NetSuite gives users multiple ways to analyze and view data. Two of the most popular options are Dashboards and SuiteAnalytics Workbooks. Both are powerful, but they serve different purposes.
In this blog, weโll break down the differences, use cases, and best practices so you can choose the right tool for your reporting needs.
๐ ๏ธ What Are NetSuite Dashboards?
A Dashboard in NetSuite is your personalized homepage. It shows a collection of portlets (widgets) that display real-time data.
Key Dashboard Features:
- KPIs โ Show metrics like revenue, expenses, orders.
- Reminders โ Alerts for pending tasks.
- Saved Search Portlets โ Display lists and summaries.
- Trend Graphs โ Visualize key metrics over time.
- Shortcuts โ Quick links to frequently used pages.
๐ Dashboards are best for daily monitoring and quick decision-making.
๐ ๏ธ What Is SuiteAnalytics Workbook?
SuiteAnalytics Workbook is a modern reporting and analysis tool in NetSuite. It provides pivot tables, charts, and datasets for deeper analysis.
Key Workbook Features:
- Pivot Tables โ Slice and dice data by multiple dimensions.
- Charts & Graphs โ Line, bar, pie, trend analysis.
- Multi-Dataset Analysis โ Combine multiple record types.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface โ No coding required.
๐ Workbooks are best for exploratory analysis and advanced reporting.
๐ Dashboards vs. Workbooks: A Comparison
| Feature | Dashboards โก | Workbooks ๐ |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Daily monitoring | Deep analysis & exploration |
| Ease of Use | Very easy (add portlets) | Intermediate (drag-and-drop analytics) |
| Visuals | KPIs, reminders, simple graphs | Advanced charts, pivot tables |
| Data Sources | Saved Searches, reports | Datasets across record types |
| Best For | Executives, managers (quick overview) | Analysts, power users (detailed insights) |
โก When to Use Dashboards
- Monitor todayโs orders, sales, and cash flow.
- Give executives a high-level overview.
- Track KPIs and reminders for daily operations.
- Provide role-specific views (e.g., CFO Dashboard vs. Sales Rep Dashboard).
โก When to Use SuiteAnalytics Workbooks
- Perform trend analysis (e.g., sales by product over 12 months).
- Build pivot tables with multiple breakdowns (e.g., region + rep + quarter).
- Compare actual vs. budgeted results.
- Create interactive reports for deeper insights.
โ Best Practices
- Start with Dashboards for operational monitoring.
- Use Workbooks when you need detailed exploration.
- Publish Workbooks to Dashboards for the best of both worlds.
- Keep dashboards clean and role-basedโavoid overloading with data.
- Document your Workbooks so others can reuse them.
๐ Real-World Example
- A CFO might use a dashboard to see KPIs like Cash Flow, Revenue, Expenses.
- The finance analyst supporting the CFO would use a Workbook to drill into Revenue by Region, by Quarter, by Product Line.
- The analyst could then publish Workbook charts directly to the CFOโs dashboard for visibility.
โ Final Thoughts
Dashboards and Workbooks are not competitorsโthey complement each other.
- Dashboards = quick visibility.
- Workbooks = deep analysis.
By using them together, you create a powerful reporting environment that supports both executives and analysts.
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