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The release of NetSuite version 11 is imminent. So the natural questions from
prospects and new customers are what should I expect? How will it affect
me? What do I need to do?
Most if not all of the upgrade will happen on the weekend. So you and your
business users will notice nothing during regular business hours.
Also, the update will roll out in small waves. First to a core group of
customers who have agreed to test beta upgrades. Then, after the any problems
with the initial group are found and fixed, the update is rolled out to
groups of companies over a several week period.
Are there going to be some issues? Of course there will be. This is software
after all and software will always have issues during an update. But will it
take down your business? If there are critical issues they will receive the
highest attention and, if need be, they will be fixed as soon as possible, even
during business hours, but without taking down the system.
The whole update process, for which NetSuite has a patent pending, will take
roughly 6 weeks to complete. One important thing for customers will be to read
the update document. It's amazing to learn how little some customers take
advantage of the software. Keep up with new releases as they may offer functions
that are very important to your business.
So what's the difference between a NetSuite update and the typical on-premise
software upgrade? First of all you so not have to pay separately for the
upgrade. It's included in the license subscription. Second, there are no
backup-install-recover headaches to go through. You will not receive a bunch of
disks in the mail with a long explanation of how to install them in the system.
And you will not get stuck in the middle of the installation and have to call
support for clarification. Nor will you have to come in on a Saturday to get it
done off hours.
This is on-demand computing at its best. It releases business managers from
the chores and frustration of the typical on-premise package. Concentrate on
your core business, we'll worry about the database and the servers. Take care of
your customers, we'll take care of the technology. | 
