NetSuite debuts software for manufacturers

San Mateo, Calif.-based NetSuite Inc. is offering a new business management software suite for the manufacturing vertical that targets SAP AG’s core market.

NetSuite for Manufacturers includes functionality for assembly, work order and bill of materials. The new suite takes advantage of SAP’s delay in releasing Business ByDesign, an on-demand tool for midmarket manufacturers.

NetSuite’s release of the suite for the manufacturing sector addresses the specific requirements of vertical industries, the company said, and to offer an alternative to traditional on-premise technologies like SAP.

Mini Peiris, NetSuite's vice-president of product marketing, said that the technology enables manufacturers to automate complex business processes without the cost and complexity of cobbling together multiple business applications, and numerous spreadsheets. “As a result, customers can stop wasting precious resources and start focusing on increasing customer service levels, cutting costs, and growing their businesses," said Peiris.

Manufacturers have been waiting for software-as-a-service offerings to build better overall total cost-of-ownership, said Bruce Richardson, chief research officer with AMR Research. “Until this release from NetSuite, there haven't been any broad SaaS product offerings that include financials, CRM, Ecommerce and manufacturing. The on-demand suite approach-pioneered by NetSuite could prove to be a major market accelerator,” he said.