NetSuite 2020.1 release

Oracle NetSuite 2020.1 Release – the highlights

New decade, new year, new release! The Oracle NetSuite 2020.1 Release is upon us and includes exciting changes to existing functionality and a variety of new features.

As ever, we have done the leg work and delved the depths of the 100+ pages of the release notes to unveil some of the highlights.

SuiteFlow

Not everyone writes code so we’ve been following workflow enhancements closely over the past 18 to 24 months, which is when barriers began to be lifted and sub lists became accessible in workflow. 2020.1 continues the expansion of features seen in the most recent releases for workflow sub list actions, and for the first time we have access to a second sub list; the expense sub list on expense reports give some much-needed breadth to the functionality.

To complement this, we also have a new sub list action available to use on both item and expense sub lists: the hotly anticipated Create line action. This allows lines to be added to sub lists as part of workflow and they dynamically define default values for the line fields. This is something that up until now, has only been available using SuiteScript.

One final thing to keep an eye out for with regards to workflows is the execution context update – a minor change but one that could trip you up if you are not aware of it. Workflows will now default to execute in all contexts except web store and web application on creation. Existing workflows will not be affected by the change, but copies of existing workflows generated after the release will follow the new rules.

Subcontract Manufacturing

Until now, manufacturing in Oracle NetSuite was tailored specifically to manufacturing happening in-house. Trying to string together a process for subcontract manufacturing was arduous, with lots of manual steps to get pieces of the puzzle in place, from purchase orders and transfer orders to work orders and then the assembly build itself.

The 2020.1 update hands us a streamlined outsourced manufacturing solution. The introduction of the outsourced purchase order (PO) form allows purchase orders to be raised for subcontract assemblies and define the bill of materials to be used; this allows the subsequent automated creation of work orders to the manufacturing location. Manufacturing locations are also new to NetSuite. With this release, there is a small change to highlight locations as manufacturing locations, to define if the stock issued should be available and to assign locations to vendor records.

The action of receipting this PO can handle the assembly build, transfer of stock back from subcontract location and receipt of finished items back into stock in one action.

SuiteAnalytics

2020.1 sees the third User Interface overhaul to the SuiteAnalytics workbook – following its general release three releases ago – with the most impactful update this time being dataset separation.

Although it’s a little frustrating that familiarisation is again required due to the updated navigation, it is worth the work as workbooks no longer consist of datasets and their visualisations (Graphs and Pivots) as one object. Datasets are now a separate object that can be built and shared across multiple workbooks, eliminating duplication each time new workbooks are written and the huge risk of potential source data discrepancies between workbooks.

This means data can be defined at a global level and dissected by individual users in different ways in their own workbooks. Any changes to the dataset are automatically propagated to all the workbooks linked to the dataset.

Closely linked to this change is the addition of the table view within workbooks. With data being defined at a higher level, it’s consistent in its definition but may not be to everyone’s layout preference. You can now define table views at workbook level to see the data in a table view that suits you, and even create multiple table views, filter them and sort them individually.

Other particular points of interest in the release notes are as follows, and if you’d like to discuss them with us, please book in a call.

  • Warehouse Management System Enhancements
  • Vendor Prepayment Enhancements
  • Balance Transactions by Segments

For those of you who are subscribed to release previews in your account (you will not have access unless you request it) you can now test run the new functionalities outlined above, as well as all of the other release features. To check your subscription status, go to Setup > Company > Release Preview in your account and as always, our support line and email is open – 0330 133 5010 or support@brightbridgesolutions.com – to assist with any queries.