NetSuite Inc., the industry's leading provider of cloud-based financials / ERP and omnichannel commerce software suites, announced the new NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification Program, the first cloud ERP consultant certification program that offers professional services consultants an opportunity to validate their expertise in implementing, integrating and optimizing NetSuite cloud ERP solutions against NetSuite's best practices and methodologies for launching cloud ERP.
NetSuite's rapid growth and proven success with customers across a wide range of industries and business sizes has created rising demand for skilled NetSuite administrators and consultants that can accelerate time to value and further enhance the cost-efficiencies and business impact of a NetSuite ERP implementation. NetSuite is helping to meet this demand with a first of its kind program, based on rigorous testing with more than 100 top consultants from leading NetSuite Solution Provider partners and NetSuite Professional Services.
NetSuite Solution Provider partners that employ certified consultants stand to improve deployment effectiveness, return on investment and customer satisfaction while making their firms more appealing to prospective clients. Individual consultants with NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification are positioned to enhance their contributions to their firms and firms' clients while heightening their employability. Certified consultants receive a NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification logo that can be used on business cards and in digital signature blocks.
Registration for the program is now open at the NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification web page. Certification is based on passing two rigorous exams that test both baseline and advanced knowledge of NetSuite-specific ERP implementation and best practices. Generally, two years of experience in implementing NetSuite ERP and a NetSuite training curriculum is advisable for those interested in taking the certification tests. The tests can be taken at more than 600 locations around the world. Beyond ERP Consultant certification, plans are in the works to offer additional NetSuite role-specific certifications next year.
The NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification program incorporates valuable feedback from a host of NetSuite Solution Provider partners that participated in a thorough beta program, including Accenture, Aminian Business Services, Deloitte, Demand Solutions Group, ERP Guru, Explore Consulting, First Hosted, TrueCloud, McGladrey, Ncompass Business Solutions, NetSoft, NXTurn, Sixred and The New Office.
The program also builds on the proven NetSuite ERP implementation methodology, the basis for recent NetSuite ERP implementations by NetSuite Professional Services at customers such as Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, which has deployed NetSuite OneWorld in a two-tier ERP model to run a new production plant in China and 10 international subsidiaries, and Williams-Sonoma, the North America-based multi-channel retailer of high-quality products for the home, which has deployed NetSuite OneWorld and NetSuite SuiteCommerce as the platform for its launch of four new retail stores and four branded Ecommerce websites in Australia.
In addition, the new NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification program aligns with a similar program called "Built for NetSuite," launched in May, for NetSuite SuiteCloud Developer Network (SDN) partners to certify that their ISV applications built to extend the NetSuite platform meet strict standards of quality, security and privacy.
The NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification program helps consultants adapt to the large-scale changes in the way that customer organizations evaluate and engage a solution provider partner. Unlike the word-of-mouth and phone call processes of yesteryear, prospective clients today typically evaluate service and solution providers over the web by such measures as certification, demonstrable expertise, recommendations, thought leadership and brand or personal image—all before making a phone call.
The NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification program enables consultants to gain independent validation of their knowledge and skills, thus increasing customer confidence in a quality implementation while enhancing their own marketability, as well as that of their firms.
"As a beta partner, we've very impressed with the rigorous planning, testing and iterations that went into a comprehensive certification program that addresses a fast-growing market need," said Matt Kenney, Technology Consulting Principal at McGladrey. "Client organizations will only benefit with the assurance that select consultants possess the knowledge and skills to guide NetSuite ERP implementations that deliver maximum business impact."
"As more and more organizations turn to NetSuite for their ERP needs, the demand for proven, top-caliber consulting and implementation services has never been greater," said Martin McNicoll, President at ERP Guru, NetSuite Solution Provider. "We applaud the NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification Program as decidedly positive for both client organizations and the NetSuite Solution Provider partner community."