The Value of a Monthly Retainer Plan with Etter+Ramli vs. Hourly Billing: A Deep Dive

Written by: Todd Kimpton

In today's business environment, transparency and efficiency are paramount, especially when it comes to managing complex systems like NetSuite . At Etter+Ramli (E+R), we understand the common frustrations that NetSuite users face, such as unexpected costs, lack of transparency in service delivery, and the constant upsell of additional services. This is why we advocate for a monthly retainer plan over a traditional paid-by-the-hour scheme. Here, we delve into the significant benefits of our approach and why it stands out as the superior choice for your business.

Transparency: The Cornerstone of Trust

Transparency is the foundation upon which long-term, trusted relationships are built. At E+R, our 'everything NetSuite is in Scope' approach ensures that all aspects of NetSuite are covered in our service delivery. This means no hidden fees, no unexpected SOW (Statements of Work), and no surprises. Our retainer-based billing model provides absolute transparency, allowing clients to budget effectively without the fear of escalating costs.

In contrast, hourly billing schemes often lead to unpredictable expenses, making it difficult for businesses to manage their budgets. Each additional hour worked can translate into significant, unforeseen costs, leading to financial strain and potential project delays.

Focused and Dedicated Support

With our monthly retainer plan, each client benefits from a dedicated Success Manager, supported by a highly skilled team of functional analysts, technical programmers, and data architects. This dedicated team approach ensures that your business receives the focused support it needs to thrive post go-live.

Hourly billing, on the other hand, often means that the same level of dedicated support is not guaranteed. The focus can shift to clocking hours rather than delivering value, leading to a reactive rather than proactive service.

Proven Methodology for Continuous Improvement

Our Managed Success methodology is designed to maximize value and achieve desired business outcomes. As a retained internal service, our proactive delivery is based on data-driven insights. This means we are always looking for ways to improve your system, enhance productivity, and ensure compliance.

In an hourly billing model, continuous improvement can take a back seat to billable hours. This approach often leads to short-term fixes rather than long-term solutions, hindering the overall performance and value realization of your NetSuite system.

Cost-Effective Value

One of the most significant benefits of our retainer model is the lower total cost of ownership. By outsourcing your NetSuite admin to E+R, you gain access to all the skills you need, when you need them. This "load balancing" of resources means you are not paying for idle time but for actual value delivered.

Hourly billing can quickly become cost-prohibitive, especially for mid-size global NetSuite users. The unpredictability of costs can lead to missed opportunities for productivity improvements due to budget constraints. Our retainer model ensures that cost concerns do not prevent you from making necessary enhancements to your system.

Client Success is Our Success

At E+R, we view ourselves as an extension of your team. Our mission is to help you deliver Customer Excellence through Marketing and Strategy Execution. We believe that every business should aspire to achieve Customer Excellence, setting new standards of quality for others to match.

Our approach is pragmatic, actionable, and honest. We avoid hyperbole and focus on delivering real, tangible results. By choosing our monthly retainer plan, you are investing in a partnership that prioritizes your success and is committed to delivering continuous value.

In summary, the monthly retainer plan with Etter+Ramli offers unparalleled transparency, focused support, proven continuous improvement, and cost-effective value. Unlike the unpredictable and often reactive nature of hourly billing, our retainer model ensures that your NetSuite system is always operating at its best, without the fear of unexpected costs.

Choosing E+R means choosing a partner dedicated to your success, committed to transparency, and focused on delivering continuous value. Let us help you navigate the complexities of NetSuite with confidence and achieve the business excellence you aspire to.

Etter+Ramli as the Trusted, Independent Managed Services Provider for NetSuite

Using NetSuite Managed Services could be your growing company's best strategic move. NetSuite Managed Services offers a comprehensive solution, granting companies access to a team of experienced NetSuite administrators and consultants to manage their NetSuite ERP. Typically, this service is more affordable than hiring in-house staff. When you use managed services, your systems are always up-to-date. In the world of IT, systems are consistently upgraded and patched and come with a slew of security protocols. It is a lot to handle, but your teams can handle this when implementing managed services.

The goal is to run your NetSuite system better than you run it yourselves.

For over 20 years, Etter+Ramli has helped several companies optimize their NetSuite software solution. With a 95% customer satisfaction rate, Etter+Ramli can provide your company with world-class support, Certified NetSuite experts, and a value-based pricing structure.

Etter+Ramli As Your Extended NetSuite Team

Etter+Ramli is an Independent Managed Success Provider for NetSuite clients. We are NOT partnered with Oracle NetSuite and do not take commissions. We bring our knowledge, expertise, and passion for success to our clients. We help clients Buy, Deploy, Grow, and Abandon NetSuite. We engage as a client-side managed service to ensure our priorities align with our clients.

To explore the benefits of retaining Etter+Ramli as your Managed Success Provider, contact Todd Kimpton or visit the website for a free consultation today. Subscribe to our Newsletter: SuiteWords of Etter+Ramli to stay up-to-date with the latest trends on NetSuite, tips n’ tricks, productivity solutions, and events.