In the ever-evolving landscape of business software, the right choice can be a game-changer. In a recent conversation with a business owner, Jeron from DL Sales Corporation, we explored the journey of moving from QuickBooks to NetSuite and discovered a transformative tale of growth, efficiency, and improved processes.
Unveiling the Constraints of QuickBooks
The journey began around seven or eight years ago when the company brought in a B2B CFO consultant to navigate the financial landscape. At that time, QuickBooks was the go-to platform for many, but the company was facing constraints. The financial data was being transferred from their primary system, Open Systems' Traverse, to QuickBooks, leading to discrepancies and challenges in balancing information. It turned out that internal processes were riddled with errors, and QuickBooks wasn't equipped to address these issues effectively.
The Revelation with NetSuite
Enter NetSuite, a comprehensive business management solution. The transition brought to light inefficiencies and bad habits within the organization. With NetSuite, the company could no longer rely on patching up errors with journal entries; instead, they were forced to address the root causes of discrepancies. It became a tool for not only managing financials but also tightening up internal practices.
From Habits to Controls
One significant revelation was the impact on employee behavior. NetSuite's role in restricting access based on job roles played a crucial part in curbing errors. The company could no longer afford to have employees cleaning up their own mistakes from start to finish. This not only streamlined processes but also acted as a fraud prevention measure by limiting the scope of potential mishaps.
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Our strategic move from QuickBooks to NetSuite wasn't just a change in software, it was a game-changer that led to unprecedented success!
Dashboard Insights and Real-Time Data
Unlike QuickBooks, NetSuite offered a comprehensive dashboard, providing real-time insights into key metrics like accounts receivable, sales, and inventory. This shift empowered the company during CFO meetings, where discussions became proactive rather than reactive, thanks to a clear understanding of the numbers.
Subscription-Based Efficiency
The company's subscription-based model for filter replacement, termed service agreements, received a significant boost from NetSuite. The platform allowed them to automate processes that were previously manual, saving time and ensuring a seamless customer experience. The transition wasn't just about replacing software; it was a digital transformation impacting various departments.
The Impact on Workforce and Growth
In the last 12 months, the company invested heavily in revamping its NetSuite system. The results were staggering. The quoting tool alone reduced the time to update a single sales order from 30 minutes to a mere 30 seconds. The growth in the service department was remarkable, tripling its workload without the need for additional administrative hires.
Beyond Expectations: Managing Multiple Locations
NetSuite's capabilities extended beyond internal efficiency to facilitate the acquisition of another company. With PeachTree and archaic methods replaced by NetSuite, the company could seamlessly manage service departments across multiple locations, something deemed impossible before.
Streamlining Inventory Control
The complexities of inventory management were simplified with NetSuite. Generic part numbers and vendor tie-ins replaced the cumbersome system of branch-specific nomenclature. The result was a streamlined inventory system that allowed the company to maintain accuracy and visibility across multiple branches.
Operational Enhancements and Time Savings
Jeron discussed how NetSuite transformed their service agreement processes. Utilizing a customized "map," which is essentially an Excel sheet streamlined by NetSuite, they were able to provide technicians with a clear roadmap for installations and services. This not only saved time in the field but also reduced the risk associated with new hires, as the documentation served as a valuable training tool.
De-risking and the NetSuite Advantage
Jeron emphasized the importance of "de-risking" in business operations. The decision to transition to NetSuite was motivated, in part, by the realization that relying on a single individual for software expertise posed a risk. NetSuite, with its team of experts and secure platform, provided a robust solution that mitigated this risk. The conversation underscored the value of having a reliable partner and the security of being backed by a well-established platform like NetSuite.
Reliable Partner
DL Sales partnered with goVirtualOffice on the implementation and support of their NetSuite product. Jeron comments, “It's just nice working with predictable partners. That's huge when you have people that you know you can actually reach out to, that will return a phone call, get the job done correctly, and then it works over and over. That is invaluable from a business standpoint. It's good enough that we refer people out.”
Conclusion: A Testament to NetSuite's Impact
DL Sales’ experience is a testament to the transformative power of choosing the right business management solution and partner. The shift from QuickBooks to NetSuite wasn't just a change in software; it was a strategic move that unlocked new levels of efficiency, control, and growth for the company. As businesses evolve, so too must their tools, and in this case, the evolution led to unprecedented success.