Category: Tips

Ensuring Smooth User Adoption of NetSuite ERP

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

As astute organizations seek to optimize their operations and enhance decision-making, the significance of user adoption in NetSuite cannot be overstated. Effective user adoption ensures that employees are well-trained and comfortable with the system, leading to increased efficiency, reduced errors, and a more seamless integration of business functions. Embracing NetSuite ERP fully helps organizations realize their potential, driving better performance and supporting strategic growth.

 

What are the challenges of NetSuite user adoption?

In many organizations, change is sometimes resisted. The implementation of a new system can be daunting at times, which is why proper training and adoption are so vital to its success. Some users may not only have challenges with change, but also with lack of technical skills. A solid implementation partner will know this beforehand and take it into account. Knowing that each user learns using different methods at different paces, they will ensure that users receive training options – and not just provide a single method for adoption.  Adequate training is crucial for successful adoption, with well-structured training materials so they may be used effectively. Because NetSuite has an intuitive user interface and aligns well with user workflows, the platform is more easily adopted.

 

Other challenges include data migration – moving data from legacy systems to NetSuite can be complex, which is why an experienced partner is so crucial. Poor data quality, incomplete migration or disruption of operations can reduce confidence in a new system. Additionally, integrating with other systems can be challenging and if it’s not seamless, it can lead to data silos and operational inefficiencies.

 

Addressing these challenges head-on is the job of the implementation partner. Ensuring the least amount hurdles will encourage users to embrace NetSuite and move forward with implementation into the organization.

 

Netsuite training

Developing a Strategic Training Approach

A strategic training approach begins with an assessment of training needs and identifying the many user roles and their specific training requirements. Sometimes, a skills gap analysis is done to determine what needs to be taught, but it may not be necessary with some organizations whose employees have used other systems in the past.

 

 

What’s important is to offer training in various methods. Some users learn better through video instruction, while others prefer a more hands-on approach and may need a live walk-through. A good implementation partner will offer different options including in-person sessions, and self-paced online video courses. They can provide access to tutorials, guides, and FAQs as well.

Effective Communication Strategies

Developing positive user adoption of NetSuite involves good communication and accessibility. Articulating NetSuite’s advantages and why they have chosen to implement the software, how it will make their work much easier, and sharing client success stories and case studies can also help.

Keeping users informed about implementation timelines and changes is vital, as is providing progress reports and addressing concerns promptly. Being available to answer questions via phone, email, or scheduled Zoom meetings – offering various forms of communication can also ease their woes and help communication efforts. Encouraging user feedback to identify issues and areas for improvement and showing the implementation partner is open to changing things for the better is great. Urging user feedback to refine training and support efforts can also help the partner as well as the user.  

 

NetSuite user adoption

Testing Before Go-Live

Testing your NetSuite instance before going live is crucial to its success and is an important part of training. Users must be comfortable with the system before launch. Ensuring functionality by testing helps to ensure that all modules and customizations are working as intended, and this includes validation of workflows, integrations, and that reports are producing accurate results.

 

 

Identifying issues or bugs before the system is fully operational can prevent disruptions in business processes once it’s live. Testing also ensures that data migration is accurate and complete, which is critical to maintaining the integrity of financial and operational data. Testing also provides opportunities for users to familiarize themselves with the system, and making sure they’re proficient with the functionality before they start using it in their daily tasks. A good implementation partner will also make sure that the customization is verified and works as expected and will create a sandbox for users to “practice” tasks, ensuring integrity of the system.

 

 

The importance of a structured approach is to achieve long-term success – the goal of any organization. Work with your implementation partner to weave in best practices to enhance user engagement and make sure they’re open to feedback so you can always be growing.

 

 

To understand more about how Caravel can help implement or improve your NetSuite instance, please contact us in the form below.

Measuring Success: Key Metrics to Track After NetSuite Go-Live

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

With nearly 40,000 companies employing and relying on NetSuite as their ERP of choice, the popular platform has helped them achieve substantial insights into their business processes. The journey for these began once the system went live, however, the more crucial phase – monitoring and optimizing NetSuite to ensure they’re reaping maximum benefits is an ongoing process that needs to be discussed.


Tracking key metrics post-NetSuite go-live is essential for a deeper understanding of performance, identifying areas for improvement, and driving business growth. Below, we will explore what metrics you should be tracking and how to leverage them to continuously enhance your operational and financial strategies – making sure your investment pays off.


 

Efficiency Metrics Relating to NetSuite

Measuring efficiency metrics is likely one of the more apparent metrics you want to delve into so you can see how effectively the platform is utilized to streamline operations, improve productivity, and optimize your resources. Ask your team about cycle time reduction by measuring the time taken from order to cash and other critical processes before and after implementation. Measure your transaction processing time, which indicates how efficiently transactions are processed within the system.


Take a look at process automation, which involves monitoring the execution and outcomes of automated tasks and workflows and tracking the percentage increase and its impact on operational efficiency. For instance, in SuiteFlow, you can view the workflow status and history. You can also check the audit trail, as each workflow action can be audited to track when it was triggered and executed.

NetSuite also offers event monitoring capabilities that track user activity and system events, which can include tracking when automated processes are triggered and executed.

Cost Savings Metrics due to NetSuite Implementation

As one of the more significant metrics, measuring costs can be done in a few ways. Firstly, take a look and see if there is a reduction in IT costs. Compare the pre-ERP and post-ERP costs, including maintenance, support, and infrastructure. Secondly, examine administrative costs by taking a dive into changes in administrative costs due to the now streamlined processes and reduced manual work due to the many automations offered in NetSuite. Next, you can measure procurement savings by looking at the savings in procurement through improved vendor management and purchasing processes.


Measure your labor costs by evaluating changes in staffing requirements for finance, accounting, and IT departments. with regard to compliance and risk management, take a look and see if there was a reduction in costs associated with improved compliance and reduced risk of fines and penalties.


