Leveraging NetSuite for Strategic Growth in Manufacturing and Distribution

By centralizing data and automating workflows across functions such as inventory management, manufacturing, and order fulfillment, ERP systems enhance operational efficiency, reduce errors, and improve decision-making. This holistic approach enables companies to respond swiftly to market changes, optimize resource utilization, and maintain better control over costs and supply chain logistics. Ultimately, ERP systems support more agile and data-driven management, driving competitive advantage and fostering growth in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

 

Transform Manufacturing Companies with NetSuite Solutions

Through the integration of various business processes and the consolidation of data from production, procurement, sales, and finance into a single platform, NetSuite enables manufacturers to automate workflows, reduce manual data entry, and improve overall efficiency. This seamless integration helps synchronize operations, ensuring that all departments work with the most up-to-date information and reduce the potential for errors.

 

Another vital feature for manufacturers, NetSuite provides real-time visibility into inventory levels so organizations can more effectively manage stock. Automated reorder points and demand planning can forecast and help prevent overstocking and stockouts, optimizing inventory turnover—this ensures smooth production and reduces carrying costs, and contributes to a more cost-effective inventory management process.

 

Enhanced supply chain transparency offers manufacturers a comprehensive view from procurement to delivery, facilitating better tracking of suppliers, shipments, and production schedules. Thisallows companies to identify and address potential disruptions proactively. Additionally, businesses can make more informed decisions, negotiate better terms with suppliers, and improve the overall supply chain performance.

 

Cost reduction—another benefit of implementing NetSuite for manufacturing companies—lies both in the automation of routine tasks and providing financial insights to help identify areas where costs can be reduced. The ability to analyze production costs, track expense variances, and optimize resource allocation leads to more efficient operations and better financial management.

 

Compliance and quality control are supported through tracking and reporting features in NetSuite.  The system enables manufacturers to adhere to industry regulations and standards by maintaining detailed records of production processes, quality inspections, and regulatory documentation. Automated alerts and compliance checks help ensure that quality standards are consistently met, while traceability features facilitate quick responses to any quality issues that may arise. This proactive approach to compliance and quality control helps mitigate risks and maintain high standards in manufacturing processes.

 

netsuite manufacturing and distribution

The NetSuite Case for Distribution Companies

NetSuite offers substantial benefits to distributors by optimizing various areas of operations, beginning with order fulfillment. It streamlines the entire order-to-cash process, automating tasks like order entry, inventory allocation, and shipment tracking. This reduces processing times, minimizes errors, and ensures timely and accurate delivery of goods. With real-time visibility into inventory levels and order statuses, distribution companies can efficiently manage their fulfillment operations, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce order cycle times.

 

With advanced demand planning, NetSuite offers robust forecasting and planning tools using historical data, market trends, and season patterns to predict future demand more accurately. This allows distribution companies to proactively adjust inventory levels, preventing excess inventory and stockouts. By aligning inventory with anticipated demand, distribution companies can optimize their supply chain, reduce carrying costs, and ensure that they have the right products available to meet customer needs.

 

NetSuite’s CRM provides distribution companies with a 360-degree view of customer interactions, enabling them to track orders, preferences, and communication history. This fosters stronger relationships and personalized service. These detailed insights also offer a look into customer behavior and feedback so that distribution companies can tailor offerings, address issues promptly, and improve customer satisfaction.

 

With data-driven insights, NetSuite provides distribution companies with the opportunity to make more informed decisions. Advanced analytics and reporting tools generate actionable insights from substantial amounts of operational data. This way companies can identify trends, monitor performance metrics, and evaluate key business drivers. This facilitates strategic planning, supports continuous improvement, and enhances overall business performance, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

 

 

netsuite distribution

NetSuite Implementation Considerations for Manufacturers and Distributors

When implementing NetSuite, manufacturing and distribution companies can significantly benefit from customization and integration capabilities. This means that workflows, processes, and reporting can be customized to align with unique business requirements and industry standards. Integration with existing systems, such as CRM tools, supply chain management solutions, and legacy software, ensures a seamless transition and unified data flow across the organization. This level of customization and integration enhances operational efficiency, reduces manual data handling, and ensures that the ERP system supports the company’s specific business processes effectively.

 

The cost and ROI of NetSuite implementation are key considerations for manufacturing and distribution companies. While the initial investment in the ERP system and associated services may seem substantial, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. The system’s ability to automate processes, improve accuracy, and enhance visibility translates into significant operational efficiencies and cost savings. Companies can expect reduced administrative overhead, lower inventory carrying costs, and improved financial management. Moreover, the data-driven insights provided by NetSuite enable better decision-making and strategic planning, leading to increased profitability and competitive advantage. Overall, the enhanced operational efficiency and strategic benefits of NetSuite can deliver a strong ROI, making the initial investment a worthwhile consideration for forward-thinking manufacturing and distribution companies.

 

If you’re ready to talk about how NetSuite can empower your manufacturing and/or distribution business, contact us in the form below, and we’ll be happy to quickly demonstrate how.

Case Study | Jaxon Engineering Sees Formidable Data Control, Management, and Reporting Capability with NetSuite Implementation

The Company

A predominantly services company, Jaxon Engineering is a leader in Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) hardening and survivability. Jaxon designs, builds, tests, and maintains EMP-hardened structures for government and commercial clients worldwide.

 

Jaxon implemented NetSuite with Caravel three years ago, and has seen tremendous success with their data, reporting, and overall financial management. Their modules include Financials, Record to Report, Procure to Pay, Design to Build, Project to Cash, NSPB, have several integrations, and are now integrating OpenAir.

 
 

The Challenge

As one of several challenges, Jaxon Engineering faced the issue of having a segregated tech stack, with the majority of the company unaware of an ERP system and the impact it could have on the organization. For accounting, QuickBooks was very limiting, and before that, they were using spreadsheets.

 

 

Another challenge Jaxon faced was that people relied on their Director of Finance, Calvin Lyons, for information and data, since he was the central user of all the disparate software they were using.

With their then-current software, QuickBooks, it was very difficult for multiple people to access the data, which was becoming unreliable because people would go in and make changes to historical information, rendering it inaccurate.

 

Reporting was another significant challenge in that the data was never truly current, hence making any reporting inaccurate as well. Jaxon had very little control over their data and urgently needed to do something about it.

The Solution

They began exploring a Material Resource Planning system after they were awarded a manufacturing contract, which ultimately led them to NetSuite. They soon realized that it was simply not going to satisfy their needs, and that they would need a robust ERP that would replace most of the software they were currently using. Alongside NetSuite, they use Briq, a project-based analytics platform.


They were debating between Sage Intacct and NetSuite, when it came down to the choices of ERPs. Because Calvin had spent time in a previous position as a software consultant and building government compliance systems, he knew there was only a handful of realistic, scalable platforms that would work for Jaxon. As they came closer to making a final decision, they realized that Sage was mostly a reporting platform that doesn’t focus on project management, timekeeping, or expenses – those needed to be integrated. Since they wanted to minimize systems, this was not the route they were going to take.  “We thought we could do as much as possible within the NetSuite environment without bolting many other systems on,” expressed Calvin.


To continue reading about the incredible results Jaxon experienced with their NetSuite implementation, download the full case study with results below. 

Jaxon + Caravel: Consumer Manufacturing Succeeding in NetSuite

Join Caravel and Jaxon, a leader in Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) hardening and survivability, as they discussed their approach to their NetSuite implementation.





This 15-minute sit down with Jaxon and Caravel showcased how Jaxon began the process for a new ERP, why they ended up choosing NetSuite, and about the collaborative implementation process with Caravel.





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