What is NeSuite Sandbox Account

The intended audience of this article is existing NetSuite customers or the decision makers who are thinking to purchase NetSuite Cloud ERP. 

NetSuite is capable of running various streams of operations seamlessly with all the major customizations added to it. But in certain cases, while adding these custom bundles or third-party applications - some processes get stuck affecting the entire fleet of operations. Businesses often cannot afford these risks in their main account (production account). NetSuite Sandbox is the answer to those dilemmas while executing implementations/customizations. Because Sandbox allows developers to start from scratch when something goes sideways. Through Sandbox, businesses are able to analyze how a custom methodology or a certain workflow works within the NetSuite ERP system. The Sandbox is actually a stimulator of the actual product.

What is NetSuite Sandbox?

NetSuite Sandbox is best understood as a platform for testing out various customization ideas with zero risks to the original ‘production environment’. Make alterations as required and if it backfires, you can always return it to the default state. Developers can thus seamlessly test out their ideas without jeopardizing any live operations. 

While implementing NetSuite, the sandbox can come in handy because of its various uses like Development,User Acceptance Testing, and Training. Having a sandbox is one of the core benefits of cloud-based ERP software, conventional methods require separate hardware to perform the same operations that Sandbox does.

Top Benefits of NetSuite Sandbox

• Quickly fix issues or restart the process if necessary
• Ability to try out new features before deployment
• Test third-party applications
• Train new employees

Is NetSuite Sandbox Necessary?

NetSuite Sandbox tests all the customizations beforehand so that when a certain feature is added to the live account, there are minimum chances of failure. It also helps solve issues in the live production environment that can have real-time impacts. 

• Simulate various customizations in the sandbox and test with third-party applications.
• Identify bottlenecks in your customizations and eliminate them.
• Analyze transaction entries, deletions, and other form customizations before you input data into your GL (General Ledger) reports.
• Understand the impact of deleting or entering your data firsthand.

Collaborate Without Sharing Key Data

Businesses often need to share data to bring fresh insights. Companies often struggle during this phase as they feel insecure about sharing key financial or operational data with a NetSuite partner. Sandbox helps you to give a production like environment to the partner without exposing data.

How to Setup a NetSuite Sandbox Account?

NetSuite’s Sandbox accounts are paid. The cost is calculated on the basis of your annual NetSuite license  at ten percentage of the users and added modules (Prices may vary).

To provide Sandbox access to all users in the production account,

1. Visit the Sandbox Accounts page.
2. Select All Users option for Access.
3. Click Refresh Sandbox to perform a refresh of the account.

When you refresh your Sandbox, it replicates your production account with all pre-configurations, setup and data. Usually it takes one or two business days for the sandbox account to be activated. Note that users are only provided a certain number of refresh options from NetSuite and in case they need more, they have to pay for the additional ones. 

What Are the Different Types of NetSuite Sandbox Accounts?

NetSuite Sandbox accounts are of three types:

• Standard Sandbox Account
• Development Sandbox Account
• Premium Sandbox Account

Apart from these there are Sandbox Sub-Accounts that are used for various purposes. These three accounts are also called development accounts.

• Development account: For basic SuiteScript and testing
• Single Sandbox account: Customizations in SuiteScript or SuiteFlow
• Multiple Sanbox accounts: Deals with complex projects

1. Standard Sandbox Account

The standard Sandbox account replicates your production account. Everything from configuration to customization to data is delivered exactly as it is - into the production account. In the standard Sandbox account - users can transmit data to and from the live account and try out customizations as required. 

NetSuite sandbox account is mainly utilized by customers and other external consultants to build and test certain customizations using SuiteFlow & SuiteScript. 

2. Development Account

The NetSuite Development Sandbox is a safe haven for businesses looking to bring in third parties because the Sandbox is designed in a manner that only certain features and SuiteApps that you have setup in the production account come along with this. Meaning, the customizations, and data is not populated in this account and therefore shared with third-party collaborators without doubt. 

Also, it is possible to bring in real data for testing purposes if needed. This account thus considerably reduces attempts on data tampering and security.

3. Premium Account

As the name suggests, this account is a premium version of the standard Sandbox account. It contains all the aspects of the standard account like system data, customizations, and configurations but particularly,  it can handle high-volume projects seamlessly. They are usually utilized by customers with huge performance and data requirements. Premium sandboxes are said to closely reflect the production account’s behavior and can be refreshed anytime. 

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