NetSuite vs. Great Plains: Top Reasons to Make the Switch

As businesses evolve and expand, their software needs must adapt to keep pace with both growth and the latest technological advancements.

Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP), which has been a trusted ERP solution for many organizations over the years, is now nearing its end-of-life (EOL), prompting a critical evaluation of future ERP options.

This impending transition has driven many companies to seek out more modern, scalable, and efficient alternatives to meet their evolving needs.

NetSuite, recognized as a leading cloud-based ERP solution, stands out as an ideal replacement, offering a host of advanced features that streamline business processes.

With its comprehensive capabilities, real-time data access, and unmatched scalability, NetSuite provides significant advantages for businesses poised for growth.

Understanding the myriad benefits of transitioning from GP to NetSuite is essential for making an informed and strategic decision.

Make your business operations future-proof and stay ahead of the curve - Contact us today and explore our detailed guide.

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NetSuite and Great Plains Overview

Let's start by exploring the key features and industry applications of NetSuite and Great Plains. 

This will help us better understand their strengths before diving deeper into a detailed comparison.

NetSuite Key Features

Launched in 1998, NetSuite has become a leading cloud-based ERP, serving over 37,000 customers worldwide—from small startups to large enterprises. 

1. Cloud-Based Accessibility: NetSuite is a fully cloud-based ERP solution, allowing users to access their business data from anywhere with an internet connection. This ensures seamless updates and improvements without the need for manual intervention or on-premises hardware. Cloud-based accessibility provides real-time visibility into operations, enhancing flexibility and efficiency.
2. Unified Platform: NetSuite integrates various business processes—such as accounting, CRM, e-commerce, and inventory management—into a single, unified platform. This integration eliminates data silos and provides a single source of truth, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency. By streamlining workflows across departments, businesses can achieve greater productivity and collaboration.
3. Scalability: Designed to grow with your business, NetSuite can handle increasing transaction volumes and expanding operations without compromising performance. Its scalable architecture ensures that as your business evolves, NetSuite can accommodate new users, locations, and market demands. This scalability makes it an ideal solution for businesses planning for long-term growth.
4. Real-Time Data and Reporting: NetSuite provides real-time data capabilities, empowering businesses with up-to-the-minute information crucial for informed decision-making. Customizable dashboards and reports offer immediate insights into key metrics, allowing for agile responses to market changes. This real-time visibility enhances strategic planning and operational efficiency.
5. Global Business Management: NetSuite supports multiple languages, currencies, and tax regulations, making it well-suited for businesses with international operations. Its global business management tools ensure compliance with local regulations while providing a cohesive view of worldwide operations. This feature simplifies the complexities of managing a global business and enhances international scalability.

Great Plains Key Features

Started in 1993 and later acquired by Microsoft to become Microsoft Dynamics GP, Great Plains supports around 43,000 customers, primarily small to mid-sized businesses. 

1. On-Premises Deployment: Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) is traditionally deployed on-premises, providing businesses with direct control over their IT infrastructure and data. This setup allows for a customized IT environment tailored to specific security and compliance needs. However, on-premises deployment requires dedicated hardware and maintenance, which can increase operational costs.
2. Core Financial Management: GP offers comprehensive financial management tools, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, and financial reporting. These features provide robust accounting capabilities that help businesses maintain accurate financial records and compliance. The financial management suite in GP ensures streamlined and reliable financial operations.
3. Inventory and Operations Management: GP includes tools for managing inventory, order processing, and manufacturing operations, supporting efficient supply chain management. These features help businesses maintain optimal inventory levels, improve order fulfillment, and streamline production processes. By enhancing operational visibility, GP aids in better planning and execution of business activities.
4. Customizability: Great Plains allows for extensive customization through add-ons and third-party applications, enabling businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs. This flexibility ensures that GP can adapt to unique business processes and requirements. Customizability enhances the software's relevance and effectiveness for various industries.
5. Integration Capabilities: GP integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products and services, such as Office 365 and Azure, enhancing its overall functionality. This integration allows for a cohesive and efficient IT environment, leveraging the strengths of the Microsoft ecosystem. Businesses benefit from streamlined workflows and improved productivity through these integrated solutions.

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into why transitioning from Great Plains to NetSuite is a strategic move for your business.

By examining the key features and industry applications of both solutions, you'll gain a clearer understanding of how NetSuite can better align with your long-term goals and growth plans.

