What is NetSuite ERP and how does it work?

Running a business means keeping financials, inventory, and operations aligned. That's not easy when systems don’t talk to each other.

NetSuite ERP helps by centralizing key workflows into a single platform, giving teams real-time visibility into everything from orders to accounting. And when you connect Ramp to NetSuite, you take that a step further by automating spend, syncing transactions instantly, and closing the books faster.

Here’s a closer look at how NetSuite works.

What is NetSuite ERP?

NetSuite ERP is built to provide real-time financial insights, automate workflows across departments and business functions, and improve global operations with support for multiple subsidiaries, currencies, and compliance standards. All these capabilities add up to help businesses simplify complex workflows and scale efficiently.

How does NetSuite ERP work?

NetSuite is a cloud ERP system, which means users access the software through a web browser from the device of their choice. NetSuite’s multi-tenant cloud design ensures all user data is stored separately and securely; there’s no local or on-premises option to access NetSuite ERP, so you don’t have to configure your own servers or manually update the software.

NetSuite’s centralized database connects finance, inventory, supply chain management, and more into one system, improving visibility and reducing bottlenecks and errors. Its extensive collection of additional modules offers custom workflows, dashboards, and processes, supported by intuitive drag-and-drop tools and regular software updates and upgrades.

Beyond that, NetSuite’s cloud-based ERP software offers functionality that meaningfully improves your operations. Here’s how:

• Automation at its core: Streamlines time-consuming tasks like financial reconciliations and inventory insights, allowing your team to focus on growth and strategy rather than routine manual tasks
• Global readiness: Supports multiple currencies, languages, and tax regulations, making it particularly valuable for international businesses
• Org-wide consistency: Helps manage complex supply chains and standardize processes across subsidiaries, enhancing efficiency and consistency

NetSuite's built-in business intelligence tools provide valuable insights through customizable dashboards and reporting options, helping you identify inefficiencies and opportunities. Role-based access ensures team members have exactly the tools and information they need—nothing more, nothing less.

What features are included in NetSuite ERP?

NetSuite ERP offers a comprehensive feature set that emphasizes scalability. It’s designed to streamline operations and enable better decision-making.

Here’s a breakdown of some of its core features:

• Accounting software: Manages the general ledger, simplifies tax compliance, accounts payable, and provides real-time data on cash flow and financial performance
• Financial management: Simplifies revenue recognition, month-end close, and regulatory reporting processes
• Global business management: Helps you manage multiple currencies, languages, and tax laws while offering real-time visibility across global subsidiaries
• Planning and budgeting: Supports detailed budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning with advanced statistical models
• Inventory management: Provides real-time inventory updates in a single view, and tools like reorder alerts and cycle counts to maintain ideal stock levels
• Procurement: Optimizes procure-to-pay processes with vendor management, performance tracking, and automated purchase orders
• Customer relationship management (CRM): Delivers a 360-degree view of customers to improve lead management, sales forecasting, and targeted marketing
• Payroll: Automates earnings, deductions, and tax calculations, streamlines direct deposits and tax filings, and ensures compliance with employment laws

Together, these tools eliminate fragmented systems and manual errors, giving your business the clarity and control you need in a single ERP solution.

Who uses NetSuite?

NetSuite serves businesses of all sizes, from small businesses and startups to global enterprises. It’s particularly valuable for companies looking to scale efficiently or manage complex operations across international borders.

NetSuite adapts to meet the unique demands of various industries, which include:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Retail and ecommerce
• Manufacturing
• Professional services
• Wholesale distribution
• SaaS and technology
• Food and beverage industry
• Advertising and digital marketing

NetSuite’s versatility allows it to adapt to any business, providing the tools you need to improve operations and make more informed decisions no matter your industry.

Why do NetSuite ERP integrations matter?

While NetSuite is powerful on its own, integrations with third-party tools like Ramp can unlock its full potential. These integrations deliver additional functionality for specific needs, from automating business processes to increasing control and visibility.

By extending NetSuite’s capabilities, integrations like Ramp enable you to further optimize your processes and reduce manual work, making the platform even more effective.

Sync transactions to NetSuite with one click

Automate busywork and close your books faster with Ramp's no-code NetSuite integration

Integrate with Ramp

Why integrate Ramp with NetSuite?

