How to Ship an Order in NetSuite

Are you struggling with shipping orders efficiently in NetSuite? With the rise of e-commerce, proper order fulfillment has become a crucial part of running a successful business. In this article, we will guide you through the process of shipping an order in NetSuite, ensuring a smooth and timely delivery for your customers.

What is NetSuite?

NetSuite is a cloud-based business management software that offers a variety of functionalities, including financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), and e-commerce. It serves as a centralized platform for businesses to effectively manage their operations, streamline processes, and gain real-time visibility into their data.

By automating tasks and improving efficiency, NetSuite helps organizations make data-driven decisions and effectively manage sales orders, inventory, shipping, and fulfillment processes. With its integrated features, NetSuite provides a flexible and scalable solution that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of businesses, empowering them to scale and grow.

In 2016, NetSuite was acquired by Oracle Corporation for $9.3 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in the software industry.

Why Is Shipping Important in NetSuite?

Shipping is a crucial aspect of NetSuite for various reasons. Firstly, efficient shipping is essential in ensuring timely delivery, which leads to customer satisfaction and loyalty. It also helps in maintaining a positive reputation and building trust with customers. Secondly, accurate shipping information enables proper inventory management, reducing errors and minimizing costs. Thirdly, NetSuite’s shipping functionality streamlines the order fulfillment process, improving overall efficiency. Lastly, shipping plays a vital role in tracking and monitoring shipments, allowing businesses to provide real-time updates to customers.

Overall, shipping is of utmost importance in NetSuite as it directly impacts customer experience, inventory management, operational efficiency, and customer communication.

How to Set Up Shipping in NetSuite?

In order to efficiently manage your orders in NetSuite, it is crucial to have a streamlined shipping process in place. This section will guide you through the necessary steps to set up shipping in NetSuite. We will begin with creating shipping items, followed by setting up shipping methods, and finally, configuring shipping rules. By the end, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to set up shipping in NetSuite and ensure a smooth order fulfillment process.

1. Create Shipping Items

Setting up your shipping process in NetSuite is essential, and creating shipping items is a crucial step in this process.

1. Log in to your NetSuite account and go to the Setup menu.
2. Select Items/Inventory, then click on Shipping Items.
3. Click on New and fill in the required information for the shipping item, such as the item name, description, and weight.
4. Choose the appropriate packaging type for the item, whether it’s a box, envelope, or pallet.
5. Assign a shipping cost to the item if necessary.
6. Save the shipping item, and it will be available for use in your shipping process.

Creating shipping items in NetSuite allows you to accurately track and manage your inventory and shipping costs, ensuring a smooth and efficient shipping process.

The concept of shipping items has a long history, dating back centuries. In ancient times, goods were transported via ships, carts, and even on the backs of animals. As trade and commerce evolved, so did the need for organized shipping methods. Today, with the rise of e-commerce, creating shipping items in NetSuite has become a vital component in streamlining the shipping process for businesses worldwide.

2. Set Up Shipping Methods

To establish shipping methods in NetSuite, follow these steps:

1. Create Shipping Items: Define the shipping services you offer, such as standard, expedited, or international shipping.
2. Set Up Shipping Methods: Configure the specific carriers and services you use for shipping, like UPS, FedEx, or USPS.
3. Configure Shipping Rules: Define rules for automatically assigning shipping methods based on criteria such as weight, destination, or customer preferences.

By completing these steps, you can easily manage and streamline your shipping processes within NetSuite.

3. Configure Shipping Rules

To configure shipping rules in NetSuite, follow these steps:

1. Access the NetSuite dashboard and navigate to the Shipping Rules section.
2. Click on “Create New Rule” to begin configuring a new shipping rule.
3. Specify the conditions for the rule, such as order value, destination, or shipping method.
4. Define the actions that should be taken when the conditions are met, such as applying a specific shipping rate or offering free shipping.
5. Save the shipping rule and make sure it is activated to start applying it to orders.

How to Ship an Order in NetSuite?

Shipping orders is a crucial aspect of any business, and with the help of NetSuite, it can be seamless and efficient. In this section, we’ll walk you through the necessary steps to successfully ship an order in NetSuite. From creating a sales order to selecting the right shipping method and generating a shipping label, we’ll cover it all. With these easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be able to ship your orders with ease and accuracy using NetSuite. Let’s get started!

1. Create a Sales Order

Creating a sales order in NetSuite involves several steps:

1. Access the NetSuite platform and navigate to the Sales Order module.
2. Click on “Create Sales Order” to begin a new order.
3. Enter the required customer information, including name, address, and contact details.
4. Select the desired items and specify the quantity for the customer’s purchase.
5. Set the pricing and apply any applicable discounts or promotions.
6. Choose the preferred shipping method based on the customer’s needs and preferences.
7. Review the order details and make any necessary adjustments.
8. Save the sales order and generate an order number for future reference.
9. Send a confirmation email to the customer to inform them of the order.

2. Select Shipping Method

When utilizing NetSuite for shipping, it is crucial to select the appropriate shipping method to ensure efficient and timely delivery.

1. Access the NetSuite system and navigate to the Sales Order module.
2. Open the relevant sales order and proceed to select a shipping method.
3. In the Shipping subtab, locate the “Shipping Method” field.
4. Click on the dropdown menu and choose the desired shipping method from the available options.
5. If the desired shipping method is not listed, check if it needs to be added to the system or seek assistance from your administrator.
6. After selecting the shipping method, save the changes to update the sales order with the chosen method.

