By: Bobby Stevens

When your NetSuite instance needs a new feature, it’s easy to jump straight to hiring a consultant or tasking your in-house developers. But before diving into code, take a step back and examine what’s already running in your NetSuite environment. This bit of upfront analysis can save you significant headaches (and money!) down the line.

Scripts Gone Wild

Consultants, under pressure for quick and cost-effective solutions, sometimes take shortcuts. This can lead to a cluttered mess of scripts that clash with each other, causing:

• Performance Drags: Too many scripts firing on the same record can slow down your users’ experience.
• Unexpected Errors: Scripts that don’t consider each other’s actions can cause errors that are hard to trace.
• Future Headaches: A tangled web of scripts makes it harder and more expensive to add or modify features later.

The Case Against Multiple Script Deployments

A common pitfall is creating a new script deployment for every single customization on a record type (like sales orders). Don’t do this! NetSuite gives us SuiteScript modules for a reason!

The Pre-Customization Checklist

Before a single line of code is written, take the time to:

1. Scrutinize Existing Scripts: Get a clear picture of what’s already running, especially on the record type you’re targeting.
2. Embrace Modules: Instead of always creating a new script deployment, consider adding your code as a module within an existing deployment. This keeps things organized and efficient.

The Bottom Line

A little planning goes a long way in keeping your NetSuite customizations clean and performant. By understanding the existing script landscape, you empower developers to make smarter choices that benefit your business in both the short and long term.

Need Help? Let’s Connect!

I’m a certified NetSuite developer dedicated to making NetSuite work seamlessly for businesses. If you have any NetSuite development requirements, I’d be delighted to assist! Please feel free to reach out.