How to Connect NetSuite REST API: Step-by-Step Guide

Launched in 2019, the NetSuite REST API effectively overcomes the complexities of traditional integration systems, such as SOAP, by using an optimized JSON-based interface. This Oracle NetSuite REST API streamlines integration with modern cloud-deployed applications that significantly enhance scalability and efficiency for extensive workflows, and plays a key role in aligning your ERP with other business systems. You need to no longer rely on manual entry or spreadsheets, as data is exchanged automatically, and your team can make decisions with the current data available. Although various API options are available, the NetSuite REST API integration is beneficial for simple data operations and unlocks powerful capabilities for developers and businesses by leveraging modern web standards. 

The blog will provide a comprehensive overview of the NetSuite Rest API and will highlight its capabilities and benefits.

Why Use NetSuite REST API FOR BUSINESS AUTOMATION

• Scalability: The NetSuite REST API browser has a strong and modern foundation due to emerging web technologies that enable it to manage large and complex datasets. It can further fulfill the needs of businesses of all sizes.
• Smooth Integration: The REST API browser NetSuite makes business processes efficient by effortlessly integrating with other applications and systems, allowing them to streamline their operations and workflows.
• Customization: Developers can make required customization through the NetSuite REST API browser based on their different business needs. They can create custom fields, record types, and scripts to automate business processes and enhance the productivity and efficiency of their workflows. 
• Current Information: The NetSuite REST API provides real-time access to NetSuite Data, allowing businesses to make well-informed decisions based on the current information.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NETSUITE REST API AND SOAP API

The NetSuite SuiteTalk Rest API offers a modern, developer-friendly approach by using standard HTTP tools that make designing a web and mobile application easier. It returns data in JSON format, making it more readable and efficient for users compared to the XML format used by the SOAP API. 

The SOAP API, however, is used for enterprise-level integrations, fulfilling complex tasks. Due to its XML structure, it offers comprehensive assistance in maintaining customized records, managing intricate workflows, and actions that may not be fully supported by the REST API. SOAP maintains a stricter protocol and is well-suited for systems that require bulk processing and deep integration logic. 

RESTLET VS NetSuite SuiteTalk REST API

FEATURES	REST let	NATIVE REST API
Customization	Fully customizable	Limited to what NetSuite exposes
Ease Of Use	Requires scripting knowledge	Easily used with NetSuite REST API endpoints
Performance	Light-weight and high-performing for small-scale operations	Optimized for standard integrations
Authentication	Token-Based Authentication (TBA)	OAuth 2.0 and TBA
Security	Manual implementations of security checks and data validation	Built-in model
Maintenance	Requires manual upgradation	Maintained by NetSuite
Use-case Fit	Accommodates custom workflows	Best for CRUD operations
Error Handling	Need to define error structure	Standardized HTTP and JSON error responses

WHAT IS THE API LIMIT FOR NETSUITE SUITETALK (SOAP API)

Depending on the type of account and licensing, NetSuite imposes the following limits:

1) Concurrency Limit: This is defined by the number of Concurrency licenses your account has: 1 license = 1 concurrent thread.

2) Daily Request Limits: Each SOAP request consumes a certain number of units. For instance, 1,000,000 units/day is a common enterprise-level, but it is dependent on your account tier.

3) Burst Capacity: Exceeding the maximum consumed limit may result in “Request Limit Exceeded” errors. 

WHAT IS THE LIMIT OF RESTLET IN NETSUITE

1. Concurrency Limit: The default limit is 5 concurrent threads per user and 10 per account. Based on your account tier and licensing, you can request a limit increase. 
2. Daily Request Limits: Typical governance limits are 10 units per day, but it is again subject to your account tier. 
3. Burst Capacity: No limitation at the API level, but high frequency of calls can be restricted by the backend if it impacts performance. 

GETTING STARTED WITH THE NETSUITE CALL REST API

To make your first API call, you will need to set up an Integration Record, configure Roles and Permissions and authenticate with OAuth 1.0a.

STEP 1: Creating NetSuite Rest API Integration Record

Navigate to Setup > Integration > Manage Integrations > New.

Name the Integration as for e.g: “My REST API Integration”

Enable Token-Based Authentication (TBA)

Save to generate the Consumer Key and Consumer Secret needed for authentication. 

Step 2: Assigning Roles and Permissions

Go to Setup > Users/Roles > Access Tokens > New

Choose the created integration and select a user and role and HIT SAVE.

Now, generate the Token ID and Token Secret for the application

STEP 3: OAuth 1.0a NetSuite REST API Authentication

Go to the authentication tab and select OAuth 1.0a as the type.

Set the Signature Method.

Enter the Consumer Key and Consumer Secret generated previously.

Then enter the Token ID and Token Secret obtained before and set the oAuth version to 1.0. 

Here is the sample of first NetSuite call REST API

NetSuite REST API EXAMPLES AND CASES

The following are the best ways to make use of this API in various business tasks.

1. Cloud Integration: Its JSON-based structure is ideal for cloud native applications, making it particularly useful for:

• Updating sales orders directly from a Mobile application, ensuring real-time visibility.
• Inventory Checks: Enables keeping inventory up to date to prevent any stockouts and to efficiently assist in-store customer queries. 
• Expense Reporting: Employees can submit all financial metrics via mobile.

2. Approval Workflows for Accounts Payable and Procurement

For example:

• Purchase order approval based on predefined criteria and notifying them in applications like Microsoft Teams
• Enables invoice matching through automation tools by comparing them with POs based on custom rules.
• Budget Approvals are based on the predefined budgets and spending limits.

3.  E-Commerce Integration:

• Synchronize inventory data to prevent stockouts
• Automatically update customer orders, which significantly reduces manual entry and the accompanying errors.
• Sync customer profiles and order histories to enable an improved customer experience

4. Custom Reporting and Analytics Dashboards

Among the most common situations for customized reporting and analytics, some are as follows:

• Access real-time financial reporting with continuous updates that are automatically upgraded. 
• Automates the inventory levels, turnover rates, and market trends to make informed decisions regarding the demand forecasts and the accompanying purchase decisions. 
• Continuously accesses sales and customer data to generate analytics based on customer preferences and to make accurate demand forecasting.

CONCLUSION

From pre-production to deployment, the NetSuite REST API demands attention to automation, ensuring operational efficiency, increased productivity, and acquiring a competitive advantage. NetSuite Rest API offers robust solutions for developers to access NetSuite data and automate key business processes. By adopting this modern API framework, organizations not only automate their processes but also take a strategic step towards scalable growth and real-time decision making.