The Standout Features within NetSuite 2026.1 Release

As I approach my 3rd month at NoBlue2, it perfectly coincides with NetSuite’s first release of 2026 – NetSuite 2026.1. With this comes multiple new features and shiny buttons that will help you drive efficiencies within your business. With every new release, I will write a blog post to discuss and highlight the standout features and the nice-to-haves. 

Let’s ensure you know when you’re getting these features. 

How to find out what version of NetSuite you’re using:

1. Check the Footer of Your Home Dashboard

NetSuite displays your version at the bottom of the Home page.

Steps: 

• Log in to NetSuite 

• Scroll to the bottom of the home dashboard 

• Look in the footer for a line such as: NetSuite (Edition: US) Release 2025.2

2. Check via Company Information Page

Another method is through your Company setup.

Steps: 

• Go to Setup > Company > Company Information 

• Look for the field labelled Version or Release 

How to check when you’re receiving the new version:

1. Use the “New Release” Portlet on Your Dashboard

Your scheduled upgrade date is listed in the New Release portlet.
This portlet shows: 

• Your current release phase 

• Exact date and time of your upgrade (available ~3 weeks before) 

• Links to release notes and preview environments 

2. Check Your Upgrade Window

You can also view your upgrade schedule via: 

• Dashboard > New Release Portlet 

• Email notifications from NetSuite 

3. Release Preview (Optional but Recommended)

Before your production account is upgraded, you can test the new version: 

• Navigate to Setup > Company > Release Preview to request access 

• This is useful for validating scripts, ensuring workflows are working and that integrations don’t break all very useful! NB2 can assist with testing any releases for you so please get in touch. 

Now that you know where you stand, let’s get into the standout features… 

UX Enhancements  

With every day-to-day task, it can take 10-15 clicks to navigate to where you want to be. With NetSuite Release 26.1, there have been huge improvements around the UX to allow slicker navigation, so you can get seconds back that all tally up to time well saved. 

Configuration: Your NetSuite Admin can enable these features for you by amending the layout under release preview/enable features.  

Benefits to you: 

• Fewer clicks = more time saved 

• Easier view of your data 

• Less clunky system 

Can NB2 Implement? Yes! 

Automation & Vendor Bills  

It’s always great when you get to save time and remove manual entry into your system. With 26.1, this has been further improved with more accurate Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and more reliable header/line extraction.  

Configuration: You can enable the new OCR settings and routing enhancements.
Setup>Account>Accounts Payable automation>Bill Capture Settings 

Benefits to you: 

• Reduced manual bill entry 

• More accurate mapping of vendor and line-level data 

• Fewer errors and less reconciliation time 

Can NB2 Implement? Yes! It is worth reaching out to us so we can review your current process and what these changes mean for you. 

Improved Bank Reconciliation & Transaction matching  

In Release 26.1, Bank Reconciliation has been improved to ease the burden of reconciliations. It can feel like a tedious task, but with the recent changes, it should be much sleeker and user-friendly. New matching rules and smarter logic for auto-matching bank lines to your transactions.  

Configuration: Optional.  

Benefits to you: 

• Faster Reconciliations 

• Higher Auto Match rate 

• Less manual cleanup in your bank reconciliation processes 

Can NB2 Implement? Yes! Although this will be up to you, and how you wish to adjust your matching rules and thresholds in the bank reconciliation preferences. 

WMS workflow upgrades 

 Your warehouse operations are your last line of defence before your products go out into the world, and you want to ensure they arrive safely and exceed customer expectations. With this in mind, NetSuite Release 2026.1 introduces additional upgrades to the workflows your processes depend on. Updates have been made to the pick/pack/shop flows, improved mobile scanning and a new exception-handling screen(s). 

Configuration: Optional. 

Benefits to you: 

• More efficient picking 

• Reduced scanning errors 

• Better visibility for warehouse managers 

Can NB2 Implement? Yes! Some of your workflows will need to be reviewed and toggles enabled under setup > warehouse management > mobile preferences 

SuiteAnalytics Workbook & Search Improvements 

The ability to view your data is key not just from a strategic perspective but from an operational one too. That’s why, in 26.1, significant improvements were made to build new formula functions, better joins, and improved performance when pulling large datasets.  

Configuration: No 

Benefits to you: 

• More creativity with your reporting 

• Faster queries 

• Reduces the need for scripts or saved search workarounds. 

Can NB2 Implement? Not Needed. We would, however, advise reviewing your workbooks and rebuilding the ones that you feel could be performing better by using the new features available. 

Sandbox Refreshers 

The NetSuite Release 2026.1 removes restrictions on your sandbox refreshes. There are no longer any cooldowns or quotas; instead, you can update your sandbox environment as much as needed. This will allow you to perform more vigorous testing before pushing any updates into your production environment. 

Configuration: No 

Benefits to you: 

• Increased flexibility around your Sandbox environment 

• More accurate Configuration testing 

Can NB2 Implement? Not Needed. We can assist you with any sandbox refreshes, but this will all be maintained by your NetSuite Administrator. 

Security Changes 

NethSuite holds all of your confidential data, and it’s important to keep that safe. With NS261. Multiple defences have been put up to help protect it. Here is a list below: 

OAUTH 2.0 

• OAUTH 2.0 becomes the required authentication method; these changes come into effect in 26.1. This means that by 27.1, Token-Based Authentication (TBA) will no longer support new integrations. 

Why does this matter to you? 

•  OAuth 2.0 is far more secure and modern than TBA.  

• Eliminates static tokens — reducing the risk of credential leakage.  

• Enables better session control and granular permissions.  

• Aligns NetSuite with modern API security frameworks used globally. 

Strengthened Multi-Session Controls with mandatory 2 Factor Authentication 

• Any user accessing multiple concurrent sessions will now need a role that has 2FA enabled and enforced to ensure security for all sessions 

Why does this matter to you? 

• Prevents account takeovers by requiring an additional authentication step.  

• Reduces risk from shared credentials, phishing, or malicious browser sessions. 

Enhanced Rest API capabilities to improve security and efficiencies within integrations 

• Release 26.1 introduces new REST features so that there are reduced API calls within the batch process operations. It can also create-form requests for structured, secure record creation. 

Why does this matter to you? 

• Fewer calls = reduced attack surface + improved performance.  

• More consistent validation and enforcement of serverside rules.  

• Cleaner, safer data exchange patterns for integrations. 

Netsuite2.com 

• With NS26.1 Netsuite.com is being retired and replaced by the reliably named Netsuite2.com. Netsuite2.com becomes the only supported data source for Analytics and external BI. 

Why does this matter to you? 

• The change will provide tighter security controls and more consistent column naming and schema so creation of reports will be easier and slicker. 

• You will need to update all your external BI tools to ensure they keep refreshing and showing you the data you love.