If you have recently implemented NetSuite or inherited a system from a previous team, it can feel overwhelming. NetSuite is one of the most powerful ERP platforms on the market, but many businesses only scratch the surface of what it can do.
In this guide, we walk through the seven most impactful NetSuite features that every business should be actively using. Whether you are in finance, operations, or eCommerce, these fundamentals will help you get more value from your investment.
1. Personalized Dashboards
Your NetSuite dashboard is the first thing you see when you log in, and it should give you an instant snapshot of your business.
What it does: Dashboards display real-time KPIs, charts, shortcuts, and reminders tailored to each user role. A CFO might see revenue trends and cash flow, while a warehouse manager sees open orders and fulfillment status.
How to set it up:
- Navigate to Home > Set Up Home Page (or click the Personalize Dashboard icon)
- Add portlets like Key Performance Indicators, Trend Graphs, Saved Searches, and Quick Links
- Drag and drop to rearrange layout
- Each role in your organization should have a dashboard customized to their daily needs
Pro tip: Use the Published Dashboards feature to create standard dashboards by role, so new hires get a pre-configured view on day one.
2. Saved Searches
Saved searches are arguably the most powerful feature in NetSuite. They let you query any data in your system and display it exactly how you need it.
What it does: Think of saved searches as custom reports on steroids. You can search transactions, customers, items, employees — virtually any record type — with complex filters and custom columns.
Common use cases:
- Open invoices over 30 days — filter by status, age, and amount to manage collections
- Top-selling products this quarter — group by item, sum quantities, sort by revenue
- Customers without recent orders — find accounts that need re-engagement
- Inventory below reorder point — trigger purchasing decisions before stockouts
How to create one:
- Go to Reports > Saved Searches > New
- Select your search type (Transaction, Customer, Item, etc.)
- Define your Criteria (filters) and Results (columns)
- Save and add it to your dashboard as a portlet
Pro tip: Use the Summary tab to group and aggregate results. This turns a flat list into a powerful analytical report without any scripting.
3. SuiteAnalytics Workbook
For more advanced data analysis, SuiteAnalytics Workbook goes beyond saved searches with pivot tables, charts, and multi-dataset analysis.
What it does: Workbook lets you combine multiple data sources, create pivot tables, build visualizations, and explore data interactively — all within NetSuite.
Key capabilities:
- Pivot tables — drag and drop dimensions and measures, just like Excel
- Charts — bar, line, pie, area, and combo charts from your data
- Conditional formatting — highlight cells based on thresholds (red for overdue, green for on-track)
- Multiple datasets — join different record types in a single workbook
When to use it: Use Workbook when saved searches are not enough. If you need to pivot data, compare time periods side by side, or create executive-level visualizations, Workbook is your tool.
4. Workflows
NetSuite workflows automate repetitive business processes without writing any code.
What it does: Workflows trigger actions automatically based on events or conditions. For example, when a sales order exceeds $10,000, automatically route it to a manager for approval.
Common workflow examples:
- Purchase order approvals — route POs to the right manager based on amount thresholds
- Customer follow-ups — send an automatic email 7 days after invoice creation if unpaid
- Lead assignment — automatically assign new leads to sales reps based on territory or source
- Record locking — prevent edits to closed transactions
How to build one:
- Go to Customization > Workflow > Workflows > New
- Select the record type (Sales Order, Purchase Order, etc.)
- Define States (stages of the process) and Transitions (what moves the record between stages)
- Add Actions at each state — send email, set field value, create record, etc.
Pro tip: Start with simple approval workflows. They provide immediate value and help your team understand the workflow engine before tackling complex automation.
5. Custom Reports and Financial Statements
NetSuite comes with dozens of built-in reports, but the real power is in customizing them to match how your business actually operates.
What it does: Financial reports (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) can be customized with alternate date ranges, comparative periods, department/class/location filters, and custom formatting.
Key report features:
- Report Builder — modify existing reports or create new ones with drag-and-drop column selection
- Financial Row Layouts — customize how accounts are grouped and subtotaled on financial statements
- Comparative reporting — show this month vs. last month, this year vs. last year side by side
- Drill-down — click any number to see the underlying transactions
Reports every business should customize:
- Aged Receivables — filter by customer segment, add days-outstanding buckets
- P&L by Department — see profitability across business units
- Sales by Item — identify top performers and slow movers
- Cash Flow Forecast — plan for upcoming obligations
6. Roles and Permissions
Proper role configuration keeps your data secure and your users focused on what matters to them.
What it does: Roles define what each user can see and do in NetSuite. A well-configured role means users only see relevant menus, records, and data — reducing confusion and protecting sensitive information.
Best practices:
- Never customize the Administrator role — create specific roles for each function instead
- Use the Principle of Least Privilege — give users only the access they need
- Restrict sensitive data — limit who can see cost prices, payroll data, or financial reports
- Audit regularly — review role assignments quarterly to catch outdated access
Common roles to set up:
- Sales Rep — access to leads, opportunities, customers, and sales orders
- Accounts Receivable — access to invoices, payments, and customer records
- Warehouse — access to inventory, fulfillments, and item records
- Executive — read-only access to reports and dashboards
7. Integrations and Connected Commerce
NetSuite becomes exponentially more powerful when connected to your other business systems.
What it does: Through SuiteTalk (REST/SOAP APIs), SuiteScript, and pre-built connectors, NetSuite can sync data with eCommerce platforms, 3PL providers, payment processors, and more.
Common integrations:
- Shopify — sync orders, inventory, and customer data between your storefront and NetSuite
- 3PL providers — automate fulfillment updates and inventory levels
- Payment gateways — reconcile payments automatically
- CRM tools — keep customer data consistent across sales and support
Why this matters: Without integration, teams end up with duplicate data entry, stale inventory counts, and reconciliation headaches. A properly connected NetSuite instance gives you a single source of truth.
At GC Business Solutions, we specialize in building custom analytics dashboards that connect NetSuite with Shopify, 3PL systems, and other platforms — giving you real-time visibility across your entire operation. See our analytics solutions.
Getting Started
If you are not using all seven of these features, you are leaving value on the table. The good news is that most of these can be set up incrementally. Start with dashboards and saved searches (you will see immediate value), then work toward workflows and integrations.
Not sure where to start? Our certified NetSuite consultants can audit your current setup and recommend quick wins that deliver immediate ROI. We have helped businesses across retail, wholesale, and eCommerce get the most out of their NetSuite investment.
Contact us for a free consultation — we will review your environment and identify the opportunities with the biggest impact.