Examine Financial Metrics from Implementing NetSuite

Likely, one of the more significant metrics to examine is financial. Companies want to know if their investment in NetSuite has paid off. There are several financial metrics that can be looked at, starting with revenue growth. Monitor revenue trends post-ERP implementation to identify any positive impacts on sales and profitability. You can also look at profit margins by evaluating changes, considering cost reductions and revenue growth facilitated by NetSuite. Businesses can also examine cash flow and assess improvement in cash flow management and liquidity due to better financial controls and forecasting capabilities.


Return metrics are also significant, so look at your ROA (return on assets) to measure how effectively assets are being used to generate profit. Look at your ROE (return on equity) if you have shareholders. NetSuite can also provide Gross Profit Percentage, EBITDA, Debt Covenants, and Current Ratio.

Customer Satisfaction Metrics

Looking into your customers’ satisfaction sometime after a NetSuite implementation is a great way to see if it’s paying off outside of your organization. Take a look at order fulfillment and track improvements in order accuracy, fulfillment speed, and customer satisfaction scores. Examine service response times by measuring the changes in response times and service levels post-ERP to gauge customer service improvements. Finally, analyze customer retention rates and repeat business post-ERP implementation. These are all ways to get a comprehensive view of customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement after implementation.

Reporting and Analytics Metrics post NetSuite Go-Live

NetSuite affords users exceptional reporting and analytics capabilities, so you will want to measure some elements to ensure that you’re getting the expected business value. Some key metrics to consider include data accuracy and integrity metrics. For data accuracy, evaluate the precision and reliability of financial and operational data post-ERP. You can also track the frequency of data entry errors or system-generated errors, and also measure the percentage of data fields that are filled out correctly. Take a look at real-time reporting by measuring the efficiency and speed of generating reports and dashboards. Finally, take a look at user adoption by assessing user engagement and adoption rates of NetSuite features and reporting tools.

Employee Productivity Metrics Utilizing NetSuite

Evaluating your return on investment can also be measured by looking at employee productivity after NetSuite implementation. Take a look at time savings, and calculate time saved per employee in performing routine tasks and accessing information. Look at training effectiveness, and measure how effective NetSuite training programs were in improving employee productivity. Another thing to consider is employee satisfaction – gauge employee satisfaction and morale changes post go-live and see what these changes have brought to your user teams.


The importance of tracking metrics post NetSuite implementation is vital to finding out if your investment was worth the time, effort, and money. Making informed decisions comes with continuously optimizing your system, and the only way to do that is by examining these metrics mentioned above. Continuous evaluation and adjustment of metrics will ensure ongoing success and a good return on your investment.


To learn more about how your organization can benefit from a NetSuite implementation or optimization, contact us in the form below.

Mastering FP&A with Automation and Machine Learning

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

Many organizations are fraught with inaccurate data that is siloed from business operations when conducting planning and budgeting cycles, resulting in arduous manual work that is time-consuming and loaded with errors. Not to mention, relaying this vital information to leadership and key stakeholders can be laborious and flawed.


NetSuite Planning and Budgeting, or NSPB, is a powerful tool used by organizations to budget and forecast utilizing financial data from NetSuite. This robust solution propels finance teams to spend less time on manual tasks, saving them time and energy.


It is collaborative, scalable, automated, and accurate. NSPB provides predictive analytics, sophisticated modeling capabilities, “what-if” scenarios, rolling forecasts, reporting and approval workflows, transparency into performance, and real-time decision-making capability.


Predictive Planning with Machine Learning

The power behind NSPB is due to the integration of machine learning to automate processes, enhance accuracy in forecasting and budgeting, and offer deep insights into financial data, which enables users to make more informed decisions.


With predictive forecasting, machine learning algorithms analyze historical data and identify patterns and trends that financial analysts can miss. This aids in generating more accurate forecasts for future periods based on past performance. These same algorithms can automatically detect anomalies in financial data, which is helpful for pinpointing unusual spending patterns, unexpected variances, or mistakes in budgeting.


NSPB can leverage machine learning to optimize budget allocations based on various constraints and objectives. This might involve recommending adjustments to spending levels across different departments or projects to achieve desired financial outcomes.


Machine learning can help in generating and analyzing multiple scenarios based on different assumptions and inputs, which allows finance professionals to evaluate the potential impact of various business decisions or market changes on their budgets and plans.

Real-Time Data and Collaborative Endeavors

Because NSPB integrates financial planning across the entire organization, data is consolidated from various departments and functions which offers a wholistic view of performance and forecasts. Real-time financial data enables teams to make informed decisions based on the latest information, rather than outdated facts and figures.


With “what-if” scenarios, NSPB allows businesses to create several scenarios based on multiple assumptions and variables, which helps in comprehending potential outcomes of different strategies and decisions. This facilitates better risk management and contingency planning.


The collaborative approach that NSPB takes facilitates different teams to work together and ensures alignment with overall business objectives, assuring that everyone is working for a common purpose. Tools for monitoring performance against budgets and forecasts helps to identify deviations early on, and fosters corrective action to be taken sooner, helping to stay on track with financial goals.



Save Time, Cost, and Hours

Integrating NSPB into your NetSuite instance will greatly help financial teams to cut time on the budgeting cycle. It not only reduces human error in detecting anomalies, it also frees time from analyzing data and allows financial professionals to actually do the work and make decisions. Its out-of-the-box functionality allows teams to leverage these tools to get accurate forecasts without significant upfront costs.


Because all financial data, forecasts, and budgets are stored on a centralized platform, it eliminates the need for spreadsheets and disparate systems across departments. This ensures more accuracy and consistency in financial planning.


Manual work such as data entry, consolidation, and reporting are automated, which reduces time spent on these tasks and allows FP&A teams to focus more on analysis and strategy. Its customized reporting capabilities allows users to generate reports and dashboards that are tailored to specific needs, giving way to a more transparent view into performance and better decision-making. Financial plans and budgets also adhere to regulatory requirements by offering audit trails, version control, and security.

NSPB enhances FP&A by providing a unified, collaborative, and automated solution that seamlessly integrates with NetSuite ERP and empowers organizations to make more intelligent decisions based on accurate data, more precise forecasting, and ultimately improves overall performance and strategic outcomes.


