Research Report: Accessing Operational Data in NetSuite

Written by: Todd Kimpton

Operational Data in NetSuite

Introduction

For IT Business System Administrators, leveraging NetSuite's powerful suite of tools to access and analyze operational data is crucial for strategic decision-making. Whether dealing with small, medium, or large data sets, the choice of tool can significantly impact performance and efficiency. This report explores best practices for accessing various data set sizes using Saved Search, SuiteAnalytics Connect, and NetSuite Analytics Warehouse.

Research Problem

Businesses face the challenge of efficiently accessing and analyzing vast volumes of operational data within NetSuite. Selecting the right tool based on data size and complexity is essential to ensure optimal performance and usability.

Overview of Tools

1. Saved Search

   • Functionality: Saved Search allows users to retrieve, filter, and customize real-time data. With advanced filtering and sorting, it supports data retrieval, customization for future use, and export in formats like CSV. It also facilitates auditing by tracking changes and user activity.

   • Access: Permissions are controlled by the "Perform Search" permission. It is accessible via the Reports tab or global search, and results can be displayed in dashboard portlets.

   • Typical Use Cases: Ideal for small data sets (<100K lines), it is perfect for creating custom reports and monitoring specific business metrics.

   • Limitations: Presentation formatting is less advanced than reports, and it may not efficiently handle datasets exceeding 100K lines.

     
     

2. SuiteAnalytics Connect (NetSuite2.com)

   • Functionality: Provides read-only access to NetSuite data using ODBC, JDBC, and ADO.NET drivers. It uses NetSuite2.com as the preferred data source, supporting consistent data exposure, and utilizes SuiteQL for advanced query capabilities.

   • Access: Requires the "SuiteAnalytics Connect" feature to be enabled, and drivers can be downloaded from NetSuite.

   • Typical Use Cases: Suitable for medium data sets (100K to 5M lines), it is ideal for external BI tool integration and large-scale data extraction.

   • Limitations: It offers read-only access and may experience performance slowdowns with very high volumes.

     
     

3. NetSuite Analytics Warehouse

   • Functionality: Extends NetSuite's capabilities by integrating external data sources for advanced insights. It aggregates data across 10 functional areas, refreshed daily, and offers prebuilt KPIs and dashboards.

   • Access: Requires the "NetSuite Analytics Warehouse" feature, managed via the NSAW User Management page.

   • Typical Use Cases: Perfect for large data sets (5M+ lines), it is ideal for in-depth historical analysis and blending data from multiple sources.

   • Limitations: It involves data latency, as the data is historical, not real-time, and requires a complex initial setup and configuration.

Best Practices for Data Set Sizes

• Small Data Sets (<100K lines)

  • Use Saved Search for real-time access and simplicity in setting up custom reports. Focus on customization and ease of use.

• Medium Data Sets (100K to 5M lines)

  • Utilise SuiteAnalytics Connect for external integrations and analyses that exceed Saved Searches' capabilities. Optimise data retrieval with SuiteQL queries for efficient access.

• Large Data Sets (5M+ lines)

  • Leverage NetSuite Analytics Warehouse for comprehensive data analysis and integration with external sources. Plan for data latency and ensure that historical data requirements align with business needs.

Conclusion

Each of NetSuite's analytical tools offers distinct advantages depending on the size and complexity of the data set. By selecting the appropriate tool, IT Business System Administrators can ensure efficient data access and analysis, leading to informed decision-making and strategic growth. Understanding the functionalities, access methods, use cases, and limitations of Saved Search, SuiteAnalytics Connect, and NetSuite Analytics Warehouse is key to aligning NetSuite capabilities with organizational needs.

At Etter+Ramli, we’re your partner in that journey. Let’s build what’s next—intelligently, pragmatically, and together. We invite you to consider how AI agents can empower your business to achieve remarkable efficiency and insight, paving the way for future growth.

📥 Download the Research report here:

Research Report_Accessing Operational Data in NetSuite.pdf

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