Last Modified: October 29th, 2026
7 min read
Many will agree when we say that NetSuite’s default or standard file storage capacity can be a hindrance for businesses. The limited 100GB offered in the Standard plan and the steep pricing of the Premium Tier ($60K annually or $2.4K per 10GB for the metered option) impede the operations of businesses that depend on extensive file storage and document management. This limitation has given rise to a market for NetSuite file storage optimization solutions, which include everything from integrated cloud storage options to archival storage functionalities.
See Excelym’s NetSuite File Cabinet Solution product.
This blog provides a comparative analysis of the popular market offerings aimed at enhancing storage capacity of the NetSuite File Cabinet. These options may be based on an integrated cloud storage model or archival storage function. But before we jump into comparing the solutions, let’s take a moment to discuss the topic briefly for the benefit of those who are new to it.
What is a NetSuite File Cabinet Storage Solution and what are the different product approaches to it?
A NetSuite File Cabinet Storage Solution refers to any software or service that is designed to optimize the file storage capacity of NetSuite’s native file cabinet feature. They’re basically like middlewares or intermediaries that work to connect your NetSuite, or move data from NetSuite, with an external cloud storage provider to expand data capacity, at a significantly lower cost.
At a high level, there are two practical methods to enhance your NetSuite File Cabinet storage outside of NetSuite’s native storage enhancement options. One is the integrated storage method where you directly integrate your NetSuite File Cabinet with an external cloud storage platform. The other is the archival storage method which works by moving older or less frequently accessed files to a different storage location freeing up more space in your default NetSuite File Cabinet storage. Both solutions are particularly beneficial for businesses that have high volumes of data and files stored in NetSuite, as they provide more storage space and improve the overall efficiency of file management.
We talked more about this in another blog: NetSuite File Cabinet Storage Management Solution Options: Archival Storage vs Integrated Cloud Storage.
Comparative Analysis Table of the Different NetSuite File Cabinet Storage Solution Alternatives
The table below will help us understand how different NetSuite File Cabinet Solution providers or alternatives vary in their approach, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. It provides a clear overview of the key features and benefits of each option, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on their specific needs and requirements.
| NetSuite Standard Tier | NetSuite Premium Tier | Excelym NetSuite File Cabinet Solution | ExtendTech eXtendFiles NetSuite Document Storage | Techfino NetSuite CleanSweep File Manager | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solution Architecture (i.e. Storage Method) | Native NetSuite storage with a default capacity of 100GB. | Upgraded NetSuite storage to 1,100GB, adding 1,000GB to the standard 100GB capacity. | Archiving of File Cabinet contents to the cloud of your choice, for cost-effective storage by enabling automatic purging to free up space in NetSuite | Document management/integrated cloud storage - replaces NetSuite File Cabinet storage with external cloud storage service | Archiving of File Cabinet contents to the cloud of your choice, for cost-effective storage by enabling automatic purging to free up space in NetSuite |
| Allows Specific Data Retention Policy Configuration based on File Type, Size, and File Age | N/A | N/A | Yes | N/A (File storage is outside NetSuite through an external Document Management platform) | Yes |
| Allows File Purging Frequency Scheduling | N/A | N/A | Yes | N/A (File storage is outside NetSuite through an external Document Management platform) | Yes |
