Sandbox Account Refresh Process in NetSuite 2026.1

TL;DR Opening

Starting in NetSuite 2026.1, sandbox account refreshes enable administrators to request a copy of configurations, data, and customizations from their production accounts to their sandbox environments. This function is crucial for maintaining updated test environments that reflect current production settings.

What’s New

The sandbox refresh process involves transferring a snapshot of all relevant data, configurations, and user passwords from the source production account to the designated sandbox account. To initiate a sandbox refresh, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the production account associated with the sandbox accounts you wish to refresh.
2. Navigate to Setup > Company > Sandbox Accounts.
3. For each sandbox account you want to refresh, specify user access:
   • Administrators Only: Limits access to the account administrator.
   • All Users: Grants access to all existing production users (excluding Customer Center users).
4. Choose the source account from which data will be copied. Note that this option is available only for Premium, Enterprise, or Ultimate service tiers. Standard tiers use the production account by default.
5. Click Refresh Sandbox and confirm in the popup window.

Monitoring Refresh Status

While the sandbox refresh is in progress, it remains accessible for ongoing work. You can track the refresh status and estimated completion time on the Sandbox Accounts page. An email notification will be sent once the new sandbox is ready for activation.

Keep in mind:

• Refreshing Time Considerations: Do not request a refresh near scheduled upgrade dates, as refresh requests might fail if they do not complete before the upgrade begins.
• Data Availability: The snapshot taken during the refresh may not include changes made to the source account immediately before the refresh request. Check the Snapshot Date field to verify the data included.

Activating the Refreshed Sandbox

After receiving notification that the sandbox has been refreshed:

1. Go to the Sandbox Accounts page to activate your new sandbox copy. Once activated, the new sandbox replaces the existing one entirely.
2. It's imperative to save any changes made in your previous sandbox during the refresh request to ensure they are preserved.
   • Account administrators should have a strategy to save these improvements and plan for adding them back after the sandbox is activated.
3. Time Limit: After the new sandbox is ready for activation, you have two weeks to activate it; otherwise, the new copy will be deleted.

Who This Affects

• Administrators: Responsible for managing sandbox accounts.
• Developers: Utilize sandbox environments for testing new features or customizations.
• Accountants: Might require access to refreshed environments for financial reporting and testing.

Key Takeaways

• Sandbox account refreshes in NetSuite 2026.1 enable easy data syncing from production to a sandbox environment.
• Monitor the refresh status to avoid conflicts with scheduled upgrades.
• Ensure to save any customizations made in the existing sandbox before activation, as the new version will overwrite it.
• Understand the time constraints for activating the refreshed sandbox copy to prevent data loss.