For expert guidance on NSPB and NetSuite and how it can drive your organization to be more efficient and effective, contact us below.

The Complete Guide to Understanding Salesforce Org Merges

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

At some point during the growth of an organization, one might encounter a time when consolidation is required, particularly when it comes to tech merging. When companies merge or acquire one another, they might need to merge their various software. There are times when organizations are faced with redundancies in technology and need to decide which will be the primary in the merge. In this article, we will examine the merging of Salesforce orgs, as there are specific nuances and intricacies involved that you may not have thought about previously.


The benefits of merging Salesforce orgs are many. Beginning with operating from “one source of truth” is valuable to the entire organization so that all departments function under a singular platform with accurate data on customers, performance, leads, campaigns, and reports. Operating under one Salesforce system also streamlines operations and optimizes processes, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectiveness and reducing redundancies and bottlenecks. Cost savings are also a huge plus, with a reduction in maintenance and subscription costs from competing solutions.

Salesforce Org Merge Considerations & Planning

An org merge demands significant planning and training and can rarely be done effectively without a Salesforce implementation partner. In general, team members are mostly at capacity in their current roles and don’t have the necessary experience in the many intricacies of such a large project.


Starting by identifying key stakeholders to involve in the decision-making process and assigning roles and responsibilities is step one after selecting an implementation partner. Clearly identifying and documenting business processes is key so that those involved have clarity and common understanding of how things will operate moving forward. This reduces confusion and ensures that everyone is on the same page.


Creating a detailed merge plan and timeline is vital to minimizing disruption in ongoing operations, and to ensure that there is complete process alignment. Part of the merge plan may include processes like maintaining data integrity, user adoption and training plans, testing and validation proposals, as well as compliance and security implications.


Risk assessment and mitigation strategies are also key to lessening potential challenges and risks, but also help ensure a smoother transition, maintain data integrity, enhances system reliability, and support overall business continuity and compliance.


An effective communication plan for stakeholders and users is equally important to the process, to keep everyone on track with common goals and milestones.  

Data Management and Migration

As part of the Salesforce org merge, a vital portion of the process is the management and migration of data. After you and your implementation partner decide which will be the primary Salesforce instance, they will work with you to take an inventory of existing data and systems. This involves determining all the sources of data that need to be migrated or merged.


Following the inventory, the next step is to cleanse the data and employ a deduplication process to ensure that your organization is working off one source of truth. Next is ensuring the data follows a consistent structure and naming convention, as well as validating the data against business rules and Salesforce requirements. Deciding whether the data will be migrated all at once or in phases is something that your implementation partner will decide with you.


The next step is to map the data by creating a mapping of data fields between the different Salesforce instances. Determining which objects from each Salesforce org will be merged, as well as identifying corresponding fields in the source and target orgs is part of this process.


Data transformation, another part of the process, involves modifying data from the source org to meet the structure and requirements of the target Salesforce org during the merge. This involves data cleaning, standardization, enhancing the data by adding missing information and additional details, ensuring that data is organized and structured uniformly, as well as validating transformed data to ensure it meets the rules and constraints defined in the target Salesforce org.

Customization, User Management & Security

The org merge process continues with the evaluation of any custom code, triggers, or workflows that were previously implemented. It’s important to identify any conflicts or dependencies that could arise during the merge with regard to code review, as well as ensure that integrations with external systems or APIs are compatible. You and your implementation partner will evaluate trigger logic to prevent conflicts or unintended behavior post-merge. Also, reviewing workflow rules to verify that criteria are still valid, and actions are appropriate after the merge is completed at this time, as well as checking field updates and dependencies to ensure consistency across the merged org. Your implementation partner will develop a strategy for merging custom objects and fields and will offer best practices for handling integrations and third-party applications.


Managing user roles and profiles during a Salesforce org merge is a critical aspect to ensure smooth transition and effective user access control. Part of this process entails documenting all existing roles and profiles in both orgs, and identifying and duplications or discrepancies. Determining the roles and profiles needed post-merge based on the organizational structure, user responsibilities, and access requirements will also be done at this point, as well as training and supporting users throughout the transition.

Testing & Go Live

Your implementation partner should relay the importance of thorough testing in a sandbox environment. It’s crucial to conduct thorough testing to ensure the merged org functions correctly and meets business requirements. Some tests may include integration testing, data integrity checks, data conversion testing, user acceptance testing, performance testing, and security testing. Part of your partner’s job will be to handle any issues that may arise from feedback from testing, as well as the final preparation and checklist for going live.


Monitoring the system post-merge and handling post-merge issues along with continuous optimization are some things that a strong implementation partner will be able to take on as well.


Salesforce org merges require careful planning, communication, and a thorough comprehension of technical and organizational landscapes. Working alongside an implementation team will ensure a successful org merge, as they recognize it’s not just about merging data, it’s about integrating cultures, aligning strategies, and driving growth for the organization.


Contact Caravel below to learn more about how we can help your organization successfully implement a Salesforce org merge.

How Can CRM Implementation Boost Team Collaboration and Efficiency?

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

A well-implemented CRM serves as a central focal point for teamwork that enables collaboration, communication, and coordination among team members. It’s a platform that offers automation and workflows to streamline repetitive tasks and is a place that can boost sales and the customer experience all at once. Let’s examine how this incredible software enables teams to achieve success.

Fostering Teamwork

With a successful CRM implementation, users can easily collaborate on sales opportunities when they share insights and resources. This coordinated effort in selling helps team members leverage each other’s strengths and close deals more efficiently and effectively. When customer data is stored in a central hub, it’s easily shared, updates are made in real-time, and everyone is on the same page. Visibility into reports and other elements, such as communication history, helps teams hold each other accountable and facilitates teamwork. Synchronized data and shared interactions from various departments provide a 360-degree view of the company and its goals, thereby paving the way to successful outcomes.

 

CRM implementation fosters teamwork

Reducing Workload

Customized workflows within a CRM allow processes to fit specific needs, which promotes streamlined operations, automated tasks that are repetitive, and consistency across the board. This all contributes to a smaller workload. Teams have visibility into everyone’s activities and progress, and this transparency leaves everyone accountable for their actions, thereby improving teamwork. In a time when automation has become almost mandatory, automating certain steps will speed up processes and allow team members to focus on more important tasks. Employees are more productive when certain tasks are automated and when they have faster access to information, which is what CRM implementation can offer.

