NetSuite's financial reporting features

Bridging the Gap: How AI and ESG Are Shaping the Future of Finance Teams

AIESGNetSuite Financial Management
NetSuite's financial reporting features
  • AI, ESG, NetSuite Financial Management

Gone are the days when the finance function was simply about closing the books. As expectations shift, finance leaders are stepping into more strategic roles, helping to shape long-term success across the business. 

Two key forces are driving this transformation: the rise of AI and the growing importance of ESG. Once considered future-focused, both areas are quickly becoming relevant as businesses aim to improve efficiency, manage risk, and meet the demands of stakeholders. 

In response, many finance teams are re-evaluating their processes, technology, and skillsets — searching for smarter ways to manage data, support automation, and contribute to ESG goals. These themes were central to a recent NetSuite webinar titled Top Trends Supporting Businesses to Maximise Success, which explored how organisations can prepare for the future by aligning people, processes, and technology. Here’s a look at the key takeaways. 

Aligning Technology, Processes, and People

The webinar highlighted a clear starting point: before AI can deliver real value, businesses need strong foundational processes and systems. As NetSuite experts highlighted, AI is only as effective as the data and workflows it’s built upon. When implemented correctly, AI can: 

• Automate manual tasks and reduce human error 

• Improve forecasting through predictive modelling 

• Enhance scenario planning and supply chain risk analysis 

• Accelerate access to business-critical insights  

But it’s not about replacing people, it’s about freeing them up. AI enables finance teams to move from data gathering to data interpretation, allowing for better decision-making. 

This is where modern financial accounting software like NetSuite makes a difference. With built-in automation, real-time reporting, and intelligent workflows, NetSuite helps finance teams shift gears from reactive to proactive, and from operational to strategic.

ESG Reporting Is Rising Up the Agenda 

With regulatory pressures mounting, particularly the EU requirements for ESG reporting starting with financial year-ends in 2025, the finance function is being called on to play a pivotal role in gathering, validating, and reporting ESG data. 

The key message from the webinar? Start now. 

Integrating ESG into your financial systems today helps avoid a scramble later. NetSuite’s unified data model, for instance, supports ESG tracking by combining financial and operational data giving teams a single source of truth. AI can also help simplify ESG efforts by: 

• Collecting and analysing environmental and social impact data 

• Automating ESG reporting 

• Monitoring progress against sustainability targets in real time 

By embedding ESG into core systems and processes now, finance teams can move beyond compliance to create genuine competitive advantage — building trust with stakeholders and increasing long-term resilience. 

OSSM is actively supporting businesses on this journey, helping teams align ESG tracking and reporting within their existing NetSuite systems. 

Why Many Finance Teams Are Still Struggling 

Despite these opportunities, many businesses are still facing barriers that limit agility and insight. The webinar highlighted common roadblocks, including: 

• Legacy systems that aren’t truly cloud-based 

• Fragmented data and siloed teams 

• Manual processes that are time-consuming and error-prone 

• Limited collaboration across functions 

These issues not only slow down reporting, but they also make it harder to respond to market changes or meet evolving compliance requirements. 

The takeaway? Now is the time to modernise. Teams need flexible, scalable systems that support automation, real-time insight, and continuous improvement. 

Laying the Groundwork for Smarter Finance

Every organisation is at a different stage of transformation, but the best starting point is to evaluate where your finance team stands today. Here are some practical steps inspired by the webinar: 

• Map out your current processes: Identify bottlenecks and duplication 

• Review your tech stack: Are your systems supporting or hindering progress? 

• Engage your team: Upskill staff to work with new tools and interpret new data 

• Connect with leadership: Show how finance transformation supports broader goals 

Whether you’re preparing for ESG compliance or exploring AI capabilities, a strong foundation in people, processes, and technology is key. 

Looking Ahead

Whether your organisation is preparing for ESG compliance, seeking better reporting, or exploring how AI can support automation and analysis, finance teams have a unique opportunity to lead meaningful business transformation. 

From engaging with organisations across Ireland and the UK, it’s clear that future-ready finance teams are taking proactive steps today. Rather than waiting, they’re embracing innovation to stay ahead and add strategic value across the business. 

Let our team here at OSSM guide you on the right ERP journey to meet your current and future challenges. Are you ready to modernise your finance and ERP systems for long-term success? Book a NetSuite demo and discover how a unified platform can simplify your processes and drive true business transformation. 

About the Author

Picture of Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan is the CEO of the Noledge Group.

With over 30 years of experience in the software industry, Ray's expertise spans from Unix systems to modern cloud ERP solutions. As CEO, he leads the Noledge Group in delivering cutting-edge technology that simplifies business operations for our clients.

Hands of business team holding ESG text, Environmental, social and corporate governance concept.

How Intelligent Business Strategies Cut Costs and Drive Sustainability in 2025

ESGNetSuite ERP
  • ESG, NetSuite ERP

In an era where sustainability is more than just a corporate buzzword, organisations are under increasing pressure to track and minimise their carbon footprint, comply with evolving regulations, and align with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals. At OSSM, we are committed to helping businesses achieve sustainability targets without compromising on performance or profitability. 

