Oracle Netsuite

“360 Degree” Customer Data

SuiteCommerce InStore makes a rich set of customer data instantly available to its users. The system stores extensive information about each customer’s purchases, returns and interactions with the business.

Fully Cloud-Based

SuiteCommerce InStore is fully cloud-based. This provides considerable flexibility in terms of accessing the system from anywhere, and negates the need for lots of on-premise hardware. The system runs on “off-the-shelf” tablet devices.

Company-Wide Inventory Management

As previously stated, SuiteCommerce InStore is aimed at larger retail businesses. The system capably deals with multiple global stores and warehouses, making all inventory information instantly available to every user. This can come in useful in various situations, such as when you need to locate stock in another branch to fulfil a customer order.

Multi-Channel Sales

SuiteCommerce supports the way modern consumers shop, and “unifies” operations between physical retail stores and websites. It makes it easy to maximize sales from each customer, thanks to full visibility of how they interact online. Many shoppers browse and order online, and visit stores. Thanks to the depth of customer data, an in-store assistant could, for example, identify items previously added to online carts and offer them as an on-the-spot upsell.

Multiple Language and Currency Options

You get multiple language and currency support baked into SuiteCommerce InStore. This is a definite plus-point for companies who have a global presence (or aspire to one!)

SuiteCommerce InStore is browser-based and accessible from anywhere. However, it’s intended to be primarily used via a touchscreen mobile app. This is available for Apple iOS and Windows. In the case of the latter, the documentation specifically recommends Microsoft Surface Pro devices.

Oracle doesn’t provide an online catalogue of supported supplementary hardware. However, the system supports the key mainstream brands for items like cash drawers and receipt printers. These include Epson, Star and APG. If you require a barcode scanner, SuiteCommerce supports a range of models made by Socket Mobile.

Many POS providers publish a large list of mainstream software that can integrate with their products. SuiteCommerce InStore has a rather different approach. As part of Oracle’s NetSuite, it’s assumed that you’re more likely to integrate with other Oracle modules, for example CRM or eCommerce. That’s why there’s no list of popular names such as Shopify and QuickBooks.

That said, the bespoke nature of Oracle NetSuite and the presence of an API means that it is possible for developers to build extensions to provide custom functionality. There will, inevitably, be a cost attached to this, so it’s important to note that it’s very different to an “app store” approach to integration.

SuiteCommerce InStore is highly customizable, and it’s possible to create an attractive and intuitive POS system for in-store use.  On the flipside, this is an advanced product. Initial configuration can feel overwhelming, with an abundance of options. The initial roll-out of enterprise products such as this often involves system integrators or product specialists. There are some complicated settings, so it’s far from a “plug and go’ scenario.