Shared Databases

A powerful CRM tool such as Salesforce can serve as a centralized database for company information like customer profiles, interactions with customers, history of purchases, and more. All users have access to the same real-time information, thereby ensuring they’re all on the same page and eliminating any confusion.

Task Management

CRMs feature task management capabilities, allowing users to assign tasks to each other with deadlines and progress tracking. This ensures that all involved know what needs to be done and by when, which boosts accountability and efficient processes.

Real-Time Communication

Throughout the CRM, users can easily communicate with each other by leaving comments, notes, and updates related to specific outcomes and customers, thereby fostering collaboration and keeping everyone in the loop. Streamlined communication can inspire teams to collaborate more efficiently and promotes a sense of community.

 

CRM implementation increases communication

Reporting, Data Analysis, and Insights

Analytics tools resulting from CRM implementation help users to track performance, identify trends and patterns, and make better, more data-driven decisions. Teams can better serve customers by targeting their efforts and optimizing their strategies. Without debriefs, teamwork is next to impossible. Robust reporting capabilities within a CRM are a big part of fostering teamwork and improving efficiency. Visibility into shared insights and promoting data transparency fosters a culture of collaboration that drives improved performance and customer experiences. Through reporting, inefficiencies are easily spotted and can be addressed together, too. Tracking progress in shared objectives helps to align efforts and see how everyone’s contributions are being implemented.

 

When executed properly, CRM implementation can significantly improve team collaboration within an organization. With data transparency, various teams are all on the same page, while sharing insights derived from reports allows for identifying opportunities, patterns, and trends that can then be expanded upon. A reduction in workload can boost morale and allow teams to focus on important goals, while real-time communication saves time and increases efficiency.

 

CRM reporting analytics

A Prime Example

A carbon-credit startup whose original CRM was Click-Up—a task management platform. Click-Up didn’t meet any requirements that the company needed from a sales perspective. They required a customer management system so they could have contacts, accounts, opportunities—and notes associated with those. Click-Up is a platform that works to monitor tasks and is not a repository for customer and sales data. It doesn’t give you the forecasting ability of a CRM, nor the ability to do trending, or give users the story behind anything. A CRM such as Salesforce allows users to see into deals and opportunities and gives you information such as who participated and who was responsible for each step. It answers questions such as, “How did we get here?”

 

The startup began to demonstrate that their sales were a lot more effective and really began to communicate with each other. They started to understand why they failed at certain opportunities and take lessons from those they won. They were also able to bring in other departments, such as marketing, which was not something they were able to do with Click-Up. Their velocity in bringing in more deals blew up, because marketing and sales were in step, in the same system. Their end-to-end reporting capability exposed their marketing funnel, and allowed them to see into each other’s progress, tracking, and conversions.

 

Collaboration between teams on a singular platform with one source of truth became the force behind their success.

 

Want to learn more about how your teams can benefit from CRM implementation? Contact us below, and we’ll walk you through it.

Your NetSuite Implementation Guide: A 7-Step Checklist

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

What’s involved in a NetSuite ERP implementation? Let’s dive into this complete checklist that will give you all the details you need to know before connecting with a NetSuite implementation partner.

What to expect from kick-off to go-live and beyond:

    • Requirements Gathering
    • System and Customization Design
    • System Configuration
    • System Testing
    • Training
    • Deployment, Preparation, and Go-Live
    • Support and Maintenance
 

Requirements Gathering for NetSuite Implementation

The first step is to discuss and lay out the business goals with your NetSuite implementation partners. What are you trying to solve? What are the ERP requirements of the various departments within the organization and the issues they have that they will need to address? A deep dive into the needs, along with the challenges and goals, is imperative to the discovery and assessment phase. Look at current workflows and processes and identify inefficiencies that can be addressed with NetSuite ERP.

 

Once you have identified the issues that need solving, clarifying which processes you’d like the ERP system to take responsibility for and the business goals the new system will need to support is next. It’s also vital to examine the current systems within the organization that are working or not working to help reach business goals and decide whether or not to keep them.

 

Part of the assessment process is to also identify the key stakeholders that will be involved in the implementation, including the leads of different departments. These stakeholders should be involved in this initial phase, as their input is invaluable. At this stage, it’s also time to identify what KPIs will need to be monitored, tracked, and optimized. At the end of this portion of the process, your team and NetSuite implementation partners should be able to clearly identify the objectives and results you expect to come out of deploying the new ERP.

 

Throughout the implementation process, ensuring that accurate and complete data is transferred to NetSuite is pivotal. Conducting a thorough check of current data and its integrity is critical, as well as identifying what needs to be moved. If data must be cleansed prior to migration, then organizations must complete this effort prior to any other step. Once data has been cleansed and validated and is free of errors and redundancies, developing a mapping strategy to align the old with the new system is necessary. Determining which data sets are necessary for operations should be prioritized for migration. Be sure that security and compliance measures are taken to protect any sensitive information during the data migration. Consider how the data will flow between systems after the migration and that these integration points are configured properly. Decide whether data will be migrated in phases or in one fell swoop based on needs and limitations.

 

Once all these determinations have been solidified, testing the migration process to identify issues before going live is essential. Validation of the data’s accuracy and the completion of the migration should be verified and reconciled. A backup and contingency plan should be implemented as well, in case of unexpected failures, and to address any risks or disruptions. All of these considerations should be taken into account to maximize the success of data migration into your new NetSuite ERP system.

netsuite requirements

System and Customization Design

After the discovery and assessment phase, a plan for customization should be next on the checklist. Customizations should be prioritized based on their impact on the business, availability of resources, and strategic significance. The focus should be on customizations that present the most value. Consideration for out-of-the-box functionality should be evaluated first, as those may already meet the needs of the organization without the need for customization. When considering customizations, scalability should be taken into account to ensure they’re flexible and can accommodate future growth without too much rework. Prior to deploying any customizations, thorough testing should be done to ensure they function properly.

