📝 What Is SuiteBuilder?
SuiteBuilder is NetSuite’s point-and-click customization toolset. It allows administrators to extend NetSuite without writing code.
With SuiteBuilder, you can:
- Create custom fields, records, and forms
- Adjust sublists, tabs, and layouts
- Control permissions and visibility
- Customize dashboards and portlets (basic level)
👉 SuiteBuilder = configuration + light customization.
📝 What Is SuiteScript?
SuiteScript is NetSuite’s JavaScript-based scripting platform. It gives developers complete control to build logic, automation, and integrations.
With SuiteScript, you can:
- Automate complex processes (beyond workflows).
- Validate or manipulate data on forms in real-time.
- Integrate with external systems via REST/SOAP.
- Build custom apps, Suitelets, RESTlets, and scheduled jobs.
👉 SuiteScript = coding for advanced automation and integration.
🔧 When to Use SuiteBuilder
Choose SuiteBuilder when:
- You only need to add or remove fields.
- The requirement is UI-based (form layouts, subtabs).
- You want to capture and store simple data (e.g., warranty dates, checkboxes).
- The business rule can be handled with a workflow (SuiteFlow).
Example: Add a custom field “Urgent Order” to the Sales Order form → SuiteBuilder is enough.
🔧 When to Use SuiteScript
Choose SuiteScript when:
- You need complex logic (calculations, conditional data updates).
- The process can’t be solved with SuiteFlow or SuiteBuilder.
- You want to integrate NetSuite with external systems (e.g., Shopify, Salesforce).
- You need to build custom UIs (Suitelets) or APIs (RESTlets).
Example: Automatically calculate shipping cost from FedEx API and update the Sales Order → SuiteScript is required.
⚖️ SuiteBuilder vs SuiteScript Comparison
| Feature | SuiteBuilder | SuiteScript |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Needed | Admin knowledge | JavaScript developer |
| Setup Speed | Fast (point-and-click) | Slower (coding, testing) |
| Use Cases | Fields, forms, dashboards, workflows | Integrations, complex logic, automation |
| Maintenance | Easy for non-technical users | Requires developer support |
| Performance | Lightweight | Can be heavy (governance limits apply) |
✅ Real-World Examples
- SuiteBuilder: Add “Preferred Delivery Day” custom field on Sales Orders.
- SuiteScript: Create a scheduled script that syncs orders to Shopify every 15 minutes.
- SuiteBuilder: Hide unused tabs on a Customer form.
- SuiteScript: Validate item serial numbers against an external database before saving.
💡 Pro Tips & Best Practices
- Start with SuiteBuilder → Always see if the requirement can be solved without code.
- Use SuiteFlow as a middle ground → Automations without code.
- SuiteScript should be the last resort → Use when logic is too advanced.
- Document whether a customization is SuiteBuilder or SuiteScript for easier maintenance.
- Avoid overlapping logic → don’t mix a workflow and script for the same field unless necessary.
📌 Key Takeaways
- SuiteBuilder is best for point-and-click customization (fields, forms, dashboards).
- SuiteScript is best for complex automation and integrations.
- Always choose the simplest tool that meets the business need.
- A hybrid approach (SuiteBuilder + SuiteFlow + SuiteScript) often works best.
👉 Next Page: Best Practices for NetSuite Customization
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