ERP systems, like NetSuite, provide one single source of truth for organisations, allowing them to quickly access and analyse data from multiple departments in one place. This can significantly reduce the amount of time spent manually entering and tracking data while also streamlining processes like budgeting, forecasting and reporting. Additionally, ERP systems enable organisations to track changes to their data over time, allowing them to gain real-time insights into their operations and quickly identify opportunities for improvement.
However, in most businesses, despite being able to configure and customise their ERP to capture and analyse almost any data, many companies are still managing multiple spreadsheets to store and manipulate data. Whilst this might be a more familiar approach for many users, it is not the most efficient or secure way to process data. Not only can spreadsheets become difficult and time-consuming to maintain, but they are also prone to errors and inaccuracies, which can lead to poor decision-making.
To address these challenges, organisations should consider replacing their spreadsheet-based processes with customised functionality in their ERP system. With a comprehensive ERP like NetSuite, businesses will have access to all of the data they need in one place and can easily generate insights from their data for faster and more reliable reporting. Additionally, ERP systems are equipped with built-in analytics tools that allow users to quickly create reports and visualisations to better identify trends or issues, while also providing them with a more secure way to store and control access to their data.
The problem with spreadsheets
The benefits of using ERP systems over spreadsheets goes beyond increased efficiency. Spreadsheet data can be easily mismanaged and corrupted due to manual errors or outdated formulas, leading to inaccurate reports and decisions being made based on unreliable information. ERP systems provide businesses with a single source of truth for all their data and help them maintain a consistent and accurate view of their business. Additionally, ERP systems are more secure than spreadsheets, offering user access control to ensure that only those with permission can view or manipulate the data.
The bottom line is that using an ERP system like NetSuite can help businesses reduce the time spent manually entering data, increase operational efficiency and improve data insights through up-to-date, reliable reporting.
Common spreadsheets that can easily be rolled into NetSuite ERP
Over the years, our team has seen many businesses continue to rely on spreadsheets for a variety of tasks, from budgeting and forecasting to project management and customer data. But with NetSuite’s customisable functionality, these processes can be rolled into the ERP system to provide users with a single platform for all their data needs.
Common Examples Include:
Budgeting, Planning and Forecasting Spreadsheets
A business's budget and forecast are critical to its success, but managing this data in a spreadsheet can quickly become overwhelming and difficult to maintain. Instead, NetSuite’s budgeting and forecasting capabilities provide users with the ability to track their financial performance in real-time, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their operations.
Customer Data Management Spreadsheets
Large organisations dealing with thousands of customers need an efficient way to store and manage customer data. With NetSuite, users can easily capture all of their customer information in one place, allowing them to quickly search for specific customers or generate reports based on the stored data. As a bonus, with NetSuite's CSV upload tools, any data currently being kept in spreadsheets can be quickly uploaded to create new customer records, making the transition from spreadsheet to system simple.
Sales Pipeline Management
Most sales managers aren't systems focused. With so much pressure to hit targets and quotas and manage individual sales processes and salespeople, many opt for a too-familiar tool (Excel) to manage sales pipelines. Whilst it might appear at first that this is an easier way, the truth is that in the long run, it's a lot more effort. Taking time to configure NetSuite's CRM to give your sales managers detailed pipeline reporting automatically will ultimately save them time and energy in the long run.
Manufacturing Scheduling and Tracking
Many manufacturers find that in the early stages of business, managing scheduling and work order tracking in spreadsheets is simple. However, as the business grows, production ramps up, and reporting requirements become more complex, spreadsheets start to be more of a hindrance than a help. NetSuite’s Manufacturing module helps streamline the process and allows users to easily track manufacturing operations, materials and costs, reducing the time it takes to create accurate and up-to-date reports.
Fixed Asset Registers
Businesses with a large number of fixed assets need to track and report on them for accounting purposes, but manually populating a spreadsheet can be time-consuming and prone to errors. NetSuite’s Fixed Asset Management module captures asset information and creates automatic depreciation calculations and more in one place, reducing the time it takes to produce accurate reports. In addition to this, the accounting impacts of asset acquisitions, depreciations, asset compounding and disposals can all be automatically created in the system, saving time for the accounting team and ensuring accuracy over fixed asset valuations.
Board Reporting
With multiple stakeholders to report to, it can be difficult for organisations to keep everyone informed of their performance. NetSuite’s Dashboard Reports allow users to quickly create and share customisable dashboards with key stakeholders and board members so they can stay up-to-date with the latest data insights. This automated reporting process eliminates the need for manual data entry and report creation, saving time and helping to ensure accuracy.
In Summary
NetSuite is the perfect tool to help organisations move away from outdated spreadsheets and manage their data in an efficient and accurate way. With its intuitive and customisable dashboards, users can quickly track financial performance, customer engagement, sales pipelines and more – all in one place. This eliminates manual data entry processes, reduces time spent creating reports and ensures the accuracy of data, allowing managers to make more informed decisions about their operations.
About PKF Digital
PKF Digital is a dedicated advisory service helping organisations make the most of their NetSuite system. We offer our clients extensive knowledge and experience in NetSuite, providing customised solutions to help them achieve their goals. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, we can provide advice on how to eliminate spreadsheets and transition to a more efficient system. Contact us today to learn more about our services, and let us show you how NetSuite can help your business.