Finance management at the mid-market level isn’t easy.
Spreadsheets fail. Accounting software doesn’t talk to inventory or operations systems. And growth only amplifies everything.
Mid-market businesses are reaching their limits with disconnected software tools and switching to NetSuite to break free.
The global NetSuite customer base has exceeded 40,000 active customers with year-over-year customer growth reported at 25% in 2024. But buying NetSuite isn’t enough. Collaborating with properly certified oracle netsuite partners is the difference between a streamlined rollout and expensive missteps. Here’s why working with a certified NetSuite partner is worth the investment.
What you’ll learn:
- Problems with legacy systems preventing growth
- NetSuite and Financial Management benefits
- Certified NetSuite Partners and what they provide
- Why now is the right time and how to select the best partner
Problems with Legacy Systems Are Preventing Growth
For the most part, mid-market businesses start out using whatever accounting software is easiest.
At first it works great… and then it doesn’t.
Growth brings problems. New product lines, expanding headcount, entering new markets. At first these problems can be patched up with spreadsheets. Until they can’t.
Finance teams are stuck with outdated data. Operations data doesn’t reside in the same place. Accounting solutions do little to automate monthly close. Meanwhile business decisions are being made without the finance team’s input.
This is a big problem.
Spreadsheets fail. Data is siloed. Month end is a nightmare. Key finance metrics like cash flow are never available on-demand, because someone always drops the ball.
Sounds frustrating. Because it is.
This is the reality for businesses that haven’t moved past legacy financial software and onto an ERP platform.
NetSuite Helps With Financial Management
NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP platform built to solve these problems.
By tackling the problems at their core. Instead of three different software solutions trying to work together — NetSuite provides one unified system. Finance, inventory, orders, reporting. It’s all integrated.
Financial Management benefits of switching to NetSuite include:
- Access to real-time cash flow visibility
- Automated month-end close reducing time spent dramatically
- Multi-entity and multi-currency support for growing global businesses
- Consolidated financial reporting between departments and locations
- Built-in audit trails and compliance
NetSuite isn’t some huge enterprise system somehow made smaller to fit the needs of a mid-market business.
In fact, 80% of NetSuite’s entire customer base is made up of SMBs. That’s right. The majority of NetSuite’s customers are small to mid-sized businesses.
Makes sense when considering NetSuite was built with those kinds of businesses in mind.
Then there’s scalability. Modules can be added. New users can be onboarded. Entire business entities can be integrated without disrupting existing configurations. Switching to NetSuite allows finances to grow with the business.
Here’s What a Certified NetSuite Partner Delivers
This is where many businesses come unstuck.
They purchase NetSuite. Then proceed to try and implement it themselves. It rarely goes according to plan.
A certified NetSuite partner solves these problems.
Implementation consultants who specialize in NetSuite have done this before. Many times. Not only do they understand the technical side of configuration — but they know how financials should be set up based on business size, industry, and workflow.
Partnering with a certified NetSuite expert delivers:
- Needs analysis before any configurations are made
- Custom chart of accounts and financial reporting set up
- Data migration strategy (and execution) from legacy tools
- Staff training and onboarding that actually prepares the team
- Ongoing support after go-live
According to recent stats, businesses working with professional implementation partners have finance management implementation success rates of 85%. This is significantly higher than businesses that attempt to implement NetSuite without professional guidance.
Success or frustration at launch time. The difference is clear.
Mid-Market Businesses Should Make The Move To NetSuite Right Now
Considering a switch to NetSuite?
The business is likely already feeling the pain points mentioned above. Decisions are being made without proper financial oversight. Month end is taking too long. Spreadsheets are being manually updated that shouldn’t exist anymore.
If any of the problems above sound familiar, now is the right time to make the move.
Mid-market businesses are expected to continue growing NetSuite adoption as part of the overall ERP market which is growing at a CAGR of 15.5%. Delaying the switch to NetSuite is essentially allowing competitors to take the lead.
Not only will competitors have more time to digest their financial data. They’ll also be making better decisions because of it.
Decisions in every business are being made every day without accurate financial insight. NetSuite fixes that. With flexible dashboards, on-demand financial reporting, and cash flow visibility available whenever needed.
One more thing.
Imagine if multiple subsidiaries or locations could consolidate financials in minutes, instead of days. There are plenty of other benefits to switching to NetSuite — those are just a few notable ones.
Here’s What To Look For in a Certified NetSuite Partner
Not all NetSuite partners are created equal. Just because someone offers NetSuite consulting doesn’t mean they’re going to fly through configuration without leaving the team exhausted.
Partners who are “certified” by NetSuite have undergone extensive training and have proven their knowledge directly to Oracle.
When looking for the right NetSuite partner, take note of the following:
- Search for partners who are officially certified by Oracle NetSuite
- Do they have experience in the industry? Ideally they’ve implemented NetSuite for similar mid-market businesses
- Consider whether they will be able to provide on-site support when needed
- Ask for references and case studies from similar-sized businesses they’ve worked with in the past
- How will support look once the system is live? A good partner will offer ongoing support that doesn’t end at go-live
Partnering with NetSuite is easy. Finding the right partner to work with is key.
Take time doing due diligence on potential candidates. The right partner will save time and money — not to mention headaches once the system goes live.
Wrap Up
Finance management at the mid-market level is difficult with old software tools.
That doesn’t have to be the case. NetSuite offers mid-market businesses financial visibility their current tools can’t match. But to implement NetSuite correctly — a partner who knows what they’re doing makes all the difference.
Choose wisely and the financial team will thank the decision.
Find a certified NetSuite partner with experience in the relevant industry. Conduct proper due diligence before onboarding anyone. Then prepare to watch business finances move into the future.
