Preparing for Release Testing in...

TL;DR: Preparing for testing in NetSuite's Release Preview is critical to ensure that your business workflows function correctly after updates. Utilize the provided test plan template to facilitate comprehensive testing and mitigate issues before the changes are implemented in the production account.

What is Release Preview?

Release Preview is a dedicated account for testing new NetSuite features prior to their deployment in your production environment. The primary goal is to identify and resolve potential issues in your business workflows, ensuring that everything operates smoothly with the latest updates.

Why is Testing Important?

Testing in your Release Preview account helps to:

Prevent unexpected issues when new features are rolled out.
Ensure existing workflows are unaffected by enhancements.
Familiarize yourself and your team with any new functionality ahead of the official release.

Steps to Prepare for Testing

Download the Test Plan Template: Obtain the Release Preview Test Plan Template, which is an Excel worksheet with a testing matrix and example workflows. This can be accessed here.
Review Scheduled Events: Make a note of all scheduled events running in your production account. Disable these events before updating to the new release and re-enable once testing is complete.
Familiarize with New Features: Review the Sneak Peeks available via the New Release portlet or view NetSuite 2026.2 Release Notes to gain insights into changes and enhancements.
Access Your Release Preview Account: Log in to your Release Preview account at the same URL as your production account, https://system.netsuite.com. Ensure you have the Release Preview Administrator role to access and manage tests.
Review Features Available for Testing: Understand which features are available for testing and note that not all data and features from the production environment are replicated in Release Preview.

Important Notes

Performance during initial testing in Release Preview may differ from production, particularly on first-use processes where tasks might be slower. Performance should improve after using the system several times.
Any actions taken in your Release Preview account do not impact your production account.

Reporting Issues

If issues arise during your testing, report them promptly:

Call NetSuite Customer Support or submit a case online through SuiteAnswers for effective tracking and resolution processes.

Key Resources

Accessing Your Release Preview Account
Features Available for Testing in Release Preview
How to Report Release Preview Issues

Key Takeaways

Utilize the Test Plan Template to effectively coordinate testing.
Be aware of scheduled events that need disabling during testing.
Report any encountered issues promptly to minimize disruptions in workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions (4)

What permissions are required to access the Release Preview account?

You need the Release Preview Administrator role to access and manage tests in your Release Preview account.

Do I need to disable scheduled events before testing in Release Preview?

Yes, it is recommended to disable all scheduled events running in your production account before updating to the new release and re-enable them once testing is complete.

How does the performance in Release Preview differ from the production environment?

Performance during initial testing in Release Preview may be slower, particularly for first-use processes. However, performance should improve after using the system several times.

Are all production data and features available in the Release Preview environment?

Not all data and features from the production environment are replicated in Release Preview, so some features may not be available for testing.

Preparing for Release Testing in NetSuite