This article is relevant for NetSuite administrators and developers working with financial institution-sourced data that requires complete control and ease of handling BAI2 file formats in the NetSuite platform.

Background

A client approached us seeking a solution to enhance the processing of cash receipt records provided by their bank, which was facilitated by the Celigo Cash Application Manager tool. In my subsequent article, Get an Alternative Scalable NetSuite Cash Application Manager, I discuss the complete solution to that NetSuite cash receipt challenge.

A critical component of our solution involved consuming bank-supplied BAI2 files. The challenge, however, is that there is no straightforward, native method to parse a BAI2 file within the NetSuite environment.

Fortunately, we have developed a license-free, no-charge framework that offers clients complete and open control, enabling the automation of business applications dependent on BAI2 files.

The BAI2 Parsing Challenge in NetSuite

When seeking a solution for parsing bank BAI2 files, the first resource you’ll likely encounter is NetSuite’s Bank Statement Parsers SuiteApp.  However, upon examining this framework, it becomes evident that the method NetSuite provides for this SuiteApp and its associated tools make even simple tasks quite challenging.

Further investigation reveals that NetSuite offers a Financial Institution Parser. But how do you utilize it effectively? In my 2023 article, Learn How to Craft a NetSuite Financial Institution Parser for Bank Import Automation, I explain how to craft a NetSuite Financial Institution Parser for bank import automation.  While this method for working with BAI2 is possible, it is complex, difficult to trigger reliably, and seeks to target a proprietary data set.

Exploring the open-source community, you’ll find various JavaScript-based BAI parsers you might be able to adapt to run natively within NetSuite. For example, consider this one hosted on GitHub: BAI-BTRS-active-parsers].  Be prepared for some work.

However, there is a better and easier way.

Presenting a BAI2 Parser as Another NetSuite Data Consumer

Creating integrated database solutions in the NetSuite platform often involves moving data in and out of the system. I discussed our License Free Record Import Export Manager (RIEM) tool in my 2020 article on how
to Fully Automate Complex NetSuite Data Imports. Once you understand how this framework operates, presenting the BAI2 data to the tool will allow you to fine-tune control to update any NetSuite data record hands-free.

Solving to Replace Celigo’s Cash Application Manager

As we tackled our client’s Cash Application Challenge (details to come in a subsequent article), one of the critical components was parsing the complex BAI2 data. By presenting this parsed data to our Prolecto Record Import Export Manager (RIEM), we could easily prepare it for the new application. With a NetSuite-driven BAI2 parser now available, we can offer our clients a license-free, no-recurring-fee solution for parsing BAI2 files, opening the possibility to solve other challenges.

Video Discussion for the NetSuite BAI2 Parser

The work was completed by Jeff D., Technical Analyst in our Technology Practice. In the following video (6:42), Jeff and I discuss the BAI2 data we needed to parse and his approach to integrating it as another supported RIEM parser.

Click here to watch the video (6:42).

Get the Framework to Easily Parse BAI2 in NetSuite

The great news is that we can now quickly process any BAI2 file and produce solutions without being constrained by NetSuite’s Financial Institution Parser. This allows us to leverage NetSuite’s platform to drive integration solutions seamlessly.

Combined with our license-free connectivity tools, such as the Prolecto sFTP Connector, it’s simply a matter of designing the configuration, doing the setup, confirming reliability, and building some saved searches to drive portals that help confirm application reliability.

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 BAI2 financial institution challenge, 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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