NetSuite’s versatile dashboard feature provides essential insights, tailored to the unique needs of different business roles and functions. In this article, we share five pivotal NetSuite dashboards - customer, vendor, home and roles, new release, and the executive insights dashboards – along with a detailed walkthrough for setting up one for yourself. 

Jump to the dashboard: 

Creating a customer dashboard 

These dashboards can be set up to provide a comprehensive and customisable view of all customer-related information and activities in a single, easily accessible location. 

How it’s helpful  
  • Enhances understanding of customer behaviours and preferences 
  • Improves customer relationship management by providing actionable insights 
  • Helps in identifying opportunities for cross-selling and upselling 
  • Enables proactive management of customer issues and enhances service quality 
Walkthrough for creating a customer dashboard
1. Access Your NetSuite dashboard: 
  • Log in to your NetSuite account. 
  • Navigate to your main dashboard, usually the first screen you see after logging in. 
2. Switch to customer dashboard: 
  • On the top of the NetSuite interface, locate and click on the ‘Dashboard’ dropdown menu. 
  • Select ‘Customer Dashboard’ from the list. This changes your view to the customer-centric dashboard. 
3. Customise your dashboard layout: 
  • Click on the ‘Personalize’ button, found in the top right corner of the dashboard. 
  • This will open the dashboard customisation options. 
4. Add standard customer portlets: 
  • Choose from a variety of standard portlets such as ‘Key Performance Indicators (KPIs),’ ‘Shortcuts,’ ‘Report Snapshots,’ ‘Reminders,’ etc. 
  • Drag and drop these portlets onto your dashboard layout. 
5. Configure each portlet: 
  • Click on the ‘Set Up’ or ‘Configure’ option (a small gear icon) on each portlet. 
  • Customise the settings for each portlet based on the data you want to display. For example, in the KPI portlet, you can select metrics like ‘Average Order Value,’ ‘Customer Lifetime Value,’ etc. 
6. Add customer-specific portlets: 
  • Consider adding customer-specific portlets such as ‘Customer List,’ ‘Recent Records,’ ‘Customer Search,’ etc. 
  • Customise these portlets to display relevant customer information, such as recent transactions, contact details, and communication history. 
7. Save your dashboard setup: 
  • Once you have added and configured all desired portlets, save your setup. 
  • The dashboard will now display the selected information and metrics tailored to customer management. 
8. Review and adjust as needed: 
  • Spend some time reviewing the dashboard to ensure it meets your needs. 
  • You can return to the ‘Personalize’ mode to make adjustments if necessary. 
9. Set up access for other users (Optional): 
  • If other team members need access to this customer dashboard, you can set up sharing options through NetSuite’s role-based permissions. 
  • Ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive customer data. 

Creating a vendor dashboard 

A vendor dashboard provides quicck insights into your vendor relationships and supply chain, helping to streamline processes and improve decision-making in vendor management. 