3. Generate Shipping Label

To create a shipping label in NetSuite, simply follow these steps:

1. Create a Sales Order in NetSuite for the desired order to be shipped.
2. Select the appropriate shipping method from the available options.
3. After choosing the shipping method, click on the option to generate a shipping label.

By following these steps, you can easily generate a shipping label for any order in NetSuite. This label can then be printed and attached to the package for shipment.

How to Track Shipped Orders in NetSuite?

Once you have successfully shipped an order in NetSuite, the next step is to track its status. This section will guide you through the various methods of tracking shipped orders in NetSuite. We will first explore the use of the Shipping Dashboard, a centralized tool for monitoring all shipping activities. Then, we will show you how to view the shipping status directly on the sales order, providing a more detailed look at each shipped item. By the end, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively track your shipped orders in NetSuite.

1. Use the Shipping Dashboard

The NetSuite Shipping Dashboard is a convenient and centralized location for managing and tracking shipping activities. To effectively use this tool, follow these simple steps:

1. First, log in to your NetSuite account and navigate to the Shipping Dashboard.
2. From the dashboard, you will have an overview of all shipping-related information, including pending shipments, shipped orders, and tracking numbers.
3. To access more detailed information about a specific shipment, simply click on the relevant shipping record. This will display the shipment details, such as the shipping carrier, tracking number, and delivery status.
4. You can also utilize filters and search options to find specific shipments or orders.
5. The Shipping Dashboard can be customized to display the information most relevant to your business. You have the flexibility to add or remove columns, rearrange information, and create personalized views.
6. In addition, the dashboard provides access to shipping reports, allowing you to analyze shipping performance, track trends, and identify areas for improvement.
7. By regularly utilizing the Shipping Dashboard, you can effectively monitor and manage your shipping operations, ensuring timely deliveries and customer satisfaction.

2. View the Shipping Status on the Sales Order

To check the shipping status of a sales order in NetSuite, follow these steps:

1. Open the sales order in NetSuite.
2. Navigate to the “Shipping” section of the order.
3. Look for the “Shipping Status” field, which indicates the current status of the shipment.
4. The shipping status can be “Not Shipped” if the order has not yet been shipped, “Partially Shipped” if only some items have been shipped, or “Shipped” if the entire order has been shipped.
5. You can also find additional details about the shipment, such as the tracking number and carrier used, in this section.
6. If needed, you can manually update or change the shipping status in NetSuite.

What Are the Best Practices for Shipping in NetSuite?

In order to efficiently manage your business’s shipping process, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the best practices for shipping in NetSuite. By following these practices, you can ensure that your orders are shipped accurately and in a timely manner. In this section, we’ll discuss three key practices for shipping in NetSuite, including keeping shipping items and methods up to date, utilizing shipping rules for automation, and utilizing third-party shipping integrations. These practices will help streamline your shipping process and improve overall customer satisfaction.

1. Keep Shipping Items and Methods Up to Date

To ensure smooth shipping processes in NetSuite, it is crucial to regularly review and update the list of shipping items and methods. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Regularly review and update the list of shipping items in NetSuite, ensuring accurate and specific descriptions for each item.
2. Stay informed about changes in shipping carriers and services to keep shipping methods up to date.
3. Regularly review and update shipping rates and fees for each shipping method to reflect any changes from carriers.

By regularly reviewing and updating shipping items and methods, you can ensure accurate and efficient shipping processes in NetSuite, avoiding any confusion or delays.

A company learned from their experience of neglecting to update their shipping methods in NetSuite, resulting in incorrect shipping rates being applied to customer orders. This led to financial losses and customer dissatisfaction. To prevent this from happening again, they implemented a regular review and update process for shipping items and methods, ensuring accurate rates and efficient shipping operations.

2. Utilize Shipping Rules for Automation

Utilizing shipping rules in NetSuite can greatly automate and streamline your shipping processes. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Identify your specific shipping requirements and criteria.
2. Create custom shipping rules based on factors like item type, destination, weight, or order value.
3. Configure actions for each rule, such as selecting a preferred shipping method, applying discounts, or triggering notifications.
4. Test and refine your shipping rules to ensure they are accurately applied.

By leveraging shipping rules in NetSuite, you can automate order routing, reduce manual intervention, and improve overall efficiency. Pro-tip: Regularly review and update your shipping rules to adapt to changing business needs and optimize your shipping workflows.

3. Use Third-Party Shipping Integrations

Integrating third-party shipping solutions with NetSuite can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of your shipping process. Here are the steps to successfully use third-party shipping integrations in NetSuite:

1. Research and select a compatible shipping integration provider.
2. Install and configure the shipping integration within NetSuite.
3. Connect your NetSuite account with the chosen shipping integration.
4. Set up shipping preferences, such as shipping carriers and service levels, within the integration.
5. Import orders from NetSuite into the shipping integration for processing.
6. Generate shipping labels, tracking numbers, and other necessary shipping documentation through the integration.
7. Update shipment details and tracking information within NetSuite using the integration’s syncing capabilities.
8. Monitor and track shipments through the integration’s dashboard or within NetSuite.

Integrating third-party shipping solutions can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of your shipping process.