ANS-1229 · CUSTOMER & CRM RECORDS
How to Manage and Alter Customer, Vendor, and Partner Relationships in NetSuite
Understand NetSuite's capabilities for modifying entity relationships, including subtype removal and merging functionalities.
Short answer
While a direct 'undo' button for established entity relationships with associated transactions is not available, NetSuite allows for the removal of specific entity subtypes (e.g., customer role) if no transactions are linked. Additionally, merging functionality can consolidate related entities like customer and vendor records, providing a way to manage and alter existing relationships.
Scenario
NetSuite users frequently encounter situations where they need to modify or reverse established relationships between entities, such as customers, vendors, or partners. This often arises when an entity is incorrectly categorized or when business needs evolve, prompting a desire to 'undo' a previously defined relationship.
Solution
As of NetSuite release 2018.2 and subsequent versions, a universal 'undo' button for entity relationships, particularly those with associated transactions, is not available. However, NetSuite provides mechanisms to manage and alter these relationships:
Removing Entity Subtypes:
It is possible to remove a specific entity subtype (e.g., a customer role from a customer/vendor entity) provided that no transactions are currently associated with that particular subtype.
Merging Entities:
NetSuite's merging functionality allows for the consolidation of related entities, such as combining separate customer and vendor records into a single polymorphic entity. While not a direct 'undo,' this process effectively alters and manages existing relationships by integrating them into a unified record.
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