How it’s helpful  
  • Streamlines vendor management and enhances supply chain efficiency 
  • Facilitates better negotiation and collaboration with vendors based on performance data 
  • Aids in making informed purchasing decisions and managing inventory levels effectively 
  • Improves expense tracking and helps in identifying cost-saving opportunities 
Walkthrough for creating a vendor dashboard 
1. Access your NetSuite dashboard: 
  • Log into your NetSuite account. 
  • You'll typically start on your main dashboard, which is the default view upon login. 
2. Switch to vendor dashboard: 
  • Look for the ‘Dashboard’ dropdown menu at the top of the NetSuite interface. 
  • Select ‘Vendor Dashboard’ from the dropdown options. This changes your view to a vendor-centric dashboard. 
3. Customise dashboard layout: 
  • Click on the ‘Personalize’ button, generally located in the top right corner of the dashboard. 
  • This action allows you to enter the customization mode for your dashboard. 
4. Add vendor-specific portlets: 
  • Choose and add portlets that are relevant to vendor management, such as ‘Purchase Orders,’ ‘Vendor Scorecard,’ ‘Accounts Payable,’ and ‘Expenses.’ 
  • Drag and drop these portlets into your desired layout on the dashboard. 
5. Configure each portlet: 
  • For each portlet, click on the ‘Set Up’ or ‘Configure’ option (usually denoted by a small gear icon). 
  • Customize the settings of each portlet to display the specific data and metrics you need, such as recent purchase orders, vendor performance metrics, or upcoming bill payments. 
6. Include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 
  • Add a KPI portlet to track critical vendor-related metrics like average delivery time, compliance rates, or cost savings. 
  • Select and configure the KPIs that are most relevant to your vendor management goals. 
7. Save your customisations: 
  • Once you have added and configured all necessary portlets, save your customizations. 
  • Your Vendor Dashboard will now display the chosen information, tailored to managing and monitoring your vendors. 
8. Regularly review and update: 
  • Periodically review your dashboard to ensure it continues to meet your vendor management needs. 
  • Update the dashboard as required, adding or removing portlets or adjusting KPIs to align with any changes in your vendor management strategies. 
9. Manage access and permissions (Optional): 
  • If other team members need access to the Vendor Dashboard, set up the appropriate permissions and roles in NetSuite to share the dashboard securely. 
  • Ensure sensitive vendor information is accessible only to authorised personnel. 

Navigation Portlet SuiteApp : Customising home dashboards for roles 

The Navigation Portlet SuiteApp in NetSuite allows admins to customise to create role-specific portlets — essentially, customisable panels on the dashboard — that contain categorised quick links to immediate access to frequently used reports, records, and other necessary information. 

While the setup and configuration of navigation portlets are typically performed by administrators or users with the necessary permissions, the end result — a customised and role-specific dashboard — is intended for use by all users within their assigned roles. 

How it’s helpful: 
  • The home dashboard acts as a central hub, providing quick access to daily tasks, reminders, and frequently used functions. 
  • Customisable shortcuts and widgets streamline workflow, reducing the time spent navigating through various menus. 
  • Set up to displays real-time alerts, reminders, and KPIs, keeping users up-to-date with important deadlines, tasks, and performance metrics. 
  • : Each user can personalise their dashboard to display the information most relevant to their role, enhancing efficiency and focus. 
Before proceeding, take note: 
  • Ensure you have the required administrative permissions to install SuiteApps and customise dashboards. 
  • Consider providing brief training or documentation for users to get accustomed to the new navigation portlet. 
  • Take on user feedback to continuously improve the portlet’s usefulness. 
How to set up the Navigation Portlet SuiteApp in NetSuite: 
  1. Install the SuiteApp:
  • In NetSuite, navigate to Customisation > SuiteBundler > Search & Install Bundles > List. 
  • Search for the "Navigation Portlet SuiteApp", then click 'Install'. 
  1. Configure the Navigation Portlet:
  • Once installed, locate the Navigation Portlet within your installed SuiteApps. 
  • Opt to create a new navigation portlet. 
  1. Define Role-Specific Settings:
  • Choose which roles the portlet should be visible to, ensuring it’s tailored to specific users. 
  • Add categorised quick links to frequently used records and reports for each selected role. 
  1. Categorise and organise links:
  • Group related links together under clear category headings. 
  • Provide descriptive labels for each category for easy navigation. 
  1. Add to Home Dashboard:
  • Decide on the placement of the portlet on the home dashboard. 
  • Utilise the dashboard customisation feature to drag and drop the Navigation Portlet into the desired location. 
  1. Save and assign:
  • After setting up the portlet, save the configuration. 
  • Make sure the portlet is correctly assigned to the roles you’ve chosen. 
  1. Test and refine:
  • Log in as a user with the assigned role to test the functionality of the portlet. 
  • Based on feedback, refine the portlet setup as necessary. 
  1. Inform users:
  • Notify users of the new navigation portlet and provide instructions if needed. 
  1. Regular monitoring and updating:
  • Keep an eye on how the portlet is being used and whether it meets users' needs. 
  • Periodically update the portlet to reflect changes in commonly accessed areas. 

