The inbound shipment module of NetSuite, also often referred to as container management within different industries, allows for tracking and management of containers throughout their lifecycle.

From filling a container to taking ownership, to reception and eventually applying landed costs, NetSuite’s inbound shipment provides all this functionality.

However, we often see many of our clients requiring a more tailored approach to managing their incoming containers, along with a more detailed application of landed costs. This provides a more accurate representation of margins, a more meaningful analysis of cost trends, and a more complete management of item costs.

But what solutions have we created for NetSuite users, like you, and how have they benefited their day-to-day operations?

Continue reading for the 4 most common solutions GURUS has implemented within the context of NetSuite’s Inbound Shipment module.

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Inbound Shipment Flowchart

NetSuite Custom Inbound Shipment Solutions by GURUS

Landed costs by volume

First, what are landed costs? Landed cost refers to the total expenses incurred in getting goods to their final destination, which includes duties, taxes, and any other fees associated with the shipment.

NetSuite’s native inbound shipment functionality allows for the application of landed costs by weight, quantity, and by value. However, the most common request we get is the application of landed cost by volume, often used in the context of applying freight charges.

GURUS has customized the inbound shipment functionality to allow the landed costs to be applied by volume, leveraging values on the item records to facilitate the calculation. This landed cost method can be applied to all cost category types, or only a select few.

Exchange rates and expanded cost categories for landed costs

With globalization, GURUS has seen many clients deal with inbound shipment scenarios that deal in multi-currency costs for their shipments. To get an accurate measure of the impact these exchange rates have on the landed cost of their items, GURUS developed the ability to convert and apply landed costs from the currency of their choice, with the exchange rate of their choice.

Also, different levels of exchange rate automation can be applied, depending on your requirements.

Automated lot creation on reception

Receiving high volumes of inbound shipments with lot items can be extremely time-intensive and highly prone to error. GURUS has automated this process by automatically creating lots on reception of the container, based on a pre-defined logic.

This allows for a seamless reception of the container without being bogged down by NetSuite’s native lot creation process.

Integration with a warehouse management system (WMS)

There are many different levels of integration, from out-of-the-box connectors to full integrations through middlewares like Boomi or Workato. Most of these integrations don’t consider the impact they will have on the inbound shipment process, as it’s a process that lives in both systems.

GURUS has developed best practices and custom configurations to allow the process to run smoothly, including developing the integration itself.

Use Case: Enhancing Inbound Shipment Management with GURUS’ Custom Solutions

Challenge

A logistics company needs help with the management of their inbound shipments using the standard functionality of NetSuite's Inbound Shipment module. The primary challenges include:

Inaccurate margin representation due to a lack of detailed application of landed costs.
Inefficiency and high potential for errors in manually creating lot numbers upon container reception.
Inadequate integration with their existing warehouse management system (WMS), leading to disjointed processes.
Inability to apply landed costs by volume, which is crucial for accurately applying freight charges based on the size of the shipment rather than just its weight, quantity, or value.

These challenges result in a time-consuming process that is prone to errors, hindering the company's ability to make informed decisions based on accurate cost analysis and manage its item costs effectively.

Resolution

By choosing GURUS Solutions for the implementation of any of the above custom solutions within NetSuite's Inbound Shipment module, the logistics company can expect:

A more accurate and detailed application of landed costs, leading to better margin representation and cost trend analysis.
A significant reduction in time and errors through automated lot creation, enhancing operational efficiency.
A smooth integration with their WMS, ensuring cohesive and efficient inbound shipment processes.
Improvements that will lead to more effective management of item costs, better decision-making capabilities, and enhanced operational efficiency.

Looking for more custom solutions?

Visit our Customizations landing page to see more custom solutions created by GURUS for NetSuite.

Choose GURUS for your Inbound Shipment Needs

NetSuite’s Inbound Shipment module is a highly impactful and customizable solution that can help you manage complex inbound shipment processes and have more meaningful costing data.

However, implementing this module can be challenging and time-consuming without the right partner.

That’s why you should choose GURUS Solutions, a leading NetSuite partner that has the experience, expertise, and tools to help you succeed with your inbound shipment process.

Whether you need implementation, customization, integration, or support, GURUS Solutions can provide you with the best NetSuite services and solutions.