How to Reduce IT Spend and Complexity by Consolidating Systems into NetSuite
Too many disconnected tools are quietly draining your budget and slowing your team down. This guide shows how manufacturers are cutting costs and chaos by switching to NetSuite’s all-in-one platform. You’ll see where the real savings come from—and how to act on them fast.
Most manufacturers didn’t set out to build a fragmented tech stack. It just happened over time. A CRM was added to help sales, then a separate inventory system to manage stock, then a finance tool, then a production tracker. Each tool solved a problem in the moment—but now they’re creating new ones.
The result is a web of disconnected systems that don’t talk to each other. You’re spending more on software, more on IT support, and more time chasing down data than actually using it to make decisions. That’s not just inefficient—it’s expensive. And it’s holding you back.
The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Systems
Fragmentation isn’t always obvious. On the surface, your tools might seem to be working fine. But underneath, they’re creating friction that slows down every department. Finance is waiting on operations to send inventory data. Sales is quoting jobs without knowing current stock levels. Customer service is blind to order status. And IT is stuck maintaining brittle integrations that break every time one system updates.
This kind of friction adds up fast. You’re not just paying for multiple software licenses—you’re paying for the time your team spends reconciling data, fixing errors, and manually transferring information between systems. That’s time they could be spending on higher-value work. And when mistakes slip through, they cost you even more—in lost revenue, delayed shipments, and damaged customer relationships.
As a sample scenario, a packaging manufacturer was using separate systems for finance, inventory, and production scheduling. Every time a new order came in, someone had to manually check stock levels, update the production queue, and send a report to finance. That process took hours each week. After consolidating into NetSuite, they automated the entire workflow. Orders now trigger inventory checks and production updates instantly, and finance sees everything in real time. They saved over 20 hours a month—and eliminated costly delays.
Here’s the thing: fragmentation doesn’t scale. The more you grow, the more painful it becomes. Adding new products, locations, or team members means adding more complexity. And unless you consolidate, you’ll need to hire more people just to manage the chaos. That’s not a growth strategy—it’s a bottleneck.
Let’s break down the hidden costs in a simple table:
| Hidden Cost Area | Impact on Business | Typical Monthly Cost (Mid-size Manufacturer) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Licensing | Paying for overlapping tools | $3,000–$8,000 |
| IT Maintenance | Supporting multiple systems and integrations | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Manual Reconciliation | Staff hours spent syncing data | $4,000–$10,000 |
| Decision Delays | Waiting on reports and updates | Lost opportunities, hard to quantify |
| Error Correction | Fixing mistakes from disconnected systems | $1,000–$3,000 |
These numbers aren’t just theoretical. They reflect what many manufacturers are already spending—and losing—every month. And they compound over time.
Another sample scenario: a specialty chemical producer had five different systems managing finance, compliance, inventory, and customer orders. Their IT team spent nearly 40% of its time troubleshooting integrations and syncing data. After switching to NetSuite, they reduced IT overhead by 60% and cut their monthly close cycle from 12 days to 5. That freed up their finance team to focus on forecasting and margin analysis instead of chasing down spreadsheets.
Fragmentation also creates risk. When systems don’t sync properly, you’re exposed to compliance issues, inaccurate reporting, and poor customer experiences. And when key people leave, they take tribal knowledge with them—because no one else knows how the patchwork works. Consolidation isn’t just about saving money. It’s about building a business that’s resilient, scalable, and easier to run.
Here’s another way to visualize the difference between fragmented systems and a unified platform:
| Workflow Step | Fragmented Tools (Typical Setup) | NetSuite Unified Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Order Entry | CRM → Email → Inventory → Production | One-click order triggers full workflow |
| Inventory Check | Manual lookup in separate system | Real-time visibility across all locations |
| Production Scheduling | Spreadsheet updated manually | Auto-synced with order and inventory data |
| Financial Reporting | Data pulled from 3–5 sources | Live dashboards with consolidated data |
| Customer Service | Limited access to order status | Full visibility into order, shipment, and history |
When you look at it this way, the case for consolidation becomes clear. You’re not just replacing tools—you’re replacing complexity with clarity. And that clarity drives better decisions, faster execution, and lower overhead.
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. But even consolidating two or three core systems can unlock major savings. Start with the areas where you’re seeing the most friction—finance, inventory, and production are usually the biggest culprits. Once you simplify those, the rest becomes easier to align.
Next up: why NetSuite isn’t just another ERP—and how it changes the game.
Why NetSuite Isn’t Just Another ERP
Most ERPs promise integration, but few deliver it in a way that actually reduces complexity. NetSuite stands out because it’s built from the ground up as a unified platform—not a bundle of stitched-together modules. That matters more than it seems. When everything shares the same database, you don’t just get cleaner data—you get faster decisions, fewer errors, and workflows that actually flow.
NetSuite doesn’t just cover finance. It handles inventory, production, CRM, procurement, ecommerce, and more—all in one place. That means you’re not flipping between systems or relying on IT to build fragile bridges between tools. You get one login, one dashboard, and one version of the truth. For manufacturers juggling dozens of SKUs, suppliers, and customer orders, that kind of clarity is a game-changer.
