You can extend and enhance your NetSuite application with all manner of software tools and applications. But not all applications work the same way and it’s important to understand how native apps work and how they differ from integrating third-party software.
Discover what native apps are and the advantages they provide over third-party integrations and see how they might benefit your business.
Native Apps: An Overview
A native app is a software application that has been specifically developed for a particular platform or operating system. For example, there are native apps for Macs or PCs, or which work on various mobile operating systems such as iOS and Android.
NetSuite native apps are applications, modules and extensions that have been created to work seamlessly with NetSuite. They extend the core features and capabilities of NetSuite, adding functionality that optimises and enhances the platform’s performance. They are effectively “embedded” into the NetSuite platform and so use the same database, without needing to use an API or have one integrated in order to transfer data.
A wide range of apps is available, designed by both NetSuite and a number of third parties. They cater to diverse business needs, including financial management, reporting and analytics, ecommerce, supply chain and warehouse management, CRM, logistics and shipping, productivity, human resources and more.
For example, Workiro is a communication management app that provides a central repository where your teams can collaborate on tasks, documents, approvals and more, rather than using an external tool like Slack, Microsoft Teams or Jira.
And Zone is a provider of native apps that enhance financial management in NetSuite. It has an app that uses OCR technology to capture invoices, as well as other apps that streamline and automate approvals, billing and payments.
NetSuite native apps are developed using the SuiteScript programming language, which is based on JavaScript. Developers create their custom scripts, which can access and manipulate data in order to provide customised and automated business processes.
Before they are approved for use on the NetSuite platform, all native apps undergo a rigorous review process to ensure they meet NetSuite’s quality, security and data privacy standards.
Comparing Native Apps with Third-Party Integrations
At first glance, you might think that native apps and third-party integrations are the same thing. That’s not the case, though. While native apps are platform-specific, third-party integrations are external software applications. They may not have been specifically designed for the platform they are being integrated with and the development process may involve different programming conventions, languages and tools.
Because of this, third-party integrations can have limitations and performance issues. For example, since it has not specifically been designed to be compatible with your system, it may not be as responsive or work as smoothly. You can only be assured of optimal compatibility and performance by using a native app.
This carries through to the user experience. Native apps are designed to be consistent with the platform they work on. They follow a similar design incorporate the same usability and intuitive design. Third-party integrations, on the other hand, may look, feel and act very differently from NetSuite.
Native apps are also more robust than third-party integrations. They meet the same data protection and compliance standards that NetSuite demands and have been thoroughly assessed and approved. They are therefore trustworthy and reliable. Third-party integrations come with more risk, giving you concerns about security and compliance.
Another issue comes where either the platform or the software it is integrating with changes. For example, when a field name changes, or a field needs to be added, the integration “breaks” and needs to be redeveloped to incorporate the change. With a native app, this doesn’t happen, thus limiting risk.
Adding a SuiteApps native app allows you to integrate additional functionality directly into your NetSuite iteration. To use the functionality, you don’t need to leave NetSuite, switch screens or open another application. Everything is all there and accessible for you, all in one place.
Extend NetSuite with a Native App
If you’re looking to make your business run smoother, using native apps within NetSuite can benefit you, providing a more cohesive user experience as well as improved data consistency and integrity. “Built for NetSuite” native apps are endorsed by NetSuite to give you a higher level of performance and reliability compared to third-party integrations.
See our partners for more information on the range of NetSuite native apps you can incorporate.
