Migrating business systems brings tremendous potential to streamline operations. But the road to unlocking those benefits also poses some common pitfalls. In this post, we’ll uncover frequent issues that plague NetSuite migrations and actionable resolutions to circumvent them.
Done right, your move to NetSuite transforms efficiency. Sidestep these mistakes upfront to prevent headaches later. Let’s explore some key themes around migration risks and how to mitigate them through careful planning and execution.
Rushing the Assessment Phase
Moving quickly feels productive. But too much speed early in migration risk leaving undetected gaps in understanding your current setup and unique functional needs. This causes significant rework down the road once missing requirements surface after launch.
Critical requirements get labeled as phase 2 enhancements. Customizations balloon trying to bridge unexpected missing capabilities post go-live. And user adoption lags when the system lacks proper configuration to support their workflow needs out the gate.
The solution lies in extensively assessing your business first rather than rushing to configure software solutions. Document key processes, inputs, and outputs. Catalog reporting needs. Shadow end users to capture workflow steps. Discuss pain points they want resolved.
This upfront analysis legally seems slow. But you uncover the truly unique aspects of your company to customize NetSuite properly pre-launch. And you build excitement in users helping shape what’s coming.
Lacking Data Cleanup and Migration
“Garbage in, garbage out” applies perfectly to system migrations. Attempting to shovel incomplete, duplicated, or dirty data into your shiny new NetSuite instance cripples the outcomes. Without data discipline, you infect your new systems rather than enhancing visibility.
Symptoms of this issue include:
- Reporting showing gaps or spikes that can’t be explained
- Processes erroring out trying to operate on bad records
- Loss of transaction and contact history & details
Tackle this through methodical data auditing, cleansing, mapping, and migration. Assemble key users to catalog data flaws. Review imports versus exports. Identify duplicate or unused records. Standardize data formats like addresses and contact details.
You must rectify, consolidate, and validate before migrating. Test carefully with subset extracts to catch problems early. Ultimately this discipline saves endless hours battling data defects rather than driving decisions.
Customizing Before Configuring
The flexibility to customize NetSuite gets frequently touted. But an eagerness to code new functionality can outpace willingness to configure and adapt existing processes. Often standard NetSuite capabilities or simpler workflow adjustments better solve the needs if given consideration.
The risk of early customization? Greater overhead owning bespoke solutions long-term and less ability to leverage marketplace enhancements. Plus a tendency to overcomplicate things rather than streamlining the operation.
Combat this by deliberately exploring configuration options first before custom build. Align requirements to OOTB features. Simplify steps based on NetSuite best practices if gaps exist. Limit custom code to truly unique needs adding value, not just because you can.
Underestimating Change Management
Technology builds capacity. People realize the benefits. A flaw in many migrations lies in focusing overly on the former while underestimating the work required for the latter. Failure to help people across the business embrace changes ultimately hinders user adoption.
Common symptoms of poor change management include:
- Leaders not visibly sponsoring switch
- Employees resisting altering existing habits
- Users clinging to old systems and spreadsheets
- Lack of formal training and reinforcement
Attack this through change marketing before, during and after go-live. Get executives speaking to benefits. Involve frontline areas early in shaping configurations. Engineer processes to ease transition disruption. Train heavily with patient experts.
Purposefully orchestrate the changes; don’t just announce and expect uptake. People want to understand what’s in it for them before buying into change. Demonstrate the wisdom of moving to NetSuite.
Inaccurate Testing
Plotting migration in phases allows gradual progress while limiting risk. But each rollout exposes gaps not caught in testing. Defects then recur in the next phase. Insufficient testing fails to catch flaws lurking ahead of go-live.
Warning signs of inadequate testing include:
- Phase 1 golive chaos needing extensive user support
- Phase 2 development stalled addressing problems not validating in first release
- Phase 3 uncertainty around readiness to launch next functions
Smooth migrations hinge on rigorous yet rapid testing. Take an agile approach with iterative cycles not big bang. Strong collaboration between business and technical teams heightens alignment. Champion key user testing via validation scripts and scenarios. Above all, prevent defects flowing to production even if postponing launch dates.
Why Choose SuiteRep for NetSuite Implementation?
SuiteRep guides customers through migrations with our agile methodology delivering rapid ROI not just project milestones. Our fanatical focus on your business success fuels the following differentiators when migrating to NetSuite:
Your Success First Mindset
Our NetSuite developers and consultants care as much about your outcomes as our own. Our year+ long average tenure with clients proves we become your partner not just a vendor. Real business success beats project measurements every time.
Depth Not Just Scale
Large firms have big teams but often lack top talent. Our group has 19 NetSuite certifications and decades racking up wins for 200+ clients. Top consultants drive your results not junior resources. Our US talent footprint powers round the clock acceleration.
Practical Innovation
We create pragmatic solutions to complex issues balancing business needs and technical restraints. Business-driven customizations keep you competitive without over engineering things. Our ex-NetSuite product manager lineage promotes building what lasts over just what’s expedient.
Experience Your Industry, Business & Users
12+ years solely focused on NetSuite is rare. But more unique is our vertical specialization in wholesale distribution, manufacturing, services and software. Deep domain expertise promotes better requirements analysis, customizations, and adoption.
Rapid Results Methodology
Why wait 18-24 months for a monolithic migration when you can realize value faster? Our milestone-based approach delivers streamlined functions every 90 days to start benefiting quickly not just waiting for 100% solution completeness. Rapid results fuel continuous modernization.
Let SuiteRep guide your company’s migration to NetSuite with proven success accelerating ROI. Bring deep NetSuite expertise forged from 200+ successful customer implementations to enable your business outcomes through technology. Schedule a free assessment today to explore the possibilities.
