Custom development within NetSuite is essential for adapting the automation platform to meet each client’s unique requirements – ensuring both efficient operations and peak performance. A careful strategy is needed to manage development costs effectively. In this article, we explore Dynappco’s streamlined method for handling custom development in NetSuite, focusing on cost-effective practices and leveraging standard functionalities wherever possible.
Emphasis on standardisation
At Dynappco, we place a high value on standardisation to reduce the need for customisation and its associated costs. Although customisation is inevitable in every project, our consultants prefer to investigate standard configuration options before considering custom development. This strategy not only makes implementation more straightforward; it also helps to reduce maintenance costs over time.
Including a provision for custom development in our project quotes allows us to account for potential customisation needs from the start – ensuring transparency and setting realistic expectations. Our goal is always to minimise custom development. By prioritising standard solutions, we manage to keep custom development costs as low as possible – unlike other partners who may rush into customising without proper research.
Effective project management
Keeping custom development costs under control is crucial, and effective project management plays a key role. Dynappco adopts a detailed approach, starting with the creation of a comprehensive solution design document in collaboration with the client. This document details the project scope – including estimates for functional analysis, development, testing and bug fixing. We use project tracking software to monitor progress and priorities, sharing this information with the client to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the development lifecycle.
NetSuite offers a solid framework for custom development, allowing for the seamless integration of bespoke solutions with standard functionalities. Despite regular major updates from the platform, we’ve faced minimal issues with custom code compatibility. That’s why – from a cost-benefit perspective – we see no need for regression testing of custom code. While generally considered best practice, our experience of almost no issues over the past decade allows us to allocate the IT budget to more impactful projects.
There is one exception, however: when Oracle introduces a significant new feature that a client wishes to implement, it may affect custom development, and in these instances, we do plan for regression testing.
More cost consciousness
Another way we save costs is with thorough documentation and the creation of generic custom packages. Commonly requested custom developments – such as dunning letters, intercompany invoicing modules or approval workflows – are carefully documented and packaged for reuse.
We also leverage Oracle’s SuiteApp Marketplace – which offers third-party solutions – to reduce overheads and speed up implementation for our clients. Examples include packaged modules for bank reconciliation, advanced OCR for invoices, or data processing from handheld scanners to WMS software.
In summary, managing custom development in NetSuite demands a balanced approach that prioritises efficiency, cost-effectiveness and adherence to best practices. We emphasise the importance of utilising standard functionalities, thorough documentation and careful planning to keep development costs in check while providing the bespoke solutions our clients need. Our prudent approach ensures organisations can optimise their NetSuite deployments for ongoing operational enhancement.
Custom development within NetSuite is essential for adapting the automation platform to meet each client’s unique requirements – ensuring both efficient operations and peak performance. A careful strategy is needed to manage development costs effectively. In this article, we explore Dynappco’s streamlined method for handling custom development in NetSuite, focusing on cost-effective practices and leveraging standard functionalities wherever possible.
Emphasis on standardisation
At Dynappco, we place a high value on standardisation to reduce the need for customisation and its associated costs. Although customisation is inevitable in every project, our consultants prefer to investigate standard configuration options before considering custom development. This strategy not only makes implementation more straightforward; it also helps to reduce maintenance costs over time.
Including a provision for custom development in our project quotes allows us to account for potential customisation needs from the start – ensuring transparency and setting realistic expectations. Our goal is always to minimise custom development. By prioritising standard solutions, we manage to keep custom development costs as low as possible – unlike other partners who may rush into customising without proper research.
Effective project management
Keeping custom development costs under control is crucial, and effective project management plays a key role. Dynappco adopts a detailed approach, starting with the creation of a comprehensive solution design document in collaboration with the client. This document details the project scope – including estimates for functional analysis, development, testing and bug fixing. We use project tracking software to monitor progress and priorities, sharing this information with the client to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the development lifecycle.
NetSuite offers a solid framework for custom development, allowing for the seamless integration of bespoke solutions with standard functionalities. Despite regular major updates from the platform, we’ve faced minimal issues with custom code compatibility. That’s why – from a cost-benefit perspective – we see no need for regression testing of custom code. While generally considered best practice, our experience of almost no issues over the past decade allows us to allocate the IT budget to more impactful projects.
There is one exception, however: when Oracle introduces a significant new feature that a client wishes to implement, it may affect custom development, and in these instances, we do plan for regression testing.
More cost consciousness
Another way we save costs is with thorough documentation and the creation of generic custom packages. Commonly requested custom developments – such as dunning letters, intercompany invoicing modules or approval workflows – are carefully documented and packaged for reuse.
We also leverage Oracle’s SuiteApp Marketplace – which offers third-party solutions – to reduce overheads and speed up implementation for our clients. Examples include packaged modules for bank reconciliation, advanced OCR for invoices, or data processing from handheld scanners to WMS software.
In summary, managing custom development in NetSuite demands a balanced approach that prioritises efficiency, cost-effectiveness and adherence to best practices. We emphasise the importance of utilising standard functionalities, thorough documentation and careful planning to keep development costs in check while providing the bespoke solutions our clients need. Our prudent approach ensures organisations can optimise their NetSuite deployments for ongoing operational enhancement.