SuiteCommerce, similar to NetSuite, operates as a form of SaaS (Software as a Service). This means you won't face a single one-time expense; rather, you'll encounter ongoing licensing fees, much like what you’d expect from services like Netflix or your utility providers. These fees vary based on multiple factors...
So, you’re ready for a SuiteCommerce website! After evaluating alternative sales channels, you've concluded that an e-commerce site seamlessly integrated with your ERP and CRM systems is the most effective solution. Now you may be wondering, “What’s next?” This article will first discuss what you need to know to buy SuiteCommerce licenses, and then outline options for hiring an implementation team.
Purchasing SuiteCommerce
SuiteCommerce, much like NetSuite, is categorized as SaaS (Software as a Service). This means that you won’t be making a one-time purchase; instead, you’ll be subject to ongoing licensing fees, akin to services like Netflix or your electricity bill. The extent of these fees will depend on a few essential elements:
The scale of your business and its associated data.
The processing capacity on the NetSuite servers is required to manage your transactions and customizations.
Your negotiating skills. There is often flexibility in pricing. It’s possible to secure a lower rate for the initial two years, as Oracle has an interest in keeping you engaged with its software.
Whether this is your first purchase or if you're renewing an existing contract.
You can only acquire SuiteCommerce if you're also purchasing (or currently utilizing) NetSuite, as they are designed to function in tandem.
Who Should You Contact to Acquire SuiteCommerce?
Your point of contact may vary based on whether you are currently utilizing NetSuite.
If you already have NetSuite, contact your account manager to begin the SuiteCommerce purchasing process.
If you don't have NetSuite, you can reach out directly to NetSuite or connect with them through a NetSuite partner or reseller.
If you're unsure which option is better for you, consulting a SuiteCommerce agency (such as Versich) can be beneficial in making your decision. With fewer clients, partners often provide more personalized support. This ongoing responsiveness can be incredibly useful, especially if your system experiences a critical issue that requires immediate attention.
Implementing SuiteCommerce
SuiteCommerce, like its parent platform NetSuite, is highly adaptable. Particularly true for SuiteCommerce Advanced (SCA), even SuiteCommerce requires a comprehensive setup process. This setup generally includes, at a minimum, Theme Configuration (to align the website with your branding and aesthetic preferences), Product Configuration (setting up items and images for optimal display in the online store), and Payment Configuration. Hiring a qualified team experienced in this setup process is often much more cost-effective and quicker than trying to handle it yourself or training an existing employee. This is partly due to the complexity and nuances involved in the initial implementation, even though using SuiteCommerce afterward is typically straightforward.
Embracing Complexity for Customization
It’s essential to recognize that this complexity is advantageous, as it opens the door to precise customizations! Needing this level of adaptation signifies your business has reached a new growth phase; you operate as a distinct entity with unique sales, purchasing, fulfillment, and reporting practices. Setting up SuiteCommerce is intricate because you’re now playing in the big leagues; generic e-commerce software can no longer meet your specific needs.
Understanding this transition is vital. Your software will no longer dictate your operations - you will dictate how your software operates. You can tailor workflows to suit your requirements. (Naturally, every software solution has its inherent limits and best practices; SuiteCommerce isn’t an exception, but it offers significantly more customization relative to standard solutions like QuickBooks).
Selecting an Implementation Team
Recognizing the value this customizable software presents involves understanding the necessity for a skilled team to ensure your e-commerce platform aligns with your needs. When considering your total startup costs for SuiteCommerce, make sure to include the expense of hiring a qualified NetSuite consulting firm. It is particularly important to engage a firm experienced in SuiteCommerce, not just general NetSuite expertise.
The consultant hours necessary to launch your online store will fluctuate based on three main aspects:
Website Complexity
Implementation Team Skill
Quality of Your Requirements
The specifics of your website’s complexity will depend on your business needs, so we won’t delve further into that here.
While the expertise of your SuiteCommerce consulting team is a critical factor, it's a topic we can’t comprehensively address in this brief article. However, if you are dissatisfied with your initial implementation team, don't hesitate to terminate their services and seek a new one. The costs associated with this transition can easily be justified by the benefits of having a final website with fewer issues and streamlined maintenance. A proficient team can usually seamlessly pick up right where the previous one left off. For instance, our company has frequently stepped in mid-implementation to replace other consultants, with the clients expressing satisfaction about their decision to switch.
The third key factor affecting the cost and effectiveness of your implementation is the quality of your requirements, which is largely under your control. This is an extensive topic, so we have prepared a separate blog post on gathering requirements for SuiteCommerce.
NetSuite Commerce Partner
That’s all for now. We trust this article has been helpful and insightful! If you have general inquiries about acquiring and implementing SuiteCommerce or specific questions on optimizing your SuiteCommerce installation, feel free to reach out to Versich, a certified Oracle NetSuite Commerce Partner, equipped to handle various SuiteCommerce projects, whether large or small!
