As NetSuite continues to dominate the cloud ERP space, more businesses are investing in custom implementations, enhancements, and ongoing support. But when it comes to building the team behind your NetSuite success, the big question is: Should you hire in-house or rely on contract talent?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal staffing model depends on your company’s size, stage in the NetSuite journey, budget, and project complexity. This article explores the pros and cons of both in-house and contract NetSuite professionals – and how to choose the model that best aligns with your business needs.
Understanding the Two Staffing Models
In-House NetSuite Talent
This refers to full-time employees who work exclusively for your company. They become embedded in your team, deeply understand your business processes, and manage NetSuite as part of their day-to-day roles.
Contract NetSuite Talent
These are independent professionals or resources from a staffing agency or consulting firm, hired on a short- or medium-term basis. They typically bring specialized expertise to handle implementations, customizations, or urgent needs.
Advantages of In-House NetSuite Talent
✅ 1. Deep Business Context
In-house employees develop a strong understanding of your organization’s structure, workflows, and objectives over time. They can make more informed system decisions based on your strategic goals.
✅ 2. Long-Term Consistency
Full-time staff provide ongoing system maintenance, training, and user support. You don’t need to repeatedly onboard new resources for every project or update. Read more about NetSuite staffing here!
✅ 3. Easier Cross-Department Collaboration
Internal teams can quickly align with other departments (e.g., finance, operations, sales) and build relationships that lead to smoother communication and project coordination.
✅ 4. Stronger Security and Compliance Control
With in-house employees, sensitive data access is easier to monitor and control. This is especially crucial for industries with strict compliance standards.
Drawbacks of In-House NetSuite Talent
❌ 1. Higher Cost of Employment
Salaries, benefits, training, equipment, and overhead make in-house hires a more expensive long-term investment—especially for small to midsize businesses.
❌ 2. Longer Hiring Timelines
Finding experienced NetSuite professionals can take weeks or months, especially in competitive markets. This slows down projects that require immediate attention.
❌ 3. Skill Gaps
A single in-house admin or developer may not have all the necessary skills across modules, integrations, or scripting. You may need multiple hires to cover all areas.
Advantages of Contract NetSuite Talent
✅ 1. Immediate Access to Expertise
Contractors are typically specialists who’ve worked on multiple NetSuite projects. Whether you need help with SuiteScript, integrations, SuiteCommerce, or custom workflows, you can quickly find someone with the right experience.
✅ 2. Flexible and Scalable
You can scale your NetSuite team up or down depending on your project pipeline. This is perfect for short-term initiatives like system implementation, module expansion, or data migration.
✅ 3. Lower Overhead
You pay for the services only when needed—no long-term salary commitments, benefits, or infrastructure costs.
✅ 4. Fresh Perspective and Best Practices
External consultants often bring cross-industry insights and proven frameworks from previous projects. They can introduce efficiencies your team hasn’t yet considered.
Drawbacks of Contract NetSuite Talent
❌ 1. Limited Business Context
Contractors may lack the deep organizational knowledge that in-house staff build over time. This can lead to misaligned solutions if not properly managed.
❌ 2. Availability and Continuity Risk
Once the contract ends, the contractor may be unavailable for future updates or troubleshooting, potentially leaving knowledge gaps in your system.
❌ 3. Higher Hourly Rates
While cost-effective in the short term, contractors often charge premium hourly or project rates—especially those with specialized skills or certifications.
❌ 4. Security and IP Concerns
You may need to enforce tighter access controls and NDAs to protect proprietary data and system configurations.
Choosing the Right Model: Key Scenarios
Here’s how to evaluate which model makes sense based on your needs:
Scenario 1: Initial Implementation
Best fit: Contract Talent (with some internal oversight)
Implementation is a high-stakes, time-bound project. Contracting a NetSuite partner or consultant with multiple go-lives under their belt ensures faster setup, fewer mistakes, and alignment with best practices.
Scenario 2: Post-Go-Live Support
Best fit: In-House Talent
Once the system is live, ongoing support, optimization, and user training are better managed by an internal NetSuite Administrator who understands company-specific processes.
Scenario 3: Complex Customizations
Best fit: Contract Talent
When you need SuiteScript automation, advanced workflows, or third-party integrations, it’s smart to bring in a specialized developer on a project basis.
Scenario 4: Growing or Scaling Operations
Best fit: Hybrid Model
A mix of in-house and contract talent allows you to scale intelligently. Your internal team handles day-to-day system health, while external experts tackle complex or one-off tasks.
Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds
Many companies are now adopting a hybrid staffing model—building a small, agile in-house team supported by contract professionals when needed. This structure offers:
- Long-term consistency from internal staff
- Flexibility and expertise from contractors
- Better cost management
- Improved responsiveness to business changes
Example Hybrid Team:
- 1 Full-time NetSuite Admin
- 1 Part-time NetSuite Developer (contract)
- 1 On-call NetSuite Functional Consultant (contract/agency)
This setup ensures coverage for maintenance, customization, and strategic guidance without overstaffing.
Tips for Managing Either Staffing Model
For Contract Talent:
- Use detailed Statements of Work (SOWs)
- Enforce proper access control and data security
- Build handover documentation into the contract
- Maintain an internal system knowledge base
For In-House Talent:
- Invest in continuous training and certifications
- Promote collaboration with other business units
- Provide sandbox environments for testing
- Encourage involvement in NetSuite user groups and forums
Final Thoughts
Both in-house and contract NetSuite talent offer distinct advantages—and each has trade-offs. The right choice depends on your business maturity, budget, and the nature of your NetSuite initiatives.
- If you need continuity and a deep understanding of your business, in-house staff are invaluable.
- If you need flexibility, speed, or specialized skills, contract talent can help you stay agile and efficient.
- If you want the best of both, a hybrid model lets you build a smart, cost-effective NetSuite support structure tailored to your goals.
As your ERP environment evolves, so should your staffing strategy. With the right team—regardless of employment type—you can turn NetSuite into a long-term driver of efficiency and growth.
Read more: Top 10 NetSuite Support Challenges and How to Overcome Them – Spiritual Meaning Portal
What to Expect in Procurement Software for Your Business
Expert Legal Guidance on Joint Tenancy and Property Law
