The average mid-sized business has 255 different applications in its tech stack, while large enterprises juggle around 664 apps. Extracting meaningful insights from this overwhelming influx of system data isn’t easy. And while NetSuite is a powerful tool for managing core business operations, it can still be challenging to integrate and analyse data across such a vast array of systems. This is where NetSuite Analytics Warehouse (NSAW) steps in, centralising data from NetSuite and other sources to provide a unified view. NSAW enables businesses to break down data silos, streamline reporting, and derive actionable insights, all within a single, cohesive platform.
Let’s explore this increasingly popular analytics solution, and how it can transform the way you understand and leverage your data to drive better business outcomes.
What is NetSuite Analytics Warehouse?
NetSuite Analytics Warehouse (NSAW) is a cloud-based data storage and analytics solution designed to simplify data management and deliver actionable insights. It brings together all your business data – from NetSuite, other platforms like Google Analytics and Salesforce, as well as historical data from legacy systems – into a single, centralised repository. Powered by Oracle Analytics Cloud and Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse, NSAW allows you to harness prebuilt AI and machine learning models to uncover deeper insights and make faster, more informed decisions. The ultimate promise of NSAW is that it will support your team to easily build and run analyses without relying on IT, making data-driven decision-making more accessible than ever.
But NetSuite already offers analytics features
Yes, NetSuite does offer built-in analytics through tools like SuiteAnalytics, which provides real-time insights into your NetSuite data. SuiteAnalytics allows users to create custom reports, saved searches, and dashboards, all within the NetSuite environment. It’s a robust tool for visualising data and managing key metrics, particularly for businesses that primarily rely on NetSuite for their operational needs. However, as powerful as SuiteAnalytics is, it has limitations when dealing with the complexities of modern tech stacks. It focuses on data within the NetSuite environment, which can be a challenge for businesses that need to integrate and analyse data from multiple sources. This is where NSAW offers a significant advantage. NSAW consolidates data from NetSuite and other platforms and legacy systems into a single data warehouse. Plus, it leverages advanced AI and machine learning models to deliver deeper insights and more powerful analytics, providing a more comprehensive view of your business.
In essence, while SuiteAnalytics is ideal for managing and reporting on NetSuite-specific data, NSAW is designed for businesses that require a more holistic, integrated approach to data analysis across their entire tech stack.
- Dive deeper by comparing the two with this infographic - NSAW versus SuiteAnalytics.
Strategic data management
NSAW equips businesses with the capabilities needed to not just handle data but to turn it into a strategic asset. By combining robust data management with cutting-edge analytics, NSAW lets you make smarter, faster, more informed decisions.
Let’s explore how NSAW can reshape the way you approach your business data.
Unified data management | NSAW brings all your data together, breaking down silos that typically exist when information is spread across various platforms. Whether your data comes from NetSuite, third-party applications like Salesforce, or even legacy systems, NSAW centralises it into a single, cloud-based repository. This unification makes it easier to manage and ensures that all your business intelligence is drawn from a consistent, reliable source.
AI-enhanced insights | One of NSAW’s standout features is its integration of advanced AI and machine learning capabilities. These tools dive deep to help your team uncover trends, forecast outcomes, and identify anomalies that might otherwise go unnoticed. By automating complex data processes, NSAW speeds up your analysis while improving accuracy, giving you richer, deeper business insights.
Customisable dashboards and real-time reporting | NSAW offers a range of prebuilt dashboards and reports, each customised to your specific goals. This means real-time access to critical data, allowing you to monitor the key metrics that matter most, as they change. The platform’s intuitive design means that even non-technical users can customise reports, drill down into data, and generate actionable insights without needing to rely on IT.
Scalability and flexibility | As your business grows, so does your data – and NSAW is built to handle this growth. The platform’s scalability means it can manage increasing data volumes and more complex analytical needs without compromising performance. Whether you’re expanding into new markets or dealing with larger datasets, NSAW can adapt.
Robust security and compliance | Security is a very real concern when dealing with vast amounts of sensitive business data. Because NSAW is built on Oracle’s secure cloud infrastructure, you get advanced security features like data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and detailed access controls. These measures ensure that your data is protected and compliant with industry regulations, providing peace of mind as you scale your analytics efforts.
Put insights into the hands of your people | NSAW’s user-friendly interface empowers your team to take control of their data. With easy-to-use tools, employees across different departments can engage with data to create their own reports and analyses. This democratisation of data access fosters a culture of empowered decision-making, where insights are shared across teams, driving collaboration and innovation.
- For an in-depth demo watch Accelerate Insights & Enhance Decisions with NetSuite Analytics Warehouse.
How does NetSuite Analytics Warehouse work?
NSAW is designed to centralise and simplify your data management process. Here’s how it works:- NSAW pulls data from various sources, including your NetSuite environment, external platforms, and even legacy systems. This data is consolidated into a single, cloud-based warehouse powered by Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse, which automatically tunes, scales, and maintains itself.
- Once the data is centralised, NSAW uses Oracle Analytics Cloud to clean, organise, and prepare it for analysis. This includes transforming and combining data sets from different sources, ensuring that all your information is ready for accurate reporting and analysis.