| Original NetSuite File Reference/ Related Record Connection | Allows users to view/locate the object or file data in the NetSuite record where it is originally stored (Default/ Standard NetSuite functionality) | Allows users to view/locate the object or file data in the NetSuite record where it is originally stored (Default/ Standard NetSuite functionality) | Allows users to view/locate the object or file data in the NetSuite record where it is originally stored. It uses native file record type in NetSuite which retains file history, relationship, source or origin (e.g. file is from an email, customer record, transaction record, etc.) This preserves and retains default/ Standard NetSuite functionality. There is nothing new for the NetSuite end-user to learn. | The platform assigns its own file reference (through a custom record added to NetSuite record), which can lead to inconsistencies and confusion when cross-referencing or locating original data storage between NetSuite and the third-party cloud storage provider. | The platform assigns its own file reference (through a custom record added to NetSuite record), which can lead to inconsistencies and confusion when cross-referencing or locating original data storage between NetSuite and the third-party cloud storage provider. |
| Use of native/standard NetSuite file upload process | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A (File storage is outside NetSuite through an external Document Management platform) | Yes |
| Follows Standard File Opening Procedure in NetSuite | Yes | Yes | Same location in NetSuite as it uses the native file record in NetSuite. User will find the file in the SAME place where it was added even in emails. | Users are taken to eXtendTech's own web page/tab/link. | Use file browser and (maybe no details of where the file was added/used) |
| Training Requirement | Built-in feature. No additional training required. | Built-in feature. No additional training required. | Natively integrated function. No additional training required. | Requires additional training on use of a separate/third-party Document Management platform. | Requires additional training on use of a separate/third-party Document Management platform. |
| Additional Workflow Requirement | There is no need for users to open another application or to be redirected to an external user interface (UI)/module. They can use NetSuite AS IS. | There is no need for users to open another application or to be redirected to an external user interface (UI)/module. They can use NetSuite AS IS. | There is no need for users to open another application or to be redirected to an external user interface (UI)/module. They can use NetSuite AS IS. | Users need an external application to manage files outside of NetSuite, which complicates workflows and may delay access to important documents. The document management feature also creates separate file references for stored data, separate from the original records in NetSuite. | Users need an external application to manage files outside of NetSuite, which complicates workflows and may delay access to important documents. Moreover, the document management feature generates a separate file reference, distinct from the original record in NetSuite. |
| Other Comments | Users can buy extra storage for $2,400 per year or upgrade to the Premium Tier for larger default storage capacity. | Users must pay an extra $60K annually to access the Premium Tier beyond their standard subscription. | The simple and integrated archival process eliminates the need for additional interfaces or platforms, promoting efficiency and reducing the risk of operational disruptions. | The solution involves managing files outside of NetSuite introducing complexities to the workflow and requires additional user training. This leads to discrepancies in file referencing, impacting data. | There is risk of additional complexity and potential workflow delays introduced by the need for an external application. The requirement of additional user-training entails added time and resource investments. |
Note: Excelym’s NetSuite File Cabinet Storage Solution uses an archival function. It enhances the NetSuite File Cabinet’s native functionality without compromising usability. It minimizes the need for user training and offers flexible, high-end storage options directly linked to your account, avoiding additional costs from intermediaries.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Different NetSuite File Cabinet Storage Solution Alternatives
Beyond comparing features, it is crucial to consider the total cost of ownership for each NetSuite File Cabinet Storage solution option. The table below outlines the total cost of ownership, including the recurring SaaS fees, additional storage expenses, and the one-time costs associated with implementation and data migration.
