Introduction

In modern business environments, the tools you choose to manage expenses, financials, operations, and reporting can determine how agile and competitive your organization becomes. On one hand, you have SAP Concur, which specializes in expense, travel, and invoice management. On the other hand, you have NetSuite, a full-scale cloud ERP platform that covers financials, CRM, inventory, order management, and more. Though they differ in scope and purpose, businesses often ask whether they need one or the other, or how both can work together. At SixLakes Consulting, we frequently advise organizations on how to evaluate SAP Concur vs NetSuite and design a strategy that uses both platforms effectively.

Understanding NetSuite

NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud-based business management suite that integrates ERP, financial management, CRM, eCommerce, inventory management, and more. It is built for companies that want a unified system for core operations, especially those that are growing, multi-entity, or operating globally. Because NetSuite covers such a broad scope, it often becomes the backbone of an organization’s operations.

Understanding SAP Concur

SAP Concur is a cloud service focused on travel, expense, and invoice management. It provides tools for capturing travel and expense spend, automating approvals, enforcing policy compliance, and integrating expense data with financial systems. It is well suited for organizations looking to control employee spend, improve visibility into travel and expense data, and streamline reimbursement workflows.

Primary Purpose Comparison

The fundamental difference lies in their core purpose. NetSuite is a full ERP system covering many business functions including accounting, inventory, order-to-cash, CRM, and more. SAP Concur is narrowly focused on managing employee expenses, travel bookings, invoice automation, and capturing spend. If your primary need is controlling travel and expense workflows, Concur may suffice. If you need broad operational management, NetSuite is the better choice.

Overlap and Differences

While both platforms touch financial management, they do so at different levels. Concur feeds expense and invoice transactions into a financial system, while NetSuite is that financial system and much more. For example, Concur manages travel bookings, expense entries, and reimbursements, then posts results to the general ledger. NetSuite handles the ledger, payables, receivables, inventory, and many other processes. Choosing only one system may leave functional gaps or require add-ons for missing capabilities.

Integration Between Concur and NetSuite

For many companies, the answer isn’t “Concur or NetSuite” but rather “Concur and NetSuite.” Concur offers integration capabilities that post approved expense and invoice data into NetSuite in near real time, ensuring up-to-date financials. At SixLakes Consulting, we help organizations deploy seamless Concur–NetSuite integrations so expenses captured in Concur are automatically reflected in NetSuite without manual entry or reconciliation.

When You Might Use Concur Alone

If your organization is smaller and your primary challenge is managing employee expenses and travel spend, then Concur alone may suffice. It offers rapid deployment, user-friendly interfaces, and focused functionality. However, you must ensure that your underlying accounting system can support the data posting and integration required.

When You Need NetSuite Alone

If your business manages complex operations across multiple subsidiaries, inventory networks, order management, and eCommerce, then NetSuite alone may be the right fit. It provides a unified platform for financials, operations, and customer management. You may still use Concur for specialized expense workflows, but many organizations find NetSuite’s native capabilities sufficient.

When You Should Use Both Concur and NetSuite

Many growing companies use both systems, Concur for expense and travel management, NetSuite for enterprise operations. This combination delivers best-of-breed functionality. At SixLakes Consulting, we design robust integration strategies that ensure data consistency, process alignment, and visibility across both systems, giving finance teams full control without duplication.

Cost Considerations

Cost often plays a major role in decision-making. Concur’s pricing depends on users, expense volume, and modules selected, while NetSuite’s cost is tied to modules, transaction volume, and customization needs. Using both systems together adds integration costs, but the combined value can outweigh the expense when implemented properly. SixLakes Consulting helps clients evaluate ROI and optimize licensing structures.

Implementation Complexity

NetSuite implementation is typically more complex due to its wide scope, it covers financials, inventory, CRM, reporting, and more. Concur implementations are generally quicker and simpler, as they focus on expense and travel management. However, if both are deployed, integration planning is crucial. Our experts at SixLakes Consulting ensure both platforms are aligned with your operational goals and launched efficiently.

Scalability and Growth

NetSuite is built for scalability, handling global operations, multiple currencies, and complex entities. Concur scales well within its domain, expense and travel, but does not extend into supply chain or CRM. Businesses expecting international expansion or operational growth will benefit from NetSuite’s scalability, possibly complemented by Concur for specialized expense control.

Reporting, Analytics, and Visibility

Both systems offer powerful analytics, but at different levels. Concur provides real-time insight into travel and expense compliance and employee spending trends. NetSuite delivers deep visibility into overall business performance, financial health, and operational KPIs. Together, they form a strong foundation for data-driven decision-making.

Risks and Considerations

Each system carries unique risks. Concur requires accurate data mapping into your financial system to prevent reporting errors. NetSuite demands proper customization and governance to avoid inefficiencies. SixLakes Consulting guides businesses through risk assessment, data alignment, and post-implementation optimization to ensure sustainable success.

Why Choose SixLakes Consulting

When deciding between Concur and NetSuite, having an experienced advisor is critical. SixLakes Consulting specializes in both Concur and NetSuite implementations and integrations. Our consultants understand how to optimize financial workflows, design effective integrations, and ensure systems work harmoniously. We deliver solutions that fit your budget, streamline your processes, and position your company for growth.

Conclusion

The choice between Concur and NetSuite depends on your operational scope and business needs. Concur is best for focused expense and travel management, while NetSuite is ideal for broader enterprise resource planning. In many cases, integrating both provides maximum efficiency and visibility. With SixLakes Consulting as your trusted partner, you can design and implement a strategy that unifies your financial and operational ecosystem, empowering your business to grow confidently.

FAQs

What is the main difference between Concur and NetSuite?

Concur focuses on travel and expense management, while NetSuite is a complete ERP solution covering accounting, CRM, inventory, and operations.

Can Concur integrate with NetSuite?

Yes, Concur can integrate with NetSuite through APIs or third-party middleware, ensuring seamless expense data transfer to your financial system.

Is NetSuite better than Concur for accounting?

NetSuite offers a full accounting suite, while Concur only manages expense and invoice entry. For complete financial control, NetSuite is superior.

Should small businesses use Concur or NetSuite?

Small businesses focused mainly on expense tracking can use Concur. However, growing businesses with broader operational needs benefit more from NetSuite or a combination of both.

Why choose SixLakes Consulting for integration?

SixLakes Consulting provides expert NetSuite and Concur integration services that ensure smooth data flow, reduced manual work, and improved financial visibility. Our tailored approach helps you achieve maximum system efficiency.