NetSuite performance optimization for a 15+ year legacy environment
NetSuite • 6 min read

Case Study: NetSuite Performance Optimization for a 15+ Year Legacy Environment

Jan 26, 2026

Client Overview

The client is a long-time NetSuite customer with over 15 years on the platform. Over time, their environment had accumulated a large number of scripts, workflows, integrations, and customizations built by multiple teams and partners. While NetSuite continued to support core business operations, system performance, maintainability, and operational efficiency had noticeably declined.

Challenges

After years of continuous customization, the client faced several common issues seen in mature NetSuite environments:

  • Legacy SuiteScript 1.0 scripts creating performance bottlenecks
  • Overlapping scripts and workflows executing similar logic
  • Customizations that were no longer used but still running in the background
  • Inefficient roles, permissions, and license usage
  • Integrations that required manual intervention and were prone to errors
  • Slow transaction processing and fulfillment delays during peak periods

These issues increased system load, introduced unnecessary risk, and made ongoing support more complex and costly.

Our Approach

SixLakes Consulting applied a structured optimization approach focused on modernization, consolidation, and risk reduction across the client’s NetSuite environment.

1. SuiteScript Modernization (1.0 → 2.x)

We upgraded all critical SuiteScript 1.0 scripts to SuiteScript 2.x, refactoring code to align with modern best practices. This work included:

  • Replacing deprecated APIs with SuiteScript 2.x modules
  • Improving governance usage to reduce script timeouts
  • Centralizing shared logic to avoid duplication
  • Enhancing error handling and logging for easier support

The result was reduced execution time, improved stability, and better long-term compatibility with NetSuite’s current and future platform updates.

2. Consolidation of Scripts, Workflows, and Custom Logic

Over the years, similar business logic had been implemented multiple times across scripts, workflows, and custom records. We completed a full automation audit and:

  • Identified overlapping or conflicting scripts and workflows
  • Consolidated redundant logic into streamlined, centralized solutions
  • Standardized triggers and execution order to avoid unnecessary re-processing

This significantly reduced processing overhead and simplified ongoing maintenance, giving the client a cleaner, more predictable automation landscape.

3. Customization Cleanup

Years of incremental changes had left the account with fields, scripts, and records that no longer aligned with current processes. SixLakes:

  • Identified unused custom fields, records, scripts, and workflows
  • Validated with business owners before deactivating or removing
  • Documented all decommissioned components for audit and rollback if needed

Eliminating unused customizations reduced background processing, improved performance, and lowered the risk of unintended side effects from legacy logic.

4. License, Role, and Permission Optimization

We performed a full audit of NetSuite licenses, roles, and permissions. By aligning user access with actual job responsibilities, we were able to:

  • Reduce unnecessary license consumption
  • Improve system security and reduce excessive access
  • Simplify role management, onboarding, and audits

This resulted in lower NetSuite licensing costs and a cleaner, easier-to-manage permission structure.

5. Integration Streamlining

The client relied on multiple integrations for orders, fulfillment, and financial data. Many of these had grown more complex over time and required manual intervention. SixLakes:

  • Reviewed current integration flows end-to-end for efficiency and failure points
  • Simplified mappings and eliminated unnecessary steps where possible
  • Improved error handling and alerting to reduce manual rework

Streamlined integrations reduced manual effort, improved data accuracy, and increased fulfillment efficiency across connected systems.

Results

Following the optimization project, the client saw measurable improvements across their NetSuite environment:

  • Noticeable performance improvements across transaction processing and record loads
  • Reduced script execution time and lower system resource usage
  • Simpler, more maintainable architecture with fewer moving parts
  • Lower operational risk by removing obsolete and unsupported customizations
  • Optimized license usage, reducing ongoing NetSuite costs
  • Improved fulfillment efficiency through more reliable, automated integrations
  • Less manual work and fewer errors for finance and operations teams

Business Impact

By modernizing the NetSuite environment and removing years of accumulated technical debt, the client transformed NetSuite from a legacy system they worked around into a platform that actively supported scale, efficiency, and growth.

The optimized system is now faster, easier to maintain, and positioned to support future enhancements—such as new integrations, advanced reporting, and additional automation—without repeating past issues or introducing new performance bottlenecks.

Ready to Clean Up and Speed Up Your NetSuite Environment?

If your NetSuite account has 10+ years of scripts, workflows, and “quick fixes,” performance issues are a symptom—not the root cause. SixLakes Consulting helps you modernize SuiteScript, consolidate logic, and remove technical debt so your team can move faster on a reliable, scalable platform.

Talk to a NetSuite Optimization Expert

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about NetSuite performance optimization and legacy environment cleanup.

How do I know if my NetSuite environment needs performance optimization?

Signs include slow transaction saves, timeouts, frequent “script execution” errors, overlapping workflows, and heavy reliance on manual workarounds. If performance has degraded over time as customizations accumulated, an optimization assessment is usually the right next step.

Do we have to rewrite every SuiteScript 1.0 script?

Not always. SixLakes prioritizes the scripts that are most critical to your business and most impactful for performance or supportability. Some low-risk, low-usage scripts can be addressed later as part of a phased roadmap.

Will performance optimization disrupt day-to-day operations?

Our goal is to improve performance without causing downtime. We work in sandbox first, follow a strict testing process, and schedule production changes during low-traffic windows to minimize disruption for end users.

Can license optimization really reduce NetSuite costs?

Yes. Many long-term customers pay for licenses or roles they no longer need. By aligning access with actual usage and responsibilities, we often identify opportunities to reduce or reallocate licenses ahead of renewal.

What makes SixLakes different from other NetSuite partners?

SixLakes Consulting specializes in untangling complex, long-lived NetSuite environments. We combine deep technical expertise (SuiteScript, integrations, performance tuning) with a practical, business-first approach—focusing on measurable improvements in speed, stability, and user experience.