Customer Success Story: iChrom Solutions

From Disconnected Business Systems to One Source of Truth with NetSuite


How Protelo helped a laboratory automation and equipment specialist unify financials, CRM, inventory, order management and reporting on a scalable cloud platform.

Key Result: Company-wide visibility and greater confidence in operational and financial data.
At a Glance
Customer iChrom Solutions
Industry Laboratory automation, analytical instrumentation, distribution and service
Previous Environment QuickBooks, Method CRM
NetSuite Footprint Core ERP, CRM, inventory, order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, record-to-report and shipping
SuiteApps & Integrations Item 360, Customer 360, Bank Feeds and FedEx shipping integration

About iChrom Solutions

iChrom Solutions helps laboratories connect sophisticated analytical technologies with integrated automation. For more than 15 years, the company has provided hardware, software, guidance, service and support for automated sample preparation and liquid chromatography workflows. Its portfolio spans online SPE, UHPLC and HPLC systems, pumps, mass spectrometry, osmometry, instrument-control software and related technologies from established international suppliers.

The company combines a broad product portfolio with more than 100 person-years of team expertise in configuring, installing, supporting and servicing laboratory solutions. That experience allows iChrom to create highly customized platforms around each laboratory's workflow, application requirements and budget. iChrom serves pharmaceutical, government, university and contract-laboratory customers, with a business model that includes both instrument distribution and ongoing service.

 

The Challenge: Growth Exposed the Limits of Disconnected Systems

As iChrom grew, its business processes were spread across multiple applications. QuickBooks supported accounting, Method handled CRM, WooCommerce powered the web store, and Avalara supported sales-tax calculations. Each system solved a specific need, but the overall environment created fragmented data and fragile integrations. Upgrades could disrupt connections between applications, leaving the team frustrated and creating unnecessary operational risk.

The complexity of iChrom's business made those limitations increasingly difficult to manage. Every equipment system can be customized to a customer's laboratory workflow, contributing to a detailed, consultative sales process. The company also tracks serialized instruments, service contracts, inventory and large supplier price lists while supporting a fully remote workforce.


iChrom needed a system that could:

  • Create one reliable source of truth for financial, customer, inventory and order data
  • Support a remote team with role-based access, dashboards and permission
  • Manage serialized inventory, shipping and service-related information
  • Streamline supplier item and price updates that could involve thousands of records
  • Provide stronger reporting without relying on information stored in separate systems or in employees' heads
  • Establish a scalable foundation for future e-commerce and assembly requirements
Laboratory automation, distribution and service netsuite customer success story ichrom solutions

Why iChrom Chose NetSuite and Protelo

iChrom selected NetSuite for its ability to bring core business functions into a single cloud-based platform. NetSuite offered the financial controls, inventory visibility, CRM capabilities and sales-tax functionality the company needed, along with the flexibility to support future growth. The move also addressed a core concern from the sales cycle: reducing dependence on integrations that could break during software upgrades.

Protelo paired the technology with a practical implementation approach. The team focused first on organizing iChrom's data and workflows within standard NetSuite functionality, then added targeted reporting and configuration where it created meaningful value. This kept the implementation grounded in a stable foundation while still reflecting the way iChrom operates.

 

netsuite customer story - working with protelo From quickbooks to netsuite

Implementation Approach:
Standardize the foundation first, then add focused configuration and reporting around the business.

The NetSuite Solution 

Protelo implemented a NetSuite environment that connects iChrom's core operational and financial processes while making information easier for employees to access and trust.
 

NetSuite Modules and Capabilities

  • Record-to-report financial management
  • Order-to-cash sales and fulfillment processes
  • Procure-to-pay purchasing and vendor processes
  • Inventory management and serialized-item visibility
  • CRM for customer, sales and service information
  • Shipping processes connected with iChrom's FedEx account
  • Electronic banking and bank-feed capabilities

SuiteApps and Focused Configuration

  • Item 360 for a more complete view of item-related information
  • Customer 360 for consolidated customer visibility
  • Bank Feeds to support more efficient banking workflows
  • Custom saved searches & reports for iChrom's information needs
  • CRM for customer, sales and service information
  • Custom fields and forms aligned with day-to-day processes
  • Custom PDFs for customer-facing and operational workflows

Unifying Data, Users, and Processes

The most important outcome was not a single customization. It was the organization of iChrom's data and users within one connected NetSuite environment. Processes that previously lived in separate tools for estimating, inventory, financials and customer management could now be viewed through a unified system.

 

The Business Impact 

  • Organization-wide visibility: Teams can access financial, customer, inventory and transaction data in the same environment, reducing silos and improving collaboration.
  • Greater confidence in reporting: Inventory, work orders, assemblies and work in process are managed alongside orders and financial activity. 

  • More organized data: Centralizing core records and standardizing processes gives iChrom a cleaner operational foundation and greater peace of mind in its information.

  • A platform that can grow: The implementation gives iChrom room to evaluate future phases such as e-commerce integration, work orders and assemblies without rebuilding its core system.

  • Preserved shipping efficiency: The FedEx connection allows shipping activity to continue from NetSuite as part of the company's unified operational workflow.

 

 

Outcome:
iChrom now has a more organized, visible and scalable business platform - with reporting that becomes more valuable as users deepen their NetSuite adoption.

Built for the Next Stage of Growth

With NetSuite in place, iChrom has moved beyond a collection of disconnected applications toward a unified operating platform. The company can continue refining saved searches and reporting as its team becomes more comfortable with the system, while evaluating future capabilities in a deliberate second phase.

Protelo's implementation established the foundation iChrom needed today while preserving flexibility for tomorrow - helping the company spend less time managing systems and more time delivering customized laboratory automation solutions to its customers.


Ready to Replace Disconnected Systems with NetSuite?

Protelo helps growing distributors and service organizations purchase, implement, customize and support NetSuite. Our U.S.-based team combines ERP expertise with practical business-process guidance to create systems that improve visibility, efficiency and confidence in the data.

Contact Protelo to schedule a personalized NetSuite consultation.

Trusted NetSuite Experts, Here to Help!

Choosing Protelo means more than just NetSuite software – it means having a team of experts dedicated to helping you gain the full potential of NetSuite. Here’s how our team ensures a successful implementation: 

  • Expert Guidance: With decades of experience in NetSuite implementation, integration, and consulting, we know how to guide you through every step of the process. 
  • Tailored Solutions: We understand that every business is unique. That’s why we customize configurations to fit your specific needs – no matter what industry you're in. 
  • Proven Success: We don’t just implement software – we take the time to understand your business, delivering real results that help you get the most from NetSuite and improve your day-to-day processes. 

 

 

You're in Great Company!

Curious how we've supported businesses like yours? Protelo is passionate about helping companies succeed with NetSuite. Whether you're looking for better financial visibility, automation, or scalability, we’re here to help. Join the businesses thriving with NetSuite and Protelo—check out their success stories to see how we’ve made a difference!

protelo customer success story - netsuite

 

Protelo: Experienced NetSuite Experts Here For You!

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From ongoing support and custom solutions to on-demand NetSuite Administration, we’ve got you covered. Schedule a consultation today and see how our tailored services can optimize your system for long-term success.  

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