If you're a wholesale distributor evaluating ERP systems, chances are NetSuite is on your radar. As one of the most powerful cloud-based ERP platforms available, NetSuite offers a complete suite of tools for inventory management, order processing, accounting, and CRM—all in one unified platform.

But before diving into a NetSuite implementation for your wholesale company, it’s important to be prepared. A well-planned implementation can unlock huge efficiency gains. A poorly planned one can create confusion and frustration.

Here are 7 key things to know before getting started:

1. Inventory Setup Is the Foundation

For wholesale companies, inventory accuracy is critical. Before going live, make sure you’ve cleaned up your item master data. This includes SKU structure, units of measure, reorder points, lead times, and pricing. NetSuite’s advanced inventory management tools can streamline your operations—but only if your setup is clean.

2. Map Out Your Fulfillment Processes

Wholesale distributors often have complex fulfillment workflows—drop shipping, multi-warehouse shipping, or working with third-party logistics (3PL) partners. NetSuite supports all these models, but your implementation must reflect your actual process flow. Spend time up front documenting how orders are fulfilled, so you can configure NetSuite to match.

3. Plan for Tiered Pricing and Discounts

Many wholesale businesses offer volume-based pricing or customer-specific discounts. NetSuite offers flexible pricing tiers, customer groups, and promotional pricing features. Building these into your implementation will eliminate manual pricing adjustments and reduce errors.

4. Use Saved Searches and Dashboards to Drive Visibility

NetSuite’s reporting engine is highly customizable. Wholesale companies often need visibility into metrics like gross margin by item, sales by customer group, or aging inventory. Setting up saved searches and role-based dashboards early ensures your team has the data they need from day one.

5. Integrations Can Make or Break Your Workflow

NetSuite integrates with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, EDI providers, and shipping carriers. Identify early which systems need to connect and whether you’ll use tools like Celigo or Workato to streamline the data flow. A smooth integration strategy reduces manual entry and ensures data consistency across platforms.

6. Get Buy-In from Key Departments

One of the most overlooked challenges in ERP implementation is change management. NetSuite will touch every part of your business—from sales and purchasing to accounting and fulfillment. Engage stakeholders early, involve them in testing, and provide plenty of training. The more your team understands NetSuite, the faster adoption will happen.

7. Work With a Partner Who Understands Wholesale

NetSuite is powerful, but it's not a plug-and-play system. Working with an implementation partner who has deep experience in the wholesale and distribution space can save time, reduce costs, and ensure the system is configured for your business model.

Final Thoughts

A successful NetSuite implementation for wholesale companies isn’t just about software—it’s about aligning people, processes, and data in a unified system. By taking the time to plan ahead, clean up your data, and configure NetSuite to your real-world workflows, your team can hit the ground running and start seeing ROI quickly.

If you’re considering NetSuite for your wholesale business, working with an experienced implementation partner can make all the difference.