This article is relevant if you are using NetSuite’s Advanced Projects or Service Resources Planning (SRP) application.

Background

NetSuite’s Service Resources Planning (SRP), also recognized as Advanced Projects, is integral to project-centric organizations. Since 2009, Prolecto Resources has been leveraging SRP to orchestrate our NetSuite Systems Integration operations.

Drawing from our extensive use and the collective experiences of the clients we’ve assisted, it’s clear that SRP invariably necessitates some degree of customization to finely tune it to the unique rhythms of a project-driven enterprise.  Our approach in conversations with new clients typically begins with framing SRP as primarily a project billing engine. We guide new NetSuite clients to grasp project billing fundamentals, along with timesheet and expense management—crucial elements to tackle upfront when transitioning to SRP.  Tailoring the software is often an essential step to achieve full operational fluency.

Beyond billing, we delve into adapting NetSuite’s SRP for the nuances of daily Project Management, which can prove to be complex due to the myriad of methodologies employed in steering project-oriented work. At its core, it’s about resource allocation to projects, leading to the establishment of project pricing and budget frameworks.  Scheduling is another major concern.

However, when it comes to day-to-day execution, NetSuite’s interface may present challenges, particularly when managing a substantial number of tasks and resources. So, how does one navigate these complexities to ensure seamless project management within NetSuite SRP?

Finding a Better Way: Beyond NetSuite’s Point-and-Click UI Challenges

Our extensive work with various clients shows that NetSuite’s fundamental data model for project-based operations is robust. The intrinsic connections between projects, tasks, resources, and resource assignments are logically structured and inherently make sense.

Despite this, we’ve noticed a pattern: clients managing a large volume of projects and resources rarely find the day-to-day interaction with NetSuite satisfying. The reason? The inherent complexity of the relationships between these entities and the intricate setup involving numerous related tables and fields creates a challenging environment for users.

While it works most of the time, NetSuite’s built-in Point-and-Click Forms editor for user interface improvements falls short in terms of capability in this subject area. Many NetSuite administrators have attempted to optimize it, but often at the cost of user adoption. Furthermore, our observations suggest that the conventional SuiteLet development, even with NetSuite’s provided form and field objects, doesn’t quite hit the mark in crafting an engaging user experience.

However, there’s an alternative path forward.

Introducing a High-Performance Framework for NetSuite User Interfaces

About three years ago, after ten+ years of experience in crafting NetSuite applications, we’ve reached an inflection point. It became clear that to truly innovate, we needed to venture beyond the confines of NetSuite’s User Interface constraints. Utilizing the open-source Bootstrap library and the insights gained from developing rich client-side (in-browser) applications, we’ve developed an Extensible Client Framework (ECF). This framework liberates us from NetSuite’s standard UI model, granting total freedom in browser-based, as well as mobile and tablet environments, to engineer application functionality that meets modern demands.  And it feels awesome!

In the realm of NetSuite SRP and Advanced Projects, this alternative approach enables project administrators to operate with unprecedented speed and ease. Exposure to such high-performance applications within NetSuite transforms user expectations, setting a new benchmark for what is considered a satisfactory user experience.   Caution.  Once you have had a taste, it is hard to go back!

Previous Articles that Demonstrate High-Performance NetSuite Applications

Separately, I have created a number of articles with supporting videos that illustrate what is possible under these patterns. Please visit these posts to consider the possibilities:

• 2021: Tablet Based Order Entry (with video)
• 2022: Our Prolecto Task Manager PTM built on Top of NetSuite Cases (with video)
• 2020: Bulk Record Operations (with video)
• 2022: Grid Based Scheduling
• 2022: Customer Facing Order Inquiry (with video)
• 2023: Consignment Order Management (with video)
• 2023: High-Performance Item Lookup (with video)

Key NetSuite Project Task Assignment Optimizations

NetSuite’s Project Task Manager SuiteApp fell short for our client, who managed projects with extensive task lists and a more extensive pool of project resources. The limitations became apparent when the application couldn’t scale effectively to meet their substantial needs.

Seeking a viable solution, the client approached us. We began with foundational improvements that quickly impressed them, and this success led to their decision to develop a targetted Project Task Assignment management utility seamlessly integrated directly with their project records. With the aid of our Extensible Client Framework (ECF), we implemented several crucial functionalities:

1. Efficient Bulk Resource Reassignment: Recognizing the need to switch project resources fluidly, we devised a user-friendly feature for bulk reassignments. This allows for a seamless transition of roles among project task assignees with a single click.
2. Enhanced Filtering and Sorting: We introduced client-side filtering and sorting to the interface, enhancing usability with type-ahead searches and responsive filters that instantaneously display pertinent data. This feature simplifies the identification of over-budget resources at a glance.
3. Expansion of Fixed NetSuite Records: We encountered the common restriction of being unable to add fields to NetSuite’s locked project task assignee records. To overcome this, we crafted a solution that extends any fixed NetSuite record, enabling multiple fields to be added. For our client, adding simple notes to the project task assignment was essential.  Finally.
4. Budget Rebalancing Tools: Our client needed the capability to reassess and reset budgets, identifying resources that were straining financial limits and adjusting accordingly. We developed a tool that permits selected project task resources to be realigned with actual work and revised budgets, all without the drudgery of editing records one by one.
5. Real-Time Inline Calculations: With full control over the user interface, we can execute all necessary calculations interactively, updating the NetSuite server in the background at our discretion.  It just feels right.

For a closer look at these capabilities, click through the images provided for detailed views.

Drive NetSuite SRP for High-Performance Usage

Our Analysts at Prolecto Resources have played a pivotal role in maximizing the returns from our clients’ NetSuite SRP investments. Sylvain M., a distinguished Senior Technical Analyst, has been at the forefront of this endeavor. His deep dive into NetSuite’s APIs has enabled us to construct exceptionally swift and efficient applications. His leadership has been invaluable in assisting our clients with in-house software development teams and elevating the ingenuity of our Business and Technical Analysts through the innovative patterns he has pioneered.   Thank you Sylvain.

As with all the applications and algorithms we’ve developed, which we collectively refer to as Labs, we provide these to our clients at no additional licensing cost. We believe NetSuite should be nurtured with meticulous attention and are convinced that the true worth is found in forging relationships with high-caliber professionals who are fully committed to their craft.

If you found this article relevant, feel free to sign up for notifications to new articles as I post them. If you are ready to tackle your NetSuite Advanced Projects Service Resources Planning (SRP) concerns, let’s have a conversation.

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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