NetSuite Learning Path

This repository outlines a structured learning path to become a proficient NetSuite Technical ERP Solutions Architect. The plan is tailored to leverage existing skills in software engineering, DevOps, and enterprise architecture to accelerate the learning process.

Project Goal

The primary objective is to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of a Technical ERP Solutions Architect role, as detailed in the Job Description. This involves a deep dive into the SuiteCloud platform, integration patterns, and NetSuite's development lifecycle.

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NetSuite Learning Roadmap (3-6 Months)

This roadmap is divided into five distinct phases, designed to build a strong foundation and progressively advance into complex architectural topics.

Phase 1: Foundation - The Functional & Admin Layers (2-3 Weeks)

Before you can architect, you must understand the user's perspective and the platform's declarative capabilities.

• Topics:
  • Core Business Processes: Understand the end-to-end flows for Order-to-Cash, Procure-to-Pay, and basic accounting (GL, AP, AR).
  • NetSuite Navigation: Get comfortable with the UI, dashboards, and global search.
  • SuiteBuilder (Low-Code): Learn to create custom fields, forms, record types, and subtabs.
  • SuiteFlow (No-Code): Build point-and-click workflows to automate business processes.
• Learning Resources:
  • Udemy/LinkedIn Learning courses on "NetSuite Essentials" or "NetSuite Administration."
  • NetSuite's official "SuiteAnswers" portal and help documentation.
• Milestone: Be able to customize records and automate a simple approval process without writing any code.
• Certification Goal: SuiteFoundation.

Phase 2: Core Development - Mastering SuiteScript (3-4 Weeks)

This is the most critical phase, focusing on the core programmatic customization of NetSuite.

• Topics:
  • Modern JavaScript (ES6+): If you're coming from another language, solidify your understanding of functions, objects, Promises, and async/await.
  • SuiteScript 2.x: Dive deep into the NetSuite API.
    • Script Types: Master User Event, Client, Scheduled, and Map/Reduce scripts.
    • API Modules: Learn to work with N/record, N/search, and N/https modules.
• Learning Resources:
  • SuiteScript 2.0/2.1 tutorials and documentation on SuiteAnswers.
  • Online communities (e.g., NetSuite Professionals Slack).
• Milestone: Write a User Event script to validate data on a sales order before save and a Scheduled Script to process records nightly.

Phase 3: Integration & Data Management (2-3 Weeks)

Focus on getting data in and out of NetSuite and connecting it with external systems.

• Topics:
  • SuiteTalk (APIs): Understand and use both SOAP and REST APIs for integrations.
  • Authentication: Learn Token-Based Authentication (TBA).
  • API Tools: Use Postman to test and interact with NetSuite APIs.
  • Data Migration: Practice data import/export using CSV imports and API-based scripts.
• Learning Resources:
  • SuiteTalk API documentation.
  • Postman tutorials for REST and SOAP requests.
• Milestone: Build a small application (e.g., in Python) that can create and retrieve customer records from NetSuite via the REST API.

Phase 4: DevOps & Platform Governance (1-2 Weeks)

Apply modern development practices to the NetSuite ecosystem. This is where prior DevOps experience becomes a major advantage.

• Topics:
  • SuiteCloud Development Framework (SDF): Learn to manage NetSuite customizations as code (XML definitions).
  • Version Control: Use Git to manage your SDF projects and SuiteScripts.
  • CI/CD: Set up a basic pipeline (e.g., using GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps) to deploy changes from a Git repository to a NetSuite sandbox.
• Learning Resources:
  • SDF Documentation on the official NetSuite help portal.
• Milestone: Successfully deploy a custom field and a SuiteScript file from a local Git repository to a NetSuite account using the SDF CLI.

Phase 5: Advanced Architecture & Portfolio Building (4-8 Weeks)

Combine all learned skills to design and build robust, scalable solutions.

• Topics:
  • Solution Design: Architect end-to-end solutions for complex business requirements.
  • Performance Tuning: Learn best practices for writing efficient searches and scripts.
  • Platform Governance: Define development standards, code review processes, and release management strategies.
  • Portfolio Projects: Build practical, portfolio-ready projects.
• Certification Goal: SuiteCloud Developer II.

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Portfolio Projects

1. Multi-System Integration Hub: A middleware service (e.g., Python/Flask) that syncs customer and order data between NetSuite, Salesforce, and an HRIS.
2. Automated Data Migration Framework: A Python-based tool using Pandas to clean, transform, and load legacy data into NetSuite via APIs, with robust error handling and logging.
3. NetSuite DevOps Toolkit: A complete CI/CD pipeline in Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions that automates testing and deployment of SDF projects across Development, QA, and Production sandboxes.
4. Custom Workflow Engine: A SuiteScript-based solution that extends SuiteFlow's capabilities, allowing for more complex, state-based approvals and dynamic routing.
5. Real-Time Analytics Engine: An integration that pushes key NetSuite data (e.g., sales, inventory) to a BI tool or data warehouse for real-time dashboarding.