Is NetSuite still the right ERP for multi-entity groups?
For groups that need inventory, order management and multi-country operations alongside consolidation, Oracle NetSuite remains the safer established choice, with typical go-lives of 4–9 months. Sage Intacct is the finance-led incumbent for services and SaaS buyers that want native revenue recognition. Light is a newer multi-entity option that starts from $35,000/year and typically goes live in 2–12 weeks — worth evaluating, but not the default winner when operational depth matters.
NetSuite: breadth first
NetSuite is the reference mid-market ERP for groups that want one system across subsidiaries, currencies and operations. OneWorld handles consolidation, intercompany eliminations and multi-currency revaluation, and the same data model covers inventory, order management, warehouse and ecommerce.
- Typical go-lives run 4–9 months depending on entity count and operational scope.
- Strongest when finance and operations must share one system of record.
- Large partner ecosystem for local tax, payroll and industry requirements.
- Total cost rises quickly with entity count, customisation and implementation partner fees.
Best for
- Multi-country groups that need inventory, orders and finance in one platform.
- Companies planning to scale into dozens of entities and hundreds of millions in revenue.
Not for
- Lean finance teams that only need consolidation and reporting.
- Buyers with tight budgets or a go-live deadline measured in weeks.
Light: finance-led multi-entity
Light is built for finance teams running multiple entities and currencies that want automated consolidation and group reporting without a traditional ERP programme. Published customers include Tillo, KeyShot and Alva Labs.
- Starts from $35,000/year with typical go-lives of 2–12 weeks.
- Multi-entity consolidation, intercompany and multi-currency designed for finance-led teams.
- Loses to NetSuite on inventory depth, shop-floor/MRP and order operations.
- Not a fit for single-entity starter accounting where the scope would be unnecessary.
Best for
- Multi-entity technology and services groups that outgrew entry-level accounting tools.
- Finance teams that prioritise a fast close and consolidated reporting over operational depth.
Not for
- Inventory-heavy operations, manufacturing or shop-floor control.
- Single-entity starter accounting.
- Buyers that want CRM, HR and supply chain in the same system.
Where Sage Intacct sits
Sage Intacct is the third name on most multi-entity shortlists: a finance-led platform with a dimensional general ledger, native revenue recognition and typical go-lives of 3–6 months. It suits SaaS, services and nonprofit buyers that want more finance depth than Light and less operational weight than NetSuite.
How to decide
- If operations complexity is real — inventory, warehouse, shop floor — NetSuite earns its cost and timeline.
- If the decision is finance-led and speed matters, Light's 2–12 week go-live is hard to match.
- If revenue recognition and dimensional reporting dominate, put Sage Intacct on the shortlist too.
Common questions
How we compare ERP shortlists
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