Through our partnership with Simble, a leader in energy management technology, we offer cutting-edge solutions that not only enhance energy efficiency but also integrate seamlessly with NetSuite. By leveraging Simble’s CarbonView and SimbleSense tools, businesses can adopt intelligent business strategies for sustainability—improving reporting accuracy, reducing waste, and making informed decisions that lead to long-term cost savings. When combined with NetSuite ERP benefits, these tools provide a powerful solution for optimising financial and operational efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore how these innovative tools work, the benefits of integrating them with NetSuite, and how they can help businesses drive both sustainability and financial efficiency.

Why Sustainability Matters for Businesses Today 

Before exploring the technological tools, it’s important to understand why sustainability is a key driver of business success in 2025. Investors, customers, and stakeholders are increasingly holding businesses accountable for their environmental impact, making ESG initiatives a critical aspect of long-term success. 

By adopting smarter energy management solutions, businesses can: 

• Reduce operational costs by identifying inefficiencies and optimising energy use 

• Ensure compliance with national and international sustainability regulations 

• Improve their competitive advantage by demonstrating a commitment to ESG initiatives 

• Enhance financial reporting accuracy by incorporating sustainability data into business performance metrics 

CarbonView: A Smarter Way to Manage Carbon Emissions 

Understanding and managing carbon emissions is crucial for businesses looking to meet sustainability targets. Simble’s CarbonView provides a centralised platform to monitor, measure, and report on carbon footprints across multiple locations. By automating utility data entry and enhancing sustainability tracking, businesses can: 

• Ensure compliance with environmental standards and regulations 

• Identify areas for emissions reduction and energy savings 

• Gain actionable insights through automated reporting and analytics 

CarbonView’s intelligent analytics not only help businesses track carbon emissions but also provide visibility into energy consumption trends. This allows decision-makers to implement more effective sustainability initiatives while also identifying cost-saving opportunities. By consolidating data from multiple sources, businesses gain a holistic view of their environmental impact, making it easier to set realistic reduction targets and track progress. 

Another advantage of CarbonView is its ability to validate utility bills, ensuring that businesses are only paying for the energy they use. This feature not only improves financial oversight but also helps in identifying billing discrepancies that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. 

SimbleSense: Real-Time Energy Insights for Smarter Decisions 

For businesses with high energy consumption – such as manufacturing, logistics, and retail, understanding usage patterns is essential to reducing waste and lowering operational costs. SimbleSense provides real-time energy monitoring, enabling businesses to: 

• Detect inefficiencies and hidden energy costs 

• Leverage IoT-powered sensors to track energy use across assets 

• Automate energy-saving actions based on demand 

By offering a live view of energy consumption, SimbleSense helps businesses take immediate action to optimise energy use – whether through turning off idle equipment, reducing peak-time consumption, or integrating renewable energy solutions. The result? Lower costs, improved efficiency, and a more sustainable business model. 

Additionally, SimbleSense enables businesses to forecast future energy consumption based on historical data. This predictive capability allows organisations to make informed decisions about energy procurement, reducing exposure to fluctuating energy prices. With this level of insight, businesses can negotiate better contracts with energy providers and optimise their energy sourcing strategies. 

Why Integrate Simble with NetSuite?  

Combining Simble’s powerful tools with NetSuite allows businesses to unify financial, operational, and sustainability data within a single cloud-based platform, offering: 

• Comprehensive Sustainability Reporting: Businesses can align sustainability efforts with financial performance, tracking carbon reductions alongside cost savings. 

• Improved Compliance and Risk Management: Automated reporting ensures adherence to evolving ESG regulations while reducing manual errors. 

• Enhanced Decision-Making: By consolidating energy usage data with financial metrics, organisations can optimise resource allocation and drive efficiency. 

By integrating sustainability data into NetSuite, businesses can generate reports that not only fulfil compliance requirements but also provide transparency for stakeholders. Investors and customers are increasingly demanding detailed ESG disclosures, and having a unified platform for sustainability and financial reporting simplifies this process. 

How OSSM and Simble Can Help Future-Proof Your Business  

Sustainability is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity. Businesses that fail to take action risk falling behind in a market that increasingly values environmental responsibility.  

At OSSM, we are dedicated to helping businesses navigate the transition to more sustainable operations while ensuring financial viability. Our expertise in NetSuite, combined with Simble’s innovative energy solutions, provides companies with the tools they need to optimise their sustainability strategies. By leveraging financial accounting ERP capabilities alongside advanced energy management, businesses can gain deeper insights, improve reporting accuracy, and drive long-term cost savings. Please feel free to get in touch with us for a free consultation on how our integrated solutions can help lower costs, enhance energy efficiency, and achieve your ESG goals. 

Join us at the ERP HEADtoHEAD™ event, where we’ll be exploring the latest trends and discussing the strategies shaping the future of ERP. Visit our stand to discover how NetSuite can drive efficiency and growth for your business, and don’t miss our team’s expert presentations in the Projects and Production sessions.

Let’s connect and explore how OSSM and Simble can empower your organisation. Register here: erpheadtohead.com/uk/

About the Author

Picture of Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan

Ray Ryan is the CEO of the Noledge Group.

With over 30 years of experience in the software industry, Ray's expertise spans from Unix systems to modern cloud ERP solutions. As CEO, he leads the Noledge Group in delivering cutting-edge technology that simplifies business operations for our clients.