NetSuite Implementation Best Practices: Why Use a VAR (Part 3)

NetSuite Implementation in 4 Important Ways VARs Take Out the Risk

As a certified NetSuite consultant and VAR (value-added-reseller), we help our customers take the risk out of their NetSuite implementation project. Many businesses are moving to the cloud to take advantage of cost savings. If you’ve already discovered that NetSuite is a good fit gor your business, don’t cheap out on the implementation and support options that you get with local NetSuite consultants and VARs. While the software you choose is an important piece, your ERP implementation success is not just about the software. The right NetSuite VAR to help you during the implementation and transition can be an even larger factor in your success. Welcome to the final installment in our “Implementation with a NetSuite VAR” series. In the final part of this blog series, we’ll explore how a VAR such as a NetSuite VAR supports the cloud software customer on a continuous basis.

NetSuite Implementation: Why Use a VAR?

1. Ongoing Application Support: All organizations need some level of application support. The challenge with application support is making sure that you have a resource that understands the software application, understands the business, and can do this across many different functional areas of the organization. A VAR can provide this, and, if done correctly, provide this across multiple resources with skills in many functional, application, and technical areas. This can include modifications to your implementation, customizations to the system, training on the application, implementation of new modules, and any other needs that may arise. A typical company cannot supply this level of skill for the same cost and in many cases recognizes that they do not want to make this a core competency of the organization. Additionally, a VAR can scale their offering up or down dependent on your current needs and current budget, whether that means a minimal break fix level or a staff augmentation level.
2. Business Advisement: The VAR brings another capability to the table that classic support does not: business advisement. They will provide answers to business questions about new processes that need to be supported, advise on industry best processes, answer efficiency questions on how to use the software, remind you of forgotten ways to get things done, and explain unexpected behavior and why it is being experienced. And, a VAR will have contextual knowledge about your business because they have hands-on working insight into your business. Their responses will be based on your usage of the solution, not just the capabilities of the software. If your needs or objectives change, a VAR will be there to offer advice and provide options that work for you. And when advancements occur that may benefit your business, the VAR will be able to provide you with that guidance proactively since they are in tune with your business. With the VAR, you will have a partner making sure you maximize your value and ensuring your solution is meeting your needs. 
3. Upgrades: When moving to the cloud, you have the advantage of regular, seamless upgrades. This is a great benefit to cloud software. You won’t fall behind in releases and don’t have to worry about handling the upgrade yourself, but it can provoke anxiety, and a VAR can reassure you through the process. The VAR can advise on what to look out for, what new features will be beneficial to your business, and what other users experience as the upgrade occurs. At DSG, we offer new release webinars to our customers so that we can give them insight into what our experts believe are the most valuable new features, and we also advise our customers individually on what upgrades may impact their processes or customizations. With a larger number of customers, a VAR can share the experiences of other customers. While the cloud-based upgrade is seamless, without insight like this, the customer may have a lower level of confidence.
4. Enhancements and Integrations: if or more likely when, enhancements are required in the future, the VAR can partner with you to make those happen successfully. If you engage a VAR for application support, then engaging for additional enhancements is a natural extension to the relationship. The VAR will already be intimately familiar with your business and system, so they make the logical partner to provide any enhancements or integrations. Furthermore, with multiple partners comes more than one hand in the pot, which could lead to confusion, increased risk, and cross-purpose modifications. The VAR can also advise you on when it might be best to bring in new software, offer expert guidance on integrated solutions, and provide suggestions you may not have considered otherwise. A VAR will have developed an extensive history with software vendors and will know the most reputable players. By working with a VAR, you benefit from this depth of experience.

There are many decisions to be made when transitioning your ERP solution to the cloud. Having the right partner in the implementation and transition will ensure that you are making the right decisions every step of the way. For the best possible guidance, consider a VAR. Visit our NetSuite VAR Implementation page to learn more.

DSG delivers cloud accelerated business solutions based on leading ERP and CRM applications NetSuite and Salesforce™. With our deep business and technology expertise and the experience gained in hundreds of successful projects, DSG is acknowledged as one of the leading cloud business solutions providers by our major business partner, NetSuite, and by cloud media and analysts such as IDC and CRN. Since 2005, hundreds of companies from startups to the Fortune 500 have worked with DSG and our proven Realize, Optimize and Revitalize methodologies to implement tailored NetSuite and Salesforce™ solutions that, from day one, deliver value, insight and business acceleration.

Previously posted NetSuite implementation and related blogs:

• Part I - Implementation with a NetSuite VAR: It’s Not Just About the Software - we explained why it’s beneficial to turn to a VAR when choosing and buying your cloud software.
• Part II - Implementation with a NetSuite VAR Part II: How the Right VAR Can Make Implementation a Success - we discussed the advantages of using a VAR during implementation.
• ERP Consultant Reviews: NetSuite Implementation Best Practices Part 1
• ERP Consultant Reviews: NetSuite Implementation Best Practices Part 2
• ERP Consultant Reviews: NetSuite Implementation Best Practices Part 3

Another version of this blog was posted on October 8, 2014 on DSG’s Blog: “Implementation NetSuite VAR Part III Don’t Get Stuck without Support”