As a sample scenario, a metal fabrication company was using separate systems for quoting, production planning, and invoicing. Every time a quote was approved, someone had to manually re-enter the specs into the production system, then again into finance. That led to errors, delays, and missed margins. After switching to NetSuite, quotes flowed directly into production and billing. They cut order processing time by 60% and recovered thousands in lost margin each quarter.
Here’s what NetSuite replaces in a typical manufacturing setup:
| Function | Common Standalone Tools | NetSuite Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Financials | QuickBooks, Sage | NetSuite Financial Management |
| Inventory | Fishbowl, Excel | NetSuite Inventory Management |
| CRM | Salesforce, Zoho | NetSuite CRM |
| Production Planning | JobBOSS, spreadsheets | NetSuite Manufacturing |
| Procurement | Email, PDFs, manual tracking | NetSuite Procurement |
| Ecommerce & Orders | Shopify, Magento, manual sync | NetSuite Order Management & Ecommerce |
When you consolidate these into NetSuite, you’re not just saving money—you’re removing friction. That’s what makes it different. It’s not another tool to manage. It’s the system that helps you manage everything else.
Where the Real Savings Come From
Cost savings from consolidation aren’t just about cutting software licenses. They show up in places most manufacturers don’t track closely—until they do. Think fewer IT tickets, faster month-end closes, fewer errors in production, and less time spent chasing down data. These are real savings, and they add up fast.
One of the biggest wins is labor efficiency. When systems are disconnected, your team spends hours each week re-entering data, fixing mistakes, and waiting on updates. With NetSuite, those workflows are automated. That means your people can focus on higher-value work—like improving margins, optimizing supply chains, or growing sales.
As a sample scenario, a nutraceutical manufacturer had separate systems for inventory, compliance, and customer orders. Their team spent 15 hours a week reconciling batch records and order history for audits. After consolidating into NetSuite, that process became automated. They saved over 700 hours a year and reduced audit prep time by 80%.
Here’s a breakdown of where savings typically come from:
| Area of Savings | Description | Typical Annual Impact (Mid-size Manufacturer) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Consolidation | Replacing 4–6 tools with one platform | $40K–$120K |
| IT Support & Maintenance | Fewer systems to update and troubleshoot | $25K–$60K |
| Labor Efficiency | Less manual entry and reconciliation | $50K–$150K |
| Error Reduction | Fewer mistakes in orders and production | $20K–$80K |
| Faster Reporting | Real-time dashboards and insights | Time savings, better decisions |
These numbers aren’t inflated—they’re typical. And they don’t include the upside from better decisions, faster execution, and improved customer satisfaction. That’s where the real value lives.
Sample Scenarios: What Consolidation Actually Looks Like
Let’s look at how consolidation plays out across different manufacturing verticals. These aren’t actual companies, but they reflect typical setups and outcomes when manufacturers move to NetSuite.
A precision plastics manufacturer was using separate systems for quoting, production scheduling, and inventory. Every time a new job came in, someone had to manually check stock, update the schedule, and send a report to finance. That process took hours and often led to missed deadlines. After switching to NetSuite, they automated the entire flow. Quotes triggered inventory checks and production updates instantly. They improved on-time delivery by 25% and reduced quoting errors by 90%.
A food packaging producer had separate tools for batch tracking, compliance, and order management. That made audits painful and slowed down order fulfillment. With NetSuite, they now track everything from raw materials to finished goods in one place. Compliance reports that used to take a week now take an hour. They also reduced order fulfillment time by 30%, which helped them win larger contracts.
A furniture manufacturer had sales reps using spreadsheets to quote jobs, while production used a separate system to schedule builds. That disconnect led to margin erosion and missed delivery dates. NetSuite’s integrated quoting and production planning helped them recover $200K in lost margin annually and improve customer satisfaction scores.
These examples show what’s possible when you consolidate. You don’t just save money—you unlock speed, clarity, and control.
How to Calculate Your Own ROI
You don’t need a consultant to figure out if consolidation makes sense. Start by listing every tool you’re using—finance, CRM, inventory, production, ecommerce, and anything else. Then add up what you’re spending on licenses, support, and IT time. That’s your baseline.
Next, estimate how many hours your team spends each month reconciling data, fixing errors, or waiting on reports. Multiply that by their hourly rate. That’s your labor cost. Then factor in the cost of mistakes—missed orders, delayed shipments, margin erosion. You may not have exact numbers, but even rough estimates will show you the scale.
Now compare that to NetSuite’s cost. It’s typically bundled and scales with your business. Most manufacturers see ROI within 12–18 months. Some see it faster, especially if they’re replacing 5+ systems or dealing with frequent errors.
