SAP, NetSuite Packs Assist Small Firms
Published for the Week Of November 8, 2004
he hot small-business market heated up even more last month as both SAP and NetSuite released the latest versions of their business management software for smaller companies.
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SAP Business One 2004 now moves beyond its focus on service-oriented customers, such as retailers, to add the functionality needed by small, light manufacturing companies. Meanwhile, version 10.0 of the NetSuite software as service now comes with more advanced analytical and budgeting capabilities. The two packages are all-inclusive suites aimed at satisfying nearly every task a small-business owner could want.
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The big news for Business One 2004 is the addition of materials resource planning capabilities. With these capabilities, manufacturers can base production on their CRM reports, service engineers can view lot batches to pinpoint problems, and salespeople can see precisely where in production a customer’s order is. In addition, integration with Microsoft Outlook allows users to place e-mails directly in their workflow so that, for example, a customer’s complaint can be routed directly to customer service.
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SAP’s release now has resource planning capabilities, while NetSuite’s offers advanced analytics performance.
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NetSuite version 10.0 has new analytics capabilities. The NetSuite Upsell Manager, for example, performs statistical analysis on companies’ entire customer records. Based on that analysis, NetSuite can suggest products that an individual, or a collection of customers, is likely to buy. A built-in wizard will help users mine the data, create e-mail campaigns, tailor promotional opportunities to salespeople’s specific accounts or write phone scripts. The NetCommerce Analytics module gives companies the ability to track how individuals interact on their Web sites. The software also boasts more advanced accounting features.
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“Every major release from NetSuite moves us one step closer upstream,” said Rufus Lohmueller, CEO of solution provider Lohmueller Consulting, Raleigh, N.C. “The new revenue recognition now means we can go after new kinds of customers, like software companies, that recognize revenue on a schedule.”