NetSuite vs. Salesforce: Who Leads the Edge?

Finding the perfect CRM for your business is no mean task. With a multitude of offerings at hand, each one of which offers different benefits, the only way to choose the perfect CRM is to find one which is tailor-made for your business requirements.

General purpose cloud software for businesses are expensive to build, and even tougher to sell to large companies because of their longer sales cycles. As a result, most successful cloud-based CRM applications require on an average $110M in investments, and almost 10 years to return profits. In such a scenario, two services, NetSuite CRM and Salesforce CRM have managed to catch the attention of businesses both large and small because of their, attractive, feature-rich products.

NetSuite CRM vs. Salesforce CRM: A Brief History

It is a little known fact, but both NetSuite and Salesforce got started around the same time in 1998. Both were initially funded by the founder of Oracle - Larry Ellison, with the same idea - to sell software subscriptions. That is where the similarities end though, as Salesforce placed a heavy bet on CRM and went after larger customers. NetSuite or what was then known as NetLedger, targeted SMB's which were done with the simplicity of Intuit QuickBooks, and required more reliable software to do the grunt work. It was only later that NetSuite added CRM and other e-commerce applications to its burgeoning ledger of enterprise services.

The rivalry started in earnest when NetSuite CRM decided to go after Salesforce customers, including many big organizations, with its 50% off offers and better after-sales service. It set itself apart by providing key functionalities such as accounting, inventory management, order management, e-commerce, and professional services automation, as part of its extended package, which was a boon for ex-Salesforce customers who had to look at other alternatives for the same.

Today, both companies have diversified their portfolios, and provide many customization features to their customers, and more importantly, allow them to build applications on top of their services. In short, there is very little separating the two.

NetSuite CRM - Key Differentiators

• Extensive e-commerce Support: NetSuite helps to link web activities directly to customer records for better sales follow-up. This web store and web site based functionality is absent from Salesforce
• Demand Management: NetSuite users can source opportunity data and link demand management with the sales pipeline easily
• Sales Performance Management: NetSuite users receive advanced sales performance capabilities such as incentive comp and the ability to upsell and cross-sell with the built in tools, which is again missing in Salesforce
• Managing Renewals: Sales renewals are closely tracked within NetSuite and users are notified close to the contract renewal date so as to improve sales productivity and renewal rate

Salesforce CRM - Key Differentiators

• Campaign Monitoring: The effectiveness of marketing campaigns can be closely monitored and measured in real-time with the help of Salesforce
• Content Management: The core functionality of Salesforce enables its users to access and manage enterprise related content such as policies, procedures, guidelines, etc.
• Application Exchange: Salesforce features the extensive AppExchange platform wherein thousands of bespoke applications are developed and made available to the others using the platform
• Scalable Metadata Platform: Salesforce users and easily customize, extend, and scale their existing platform without having to worry about inter-operability, and update support

Which CRM System Should You Choose?

There are several factors that should be taken into account before choosing between NetSuite CRM and Salesforce CRM. This is because the right solution will not only help you make short term gains, but also help you align your long-term business goals accordingly. Therefore before taking the final plunge, it is necessary to ask yourself the following questions -

• Will the CRM Support Your Existing System?

  Every business has unique needs which are different from others. In most cases, a CRM might suit all your requirements, unless you belong to a manufacturing or process based industry where Cloud ERP and CRM solutions have traditionally had a tough time breaking through

• Can the CRM Solution be customized?

  Today, it is impossible to find a CRM solution which is tailor-made for all your requirements. However, both NetSuite CRM and SalesForce CRM have a plethora of customizable options to suit your requirements. Since both of them are cloud-based, you also don't have to worry about not having the most updated version at your perusal. As a result, you should choose the platform whose customization options suit you the best

• How Cost-effective is the CRM Platform?

  When it comes to cloud-first CRM platforms, you need to understand that the costs displayed on their product pages are just the tip of an iceberg, and unless you are prepared for the price assault which will come sooner or later, you will never be able to leverage the benefits with the price associated.

  It is important to talk with other people who have used the same service so as to know their experience with any hidden costs, while also finalizing price protection plans before you sign on the dotted line

At the end of the day, as a customer, it is you who needs to decide which CRM platform - NetSuite or Salesforce works better for your requirements. Both have their own pros and cons, and the only way to choose one is to realize the benefits associated with each.

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