Ramp’s Built-for-NetSuite integration connects your corporate cards, reimbursements, bill payments, and purchase orders directly to NetSuite in real time. NetSuite remains as your system of record while Ramp brings in automation that eliminates manual uploads, reconciliations, and data entry.

We’ve put together a list of Ramp and NetSuite common questions to help you get started. But here’s what you can expect once your systems are connected.

Sync Ramp and NetSuite in real-time

Card transactions, bills, reimbursements, and purchase orders are instantly synced from Ramp into NetSuite without the need for CSVs or manual reconciliation. Whether updates happen in Ramp or NetSuite, your data stays accurate and up to date in both places.

Manage multi-entity and global finance structures

Ramp mirrors your NetSuite subsidiary setup, supporting multi-entity workflows, multi-currency transactions, and intercompany clearing. This reduces the need for intercompany transactions between entities and helps keep your books clean. Teams can manage local approvals and coding rules while still maintaining accurate, consolidated reporting.

Accruals that post and reverse automatically

Ramp posts an accrual journal entry for any transaction that isn’t ready to sync by month-end, then reverses it on the first day of the following month. Every transaction lands in the right period without the need to hold books open to catch stragglers.

Reconciliation that surfaces mismatches instantly

Ramp automatically flags and surfaces any discrepancies between Ramp and NetSuite, so you tie out quickly and confidently every month without the need for manual spreadsheet work.

Code transactions using your NetSuite chart of accounts

Ramp pulls in every account, department, class, location, and custom segment from NetSuite. These are enforced at the line level in Ramp, so transactions are coded accurately before they ever hit your books.

Automate purchase order matching and invoice workflows

Ramp supports 3-way match by referencing PO and invoice data from NetSuite and tracking receipt status within Ramp. This gives finance teams visibility into the full procurement process without managing separate systems or duplicating data, while keeping NetSuite as the source of truth.

Recognize amortized expenses through Ramp AP automation

Ramp lets you apply amortization templates from NetSuite directly within its AP workflow. This helps you recognize large expenses over time, keeping your books compliant and your reporting accurate.

Automate accounting tasks and approvals across tools

Ramp rules can automatically code expenses, trigger multi-level approvals, and collect receipts from tools like Gmail, Lyft, and Amazon Business. Every transaction posts back to NetSuite with linked documentation for easier audits.

Rely on a secure, enterprise-ready integration

Ramp is SOC 2 compliant and certified Built-for-NetSuite, so your IT and audit teams can trust its performance, security, and data quality across every transaction.

Case study: How integrating Ramp with NetSuite streamlined accounting for Clearbit

Clearbit’s accounting team struggled with a 10-day month-end close, hampered by manual processes in NetSuite. And while their legacy corporate card provider offered an integration, it was ineffective at best, creating additional work and slowing operations.

When Clearbit adopted Ramp, its native integration with NetSuite helped automate transaction coding and reduced manual effort. Within two weeks, the system was fully operational, allowing the team to transition away from time-consuming reconciliations to more strategic, high-value work.

The impact of integrating Ramp with NetSuite included:

• Faster time to close: Clearbit shortened its month-end close by over 60%, from 10 days to just three to four
• Automated coding: 100% of transactions are now automatically coded, ensuring accuracy
• Tighter headcount: The streamlined process allowed Clearbit to maintain a lean accounting team while focusing on strategic tasks
• Improved spend insights: Ramp’s integration provided clear visibility into spend data, enabling more effective expense management and comprehensive financial reporting
• Cost savings: Clearbit saved well over $50,000 in product savings and $6,100 in insights by using Ramp.

“Ramp is literally plug-and-play with NetSuite. It saves us time and money, allowing us to focus on what matters most,” said Kay Coolican, Accounting Manager at Clearbit.

Clearbit’s experience highlights how Ramp and NetSuite complement each other to simplify accounting workflows and improve your ERP implementation. Together, they offer businesses a practical, effective solution for boosting efficiency and getting deeper insights from their financial metrics.

Make finance faster with Ramp and NetSuite

Ramp and NetSuite work side by side to streamline financial operations. NetSuite centralizes your data and workflows. Ramp removes manual tasks like coding, syncing, and approvals while keeping everything aligned across systems.

Cut the close time, clean the data, and keep your systems in sync. Start with Ramp's Built for NetSuite integration.