Sandbox Refresh Notifications and Updates in NetSuite 2026.1

TL;DR Opening

Starting in NetSuite 2026.1, updates have been made to sandbox account administration, including enhancements to refresh notifications, refresh requests, and comprehensive details about sandbox refresh statuses. These changes ensure smoother operations and better insights for administrators handling multiple sandbox accounts.

What's New in Sandbox Account Administration

1. Improved Sandbox Refresh Process

NetSuite has refined the process for requesting sandbox refreshes. You can now easily submit a refresh request, which transfers configurations, user data, and customizations from your production account to a sandbox account. The refresh provides you an opportunity to test changes in a secure environment before deploying to live accounts.

Key Steps to Submit a Sandbox Refresh Request:

• Log in to the production account linked with the sandbox.
• Navigate to Setup > Company > Sandbox Accounts.
• Select the desired sandbox account.
• Choose which users will have access post-refresh (e.g., Administrators Only or All Users).
• Click Refresh Sandbox to initiate the process.

Tip: Ensure the refresh does not coincide with scheduled upgrades, as this can cause failures in the refresh process.

2. Enhanced Refresh Summary

The refresh summary section now provides detailed insights, including:

• Estimated Refresh Time: The estimated hours required for completion.
• Date Refresh Requested: When the last refresh was initiated.
• Date Refresh Activated: When the last refresh was completed.
• Copy Data From: Indicates the source account for the refresh, available only at Premium service tiers and above.

Note: The refresh summary will display various statuses like "Awaiting Processing" or "Copy Data to Sandbox," allowing for better tracking.

3. Asynchronous Search Queue Information

Updates to SuiteCloud Plus now include details about new asynchronous search queues that can improve performance and management of search processes within your NetSuite account.

4. AI Feature Updates

The documentation has been reformatted to present features that use AI, offering quick links to relevant help topics, making it easier for administrators to navigate and utilize AI capabilities.

Who This Affects

• Administrators: Responsible for managing sandbox environments and refreshing them.
• Developers: May require access to sandbox accounts for testing.
• IT Support: Needs to understand sandbox operations and help users.

Key Takeaways

• NetSuite 2026.1 enhances how sandbox refreshes are requested and tracked.
• Users can now view detailed information regarding the status and performance of sandbox refreshes.
• The changes aim to simplify operations and improve administrative control over sandboxes.
• Important to avoid requesting a refresh close to scheduled upgrades to prevent failures.