Advice for Businesses Seeking an Oracle NetSuite Implementation Partner in Vietnam
Author: Lac Pham – CTO at S4 Consulting
In traditional ERP projects, labor costs typically account for around 70% of the total quoted price that customers must pay. This is the largest cost component, including consulting, programming, project administration, and general overhead. However, with the effective use of AI tools such as GitHub Copilot for coding, ChatGPT for information processing, or Notta for meeting transcription, a modern Oracle NetSuite implementation partner can significantly reduce these costs. Recent studies indicate that AI can reduce software development and testing effort by 30–50% through automated code generation and test automation (McKinsey, 2023; Gartner, 2024). This means that the overall ERP project cost can be reduced by up to 30% compared to traditional implementation, while accelerating the go-live timeline and improving quality.
A recent article by ERP consultant Eric Kimberling titled “AI is Slowly Killing Off the Technology Consulting Industry” also highlights this shift. He pointed out that tasks ERP consultants used to handle manually — such as meeting minutes, requirements gathering, or repetitive SuiteScript coding — can now be automated with AI. This is not a pessimistic warning but a signal that businesses must change how they evaluate and select their Oracle NetSuite implementation partners.
From “Manual Labor” to “AI Leverage”
This shift creates a new criterion for choosing an Oracle NetSuite implementation partner. Instead of focusing on headcount or billable hours, businesses need to ask: Does this partner truly leverage AI to deliver efficiency and value?
A modern implementation partner should not only configure the system, train users, or write code, but must demonstrate that:
- They use AI to automate programming, testing, and project administration, thereby minimizing implementation costs.
- They shift the focus from effort to outcomes, meaning customers no longer pay for manual work but for real value such as faster go-live, IFRS/VAS-compliant reporting, and real-time operations.
- They empower the client’s internal team by teaching them how to use AI as a long-term enabler, rather than creating dependency on the consulting firm.
Cost Structure: Old vs. New
In the traditional model, costs are driven by manual effort. In the AI-First model, the structure changes significantly.
| Cost Component | Old Model – Manual Labor | New Model – AI-First |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting Labor | 35% | 25% |
| Technical Programming | 30% | 15% |
| Project Administration | 20% | 10% |
| General Overhead | 15% | 10% |
| Total | 100% | 60% – 70% |
Source: Internal analysis by S4 Consulting
In the old model, 70% of the total project quote was heavily driven by labor costs. In the new AI-First model, this ratio decreases to 60–70%, enabling businesses to save up to 30% of the total project cost while still achieving faster and higher-quality go-live.
Advice for Businesses Choosing an Oracle NetSuite Partner in Vietnam
As AI reshapes the consulting industry, Vietnamese businesses need a more practical and strategic approach when selecting their Oracle NetSuite implementation partner. Key considerations include:
1. Prioritize AI adoption and cost efficiency
Ask potential partners how they use AI in SuiteScript development, system testing, and project administration. A reliable partner should demonstrate the ability to cut 30–50% of implementation effort and save up to 30% of the total project cost.
2. Local expertise and IFRS/VAS knowledge
Implementing NetSuite in Vietnam has unique accounting and reporting requirements. Your partner must have experts with IFRS and VAS knowledge and prior localization project experience. This ensures the ERP system not only runs effectively but also complies with Vietnamese accounting standards.
3. Change management and training capability
Make sure your partner has a clear plan for change management and user training, not just system configuration. An ERP project only succeeds when your employees are ready to adopt and effectively use the system.
4. Pricing transparency and outcome commitment
Instead of proposals based solely on billable hours, choose a partner who commits to specific outcomes: go-live timelines, accuracy of financial reporting, real-time visibility, and cost savings after implementation.
5. Empowering internal teams post go-live
A modern partner should not lock customers into dependency. Choose a firm willing to train your internal team to use AI for customization, troubleshooting, and expansion after project completion.
Conclusion
Choosing an Oracle NetSuite implementation partner in the AI era is no longer just a technology decision. It is a strategic investment: reducing costs and accelerating go-live with AI, building long-term autonomy after implementation, and most importantly, finding a partner who serves as a strategic advisor rather than just a technical contractor.
About the Author
Lac Pham – CTO of S4 Consulting
With over 16 years of ERP experience, Lac Pham has led numerous successful digital transformation projects in Vietnam across banking, manufacturing, and trading sectors. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of S4 Consulting, an ERP consulting firm focused on Oracle NetSuite and Acumatica implementation in Vietnam.
S4 Consulting stands out with its AI-First methodology, enabling businesses to save ERP implementation costs, shorten go-live timelines, and ensure compliance with both Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
