Best Practices for NetSuite Customization

📝 Why Best Practices Matter

Customizing NetSuite makes it more powerful, but poor customization can lead to:

• Performance issues
• Upgrade conflicts
• User confusion
• Costly rework during audits or new projects

By following best practices, you ensure your system remains scalable, maintainable, and future-proof.

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✅ 1. Use Clear Naming Conventions

• Custom Fields:
  • Transaction Body: custbody_
  • Transaction Line: custcol_
  • Entity Fields: custentity_
  • Record Fields: custrecord_
• Custom Records: Prefix with purpose, e.g., custrecord_warranty_tracking.
• Forms: Name by use case, e.g., Sales Order – Wholesale.

👉 This prevents confusion and helps developers/admins identify fields quickly.

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✅ 2. Document Every Customization

• Maintain a Customization Log (Google Sheet, Confluence, or NetSuite custom record).
• Record: field/record name, ID, purpose, owner, date created, dependencies.
• Helps during audits, troubleshooting, and onboarding new team members.

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✅ 3. Start with Point-and-Click Tools

• Use SuiteBuilder (custom fields, forms) and SuiteFlow (workflows) first.
• Only move to SuiteScript if logic cannot be handled by built-in tools.
• Keeps the system lighter and easier for admins to maintain.

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✅ 4. Test in Sandbox Before Deployment

• Always develop and test in a sandbox account.
• Validate performance, role permissions, and business logic.
• Use a staged rollout (test → pilot group → production).

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✅ 5. Manage Governance & Performance

• Limit the number of custom fields on heavily used records.
• Use summary saved searches instead of huge datasets.
• Monitor script governance units if workflows/scripts overlap.
• Archive or clean up unused forms, fields, and reports.

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✅ 6. Bundle & Version Your Customizations

• Use SuiteBundler or SuiteCloud Development Framework (SDF) to package customizations.
• Keep version numbers for scripts, workflows, and templates.
• Helps migrate from sandbox to production cleanly.

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✅ 7. Align Customizations with Business Processes

• Don’t customize just because you can.
• Every field and workflow should serve a clear business purpose.
• Regularly review with stakeholders to retire unused customizations.

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📌 Key Takeaways

• Use consistent naming conventions to avoid chaos.
• Always document, test, and version control your changes.
• Start simple with SuiteBuilder/SuiteFlow, escalate to SuiteScript only when necessary.
• Focus on performance, governance, and maintainability.
• Customizations should support — not complicate — your business processes.