5 Things I Learned At SuiteWorld

Cloud-based ERP software company NetSuite has just finished their annual user and partner event, SuiteWorld. This year’s event is significant as it’s the first one after the company’s acquisition by Oracle last year. That US$9.2B purchase is Oracle’s largest ever acquisition and will drive some changes in how NetSuite operates.

1 – The ANZ region will get some more love

In interviews with the company’s executive vice-president and Australian leadership, I was told an Australian-hosted instance of NetSuite was “coming soon”. While there was no commitment to a specific date, NetSuite expects to leverage Oracle’s local data centre capability in Sydney to have an Australian presence.

This is good news for current and prospective customers who are interested in the platform but have held back because of data sovereignty concerns.

2 – SuiteSuccess promises faster deployment

One of the big announcements from the conference was a new service offering called SuiteSuccess.

This is a collection of 12 deployment models focussing on eight vertical markets.

  • Advertising, media, publishing
  • Financial technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Nonprofit
  • Retail
  • Service-based businesses
  • Software/internet
  • Wholesale distribution

SuiteSuccess uses the company’s experience, accumulated over almost two decades, to create a deployment methodology that can be consistently applied.

3 – When sales teams collide

Oracle’s ERP software is focussed on very large enterprises. On the other hand, NetSuite is pitched at smaller enterprises. Of course, if you drew a Venn Diagram of the two business’ target markets, there would be an overlap.

The existing Oracle and NetSuite sales teams will be cross-trained so that they understand both platforms

I asked McGeever whether the two products could end up in competition. But he said each customer would be offered the solution that best fit their needs.

The plan is for NetSuite to exist as a separate, almost autonomous, business unit within Oracle.

4 – What of you’re a NetSuite channel partner?

I spoke with Graeme Burt, the General Manager Channel Sales for Japan and Asia Pacific at NetSuite.

He said the current channel program would not change with the existing rebate and incentive programs remaining in place.

However, as new class of partner, called an Alliance Partner, was being introduced. These are system integrators who sell deployment and integration services but not the actual NetSuite software.

5 – There’s a big hiring push

During the opening keynote address, McGeever said NetSuite would be able to engage in a massive hiring push as a result of the Oracle acquisition. He said the company would be hiring as many employees as the company had in 2012.

Lee Thompson, the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific and Japan told me this level of recruitment would be reflected in our region, including the establishment of a local sales and support presence in New Zealand for the first time.

Anthony Caruana travelled to SuiteWorld in Las Vegas as a guest of NetSuite.


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