Top Reasons to Make the Switch

As businesses grow, the tools they use must evolve. For many companies, moving from Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) to NetSuite has proven to be a game-changer.

Here’s why making the switch can enhance your business efficiency and scalability:

1. Comprehensive Cloud-Based Solution

Great Plains, while reliable, often requires on-premises hardware and maintenance.

NetSuite, on the other hand, is a fully cloud-based solution.

This means you can access your ERP system from anywhere, anytime, without the need for costly IT infrastructure and upkeep.

The cloud-based nature of NetSuite ensures continuous updates and improvements without the hassle of manual upgrades.

2. Unified Platform

NetSuite offers a unified platform that integrates all your business processes—from accounting and CRM to e-commerce and inventory management.

This integration eliminates the silos that can occur with Great Plains, providing a single source of truth for your business data.

The seamless flow of information between departments enhances decision-making and operational efficiency.

3. Scalability

As your business grows, so do your ERP needs.

NetSuite is designed to scale with your business, accommodating increasing transaction volumes and expanding operations without compromising performance.

Great Plains may require additional modules and customizations to keep up with growth, which can be both time-consuming and costly.

4. Real-Time Data and Reporting

NetSuite’s real-time data capabilities empower businesses with up-to-the-minute information.

This feature is crucial for making informed decisions quickly. Great Plains often relies on batch processing, which can delay access to critical data.

With NetSuite, you gain immediate insights through customizable dashboards and reports.

5. Customization and Flexibility

NetSuite offers extensive customization options to fit your specific business needs.

Its SuiteCloud platform allows for tailored workflows, scripts, and applications.

While Great Plains also offers customization, it often requires complex coding and third-party applications, which can be cumbersome and expensive to maintain.

6. Enhanced Financial Management

NetSuite’s financial management capabilities are robust, providing features like advanced revenue recognition, financial consolidation, and multi-currency management.

These features streamline financial processes and ensure compliance with accounting standards.

Great Plains, while capable, may require additional add-ons to achieve similar functionality.

7. Global Business Management

For businesses operating on a global scale, NetSuite’s global business management tools are invaluable.

It supports multiple languages, currencies, and tax regulations, enabling seamless international operations.

Great Plains may struggle with the complexities of global business, necessitating third-party solutions to fill the gaps.

8. Customer Support and Community

NetSuite boasts a comprehensive support system, including a large user community, extensive documentation, and responsive customer service.

The NetSuite user community is an excellent resource for best practices and troubleshooting.

While Great Plains also has a support network, the breadth and depth of NetSuite’s resources are often seen as superior.

With Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains approaching EOL, transitioning to NetSuite provides your business with a modern, efficient, and scalable ERP solution.

The benefits of a unified, cloud-based platform, real-time data access, and enhanced financial management make NetSuite the ideal choice for growing businesses.

Consider making the switch to NetSuite now to stay competitive and drive your business forward.

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Why NetSuite Might Be Your Best Choice for ERP

Choosing the right ERP can dramatically influence the agility and efficiency of your business operations. 

Here are compelling reasons why NetSuite could be the superior choice for businesses aiming to leverage advanced technology and global capabilities:

1. Advanced Cloud Technology

NetSuite's cloud-first approach is designed to meet the modern demands of business:

1. Real-Time Data Access: Instantly available data ensures that decision-makers always have timely information, which is crucial for dynamic business environments where conditions change rapidly.
2. Superior Security: With robust data protection measures in place, NetSuite provides peace of mind that business data is secure against threats, a critical concern for all enterprises today.
3. Remote Accessibility: The ability to access the system from anywhere at any time aligns perfectly with the needs of a growing trend towards remote work and global business operations, ensuring that all team members stay connected and productive regardless of their location.

2. Customization and Flexibility

NetSuite offers a high degree of customization, making it a scalable solution that adapts as your business evolves:

1. Tailored Solutions: Businesses can modify the system to meet their unique needs, from custom dashboards to specific reporting formats, ensuring that the ERP solution grows with them.
2. Responsive Design: NetSuite's platform is built to accommodate changes quickly, whether it's adjusting to new business processes, compliance requirements, or expanding market operations.

3. Global Capabilities

For businesses operating on an international scale, NetSuite provides essential global functionalities:

1. Multi-Currency and Multi-Language Support: Manage transactions in numerous currencies and communicate in multiple languages, simplifying global operations and helping businesses serve a broader market.
2. Regulatory Compliance: Stays current with various international standards and practices, reducing the risk of compliance issues as businesses expand into new countries.