Here’s a simple ROI calculator you can adapt:
| Category | Current Cost (Annual) | NetSuite Cost (Annual) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Licenses | $80,000 | $45,000 | $35,000 |
| IT Support & Maintenance | $50,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Labor (Manual Processes) | $100,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Error Correction | $30,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Total | $260,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
Even if your numbers are smaller, the percentage savings are often similar. And the benefits go beyond cost—faster decisions, better customer experiences, and easier scaling.
What to Watch Out For During Migration
Consolidation isn’t just a software switch—it’s a shift in how your business runs. That’s why it’s important to approach migration with clarity and care. The biggest mistake manufacturers make is trying to replicate old processes in a new system. NetSuite works best when you streamline, not just transfer.
Start by mapping your current workflows. Identify what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s redundant. Then design new workflows that take advantage of NetSuite’s automation and integration. Don’t try to lift and shift everything as-is. Use this as a chance to clean house.
Data hygiene is critical. Before migrating, clean up your customer records, inventory data, and financial history. Inaccurate or duplicate data will cause problems down the line. Invest time upfront to get it right—it’ll save you headaches later.
Choose an implementation partner who understands manufacturing. Not just ERP. You want someone who knows how production, inventory, and finance interact in your world. That experience makes a huge difference in setup, training, and long-term success.
Getting Buy-In from Finance and Ops
You’ll need buy-in from multiple teams to make consolidation work. Finance wants to know the numbers. Ops wants to know the workflows. Sales wants to know how it helps them close deals faster. Speak their language.
To finance, show the cost savings—licenses, IT support, labor efficiency. Highlight how NetSuite simplifies reporting and speeds up month-end close. That’s time they can use for analysis and forecasting.
To operations, show how NetSuite connects inventory, production, and procurement. No more manual updates or chasing down order status. They get real-time visibility and fewer errors.
To sales, show how quotes flow directly into production and billing. No more delays or miscommunication. They can promise accurate delivery dates and track order status without asking anyone.
Make it about outcomes, not features. Show how it makes their jobs easier and the business stronger.
Final Word: Simplify to Scale
If you’re serious about growth, you can’t afford to run your business on disconnected tools. Consolidating into NetSuite isn’t just about saving money—it’s about building a foundation that scales with you.
You’ll move faster, make better decisions, and free your team to focus on what actually drives profit. You’ll reduce errors, improve customer satisfaction, and unlock new capacity without adding headcount.
The sooner you simplify, the sooner you can scale. And the longer you wait, the more it costs you—in time, money, and missed opportunities.
3 Clear, Actionable Takeaways
1. Audit Your Entire Tech Stack—Then Map the Friction Start by listing every system you use across finance, inventory, CRM, production, procurement, and ecommerce. Don’t just look at costs—look at how each tool connects (or doesn’t), how often data is manually transferred, and where delays or errors creep in. This isn’t just about software—it’s about how your business runs day to day. Once you’ve mapped the friction, you’ll see where consolidation can unlock the most value.
2. Focus on High-Impact Consolidation First You don’t need to migrate everything at once. Start with the systems that create the most pain—usually finance, inventory, and production. These are the areas where disconnected tools cause the most delays, errors, and overhead. Consolidating just these can deliver immediate savings and momentum. Once you’ve stabilized the core, you can expand into CRM, ecommerce, and procurement.
3. Use ROI to Drive Internal Buy-In When pitching consolidation to your team, lead with numbers. Show how much time and money is being lost to fragmentation. Use simple tables to compare current spend vs. NetSuite’s bundled cost. Highlight labor savings, error reduction, and faster reporting. Make it clear that this isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a smarter way to run the business.
FAQs Manufacturers Ask Before Consolidating
How long does it take to migrate to NetSuite? Most manufacturers complete their initial migration in 4–6 months, depending on complexity. Starting with finance and inventory often speeds things up. The key is to clean your data and streamline workflows before you migrate.
Will I lose functionality by consolidating? Not likely. NetSuite covers a wide range of manufacturing needs—from production planning to batch tracking to multi-location inventory. In most cases, you’ll gain functionality and reduce complexity.
What if my team isn’t ready for a big change? Start small. Consolidate one or two systems first, and show the results. Once your team sees the time savings and clarity, they’ll be more open to expanding.
How does NetSuite handle manufacturing-specific workflows? NetSuite includes modules for work orders, bill of materials, demand planning, and more. It’s built to handle discrete, process, and mixed-mode manufacturing. You can customize workflows without needing custom code.
Is NetSuite only for large manufacturers? No. It scales with your business. Whether you’re running one plant or ten, NetSuite adapts to your size and complexity. Many manufacturers start small and expand as they grow.
Summary
Disconnected systems are costing you more than you think. They slow down your team, create errors, and make it harder to grow. Consolidating into NetSuite gives you one platform to manage finance, inventory, production, CRM, and more—with fewer headaches and lower costs.
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Start with the areas causing the most friction. Clean your data, streamline your workflows, and migrate with purpose. The payoff is faster decisions, better margins, and a business that’s easier to run.
If you’re ready to simplify and scale, consolidation isn’t just a smart move—it’s the foundation for everything that comes next. You’ll spend less time managing systems and more time building the kind of business you actually want to run.