As the UK’s largest and most experienced ERP solution provider, we’re very aware of all the many functions, features and benefits that NetSuite can bring to almost every business.
However, as experts, we also know the importance of testing and trialling changes before you set them live. This is why we love the NetSuite Sandbox platform and make full use of it in all our NetSuite integrations and support packages.
Not everybody uses this great functionality, though. Some don’t know what it is, while some don’t see much point in using it. Either way, they’re missing out on a really useful part of NetSuite.
To help people see what they can achieve with the NetSuite Sandbox, we’ve put together this post. We’ll discuss what it is, how it can be used, and answer some commonly asked questions about it, so you can see how useful it is and why we think it’s so important.
A NetSuite Sandbox is a separate NetSuite account that sits apart from your live NetSuite system. It lets you create and try out customisations, without risking errors in your main setup.
In the past, development staging required separate hardware to provide a safe environment for testing. But with cloud software, you can run a sandbox parallel to your live system, so any changes you make don’t affect it.
The NetSuite Premium Sandbox is available only to customers on the Premium Service Tier.
With the NetSuite Premium Sandbox, your Sandbox account is faster, and Sandbox refreshes are processed more quickly and given higher priority.
It’s not uncommon to deploy more than one sandbox. Depending on the budget, timescales, phasing, integrations and the number of people involved in a project, it’s actually common to have two or more sandbox environments running. Particularly for large projects where extensive development, integration and testing are needed.
For example, if your business is creating large SuiteScript applications or integrations with other systems, using multiple sandbox accounts lets your developers work in separate environments, with separate data, and to test customisations autonomously.
Having a safe area where you can try out sweeping (and even small) changes to your NetSuite set-up offers a lot of benefits. Here are some of the most common reasons people turn to the Sandbox:
One of NetSuite’s biggest benefits is its extensive customisation, which lets you configure the software to meet the specific needs of your business.
However, some customisations can create unpredictable results. By using the Sandbox, you can test any and all changes you make without affecting your live system. If any clashes or breaks occur, your records and the running of your business are not impacted.
Another benefit of the Sandbox is that it can be used for training new staff. This takes the pressure off trainees, as they can roam around the system and learn by doing without worrying they’re going to break the live system!
The broad functionality of NetSuite means it’s often the backbone of a business’s most important operations, and any downtime for an ERP can have a big impact on how the business runs.
The NetSuite Sandbox reduces downtime because changes can be tested in a safe environment that has no bearing on your business. Then, once they’re established as safe, they can be put live.
When initially introducing a new NetSuite system to your business, you can create a sandbox to test the setup before launch. This lets you test all your workflows, scripts, roles and third-party integrations are working together, and also spot any opportunities for improvement.
Using a sandbox can significantly reduce the disruption of an initial implementation, too.
NetSuite releases major software updates twice a year that can add features or change the way some functions work. With a sandbox, you’re able to explore the updated versions and see how compatible they are with your customisations before rolling them out and potentially damaging your live system.
If problems do arise with your system, a sandbox gives you a space where you can replicate them and trial solutions without the risk of making the problem worse or slowing down your system.
In addition to the many functions already included in NetSuite, there are many third-party integrations, such as payment gateways and CRM features, that make it even more customisable.
However, as they are developed independently of NetSuite, there can be clashes between certain integrations. By testing them in the Sandbox first, you can see whether an integration is compatible with other ones you use, without risking the functionality of your live system.
If you’re going to use a NetSuite Sandbox, one thing you need to know about is refreshes.
When you refresh your NetSuite Sandbox account, it creates a replica of your production account at that point in time. All the configurations, data and customisations from your production account are mirrored.
It’s important to remember that all data and configurations in a sandbox are lost after a refresh.
If you need to maintain your customisations between refresh cycles, then you can use SuiteBuilder or the SuiteCloud Developer Framework to bundle up functionality and copy it from sandbox to production, or vice versa.
A Sandbox refresh typically takes less than 24 hours. This said, it can take up to 3 days, so you should bear that in mind when planning Sandbox refreshes at critical points in your NetSuite implementation project.
As useful as a NetSuite Sandbox is, it is easy to miss out on true value by using it ineffectively. Here are the mistakes you should avoid making to ensure you’re getting the most from it:
As with your live NetSuite system, the outcomes of your sandbox depend on the quality of the data you start with. If you’re using data that doesn’t reflect real scenarios for your business, then the results you see are inaccurate. The wrong data can hide critical issues that only occur when the true data is used.
Working in your sandbox is supposed to recreate the experience of working in your live system, so if you’re working in a sandbox that hasn’t refreshed, you could be missing updates or integrations. You need both systems to be in the same position, and this means refreshing your sandbox before working on it.
As a sandbox is not live, it can be tempting not to bother with steps like verifying user roles. However, this can create a number of issues with people not being able to access functions that they need, or being able to access data and information they should not be able to see.
Even well-prepared updates or integrations can encounter unexpected problems. If you only test ‘ideal world’ scenarios in your sandbox, you won’t understand what might happen if a sync fails or your data only partially transfers.
The NetSuite Sandbox and Premium Sandbox costs are dependent on the package you purchase.
There are minimum prices which apply to both, so if you have a high discount level on your modules and users, then the same discount might not apply to the Sandbox, if the discounted price is below the minimum price level.
Yes, because it’s separate from your standard NetSuite system, your sandbox is a completely safe place to make as many changes or updates as you want without ever risking your live NetSuite system.
It allows you to explore all the extensive functionality that NetSuite offers without fear of compromising business operations or important data.
There is no ‘requirement’ to use NetSuite Sandbox, but there is also no real reason not to use it either. Most implementation projects require rigorous testing, and doing this in the Sandbox means you can make as many changes or nuances, as you want without ever losing control within the project.
When it comes to major changes, it’s easier – and safer – to err on the side of caution and trial in the Sandbox first.
For more information about the NetSuite sandbox or any other questions you have about NetSuite, please feel free to get in touch.
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