4. Ongoing Innovations

NetSuite's commitment to innovation ensures that businesses always have access to the latest features and technologies:

1. Continuous Updates: All users benefit from regular updates that introduce new features and enhancements, keeping the platform modern and competitive without additional costs for upgrades.
2. Cutting-Edge Technologies: NetSuite continuously invests in the latest technologies, from AI-driven analytics to advanced automation tools, ensuring that businesses leveraging its platform remain at the forefront of industry developments.

NetSuite's advanced cloud technology, customization capabilities, global scale support, and commitment to ongoing innovation make it a compelling choice for businesses seeking a robust, scalable, and forward-looking ERP solution. 

These features collectively contribute to an ERP platform that not only meets the current needs of a business but also anticipates and adapts to future challenges and opportunities.

Additionally, the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises is a critical tool for businesses looking to understand the competitive landscape of ERP solutions. 

This analysis provides insights into how well various vendors are executing their stated visions and how they are performing against Gartner's market view:

Source: Gartner (October 2023)

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Why the Urgent Need for Transition?

Great Plains, one of the legacy on-premise solutions that Microsoft acquired some time ago, is approaching its transition phase.

Microsoft has announced the end-of-sale and possibly end-of-life for this product, presenting businesses with an opportune moment to move to a more modern, cloud-based solution like NetSuite.

Below are some of the reasons to switch:

1. Urgency of Transition

With the impending phase-out of Great Plains, it's essential for current users to consider transitioning now.

Relying on software that will no longer receive updates or support can leave businesses vulnerable to operational disruptions and inefficiencies.

Moving to a contemporary system like NetSuite ensures that your technology remains current and fully supported.

2. NetSuite’s Cloud Benefits

NetSuite offers a suite of cloud-based features that significantly enhance business operations compared to the on-premises limitations of Great Plains.

Real-time data access allows teams to make quick, informed decisions, while remote accessibility supports flexible working arrangements.

Additionally, NetSuite’s scalability means the system can grow with your business, avoiding the constraints often experienced with legacy systems.

3. Ease of Migration

The transition to NetSuite is designed to be smooth and advantageous.

Cumula 3 Group brings expertise in guiding businesses through this process, ensuring seamless integration tailored to specific needs.

Their support helps your team adapt swiftly, minimizing any disruptions and maximizing the benefits of the new system.

4. Cost-Effective Solution

NetSuite’s subscription model is another significant advantage, contrasting with the high initial costs associated with Great Plains.

This flexible, pay-as-you-go approach helps businesses manage their budgets more effectively while still accessing comprehensive ERP features.

It offers financial predictability and reduces the burden of large upfront investments.

5. Future-Proof Technology

NetSuite’s commitment to ongoing innovation and support ensures that businesses stay competitive.

Unlike the soon-to-be obsolete Great Plains system, NetSuite provides regular updates and cutting-edge features, helping your business remain at the forefront of industry standards.

With regular updates and a focus on cutting-edge features, NetSuite helps keep your business at the forefront of industry standards.

Transitioning from Great Plains to NetSuite is not just a smart move—it's a necessary one.

With the urgency of phasing out Great Plains, the cloud benefits of NetSuite, ease of migration with Cumula 3 Group, cost-effective solutions, and future-proof technology, making the switch ensures your business remains competitive and efficient.

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Conclusion - Netsuite vs. Great Plains

Transitioning from Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains to NetSuite is a strategic move that offers numerous advantages for modern businesses.

With Great Plains approaching end-of-life, it's essential to find a solution that not only matches but exceeds your current capabilities.

NetSuite's cloud-based accessibility ensures that your business operations remain seamless and up-to-date without the need for costly on-premises infrastructure.

Real-time data and reporting capabilities empower you with immediate insights, enabling quicker, more informed decision-making.

Additionally, the extensive support network and user community around NetSuite provide invaluable resources for troubleshooting and best practices.

Ultimately, the switch to NetSuite positions your business for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market.

By adopting a modern, scalable, and efficient ERP solution, you ensure that your operations are streamlined, your data is unified, and your growth potential is maximized.

Now is the time to embrace the future and make the strategic transition to NetSuite, safeguarding your business’s operational efficiency and competitive edge.

Take the next step - Get in touch with us and start your transition today.