- NetSuite ERP
Plenty of Irish businesses have run on Microsoft Dynamics NAV for years, and for a long time, it did exactly what was needed. But as operational demands change, many are now asking whether it can still keep up.
Remote access, faster reporting, better integrations and more accurate data have all exposed the limits of older on-premises systems, especially where years of customisation have built up around them. Microsoft moved Dynamics NAV into Dynamics 365 Business Central back in 2018, and many businesses still run classic on-premises NAV today. Whichever version you’re on, the same question applies: does it still give your business the flexibility to keep growing?
Comparing NetSuite ERP against NAV and Business Central is usually where that answer starts to take shape.
Why are businesses reviewing legacy ERP systems?
NAV has served Irish businesses well, but how those businesses operate has changed a lot. Manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers need faster access to information, stronger integrations, and systems that can handle more complex operations than they were originally built for.
Many NAV environments have also picked up extensions, third-party apps and separate tools over the years. Useful in the moment, but the cumulative effect is a harder system to maintain and a messier mix of applications to manage.
Inventory tends to be where this shows up first. When stock information lives across several systems, it gets genuinely difficult to know what’s available, where it’s sitting, and what still needs to be ordered – which is a big part of why so many businesses are now looking at modern cloud ERP as the alternative.
NetSuite vs NAV and Business Central for inventory
Inventory accuracy matters most for growing manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers, and it’s one of the clearest differences between the platforms.
NetSuite connects inventory with finance, CRM, order processing and procurement inside a single system, giving real-time visibility across multiple locations and the wider supply chain. NAV and Business Central both offer inventory functionality too, but older environments often lean on extra warehouse systems, spreadsheets or custom integrations to get the same depth.
The real difference usually comes down to how easily information moves. A modern system should give you a clear, current view of stock levels, movement, warehouse locations and demand – without chasing it across several places first.
Workflow, reporting and scalability
Beyond inventory, growing businesses need workflows and reporting that keep pace as they expand. NetSuite brings finance, operations and management together in one platform, with automated workflows and dashboards that cut down manual work and speed up access to information.
Financial reporting is where this really counts – NetSuite lets you view financial and operational data together, rather than reconciling separate systems. Business Central handles financial management well, particularly for businesses already committed to Microsoft’s ecosystem, but as a business adds users, locations or subsidiaries, the right platform should make that expansion easier, not harder.
Reducing reliance on add-ons
NAV and Business Central have supported plenty of successful manufacturing operations over the years, but many environments have grown complex, built around multiple extensions and separate warehouse systems. NetSuite takes a more unified approach, with manufacturing and warehouse management built into the core platform, connecting production, inventory and finance without stitching together as many disconnected tools.
For businesses reviewing manufacturing ERP systems, that integration tends to simplify day-to-day operations and give a clearer view of how resources are actually being used.
Total cost of ownership
It’s worth looking past the sticker price to the full cost of ownership. Older on-premises systems carry ongoing costs for infrastructure, maintenance and specialist support, and the more customised they get, the more time and resource that upkeep demands.
Cloud ERP works differently – lighter infrastructure requirements, automatic updates, and more flexibility as things change. NetSuite in particular can reduce the IT burden while restructuring workflows, giving finance and operations teams more time for analysis instead of manual reporting.
The goal isn’t simply replacing what you have – it’s investing in a platform that supports what you’re doing now while giving you room to grow into. Done properly, migration doesn’t need to disrupt day-to-day operations either.
Planning your ERP migration with OSSM
Moving off an established ERP system takes careful planning – understanding what’s working, what isn’t, and how to move with the least disruption.
Whether you’re still on classic NAV or already on Business Central, our team at OSSM can assess your current setup and map out a practical migration path. As a specialist NetSuite implementation partner, we help Irish businesses find NetSuite solutions that fit how they operate. Take a look at our success stories, or get in touch to talk through your requirements.
About the Author
Rob Van Der Velden
Rob Van Der Velden is a Consultant at OSSM, specialising in NetSuite implementation project management. He oversees the entire process from pre-sales to training, with expertise in Manufacturing, Project Management, Service Management, CRM, and Distribution & Warehouse Management. Rob excels in workshops, process definition, data migration, customisation, and change management, providing strategic guidance to optimise business processes.