System Configuration

This vital step in the ERP implementation process involves setting up items like language preferences, assigning user roles and permissions, and changing any default settings to meet the needs of the organization. Your partner will also help to optimize any database settings for performance, security, backup, and recovery. At this point, you may also integrate the ERP with other applications, depending on the various phases in which you agree. This stage also includes the implementation of any change management practices to minimize interruptions and manage any changes effectively.

System Testing

Evaluation and testing of your new NetSuite ERP’s functionality, performance, and reliability is to make sure it meets the needs of the organization. There are several types of tests to perform, including functional testing, which ensures that all works as intended. These can include data entry, transaction processing, and generating reports. Another phase involves testing the integrations with other applications to ensure that data smoothly flows from the ERP to the other systems. Performance testing, another phase, evaluates the responsiveness of the ERP, as well as its performance under different workloads. Testing the security is also vital to address any vulnerabilities and includes user authentication, data encryption, and more. You will also want to test the user interface and experience to ensure that layouts, navigation, and overall user satisfaction are up to par. Once this phase is completed, full deployment across the organization occurs.

netsuite system testing

Training

Training not only involves educating new employees on the system but also teaching those who will be training others. There should always be a set group of employees that will be responsible for training new employees on the system, so they need to be read in first. Multiple scheduled training sessions take place in order to completely familiarize users with the new system. This involves providing hands-on practice where users can interact with NetSuite in a simulated environment, ask questions, and get assistance as needed. Feedback is an important part of the process, as it identifies any areas of improvement as well as the effectiveness of the training sessions.

Deployment, Preparation, and Go-Live

At this stage, testing and training have been completed and all parties agree that the next phase is to go live with the implementation. Change management strategies have been implemented to help users adapt to the new processes and system. Detailed plans have been developed for the launch of NetSuite, including scheduling the actual go-live, identifying key stakeholders and support personnel, and outlining contingency plans for any issues that may arise.

 

netsuite deployment

Support and Maintenance

Your NetSuite implementation partner should offer support services long after going live so that you and your team can focus on the business. Support services can include anything from administrative to analytical and technical support, as well as operations and integration support. These services should be offered through various channels, such as via phone, email, or even web-based support portals. You should also ideally be assigned a dedicated support manager who will look after your needs and make sure that your ERP continues to run smoothly.

 

Now that we understand how the implementation of NetSuite is not merely a technical endeavor, we can see how strategy, meticulous planning, thorough communication, and comprehensive training play a role as well. By utilizing this checklist, you can be more confident in knowing what to expect from an astute NetSuite implementation partner and how they can help transform your business processes and thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape.

 

Caravel is an award-winning NetSuite Alliance Partner who has worked with over 750 clients in various industries ranging from small businesses to enterprise-level corporations. Interested in learning more? Contact us below, and let us show you how we can help.

 

Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Salesforce Implementation Partner

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

We sat down with Caravel’s Director of Salesforce Practice, Kevin Dimond, and Senior Salesforce Consultant, Kelsey Rafac, to get an insider’s perspective on the responsibilities, challenges, and successes of a Salesforce implementation partner. Discover what they had to say and how you can apply this valuable insight into your due diligence for a CRM implementation partner. 

What is a Salesforce Implementation Partner, and why do you need one?

A Salesforce implementation partner is there to guide you through best practices for optimal use of the software. From gathering your business requirements to turning them into the best solutions for your business, as well as optimizing them, your partner should be giving you recommendations on how Salesforce will help operate your business. In addition to the technical aspect, they should be reviewing your process—something that is vastly overlooked in CRM implementations. “Your Salesforce implementation partner not only provides you with technical help, but they offer you best practices with the software, which goes a long way to utilizing it properly,” says Kelsey Rafac, Senior Salesforce Consultant at Caravel. “They help with sales process, and finance process. Salesforce is a complicated ecosystem with many moving parts, and it’s difficult to know how to tailor it to your business and make it as efficient as possible.”

Kevin Dimond, Director of Salesforce Practice at Caravel, agreed with Rafac. He adds that a Salesforce Implementation Partner “should be your trusted advisor in the Salesforce ecosystem. They should be impartial to what Salesforce pushes and focus on the right choices for your organization. He continues by iterating, “Your partner will be your hands-on keyboard that will be helping your organization configure it to your needs. For instance, take Pardot. Many organizations choose to integrate the marketing automation system into Salesforce, but what they do not know is that if they ever decide to change systems, Pardot can never be removed. It can be turned off but can never be removed.” It’s use cases like these that he has seen throughout his career, where users make grave mistakes trying to configure Salesforce without knowing specific implications, that can leave you with technical debt.

salesforce implementation partner


What can a Salesforce implementation partner do for an organization as a whole?

Salesforce should be about adding business value to organizations. Many organizations are siloed in the way they track their business; therefore, having a Salesforce implementation partner come in and establish it as a single source of truth is tantamount. Rafac says, “It should be built out so all users can go into one place and see how the company is performing, whether it’s in the opportunity pipeline or how many cases need to be worked. Having everything in one place makes operations more effective and efficient and really gives back to the business.” Implementing Salesforce can potentially add to more revenue growth and quicker case closure.

Your Salesforce consultant may also collaborate with leadership to develop strategies and roadmaps to leverage the software to drive growth, improve customer experience, and achieve other KPIs. They can also assist in ensuring that Salesforce helps to comply with regulatory requirements and security standards that mitigate risk and protect sensitive information.


What are the challenges you can face with implementing Salesforce on your own?

Some in-house implementations can be successful, but it must be done with someone who has previously implemented Salesforce and succeeded. “The last thing you want is to accumulate technical debt…sometimes, when you’re implementing, you don’t see the forest through the trees. You stay focused on the one problem you’re trying to solve without taking a step back and thinking about the implications. And unfortunately, in the Salesforce ecosystem, there are many implications,” says Dimond.

