Oracle Cloud ERP vs NetSuite

Modern business owners and managers understand the benefits high performing ERP software integrated into their operations can do for their business. Using a suite of comprehensive tightly integrated business applications, they can manage, automate and integrate their ongoing activities to ensure a more productive work rhythm that generates a greater return on investment – both the financial investment, but also on the effort and hard work delivered by their teams. This covers all areas from:

This software is no longer new in the market, and as such, companies across the world are constantly on the lookout to update their systems with improved products that offer greater efficiency and ease for their teams. One of the leading companies in this space is the international software vendor, Oracle. They provide a range of products built around managing and sourcing data within your organisation, helping to develop more intelligent ways of working based on insights generated in real-time. And within their range of ERP offerings, two of the leading ERP options are often reviewed and compared by those in the market: Oracle NetSuite vs Oracle Cloud ERP.

In this article, the team at Ndevr will compare and contrast each of these options, to explore which might be the more appropriate solution for your organisation.

What is Oracle NetSuite ERP?

Oracle NetSuite is a business management solution that aims to provide small to medium to large businesses with an affordable, yet highly capable cloud-based solution that meets their needs now and into the future. NetSuite offers modules for finance, HR, CRM, project management, manufacturing, order processing & fulfilment, inventory management, reporting & analytics, forecasting and business intelligence, as well as many other industry specific functional business applications.

As the business world moves to the cloud and becomes more connected, Oracle NetSuite offers a range of traditional and modern features that can support even the most complex requirements.

What is Oracle Cloud ERP?

Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Cloud is also a suite of tightly integrated business applications designed for businesses across a wide range of industries. Oracle ERP Cloud forms part of their wider cloud strategy which will allow customers to run an entire enterprise with applications developed to run in Oracle’s cloud environment, on one platform, at a global scale. The platform comes with several modules available for financials, procurement, sales, CRM, service & operations and more, with shared services such as project management and HR management available. The aim of the Oracle Cloud ERP is to offer businesses a single view across everything so they can automate tasks, collaborate more effectively, share insights, build more effective sales & marketing strategies – the list goes on!

NetSuite vs Oracle Cloud ERP

While these tools might sound fairly similar on the surface, they do actually differ in several key areas. Yes, they will help your operations move away from the countless spreadsheets floating in both personal and shared drives, and can help you to break down your business processes and realign them into a more streamlined operational system. The main difference, however, is that NetSuite is a SaaS ERP platform designed around each industry’s leading business practices or processes.

Its strength and popularity among fast growing businesses, lies in the fact that companies using NetSuite implement business processes that realign their business to their industry’s leading business processes. On the other hand Oracle ERP provides greater flexibility for users, while offering real-time operational visibility of each customised facility you have within your business by using the shared service model and a more complex interface.

This information alone won’t solve anything, so let’s dive a little deeper into the key differentiators of these products:

Functionality

Oracle are widely regarded for their commitment to the ongoing development and enhancement of each of their ERP offerings and have continually proven this commitment to all of their ERP customers.

Both NetSuite and Oracle Cloud ERP are cloud native products with deep functionality. Both ERP platforms are widely praised for their strength in the management of complex financials and Enterprise Performance Management, as well as supply chain management.

Netsuite’s offerings and depth of functionality are exceptionally strong in the manufacturing area as well.

Flexibility

One of the leading features of Oracle Cloud ERP is the extensive degree of flexibility offered. As Oracle Cloud ERP is designed to give users more flexibility than what a pure software as a service (SaaS) product does, users are given more capability to personalise the initial offerings to better suit their needs. Within the dynamic network of tools offered, such as the simple integration with third-party applications, companies are afforded capabilities to tailor applications to their individual needs and operations in ways that a pure SaaS ERP, such as NetSuite does not do.

It is worth noting that with that extra level of flexibility, comes an extra level of responsibility for which you may need to hire skilled ongoing management resources.

Oracle NetSuite, however, is that SaaS product alternative. But it is certainly not in any way an inferior product. A small to medium business does not normally need the very high degree of customisation available in other ERP systems like Oracle Cloud ERP. SME’s would usually instead benefit from being guided by industry leading common, recurring processes, therefore could find themselves in better stead by adopting NetSuite. After all, you still need to help your business reach its goals in the most efficient fashion.

Ease of Use & Adoption

Again, when we look at NetSuite vs Oracle Cloud ERP, it boils down to your specific situation. Are you looking to have a focus on transforming your business to follow industry leading practices, or are you already utilising industry leading businesses processes and instead looking for an ERP that will enhance your business as you seek to customise your processes. Do you need a highly technical platform that allows you to build a unique infrastructure for your business to grow around?

Using partnerships with specialists like Ndevr, implementation and end user adoption is well supported across your business, as part of the implementation process involves training periods that can be tailored and delivered as train the trainer – or delivered to your team.

Scalability

As a business looks to grow their operations, they want to know the foundational technology they use to do so can scale with them. The good news is that both Oracle ERP and NetSuite can handle a heavy volume of transactions and end users. As NetSuite is a SaaS cloud model product, it can provide a tiered offering in a multi-tenant environment, which may be more beneficial for smaller organisations on their journey to expansion. Oracle Cloud ERP, however, will likely be the option for enterprise organisations.

Investment in either of these platforms is assured by Oracle’s proven commitment to all of their ERP offerings, so you can be assured of ongoing development.

Integrations

Naturally, there are going to be services and applications your business uses outside of the Oracle products, such as a POS solution, RFID scanners, your company’s website or even your supplier’s ordering platform. All of Oracle’s ERP offerings are rapidly integrated using a range of solutions. It is worthwhile utilising the services of a systems integrator such as Ndevr to ensure you’re using the most efficient integration methodology for your system.

Oracle Cloud ERP vs NetSuite: Which is the Best Option for Your Organisation?

After reviewing the information above, you will likely realise that there isn’t a ‘best’ out of the two; simply a ‘better’ option for your needs. The most notable distinction is between the size of your operations and the scope of your needs. Before selecting a product, take a moment to break down everything your organisation requires from an ERP product – and not just the ABC’s of financial or payroll management. For example, are you a small business that needs to adopt industry leading business practices to assure scalability while you get started and find your position within the industry?

At Ndevr, we have a selection of dedicated Oracle specialists based right here in Australia, and have been offering a range of consulting services on the products mentioned above and more for over 20 years. We can assist with the implementation of both Oracle Cloud ERP and NetSuite applications into your organisation. For more information or assistance on what would be the right solution for you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Our specialists can be reached by calling +61 (3) 9865 1400, sending an email to ndevr@ndevr.com.au, or by leaving your preferred contact details on our brief online enquiry form, and we will respond as soon as possible.