Creating a New Release Portlet  

The New Release Portlet will keep you informed about the latest updates and features from the newest NetSuite release. You can quickly access release notes and review new functionalities, ensuring that you stay updated with the latest enhancements in NetSuite.  

NetSuite typically has two major releases per year, so regularly checking the New Release Portlet once set up will ensure you don’t miss out on important updates. 

How it’s helpful: 
  • Keeps you informed about the latest NetSuite releases, ensuring you don't miss out on new features and improvements. 
  • Offers a gateway to the Release Preview account, allowing users to test and explore new functionalities in a safe environment before they are implemented. 
  • Understanding new features and capabilities can aid in strategic planning, ensuring that your business leverages the latest NetSuite enhancements effectively. 
Here's a walkthrough of how to add the New Release Portlet: 
1. Accessing personalisation settings: 
  • Log into your NetSuite account. 
  • On your home screen (main dashboard), locate the ‘Personalize’ button, typically found in the upper-right corner. 
2. Entering personalise mode: 
  • Click on the ‘Personalise’ button. This will switch your dashboard to a mode where you can add, remove, or rearrange dashboard portlets (widgets). 
3. Adding the New Release Portlet: 
  • In the Personalise mode, look for an icon or option labelled “New Release.” This represents the New Release Portlet. 
  • Click to add the New Release Portlet to your dashboard. You can drag and drop it to your preferred location on the dashboard. 
4. Configuring the Portlet (If needed): 
  • Once the New Release Portlet is added, you can configure it by clicking on the small gear icon on the portlet. 
  • Configure the settings according to your preferences, such as setting up alerts for new release notes. 
5. Accessing Release Notes and Preview Account: 
  • Within the New Release Portlet, you will find links to the latest release notes. These notes provide detailed information about new features, improvements, and any changes in the latest NetSuite release. 
6. Saving your dashboard: 
  • After adding and setting up the New Release Portlet,  save your changes to the dashboard layout. 

Executive insights dashboard 

Setting up an 'Executive Insights Dashboard' will provide top-level executives with a comprehensive snapshot of the organisation's health and progress.  

How it’s helpful: 
  • Provides executives with a high-level view of the company's performance, encompassing financial, operational, and market data. 
  • Helps in identifying business trends, opportunities, and potential risks, facilitating proactive business strategies. 
  • Saves time by consolidating essential information, eliminating the need to compile data from multiple sources. 
Here's walkthrough for creating an executive insights dashboard: 
1. Access your NetSuite dashboard: 
  • Log in to your NetSuite account. 
  • Navigate to your main dashboard, typically the default view upon login. 
2. Switch to the Executive Dashboard: 
  • Use the ‘Dashboard’ dropdown menu at the top of the NetSuite interface. 
  • Select ‘Executive Dashboard’ from the list to shift to a high-level overview. 
3. Customise the dashboard: 
  • Click ‘Personalize’ in the top right corner. 
  • This opens the customisation options for your dashboard. 
4. Add strategic Portlets: 
  • Choose portlets that provide strategic insights, like ‘Financial Scorecard,’ ‘KPI Meter,’ ‘Revenue Forecast,’ and ‘Expense Analysis.’ 
  • Drag and drop these onto your dashboard layout. 
5. Configure Portlets for broad overview: 
  • Set up each portlet to display overarching company metrics such as total revenue, profit margins, top performing products, and market trends. 
  • Use the ‘Configure’ option on each portlet for specific settings. 
6. Incorporate real-time data feeds: 
  • You also have the option to add widgets that offer real-time data, like stock market performance, industry news, or economic indicators relevant to your business sector. 
7. Save and review dashboard: 
  • After adding and setting up all portlets, save your changes. 
  • Review the dashboard to ensure it provides a comprehensive executive overview. 
8. Regularly update dashboard: 
  • Keep the dashboard updated with the latest KPIs and metrics that matter to executive decision-making. 
  • Adjust the dashboard as business strategies and market conditions evolve. 
9. Control Access: 
  • Ensure that access to this sensitive and high-level information is restricted to authorised executives and stakeholders.