Although Salesforce can be set up “out of the box”, not being aware of best practices and optimal usage can cause some issues down the line. Organizations can incur technical debt, which results from taking shortcuts instead of implementing tasks the right way the first time. By doing this, Salesforce is not being utilized optimally, and elements like unused workflows lingering in the background and other underutilized features can take up unnecessary space.

Another thing to consider is improper data migration. Transferring data from other systems into Salesforce is complicated, and without a proper understanding of data structures and mapping, you’re taking unnecessary risks. Going at it alone can also lead to incomplete customization, as some aren’t aware of Salesforce’s full capabilities, which may lead to using a system that doesn’t fully meet the needs of the business. Without a Salesforce consultant, you will lack adequate training and ongoing support, and you can take security risks that can otherwise be avoided.

salesforce crm

What are the strategic steps you take to ensure that CRM implementation goes smoothly?

Beginning with a structured plan is first and foremost. A Salesforce implementation partner must have a solid methodology. Some partners will utilize agile methodology to see quick turnarounds with the work they’re doing for an organization. The process typically begins with requirements gathering and scoping, which is distilled into a business requirements document. It’s important that your partner hones in on your business challenges and finds ways in Salesforce to optimize those challenges. Rafac explains that their goal should be to relieve “any pain points you’re having.”

Once requirements gathering is complete, the partner should walk through everything to make sure you’re still on the same page. This time is a great opportunity for organizations to truly commit or adjust what they want and need. Things that should be discussed include any integrations with existing systems, customization, and data migration.

Once there’s an agreement, your partner should start configuring Salesforce in a “sandbox” to demonstrate and show you and your team what it will look like live. From there, you can make more adjustments. Your partner should maintain constant check-ins with you.

Project timelines are dependent on customization and what the organization is looking to accomplish. They can take anywhere from 3–6 months, if the organization is truly on top of what they’re doing. Pilot testing with a small group of users is also part of the process that identifies any issues or areas for improvement before rolling out to the entire organization. Performance monitoring and optimization are continuous during this phase, and here, you’re still gathering additional feedback to ensure you’re always improving efficiency and effectiveness.

End-user training is also part of the strategic steps taken to ensure a successful implementation. Your Salesforce consultant should train SMEs and sometimes all end users and provide documentation as well. Your Salesforce consultant should take this time to answer questions and provide further training, if necessary.

What should you look for in a Salesforce implementation partner?

According to Kevin Dimond, “A Salesforce partner should be one that understands the end-to-end process and the lead-to-cash process.” They should be helping their client service their customers as fast as possible before their competition does. They should be examined by their effectiveness, turnaround time, structured methodology, and knowledgeable consultants. Your partner should be going above and beyond with communication to your organization and be available when you need them to answer questions.

salesforce CRM implementation

What defines a successful implementation of Salesforce?

A successful implementation means that value has been added to the business; they should be operating better, more efficiently with optimized processes and performance. “Simply put, return on investment; showing the work you put into it is generating revenue on day one,”  reveals Dimond.  He explains that a CRM should never be a cost center, it should be a revenue center; you should be generating money from it. User adoption is another important aspect of a successful implementation.  

Part of a successful implementation means that employees are trained and ready to work the system. if users are not effectively using the platform, it will not deliver on its full potential benefits. Ongoing support is crucial as well, as continuous improvement and optimization cannot happen in a vacuum.

Success should be measurable, and the impact on KPIs should be regularly monitored and evaluated. Some metrics can include sales productivity, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth, as mentioned above.

Overall, a Salesforce implementation partner plays a crucial role in in aiding an organization to maximize the benefits of Salesforce, driving efficiency, innovation, and growth across the organization. It is with this hands-on experience and approach that organizations can truly benefit from Salesforce.

If you’re looking for help to either implement or optimize your Salesforce ecosystem, please get in touch with the experts at Caravel below.

What Does a CRM Do? An Effective Guide to Enhancing Customer Experience

Posted on by Sarah Bensimon

According to WebFX, 87% of businesses use cloud-based CRM platforms, and 73% of customers express that their experience is a vital factor in purchasing decisions. A positive customer experience leads to repeat business, positive referrals, and an increased lifetime value. These experiences also influence the perception of an organization and can have long-term effects on its success. Investing in a solid Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can help make or break an organization’s customer experience, thereby affecting revenue and profits.


A good CRM is a powerful tool used to engage customers, track and analyze their interactions with your organization, automate campaigns, manage your sales leads, and boost relationships. When implemented correctly, an effective CRM will improve your sales and retain customers by enhancing their experience with your organization.


Now that we are fully aware of how powerful a CRM is, let’s examine and answer some common questions circulating the customer experience and what a CRM can do to help.


CRM for Customer Data Management

 

Customer data management is the process of collecting, managing, and analyzing customer data. With complete and consistent data within a cloud-based CRM, organizations can learn more about their individual customers and can better provide relevant information that leads to customer retention. “Given that a CRM [such as Salesforce] is cloud-based, it allows users to access that data from anywhere, even on the go on their phone,” says Max Holton, Salesforce Solutions Architect at Caravel. He adds, “It’s all being stored and updated in real-time. So, wherever you are, you always have the most updated information on your customer.”


Customer data can include demographic information, work histories, email addresses, names, phone numbers, and more. The more organizations learn about the customer, the more thorough the data is and the better they can target that customer. This personalization strategy is what customers have come to expect in their purchasing journey. Personalizing communication can lead to an increase in conversion rate and business growth; it can improve analytics and the accuracy of forecasting and can, of course, enhance the customer experience. Holton also iterates, “CRM can be structured to collect data points that are not only important to your customer, but important to your business. You can create fields to collect important customer data or collect specific operational data points to report on Key Performance Indicators [KPIs].” This feature allows users to better extract information from the customer that becomes useful to them later in the purchase process and enables them to sell more efficiently.


CRM data management

 

CRM and Automated Processes

An effective CRM can automate certain processes for marketing, sales, and customer service efforts that can catapult engagement and communication. This smart function eliminates repetitive processes like manual data entry, saving time so they can focus on activities of higher value such as building relationships, generating and nurturing leads, and converting contacts into customers. These automated processes allow for more attentive customer service and support, allows the team to quickly respond to requests, and can help organizations communicate across multiple channels. This consistent and relevant communication leads to customer retention and a better customer experience.

