When talking about big business platforms, you have to mention NetSuite and HubSpot because they’re the two most powerful.
NetSuite is a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, which does an excellent job of managing financials, inventory, and other core business processes.
At the same time, HubSpot is a leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool that helps businesses improve interactions with customers, automate marketing, and manage their sales pipelines.
Putting them together means getting the best of both worlds, and it makes a lot of sense for businesses that want to use their data to its full potential, unify their operations, and make smarter decisions across all departments.
Let’s get deeper into it!
Why Even Integrate NetSuite and HubSpot?
Well, as we all know, communication is key. And having it so that your customer-facing activities and your back-end operations communicate effectively can hugely benefit almost any type of business. Making informed, data-based decisions is the future, and connecting these two platforms will help you do just that. It will also result in less human error and more automated workflows.
- Streamlined Operations
One of the most important benefits of integrating NetSuite and HubSpot is not having to enter the data manually. Not only does this save time, but it also prevents having to do the work twice, so the operations are smoother and more efficient.
- More Accurate Data
With real-time updates between NetSuite and HubSpot, the data in both systems stays consistent and accurate. This helps avoid mistakes and ensures everyone is working with the same information.
- Making Better Decisions
With a complete view of your business data, it makes it easier to make quick, informed decisions based on accurate, up-to-date information.
2 Common Challenges During the NetSuite and HubSpot Integration (And How To Deal With Them)
We’ve covered that integrating these two platforms has a lot of benefits and can make your life easier. But all these benefits come AFTER a successful integration, and that usually has some hiccups along the way. Let’s point them out and see what you can do to resolve them successfully.
- Technical Barriers
One of the biggest issues with the NetSuite and HubSpot integration is dealing with the technical aspects, like APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). The problem happens when these two systems just don’t “talk” to each other easily because they’re not compatible.
To handle this, you want to use pre-built integration tools or platforms that are designed specifically for connecting NetSuite and HubSpot. A lot of these tools make the process simpler and minimize the need for coding/developers. Another thing you can do is partner with a developer/consultant that specializes in integrations.
- Data Synchronization
Another issue is that the data between NetSuite and HubSpot doesn’t transfer smoothly. Sometimes, data mapping (which means making sure the right information from one system matches up with the right place in the other system) can cause problems. There’s also the issue with the speed, where the data doesn’t move fast enough between the systems. This can delay updates.
Luckily, there are ways of fixing all of this. As far as data mapping issues go, plan the data mapping process to make sure the information flows correctly between the two systems. And when it comes to issues with speed, use a middleware integration platform that offers real-time data syncing to speed the process up and handle delays.
How to Make the Integration Easier
If you follow some basic preparatory steps, the whole integration can be so much simpler. Here are some simple tips.
- Define Business Goals
Ask yourself what you do you want to get with this integration and how it works with your goals. When you have a clear definition of what you’re going for, it will help guide the integration process and make sure it benefits your business in the right ways.
- Use the Right Tools
This is key if you want the integration to go smoothly. You’ll find several options available, like pre-built connectors that make the process simpler but are basic or integration platforms that are more flexible. If your business has unique needs or has a lot of custom-tailored data on either end (Hubspot or NetSuite), then you’ll need a custom solution. For the custom integration, it’s best to hire a developer, as it can be code-heavy and requires careful handling for the customized data to retain its integrity.
Using tools that are designed for the integration of NetSuite and HubSpot can save you time, plus you’ll stumble upon fewer complications in the long run.
- Test and Validate the Integration
Once everything is set up, you need to test it to ensure the data flows correctly between NetSuite and HubSpot. This means checking workflows, seeing if all data is accurately transferred, and fixing issues that come up along the way.
Conclusion
If you decide to integrate NetSuite and HubSpot, be prepared for some possible challenges during the process itself. But, once everything is set up, you’ll thank yourself for having the patience to get it done. This is because, from now on, you’ll be working with more accurate, up-to-date information and greater efficiency.
