Improving Project Profitability in the IT Services Industry with NetSuite OpenAir 

Overview

About the Client

Operating in the IT Services industry, the client provides project-based consulting, software development, and support services to global enterprise customers. With an expanding client base and distributed project teams, they needed an efficient, scalable solution to manage complex engagements and boost delivery profitability. 

Challenges Faced 

As operations grew, the client experienced several critical inefficiencies that impacted performance and profitability: 

• Fragmented Project Visibility: Project managers lacked a centralized system for monitoring deadlines, budgets, and resource allocation hindering effective IT services project management. 

• Manual Time & Expense Tracking: Teams used spreadsheets to track billable hours and costs, resulting in billing delays and data inaccuracies. 

• Resource Allocation Inefficiencies: Difficulty forecasting and assigning resources based on skillsets and availability reduced utilization. 

• Delayed Billing Cycles: Manual workflows extended invoice turnaround times, affecting cash flow and customer satisfaction. 

• Lack of Real-Time Reporting: Leadership lacked actionable insights into project profitability tracking, team productivity, and revenue forecasting. 

Our Solution 

We deployed NetSuite OpenAir, a robust professional services automation platform designed for dynamic project environments. The platform offered end-to-end project visibility, automated workflows, and data-driven insights to drive operational improvements. 

Key solution features included: 

• Unified platform for project, time, expense, and resource management 

• Automated workflows for invoicing and approvals 

• Role-specific dashboards for better accountability and collaboration 

• Real-time project and profitability insights for smarter decision-making 

Technology & Tools Implementation 

The following NetSuite OpenAir modules were tailored to the client’s needs: 

• Project Management Automation: Tracking milestones, deliverables, and budget performance on a centralized dashboard. 

• Resource Management: Assigning consultants based on availability and skills to improve utilization and forecasting. 

• Time & Expense Tracking: Mobile-enabled entry and approval system integrated with billing workflows. 

• Billing & Invoicing: Automated generation of client invoices aligned with project progress and timesheet data. 

• Analytics & Reporting: Real-time KPIs to monitor project profitability tracking, team efficiency, and financial performance. 

Results

The Impact and Outcome 

The adoption of NetSuite OpenAir resulted in major operational gains: 

• 20% increase in billable utilization through optimized resource planning 

• 30% faster billing cycles, significantly improving cash flow 

• 25% reduction in administrative overhead via automation 

• Enhanced transparency and project visibility 

• Accurate profitability forecasting supporting strategic growth 

With NetSuite OpenAir, the client now leads with efficiency, data-driven planning, and scalable IT services project management delivering high-value projects on time and with improved margins.