| SaaS Recurring Cost | Additional Storage/ Storage Feature Cost | One-Time Implementation Cost | One-Time Data Migration Cost | TCO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NetSuite Standard Tier | Pay annual NetSuite Standard subscription cost with base 100GB worth of File Cabinet storage space | Additional $2.4K per year for every 10 GB of extra storage space, or a fraction thereof | N/A | N/A | TBD $ |
| NetSuite Premium Tier | Pay annual NetSuite Premium Tier at an additional $60K/year to get 1,000 GB of extra storage space on top of base 100GB, totalling 1,100GB | Additional $2.4K per year for every 10 GB of extra storage space, or a fraction thereof | N/A | N/A | TBD $ |
| Excelym NetSuite File Cabinet Solution with Amazon S3 by Excelym | Pay $149 per month per NetSuite account | Amazon S3 subscription with FREE 5GB on first year (free tier) and at $0.023 per GB for the first 50TB of extra storage space thereafter | TBD $ (Depending scope, volume & complexity) | TBD $ (Depending scope, volume & complexity) | TBD $ |
| ExtendTech eXtendFiles NetSuite Document Storage by ExtendTech | TBD $ | TBD $ | TBD $ (Depending scope, volume & complexity) | TBD $ (Depending scope, volume & complexity) | TBD $ |
| Techfino NetSuite CleanSweep File Manager by Techfino | TBD $ | TBD $ | TBD $ (Depending scope, volume & complexity) | TBD $ (Depending scope, volume & complexity) | TBD $ |
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Different Cloud Storage Options (If used to extend NetSuite’s File Cabinet storage space using Excelym’s NetSuite File Cabinet Solution)
To provide you with a clearer understanding of the potential costs associated with utilizing your own cloud storage platform (such as Amazon S3, Google Drive, etc.) to expand your NetSuite File Cabinet capacity, we have compiled a report detailing the expenses for each cloud storage option. This report considers various factors, including subscription inclusions, free storage limits, price per gigabyte, and the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the first 50 TB of storage consumption in the first year. Additionally, the options are ranked according to their TCO figures, allowing you to identify the most cost-effective choice.
| Excelym's NetSuite File Cabinet Solution + different storage options | Storage plan | Additional Storage Cost | Annual FREE storage limits *GB | Price per GB | TCO for first 50TB storage consumption on first year | Rank according to TCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFTP Server | Client's own server | annual depreciation cost allocation of client's server infrastructure | TBD | |||
| ? | ***** Business | ***** Business subscription comes with unlimited storage for $17.30 per user per month for a minimum 3 user subscription | N/A (Unlimited Storage) | N/A (Unlimited Storage) | $622.80 | #1 |
| ? | ***** Standard storage class (North America region) | ***** shared Cloud storage class subscription with FREE monthly storage usage limit of 5 GB and at $0.020 per gb per month | 60 GB | $0.020 | $998.80 | #2 |
| Amazon S3 | Amazon S3 Standard storage | Amazon S3 subscription with FREE 5GB on first year (free tier) and at $0.023 per GB for the first 50TB of extra storage space thereafter | 5 GB | $0.023 | $1,149.89 | #3 |
| ? | ***** Blob Storage | ***** Blob Storage data storage for $0.024 per GB under locally redundant storage (LRS) for the first 1 TB/ month | N/A (No FREE storage applicable) | $0.024 | $1,200.00 | #4 |
| Microsoft SharePoint | SharePoint (Plan 1) | SharePoint (Plan 1) with 1 TB of cloud storage and an extra 10 GB per user license for $5.00 per user per month on an annual subscription | 10 GB per extra user license | $0.060 | $2,999.40 | #5 |
| Dropbox | Dropbox Business | Dropbox Business subscription with 9 TB (shared by team of 3) of cloud storage and FREE 2 GB for $15 per user per month for a minimum 3 user subscription | 2 GB | $0.060 | $2,999.88 | #6 |
| OneDrive | OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) | OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) with 1 TB/1,000 GB of cloud storage for $5.00 per user per month on an annual subscription | N/A (No FREE storage applicable) | $0.060 | $3,000.00 | #7 |
Wanna know the rest of the table? Reach out to us today to get the full breakdown and start optimizing your NetSuite File Cabinet storage capacity efficiently.
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Conclusion
In determining the most cost-effective and efficient option for NetSuite File Cabinet storage expansion, it’s essential to weigh the total cost of ownership (TCO) of each solution and cloud storage option.
Excelym’s NetSuite File Cabinet Solution, when paired with external cloud services like Box.com and Google Cloud, offers competitive pricing with known limits and predictable costs. While Box.com leads with an attractive subscription model and unlimited storage, close contenders like Google Cloud and Amazon S3 present viable alternatives with reasonable storage rates and TCO. However, options like Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive, although feature-rich, incur higher costs due to their limited free storage and higher per-gigabyte charges. Organizations should prioritize their needs, expected data growth, and budget restrictions when selecting the storage solution that best aligns with their business goals.
