NetSuite integration with Drupal is coming up more frequently. This conversation is usually centered around the ways in which Drupal connects up to NetSuite using Drupal forms, contacts, and data between the NetSuite system. Since NetSuite is not typically known for being a content management system (CMS), let’s look at the ways in which Drupal users have been interested in hooking up to NetSuite.
- Single Sign On: The goal here is to create a single data environment versus silos. For example, there are businesses using NetSuite for their ecommerce, but they also have an entire community forum which is built on Drupal. The business would like the community user to be able to use their same NetSuite username and account details that they have stored in NetSuite. This credential data, in turn, makes it easier to translate customers into active community members.
- Lead Submission Forms: It’s often the case that there are lead submission forms from a Drupal site that later need to be sent via email in a CSV or some other excel document to a CRM system. But with a NetSuite to Drupal integration, it is possible to connect up NetSuite using Drupal based forms, which in turn are collected as a lead in NetSuite’s CRM. This is a powerful way to start synching up different parts of the business, while also allowing the Drupal platform to continue performing by generating leads outside the NetSuite system. Here is an Open Source Lead Submission project that can help you get started.
- Case Management Tools: Because NetSuite is a highly integrated CRM and ERP system, the need to switch help desk tickets over to NetSuite from Drupal will save the entire team time and money.
- Connecting NetSuite’s Inventory and Shopping Cart: Hooking up Drupal to this NetSuite information will allow your system to be a Drupal based ecommerce site.
- Connecting to NetSuite Saved Search technology: This solution allows you to query specific areas of NetSuite which may be relevant to show information in Drupal. For example, if we wanted to show the Case Management tracking queue as noted in the Item #3 above, we can show help desk tickets to the community where the conversation is being maintained.
All of these are good examples of the ways in which NetSuite integration with Drupal is being used to help grow a business. As you can see, the direction is Drupal to NetSuite, not the other way around. Next let’s look at how these processes are being accomplished.
PHP Toolkit: This API has been perpetually beta. It is the default connection option but there are some limitations. I have tried to use the toolkit in the past, but not without some challenges. Those is the PHP Drupal community may find creative new ways to use it. This method is effectively leveraging NetSuite’s SuiteTalk which I have previously written about.
IFrame: Instead of the heavy web services approach, why not use an HTML IFrame? NetSuite has a built-in mechanism to host a web based form on another site by using an iFrame. The trick is to format and make it look like the page is hosted natively within Drupal. When the Drupal user submits the form, they are actually submitting directly into NetSuite site. Snap!
RestLet: This is currently in NetSuite beta, but when it is widely available, it will be perfect as a more powerful tool for integration. There are exciting new areas for innovation with Drupal that NetSuite’s Restlet will allow.
These are some of the ways that my team has started to see NetSuite and Drupal integration, and I believe that we’re going to see a lot more moving forward. Content management systems, like Drupal, really need to be part of the entire NetSuite ecosystem to drive a great customer experience.
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Marty Zigman
Holding all three official certifications, Marty is regarded as the top NetSuite expert and leads a team of senior professionals at Prolecto Resources, Inc. He is a former Deloitte & Touche CPA and has held CTO roles. For over 30 years, Marty has produced leadership in ERP, CRM and eCommerce business systems. Contact Marty to set up a conversation.
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Hi Marty,
I enjoy your posts. FYI – RESTlets were officially released in 2011.2, though many didn’t realize how significant this was. Going forward I think RESTlets and their native JSON support will be a critical tool for web integration.
Eric,
I fully agree. I don’t think people yet understand the power of the new Restlets and Suitescript Server Pages with a platform like NetSuite backing it. We are in the process of doing a eComm prototype and are enthusiastic about the design patterns that we can bring forward. Have you done any NetSuite development yourself?
Marty
Nice article, we’re just doing some work on the SSO service.
We’re doing some integration work with RESTlets and they are fantastic, hopefully we’ll be able to convert the module to a contrib module, but we’ll see!
Hi Courtney,
Thanks. I would love to learn more about your findings. There are a fair number of NetSuite users that want to use Drupal’s superior content management capacities and anything that can streamline integration will go a long way.
Marty