“Automated processes enable faster time-to-value for the customer and for the business. The faster the business can service the customer, the greater the customer satisfaction. By eliminating manual processes, you’re minimizing human error, you’re expediting process, and removing bottlenecks so the whole process is more fluid, data is more accurate, and you’re getting the customer in the door, quoted, and delivering your product faster and more efficiently,” explains Holton.


CRM automation can also provide users with valuable insights that helps them better understand customer behavior, preferences, and trends. This enables more targeted and personalized campaigns, which result in a much-improved customer engagement rate and conversion rate. Automation in a CRM also helps to boost relationships with customers by tracking interactions, thereby enhancing the experience and empowering users to be more efficient, effective, and customer-centric in their efforts.


What Does a CRM do for Customer Segmentation?

A powerful CRM will allow its users to segment customers based on specific data points and provide more relevant messaging to those with diverse interests and needs. This will, in turn, improve sales and revenue, customer satisfaction, and the overall experience they have with your organization.


Targeting potential customers based on their preferences and behaviors is impactful. Segmenting lists augments the ability to create a more personalized campaign and creates a more effective way to track the effectiveness of a campaign or even a specific message. The organization can then re-focus its efforts based on results from testing these customer segments and establishing better and more meaningful relationships. “Companies only have a certain amount of salespeople or account managers, and with that, only a certain amount of bandwidth and human hours. By segmenting your customer, you can better allocate your internal resources and maximize that value. Avoid wasting internal resources on segments that are not generating value,” says Holton.


CRM customer segmentation

 

The Power of Customer Feedback Through a CRM

One of the most valuable tools an organization uses to improve and enhance processes is customer feedback. An effective CRM will help collect and analyze that feedback from numerous channels including surveys, reviews, and social media and provide insights into their preferences and needs. It can help identify trends and patterns and allow users to make more data-driven business decisions, improve products and services, and enhance the overall customer experience. Through dashboards and reports, organizations can better visualize the customer profile, and improve communication, satisfaction, and loyalty.

How a CRM Empowers Customer Service

What does a CRM do for customer service? A CRM offers immediate access to any and every interaction a customer has with a company. This includes any historical information, past and present purchases, as well as any communications. This valuable information allows for better customer service, as users can instantly retrieve what they need to help. Users will immediately know who they are communicating with, as the CRM can provide a complete view of the customer. This allows for a faster response time and results in better customer satisfaction.


“The companies that we see that have a full front-to-end CRM application that do not have their business process and data spread out across multiple platforms – which leads to unclean, inaccurate, and duplicated data – are the most successful as it pertains to customer service. Salesforce, for instance, allows the user to have all data, sales, and customer experience efforts in one place in the cloud. This allows for one customer record being updated in real-time so when you do get to the point where you need to service that customer with a case, you have all that data in one place at your fingertips that is reportable and allows you to better service the customer,” explains Holton.


CRM customer service

 

How Does AI in CRM Help Boost the Customer Experience?

A strong CRM will adapt conversational AI into its platform to help users better understand company and customer data. AI empowers CRM users to quickly update information about customers from anywhere including their mobile devices, helps to surface answers about customers more swiftly, and allows cross-functional teams to collaborate better. Salesforce AI, for instance, allows companies to tailor promotions based on customer segments, which is powered by the company’s data. The AI is constantly learning based on the user’s intent, which helps to connect with customers faster, more efficiently, and more precisely. AI can help boost productivity and personalization, effectively making the customer experience more impactful.


When organizations implement a robust CRM into their daily activities, they’re committing to the customer. They’re collecting and managing customer data while automating their processes and personalizing communications. Effectively, these organizations are saving time and money while offering a better customer experience because they’re employing the right technology that will prove its worth as the brand grows and the customer remains loyal.


Caravel views CRM systems such as Salesforce as an enabler of better business and customer care. We advise our clients through a proven, successful implementation strategy that allows for flexibility and change. Through proper support and optimization, we help clients refine their Salesforce configuration and match it to their continuously evolving business model. Want to learn more? Contact us below.

The NetSuite 2023.2 Quick Guide

Posted on by Tom Pearce

Author: Tom Pearce Sales Marketing Coordinator


NetSuite is releasing their newest update called NetSuite 2023.2 for the beginning of Autumn, much like the 2023.1 update they released at the beginning of the year, NetSuite 2023.2 is full of new ways to improve your business processes and improve user experience and adoption. At Caravel, we wanted to provide a targeted summary on what new features NetSuite is bringing to its users, if you want to learn more, we highly encourage you to look at the full release notes available to you in your NetSuite portal home screen. If this makes you eager to start with NetSuite 2023.2, please reach out to your Project Manager.

Striving for Warehouse and Manufacturing Efficiency:

NetSuite understands that the strain on supply, and the effect it has on fulfilling customer demand has not wavered at all. With NetSuite 2023.2 release, NetSuite is making their user’s warehouse and manufacturing management even more accessible. NetSuite has updated its mobile application offerings, improving warehouse speed and accuracy with Smart Count barcode scanning, both of which can save you on shipping and more!


The NetSuite 2023.2 release has provided users of the Supply Chain Management (SCM) app with huge updates to its user experience. They have made the navigation smoother and focused on making it user-friendly by simplifying roll changes and allowing user preferences. The update also streamlines the NetSuite Warehouse Management App. Allowing supervisors the expedience in reassigning employees, custom picking orders, and more to help reduce friction in your warehouse on both the supervisor and picker levels.


To help users save money with shipping NetSuite is making it possible to use NetSuite Ship Central to shop for the best rates, create return labels, calculate cost based on weight, and more. Just like the SCM app, user experience is improving for shipping as well allowing for user preferences, workflows, and more automation for customers using Shopify and Amazon. The NetSuite Connector is bringing users the capability to eliminate manual reconciliation for Shopify and Amazon. Users can also sync shipping services that are purchased from Amazon to NetSuite thus simplifying order fulfillment and reducing costs.


Learn more about how the 2023.2 update can improve your warehouse and manufacturing here.

