8/23/2008
Update
Oops, I did not expect to receive many messages for the post below. I just wanted to vent my frustration because it was driving me crazy! There was another significant inventory issue to solve at the same time (worsened by following a "solution" from a support rep), and it took me a while to reach a knowledgeable support rep... After a few sleepless nights, everything is fine now. Thank you.
8/10/2008
Avoid NetSuite
I haven't written here for quite a while, and today I finally have a stronge urge to voice my opinion on something that has frustrated me so much. Well, this is not really a pleasant blog entry to read, so you may go back to check out what's going on at the Olympics.
When our company selected an e-commerce solution early this year, we decided to use NetSuite because their sales engineers showed us its capability of doing all the fancy inventory management functions as we were looking for a solid system to control our growing inventory at our warehouse (2,000-3,000 items). For those who are not familiar with the software, NetSuite is a SaaS company and claims to be an all-in-one e-commerce platform that is internet-based, including accounting/finance, web store shopping cart, inventory control, customer relationship management, etc. They are a large company with offices abroad.
After mere 6 months, we've realized it was a big mistake to choose them... I am ashamed of myself for having recommended the system to our president.
The system lets you customize a lot of functionality in almost all aspects to suit your needs (this flexibility has been both good and bad), and I especially like excellent customer service function, which makes us look very professional for our small company size.
However, there have been significant bugs in their shopping cart, which made some of our customers very angry and upset! Some customers could not remove items from the cart, while others were directed back to the front page without completing an order when they pressed the "Submit an Order" button. I've been utterly shocked that they've mishandled this very basic and core of e-commerce business.
When I reported the issues to tech support, they ended up telling me to remove Google Analytics javascript which had caused no problem and provided me with vital web stats for the past four months. They said one customer got an error from this Google's excellent free service, although I still doubt it was the cancer of her checkout error because we kept getting complains from other customers after removing the javascript. It's so ridiculous that they cannot make their software compatible with Google services when everybody in online business takes advantage of them. This "don't-use-Google-Analytics" solution pretty much made up my mind about switching to another e-commerce system by December this year. I wish I could switch somewhere else RIGHT NOW, but we paid a lot of dough for a one-year contract. *sigh*
Our webstore has been offline this weekend due to a mass inventory adjustment, but I am considering about extending the offline status until Thursday when they expect to finish fixing the checkout issue.
I'd rather keep the store closed than making more customers upset and losing their trust in us.
Another major downside has been the sluggish server at night in particular.
By now you know I have more complaints than praises about this system. I'll stop here.
While my experiences with this system is not stellar, some business owners like them and have used them for more than a few years. I want to make it clear that nothing is perfect, and this system has worked for many businesses in spite of our bitter experiences. So it's up to you to decide if you are shopping for an all-inclusive e-commerce solution.
When our company selected an e-commerce solution early this year, we decided to use NetSuite because their sales engineers showed us its capability of doing all the fancy inventory management functions as we were looking for a solid system to control our growing inventory at our warehouse (2,000-3,000 items). For those who are not familiar with the software, NetSuite is a SaaS company and claims to be an all-in-one e-commerce platform that is internet-based, including accounting/finance, web store shopping cart, inventory control, customer relationship management, etc. They are a large company with offices abroad.
After mere 6 months, we've realized it was a big mistake to choose them... I am ashamed of myself for having recommended the system to our president.
The system lets you customize a lot of functionality in almost all aspects to suit your needs (this flexibility has been both good and bad), and I especially like excellent customer service function, which makes us look very professional for our small company size.
However, there have been significant bugs in their shopping cart, which made some of our customers very angry and upset! Some customers could not remove items from the cart, while others were directed back to the front page without completing an order when they pressed the "Submit an Order" button. I've been utterly shocked that they've mishandled this very basic and core of e-commerce business.
When I reported the issues to tech support, they ended up telling me to remove Google Analytics javascript which had caused no problem and provided me with vital web stats for the past four months. They said one customer got an error from this Google's excellent free service, although I still doubt it was the cancer of her checkout error because we kept getting complains from other customers after removing the javascript. It's so ridiculous that they cannot make their software compatible with Google services when everybody in online business takes advantage of them. This "don't-use-Google-Analytics" solution pretty much made up my mind about switching to another e-commerce system by December this year. I wish I could switch somewhere else RIGHT NOW, but we paid a lot of dough for a one-year contract. *sigh*
Our webstore has been offline this weekend due to a mass inventory adjustment, but I am considering about extending the offline status until Thursday when they expect to finish fixing the checkout issue.
