How to Build Custom Software on NetSuite

NetSuite is a powerful cloud-based business management suite and ERP that provides a comprehensive set of applications for running your entire business. While NetSuite comes packed with a wide array of modules out-of-the-box, you may find that your business has unique requirements that aren't fully met by the standard functionality. This is where custom software development on the NetSuite platform becomes invaluable.

New Software is a natural language development platform to extend and enhance NetSuite and other ERPs. It allows users the fastest way to create ERP integrations, applications, automations and entire modules. From prebuilt items, to starting from scratch, you can accommodate your own ERP needs.

Building custom software allows you to tailor NetSuite to your specific business processes, integrate with third-party systems, automate complex workflows, and create bespoke applications that give you a competitive edge. In this article, we'll explore the various tools and approaches for developing custom solutions on NetSuite.

Understanding the NetSuite Development Ecosystem

Before diving into the development process, it's essential to understand the key components of the NetSuite development ecosystem:

SuiteCloud Platform: This is the underlying platform that provides the tools and frameworks for customizing and extending NetSuite's capabilities. It includes SuiteBuilder, SuiteFlow, SuiteScript, and other development tools.

SuiteBuilder: A web-based tool that allows you to create custom records, fields, forms, and workflows without writing code.

SuiteFlow: A visual workflow designer that enables you to automate business processes by defining rules and actions.

SuiteScript: A JavaScript-based scripting language that provides programmatic access to NetSuite's data and functionality, allowing you to build complex customizations and integrations.

SuiteTalk (Web Services): A set of web services that enable integration between NetSuite and external applications, facilitating data exchange and process automation.

Approaches to Building Custom Software

There are several approaches to building custom software on NetSuite, each with its own strengths and use cases:

1. Building with New Software: For creating integrations, applications, and automations yourself in English with AI-guided assistance without compromising NetSuite's performance.
2. SuiteBuilder Customizations: If your requirements involve creating custom records, fields, forms, or simple workflows, SuiteBuilder is an excellent starting point. It provides a user-friendly interface for defining these elements without writing code.
3. SuiteFlow Workflows: For automating business processes and defining complex rules and actions, SuiteFlow is the go-to tool. It offers a drag-and-drop interface for designing workflows, making it accessible to non-technical users.
4. SuiteScript Development: When you need to build advanced customizations, integrations, or standalone applications, SuiteScript is the most powerful option. This JavaScript-based scripting language allows you to tap into NetSuite's APIs and extend its functionality programmatically.
5. SuiteTalk Integrations: If your goal is to integrate NetSuite with external systems, such as CRM, e-commerce platforms, or legacy applications, SuiteTalk provides the necessary web services for seamless data exchange and process automation.

Best Practices for NetSuite Development

Regardless of the approach you choose, there are several best practices that can help ensure the success of your NetSuite development project:

1. Plan and Document: Before starting any development work, thoroughly plan and document your requirements, business processes, and desired outcomes. This will help you stay focused and aligned with your goals throughout the project.
2. Follow NetSuite Guidelines: NetSuite provides extensive documentation, guidelines, and best practices for development. Adhering to these guidelines will ensure compatibility, maintainability, and easier upgrades in the future.
3. Test Thoroughly: Comprehensive testing is crucial for ensuring the quality and reliability of your custom solutions. Develop a robust testing strategy that covers various scenarios, edge cases, and integration points.
4. Leverage NetSuite Resources: Take advantage of the wealth of resources available from NetSuite, including documentation, forums, user groups, and training materials. These resources can help you stay up-to-date with the latest development practices and techniques.
5. Collaborate with Stakeholders: Involve relevant stakeholders, such as end-users, subject matter experts, and business leaders, throughout the development process. Their input and feedback can help ensure that your custom solutions meet their needs and expectations.
6. Maintain Documentation: Comprehensive documentation is essential for future maintenance, enhancements, and knowledge transfer. Document your custom solutions, including their purpose, functionality, and any associated processes or dependencies.
7. Consider Performance: As your custom solutions become more complex, it's important to consider their impact on system performance. Follow best practices for optimizing performance, such as efficient coding, caching, and batch processing.
8. Leverage Third-Party Solutions: In some cases, it may be more efficient to leverage third-party solutions or pre-built applications from the NetSuite ecosystem, rather than building everything from scratch.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Custom Solution

Now that we've covered the fundamentals, let's walk through a step-by-step guide to building a custom solution on NetSuite:

1. Define Requirements: Start by clearly defining the requirements for your custom solution. Understand the business processes, pain points, and desired outcomes. Involve stakeholders and subject matter experts to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the requirements.
2. Choose the Appropriate Approach: Based on your requirements, determine the most suitable approach for your custom solution. Will you be using New Software, SuiteBuilder, SuiteFlow, SuiteScript, or a combination of these tools?
3. Design and Architect: If you're building a complex solution, it's essential to design and architect your solution before diving into development. Define the data structures, workflows, integrations, and user interfaces required.
4. Set Up Development Environment: Depending on your chosen approach, set up the appropriate development environment. For SuiteBuilder and SuiteFlow, you can work directly within the NetSuite account. For SuiteScript development, you may need to set up an integrated development environment (IDE) and configure your development account.
5. Develop and Customize: Start building your custom solution using the appropriate tools and frameworks. If you're using SuiteBuilder, create custom records, fields, forms, and workflows. If you're using SuiteFlow, design and configure your workflows. If you're using SuiteScript, write your scripts and leverage NetSuite's APIs.
6. Test and Iterate: As you develop your custom solution, continuously test and iterate. Ensure that your solution meets the defined requirements and functions as expected. Involve stakeholders and end-users in the testing process to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
7. Document and Train: Thoroughly document your custom solution, including its purpose, functionality, and any associated processes or dependencies. Provide training to end-users and support staff to ensure a smooth adoption and ongoing maintenance.
8. Deploy and Monitor: Once your custom solution has been thoroughly tested and approved, deploy it to the production environment. Monitor its performance, gather feedback, and be prepared to address any issues or enhancements that may arise.

Leveraging NetSuite Development Resources

Building custom software on NetSuite can be a complex undertaking, especially for larger or more intricate solutions. Fortunately, NetSuite provides a wealth of resources to support your development efforts:

New Software Team: The New Software team is available to help create custom applications alongside you, to ensure that your custom software development on NetSuite goes as planned.

NetSuite Developer Network: This is a dedicated community for developers building solutions on the NetSuite platform. It provides access to documentation, sample code, forums, and other valuable resources.

NetSuite Training and Certification: NetSuite offers a range of training courses and certification programs to help developers enhance their skills and knowledge of the platform.

NetSuite Partners and Consultants: If you lack in-house expertise or resources, you can engage with NetSuite partners and consultants who specialize in custom software development on the platform.

By leveraging these resources, you can accelerate your development efforts, access expert guidance, and stay up-to-date with the latest best practices and techniques.

Closing remarks

Building custom software on NetSuite empowers businesses to tailor the platform to their unique requirements, streamline processes, and gain a competitive advantage. Whether you're creating custom records, automating workflows, integrating with external systems, or building standalone applications, New Software provides a robust set of tools and apps to accelerate your development efforts.

By following best practices, leveraging available resources, and collaborating with stakeholders, you can successfully develop custom solutions that enhance your business operations and drive growth. With the right approach and expertise, the possibilities for customization on the NetSuite platform are virtually limitless.