How to Successfully Launch a New NetSuite Feature
2023.2 is right around the corner, and excitement is in the air for all NetSuite admins/consultants/users! With the new release comes new features, and it’s important to follow a thorough plan to implement a new feature into your NetSuite account. The goal for this blog post is to provide a short checklist to review and complete before deploying any new feature that is provided within the new release, or even an older feature that an organization is needing. The depth and complexity of the Cutover Plan to move the feature to Production should directly correlate with the impact of the new feature on the organization implementing it. Similarly, the bigger the process changes are, the more test scenarios should be gathered and tested by end users to confirm that the end goal remains the same.
I recently was hired by a client to implement a brand new feature with a strict timeline of about 2 months. This organization had tried twice before to launch this same feature, but ultimately gave up trying to implement it due to lack of a clear testing and implementation plan. The steps below highlight my personal approach to getting the new feature successfully implemented:
Determine if the functionality provided by the new feature meets requirements. Ideally the new feature is vetted by an experienced NetSuite consultant that has experience in the system and ideally in the feature in question. If the feature is a paid feature, or is not included in the typical NetSuite package sold to you, ask your Account Manager (AMO) to setup a demonstration for you.
Use the resources available to you for this. I cannot stress the importance of SuiteAnswers enough. It is my job as a consultant to equip end users with a DATABASE of knowledge to peruse and search through. There is a wealth of information on SuiteAnswers. Use it!
Determine where the feature toggle is
This is typically straightforward, although it may take some time to find. Most big features will be under Enable Features (Setup>Company>Enable Features using the Classic center navigation path). Navigate through the different tabs in the appropriate section to find the feature you need.
Depending on what is needed, users may also search through the list of available SuiteBundles and SuiteApps. SuiteBundles can be found under Customization>SuiteBundler>Search and Install Bundles, and SuiteApps can be found by clicking on the SuiteApps tab in your Center menu.
Turn on the feature in Sandbox first (or Release Preview, if the new feature is included as part of the new twice-a-year release)
Gather and document typical scenarios and test cases that the new feature solves.
Talk to your end users. Take good notes, and at minimum identify the following key pieces of information for each use case: Test Scenario Title, Description, Owner, Status (Documented, Not Started, In Progress, Pass, Fail)
Execute Testing and gather user feedback
Train end users on the new process
Create a “Cutover Checklist” of everything that needs to happen to plan the move to Production
This is perhaps the most critical step. A good cutover checklist includes the Task, Description, Owner, Date to be Completed By, and Status. Your consultant should be the one to complete this. See screenshot below for an example of a cutover checklist, specifically for the Supply Allocation Module.
Execute on the cutover checklist and hold everyone accountable
