logistics
It’s not enough to get products in the door in the most efficient way, though. You also have to get those products out the door and to the customer in a reasonable timeframe. NetSuite provides numerous fulfillment tools to support you, including things like (1) integrating your warehouse systems with major shipping carriers, (2) automating the entire pick/pack/ship process, and (3) tracking delivery status in real time. Satisfied customers will keep returning for more, and NetSuite ensures that this crucial step in the supply chain doesn’t break down.
5. Supply Chain Control That Grows with You
Your supply chain processes shouldn’t limit your growth; they should enable your growth. NetSuite is built to grow with your business, ensuring that software isn’t the thing that holds you back. With NetSuite, adding store and warehouse locations, incorporating new subsidiaries, and even going international is within reach, since you don’t need to upgrade your entire system with each next step. If you’re on track to grow, NetSuite will grow with you throughout the lifespan of your ever-evolving business.
SuiteRep: Helping You Build a Smarter Supply Chain in NetSuite
Supply chains aren’t one-size-fits-all. And your NetSuite setup shouldn’t be either. At SuiteRep, we help companies unlock the full power of NetSuite by aligning the system with your real-world processes. If your supply chain feels disconnected or overly complex, NetSuite has the tools (and we have the expertise) to help you gain clarity, control, and confidence. We love helping clients see better business results with NetSuite. If that’s something you’re interested in, reach out to start the conversation!