Improving Your Employee Experience and Confidence:

With a tool like NetSuite, it is easy to get lost in all its capabilities and functions. Having to search for solutions, look at notes, or any other way users might help themselves navigate NetSuite slows down the processes and causes interruptions throughout the day. NetSuite 2023.2 aims to eliminate the pause in work to look up a “how to” guide and have implemented NetSuite Guided Learning. The NetSuite Guided Learning experience was built with a focus on streamlining user experience and eLearning. NetSuite Guided Learning now offers users visual walk-throughs, step-by-step guidance, progress tracking and self-managed learning tailored to the users’ roles.

Learn more from NetSuite here.


There’s no denying the importance of data in today’s business environment. Shifting costs, volatile economic conditions, and intense competition necessitate data-driven insights. Yet, many companies encounter roadblocks when it comes to making data usable.

Operational and Financial Focus:

Improving efficiency to reduce business spending while seeing an increase in productivity and growth is one common goal for businesses. NetSuite understands this and NetSuite 2023.2 is providing you with the tools to achieve this. Some of what NetSuite 2023.2 is doing to reach that goal is increasing its use of automation, reducing tedious tasks, and making bill paying simpler.


NetSuite states that the automation in their NetSuite Account Reconciliation tool “automates the entire reconciliation process for the general ledger including intercompany transactions, accounts receivable (AR) and payable (AP), bank and credit card transactions, accruals and fixed assets accounts, and other balance sheet accounts”. This will completely remove the need to pull and makes sense of data from multiple sources manually. With machine learning and NetSuite’s auto-match engine users will be able to have millions of transactions matched in minutes and accounting teams will only need to focus on the exceptions, high-risk, and strategic tasks.

NetSuite is also making updates to the NetSuite Bill Capture, Vendor Invoice Distribution SuiteApp, and NetSuite AP Automation to reduce the workload for accounts payable teams. Users will be able to lean on the machine learning in the NetSuite Bill Capture feature to organize expenses based on past bills and will provide recommended subsidiaries. Teams will be able to expedite the bill-paying process by allowing for batched approvals with the Payment Approval Routing now offered in the NetSuite AP Automation. Also, if you have teams that need to share costs now the Vendor Invoice Distribution SuiteApp allows them to simply distribute costs by percentages or amounts and once the distribution is completed, the SuiteApp automatically creates the needed entries.


There is much more to see about this update here.


This is just the surface of what NetSuite is offering in the NetSuite 2023.2 update. To learn more, you can look here or on your NetSuite environment home page. We at Caravel are excited for these updates to be implemented. We are also always ready to talk you through what and how integrating these can improve your business.


Let’s Work Together

The NetSuite 2023.1 Quick Guide

Posted on by cvp_adm

Author: Tom Pearce Sales Marketing Coordinator

We are past the start of the new year, which means we are finding our footing and life is moving back to normal. This also means there are some very exciting new opportunities on the horizon for us to present to you, and NetSuite has already delivered on one of them.


NetSuite is kicking off the new year by showing us several updates to improve business processes already. They have brought out the sneak peak of NetSuite 2023.1, and we at Caravel are excited to break down the highlights and explain what you can expect us to be implementing this year. If you want to learn more about any of the following, feel free to check the home screen of your NetSuite portal. Learn how to start with the 2023.1 update by reaching out to your Project Manager.


With improved CRM, CPQ, inventory management, data-based recommendations, and more, this first update of 2023 is packed with new tools for your business.

Improving Personnel Management:

NetSuite’s 2023.1 brings with it several tools that will improve tracking productivity while alleviating some of the stress of adjusting wages. Your team can now automate wage calculations with a NetSuite Payroll integration, allowing you to easily capture schedules and adjust wages based on a more accurate review of hours worked.


Utilizing this feature will also open more opportunities to improve customer satisfaction. You will be able to track workforce insights—such as sales data—to learn and follow trends to guarantee you have the scheduled staff to ensure customer satisfaction.


Another interesting element is a more complex employee time tracker. NetSuite explains that this will be beneficial for industries that need to track employee time more specifically. For example, it can track how much time an employee in an office setting puts toward projects and clients, or how much time an employee in a driving industry is traveling before their mandatory rest period. Employees will be able to easily adjust their status and have it accurately tracked to make billing easier, as well as maintaining safety regulations for truck drivers. NetSuite has an article that breaks down more of the impressive opportunities with this tool here.


Simplified Financials:

In the NetSuite 2023.1 update, vendor billing will be simplified by applying automation. NetSuite AP Automation is a new feature that allows you to upload your vendor bills with an email to NetSuite to be processed automatically. Then, a digital version is created and all the important details (vendor name, PO number, items ordered, quantity, pricing, etc.) are populated and matched to the correct purchase order.


If you offer subscription-based services to your customers, this release permits you to easily adjust and plan for percentage changes to apply to any of your subscribers. Learn more about these and some other interesting new features for rebates, nonprofits, and more here.

Warehouse and Shipping Efficiency:

The new NetSuite Ship Central is going to save your warehouse employees time and money. This update allows your warehouses to track if there are multiple orders going to one customer, consolidate, and efficiently ship the orders, thus reducing the number of shipments to a single location. It can even help you improve your order picking process.


With the NetSuite Warehouse Management System update, you can even section your warehouse into zones and allow multiple employees to pick order items based on zones, then pool items together for packing. Teams will be able to easily mark orders as partial or complete while also tracking empty bins or damaged goods in their sections to expedite restocking. There are some other very helpful updates for warehouse teams like improved smart counts and reports that you can read about here.


Improving Your Customers Experiences on Multiple Levels:

Utilizing the NetSuite 2023.1 update aims to not only improve your internal business processes but also to assure you are providing your customers and end users with the best service possible. With improved CRM, CPQ, inventory management, data-based recommendations, and more, this first update of 2023 is packed with new tools for your business. We can’t wait to help you learn and implement these features to help expand and optimize your business. To start, reach out to your project manager. If you haven’t started with Caravel yet and want to learn more about how we can help integrate these new features to serve your business, we are always ready to talk.


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