There are primarily two effective methods to establish this connection:
1. Using SuiteAnalytics Connect (ODBC Method)
The SuiteAnalytics Connect Service enables you to archive, analyze, and report on NetSuite data using external tools like Power BI. It supports ODBC, JDBC, and drivers, compatible with Windows, Linux, or macOS environments.
Important: This service is read-only—you cannot write data back to NetSuite using this method.
To proceed with this approach:
- Purchase the SuiteAnalytics Connect Module: This needs to be enabled in your NetSuite account. Kindly contact your Account Administrator for guidance on procurement and activation.
- Driver Installation: Follow NetSuite’s guidelines to install the appropriate ODBC driver. Installing ODBC
- Setup and Connect: Once set up, you can connect Power BI to NetSuite via the ODBC connector. You can then query the data using Oracle SQL, retrieve datasets, and model them within Power BI.
- Automated Data Refresh: Power BI Pro and the On-Premise Data Gateway are required to schedule data refreshes. ODBC is a supported data source for such refreshes.
2. Using Web Query Reports
NetSuite also offers a Web Query feature that allows report data to be extracted and consumed in tools like Excel or Power BI.
However, please note: Web Query is not available for financial statement reports (e.g., Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow). Therefore, if your reporting involves financials, this method may not be suitable.
3. Alternative Option: NetSuite Analytics Warehouse (NSAW)
If your business requires robust, native reporting capabilities similar to Power BI, you may consider purchasing the NetSuite Analytics Warehouse (NSAW) module. NSAW offers powerful dashboarding and visualization tools built on top of NetSuite data and can be a valuable investment for complex reporting needs.
Please let us know which method you prefer so we can proceed with the appropriate next steps. We are happy to assist with setup and provide further guidance based on your reporting objectives.