How Your Business Benefits Most from Technology Assessment
Published on by Marc Bastnagel
How Your Business Benefits Most from a Technology Assessment
Lately, we've had an influx of clients who need larger scale help on already implemented instances of NetSuite. Whether they have been on NetSuite for 10+ years and their business has changed, they have had turnover in critical roles, or the client’s implementation was less than ideal, these clients need to level set and establish a game plan to move forward.
Instead of this being disastrous, Myers-Holum has ways to help. In these situations, MHI recommends performing a NetSuite Assessment. This assessment will look at all aspects of NetSuite including: areas that are being used, areas that are not being currently used, integrations, existing customizations, current business processes and more. Through conversations and review of what is going on behind the scenes, Myers-Holum helps clients:
- Understand what the current state is, existing processes and level of automation;
- Identify what is immediately necessary for the system now; and,
- Establish what is needed for the future and develop a roadmap.
When does a technology assessment make sense for your business?
When you find yourself in a situation where you have a system that doesn't operate effectively for your business as it stands today, you've had subject matter expert turnover or there’s new leadership, conducting an assessment can be a critical step in the process. An assessment establishes a baseline, provides documentation and the understanding of “current state” so that you can confidently move forward.
How does a technology assessment benefit our business?
When Myers-Holum evaluates your NetSuite system, we interview key stakeholders and business process owners to understand how NetSuite is being utilized today. We identify any areas of underutilization in NetSuite or opportunities to automate that will most help the business. Most companies can tackle some easy tasks right away and then develop a long-term roadmap for much greater efficiencies leveraging their NetSuite ERP. The assessment typically provides three primary functions that benefit your business:
- Documents processes that are inefficient in daily operations, unnecessarily taking staff time or wasting resources, identifies inefficient workflows and highlights hidden costs.
- Reveals how NetSuite can be leveraged to add capacity without additional headcount.
- Provides a roadmap to streamline your technology that is fully aligned with your specific business goals and initiatives.
What happens during the NetSuite assessment? What is involved?
While a NetSuite assessment is tailored specifically to the needs of the customer, there are five basic components to any assessment:
Everything begins with a conversation. Discussions with key business stakeholders to understand near and long-term objectives, ongoing initiatives and plans for growth or expansion to ensure that the technology can be properly aligned with the business going forward.
Data collection identifying pain points and areas of improvement. Review workflows and business processes to understand how the system is currently being used. Ensure existing customizations are built following best practices.
Document and analyze existing processes. Compile all the data and observations. We provide a deliverable that communicates a clear understanding of costs, existing challenges, and areas of improvement.
Findings. Presentation of the assessment to the stakeholders with a deep-dive into the results so that the current state is understood with all costs associated with it. This is to provide a full accounting of how NetSuite is currently used by the team and areas of improvement.
Roadmap. Detailed roadmap for immediate wins and phased implementation of enhancements, customizations or integrations that the business needs.
How do I start the conversation?
If you are interested in getting a NetSuite Assessment for your business, let us know.