Unlocking the Power of NetSuite: Demystifying Account Types

Author

mirketa

October 9, 2023

An account serves as your operational hub within NetSuite, and there’s more to it than just a production environment. NetSuite offers a range of account types, each catering to specific needs. Let’s delve into the diverse world of NetSuite accounts:

The Production Account

The production account is where you do the daily work necessary to run your business. Most users will spend most of their time working on the production account.

Users access their production account by simply logging into their Netsuite account with an email address and password. Production account URLs are like “www.123456.app.netsuite.com”.

The Release Preview Account

All customers with a NetSuite production account can request access to a Release Preview account when it becomes available. Release Preview is accessible twice a year, just before each NetSuite release. This account empowers you to evaluate your daily business processes using the new features of the impending release. The goal is to ensure a seamless and fluid transition to the upcoming version.

Initially, access to the Release Preview account is granted only to users with an Administrator role. A user with Administrator privileges must log into NetSuite and switch roles to the Release Preview Administrator role. Administrators can then extend Release Preview access to other users as required for testing purposes.

When you submit a request for a Release Preview account, you gain entry several weeks ahead of your production account’s scheduled upgrade to the latest NetSuite release. Notifications containing comprehensive information about Release Preview availability are dispatched to administrators. Additionally, Release Preview availability details are posted on the New Release portlet, ensuring everyone stays informed.

The Sandbox Account

A NetSuite sandbox functions as a secure and isolated testing environment, allowing you to develop and experiment with new applications and customizations without any impact on your production account. For every production account, you can have one or multiple sandboxes set up. Each sandbox account mirrors your production account’s configuration, data, and customizations.

Sandbox accounts are perfect for:

Testing customization elements before deployment.
Resolving issues with existing customizations.
Exploring third-party integration features.
Training staff in current and new business practices within an environment that mimics your production account.

Activities performed within sandbox accounts, such as entering transactions, deleting records, or customizing forms, do not influence your actual NetSuite production account. You have the freedom to make alterations to a sandbox account without affecting your production data.

Sandbox accounts can be periodically refreshed from the production account upon your request. This can be managed through the Sandbox Accounts page within your production account. If you’re on the Premium, Enterprise, or Ultimate service tier, you can refresh each of your sandbox accounts either from your production account or another sandbox account.

You need multiple sandbox accounts if you have multiple large projects which need distinct accounts for User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

The Development Account

NetSuite development accounts provide an isolated environment for developing and testing new applications and customizations without impacting your production account. To make the most of development accounts, it’s advisable to begin using them at the outset of a new project. Transitioning to a development account midway through a project in your sandbox could be challenging. It’s better to conclude ongoing sandbox projects and initiate new ones within the development account.

Development accounts mirror your company’s production account in terms of features and NetSuite-provisioned SuiteApps, but they exclude any production data. You have the flexibility to populate the account with specific data required for development and testing purposes. Since development accounts lack production data, they’re suitable for collaborating with external partners on development initiatives. However, it’s prudent to input non-sensitive test data into development accounts to maintain data security.

Choosing between Sandbox and Development Netsuite Accounts

It might be confusing to know when to use Netsuite Sandbox or Netsuite Development Account. If you’re just making small changes to your Netsuite account that don’t need a lot of testing before putting them into action, the Sandbox is fine. But if you’re working on bigger changes, customizations, or connecting Netsuite with other systems, a Development account gives you more control and options. If you’re dealing with sensitive information, a Development account is better because it keeps things secure.

At Mirketa, we consider what your project needs and suggest the right accounts to use. This helps you save money on setting up or changing things and ensures your project works well.

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