NetSuite’s Material Requirements Planning (MRP) module has come a long way. What was once viewed as limited has evolved into a powerful, built-in solution that helps businesses turn supply planning into a strategic advantage.
If you haven’t looked at NetSuite’s MRP Supply Planning functionality recently, now is the time to take a fresh look. After five years of continuous innovation, and with the upcoming 2025.2 release, NetSuite MRP is more capable than ever.
Below is a snapshot of the most impactful enhancements from 2020 through the soon-to-launch 2025.2 version.
(** = Our top picks)
2020: Foundation Overhaul and the Workbench Launch
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Redesigned MRP Functionality: NetSuite rebuilt its supply planning engine to include robust MRP capabilities.
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**Planner’s Workbench: A centralized interface for evaluating actions, reviewing planned orders, and managing exceptions.
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**Dedicated Planning Repository: Gave planners control over data timing to prevent overreactions to real-time fluctuations.
2021: Multi-Location Visibility and BOM Accuracy
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**Multi-Location Planning: Improved visibility and control over inventory across multiple sites.
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Enhanced BOM Handling: More accurate material requirement calculations for complex assemblies.
2022: Planner Efficiency and Parameter Expansion
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**Planner’s Workbench Upgrades: Added bulk review and release capabilities for planned orders, plus full pegging support to trace supply-demand relationships.
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Expanded Planning Parameters: Introduced support for fixed/variable lead times, lot sizes, and overdue forecast tracking.
2023: Greater Flexibility and Extended Horizons
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**Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Flexibility: Planners can now use fixed lots or multiples, rather than being limited by MOQ rules.
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**Extended Planning Horizons: Demand planning and purchase lead times increased from one to three years.
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Enhanced Workbench Filters: New filters to separate firm and unfirm supply orders.
2024: Precision Planning and Better Control
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**Supply Planning Workbench Enhancements: Added filters for Cancel Firm, Reschedule In/Out Firm, and Lead Time Thresholds, along with subsidiary-level filtering for multi-entity planning.
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Transaction-Level Planning Control: Planners can now exclude transactions from planning without requiring a full refresh.
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**Workday Calendar Integration: Purchase orders now align with company workday calendars.
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Lot Sizing and MOQ Improvements: Increased flexibility when combining MOQ with lot sizing rules.
2025: Automation, Alerts, and Analytics Integration
(Coming in the 2025.2 Release)
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New Planning Workbench Views: Added filters—Reschedule In Firm, Reschedule Out Firm, Cancel Firm—for better disruption management.
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Email Alerts for Failed MRP Runs: Automated notifications for failed supply plan executions.
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**Expedite Flag for VIP Orders: Prioritize urgent planned orders with a single flag.
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**Transfer Order Enhancements: Option to create transfer orders based on available quantity and exclude them from planning workflows.
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**SuiteAnalytics Integration: MRP data now available for custom reporting and analysis.
NetSuite MRP in 2025: A Strategic Advantage
NetSuite MRP isn’t just evolving—it’s leading. With every release, it becomes more intuitive, more powerful, and more aligned with the real-world needs of planners and manufacturers.
If you’re ready to transform supply planning into a competitive advantage, NetSuite MRP 2025 is your moment.
Reach out to the RSM team, we’ll walk you through the latest features and show how NetSuite MRP can drive smarter planning for your business.
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