- With the data prepared, NSAW leverages advanced AI and machine learning models to perform deep analysis. It helps you discover patterns, forecast trends, and gain insights that are not easily visible through manual analysis. The platform also offers prebuilt dashboards and reports that you can customise to meet your specific needs.
- NSAW provides real-time access to your data through intuitive dashboards and reports. These tools allow you to monitor key metrics, track performance, and make data-driven decisions quickly. The system is designed to be user-friendly, so your team can create and run their own analyses without needing IT support.
- As your business grows, NSAW scales with you. It can handle increasing volumes of data and more complex analyses, ensuring that you continue to get the insights you need, no matter how large or complex your operations become.
How does NetSuite Analytics Warehouse stack up to competitors?
NSAW stands out in several key areas when compared to competitors like Qlik, Power BI, and Tableau:
Prebuilt dashboards and native data models | NSAW comes with out-of-the-box dashboards, KPIs, and data models that are natively integrated with NetSuite, enabling quicker insights. Competitors typically require manual setup before you can start generating insights.
Data connectivity | NSAW supports a wide range of data sources, including relational, structured, unstructured, SaaS, and graph data, with no extra fees. Other tools, such as Power BI and Tableau, may require additional licensing or lack support for certain data types.
Data modelling & preparation | NSAW offers no-code visual data preparation with enhancement suggestions, making it easier to handle large and complex data models. Competitors often require knowledge of multiple data prep languages or come with limited AI-driven enhancement features.
Augmented analytics | NSAW excels with mature natural language querying (NLQ) and generation (NLG) capabilities in 28 languages. Competitors like Qlik and Tableau provide more basic NLQ/NLG features, often limited to English.
Advanced analytics | NSAW supports machine learning model building, deployment, and governed consumption with options for streaming data via extensions. Competitors offer similar features but may lack the ability to handle streaming data or provide less mature integrations.
Security, governance, and pricing | NSAW offers a unified environment for security, governance, and control at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to competitors. Alternatives like Qlik and Tableau may involve higher TCO due to multiple dependencies or less transparent pricing models.
Which companies would benefit most from NetSuite Analytics Warehouse?
Mid-sized and large enterprises | NSAW is ideal for companies with complex operations and large tech stacks, helping them centralise and manage data for more effective analysis.
Companies with diverse data sources | Businesses that rely on multiple data platforms—like NetSuite, Salesforce, and legacy systems—will benefit from NSAW’s ability to integrate these sources into a unified view.
Firms focused on scalability | Growing businesses will find NSAW’s scalable architecture crucial as they expand, ensuring data management keeps pace with increasing demands. Highly regulated industries | Industries such as finance and healthcare can leverage NSAW’s robust security and compliance features to meet stringent regulatory requirements.
Organisations seeking advanced analytics | Companies looking to move beyond basic reporting will appreciate NSAW’s AI-driven analytics for deeper insights and strategic decision-making.
Public companies and pre-IPO ventures | Firms facing rigorous financial scrutiny will benefit from NSAW’s comprehensive data oversight and advanced reporting capabilities.
Key financial roles that benefit from NetSuite Analytics Warehouse
CFOs | CFOs get that critical unified view of financial performance across the organisation. By centralising data from various sources and serving up real-time analytics, CFOs can make informed strategic decisions, quickly assess financial health, and gain a deeper understanding of future growth possibilities.
Financial Controllers | For financial controllers, NSAW simplifies the consolidation of financial data from multiple systems, ensuring that reporting is both accurate and timely. This supports better compliance and stronger financial controls, helping controllers maintain consistency across financial statements.
FP&A Managers | NSAW integrates data from various departments to support comprehensive budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning. Managers can create more accurate financial models and respond quickly to changing business conditions.
Accounting Managers | NSAW improves the efficiency of financial reporting and data management. By centralising and streamlining data, NSAW reduces the time spent on data gathering, allowing accounting teams to focus on detailed analysis and decision support activities.
Identifying if NetSuite Analytics Warehouse is right for you
NetSuite Analytics Warehouse (NSAW) is a powerful tool, but how do you know if it’s the right fit for your organisation? Ask yourself:- Is your business dealing with complex data sources spread across multiple systems and legacy platforms?
- Are you looking to leverage AI and machine learning for deeper insights and predictive analytics beyond basic reporting?
- Is your organisation growing rapidly or managing increasing volumes of data that require scalable analytics capabilities?
- Do you have security and compliance concerns and need robust data protection features?
- Is real-time access to data crucial for your operations, requiring dashboards and reporting tools that keep you agile and responsive?
Considering NSAW?
There is doubt that NSAW is a powerful solution for businesses looking to unlock deeper insights from their data. However, implementing a tool like NSAW requires a deep understanding of both the technology and your specific business needs. This is where Annexa really excels. With extensive experience in deploying and optimising NetSuite solutions, Annexa ensures that your NSAW implementation is seamless, tailored to your organisation, and maximises the value you gain from your data.
Reach out to a consultant to learn if NSAW is the right choice for you.
