NetSuite Inc. ' NetSuite

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NetSuite is a unique offering in this lineup, having the distinction of being the only fully web-based online application. This integrated suite offers all core accounting functionality, plus customer relationship management and eCommerce capabilities.

MODULES AVAILABLE/SCALABILITY - 5 Stars One of the major advantages of any fully web-based online application is its unmatched extensibility. This offers a highly customizable environment with exactly the features your company needs, with the ability to easily add additional modules and features by simply subscribing to them. Modules available from NetSuite include GL, AP, AR, Payroll, Inventory, Purchasing, Order Fulfillment and many other marketing, customer support, partner relationship, productivity, and time and billing tools. The breadth of modules available is much like what you might find in high-end enterprise applications. However, mid-range businesses have the ability to tap this array of capabilities for just the tools they need.

Scalability is equally impressive. NetSuite's hosted infrastructure can support one or one hundred users with equal ease, with complete flexibility over remote physical locations, and the only requirement being Internet access. The application can be used with dial-up, wireless or high-speed Internet connections.

EASE OF USE/ TRANSACTION ENTRY - 4 Stars All NetSuite applications run entirely within the Internet browser and offer a drop-down menu system that can take several different forms, depending on the 'user role' that is used when you log in. For instance, if you log in under the Administrative role, the menu is organized much as a standard desktop accounting application, with items for Activities, Transactions, Lists, Reports, Documents, Setup, Support, Sales Tools and KnowledgeBase. However, if you log in as a Sr. Executive, the menus become Activities, Sales/Marketing, Expenses, Payroll & HR, Financial, Reports, Documents, Setup, Support, and Sales. Depending on your login role, the desktop dashboard also changes to reflect the typical information that would be needed in that role.

Data-entry screens are fairly simple to navigate, with many of the perks that are available to a standard desktop application, such as drop-down lists, query screens, and multi-tab screens to break down the complexity of data entry and allow you to select the data you wish to view or edit. Since all data is stored in a centralized single database storage system, there are extensive drill-down and drill-around capabilities, and all data is always real-time. Response time for screens is surprisingly quick, with a user experience that is very similar to a standard desktop application.

CUSTOMIZATION/SECURITY - 4 Stars NetSuite provides numerous customization features. For starters, the desktop dashboard content can be customized, both for content and layout. Beyond that, customized fields, forms, records, subtabs and lists allow the business to modify nearly any table or form to address individualized business information needs. Using custom code, JavaScript functions can be added to enhance custom entry and trans- action forms. Security is managed through the use of roles. A role is a set of permissions that lets a user access specific areas of your data. You assign roles on customer, vendor and employee records. Users may have more than one role, giving them different access levels, depending on what role they select at login.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT - 3 Stars As might be expected with a web-based accounting application, import and export capabilities are more limited than most desktop products. Imports are provided for online bank statements and Quicken data files. By uploading electronic bank statements, the bank's data can be automatically reconciled with transactions in your accounts. Search results can be exported as *.CSV files. The export button on each query screen allows easy export capability for external data analysis.

REPORTING - 4 Stars Numerous reports are available for each module. Each report is initially displayed in the Explorer window with full multi-level drill-down capability. Reports can be printed, exported or e-mailed. Each report can also be customized to display selected columns or records, as well as sorting options. Some reports can also be configured to display as pie charts or graphs.