I'd rather keep the store closed than making more customers upset and losing their trust in us.
Another major downside has been the sluggish server at night in particular.
By now you know I have more complaints than praises about this system. I'll stop here.
While my experiences with this system is not stellar, some business owners like them and have used them for more than a few years. I want to make it clear that nothing is perfect, and this system has worked for many businesses in spite of our bitter experiences. So it's up to you to decide if you are shopping for an all-inclusive e-commerce solution.
1/20/2008
Happy New Year!
Wish you everyone happy 2008!!!
It's been about three months since I started a new job at a wonderful retail company. The company has three stores in the bay area and sell awesome stuff from Japan. We are working hard to start our online store. I will let you know when the website is up and running!
It's been about three months since I started a new job at a wonderful retail company. The company has three stores in the bay area and sell awesome stuff from Japan. We are working hard to start our online store. I will let you know when the website is up and running!
9/06/2007
Settling down
I finished everything I had planned to do this summer.
I am starting a new job next Monday. It is totally different from what I used to do. In fact, I still don't have a good grasp of my tasks at work. I will be part of a newly launching team and am very excited to take part in an important step of the company.
We are expecting to move into a different apartment soon. Probably in October or November. It's a University housing in a nicer community. The apartment unit will be much bigger - 2.5 times of the current studio.
I am starting a new job next Monday. It is totally different from what I used to do. In fact, I still don't have a good grasp of my tasks at work. I will be part of a newly launching team and am very excited to take part in an important step of the company.
We are expecting to move into a different apartment soon. Probably in October or November. It's a University housing in a nicer community. The apartment unit will be much bigger - 2.5 times of the current studio.
6/29/2007
5/23/2007
long time no post
Whoa it's been over one month since the last post!
Many things keep me occupied, and this blog will continue to be inactive for another month or so.
Plus I've been insomniac and my brain hasn't had enough energy to generate good blog entries.
I hope to start writing regularly again soon.
Have a great start of summer!
Many things keep me occupied, and this blog will continue to be inactive for another month or so.
Plus I've been insomniac and my brain hasn't had enough energy to generate good blog entries.
I hope to start writing regularly again soon.
Have a great start of summer!
4/18/2007
b u s y...
Pardon my long-term absence on this blog. I've been busy at work and generally very tired every night.
There have been many things I wanted to write about, though.
I volunteered for two events hosted by Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, which turned out to be very very very delicious opportunities!!!
My latest excitement is dicovery of a Taiwanese restaurant in Chinatown. I've already been there 5 times for the past two weeks! It's in a premier location of Chinatown, but easily overlooked because of its appearance. That's why I never stepped in that place until two weekends ago. The waitress lady is so nice & helpful that you know you will come back by the end of the first meal there. What's more, they have a Japanese menu. I had been skeptical about that menu and kept refusing to see it in spite of the lady's repetitive offer because Japanese is often wrong and prices are higher. However, I was totally wrong. Today I accepted it, and to my surprise, Chinese menu is translated into perfect Japanese! Like any Chinese restaurant in the U.S., dishes on Chinese menu is much tastier and more authentic at this restaurant as well.
Most importantly, their food isn't greasy and is one of the best Chinese I've ever had in the U.S. Certainly the best in Philly. yum. :)
If you are ever in Philly, try Empress Garden at 10th & Arch.
There have been many things I wanted to write about, though.
I volunteered for two events hosted by Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, which turned out to be very very very delicious opportunities!!!
My latest excitement is dicovery of a Taiwanese restaurant in Chinatown. I've already been there 5 times for the past two weeks! It's in a premier location of Chinatown, but easily overlooked because of its appearance. That's why I never stepped in that place until two weekends ago. The waitress lady is so nice & helpful that you know you will come back by the end of the first meal there. What's more, they have a Japanese menu. I had been skeptical about that menu and kept refusing to see it in spite of the lady's repetitive offer because Japanese is often wrong and prices are higher. However, I was totally wrong. Today I accepted it, and to my surprise, Chinese menu is translated into perfect Japanese! Like any Chinese restaurant in the U.S., dishes on Chinese menu is much tastier and more authentic at this restaurant as well.
Most importantly, their food isn't greasy and is one of the best Chinese I've ever had in the U.S. Certainly the best in Philly. yum. :)
If you are ever in Philly, try Empress Garden at 10th & Arch.
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