Published on April 17, 2024.

A few days ago, I posted a preview video for SuiteBrowser, a Web browser that I'm developing that's designed specifically for use with NetSuite. I've received several questions about the project. In this post, I'll answer some of those questions.

Security

Is SuiteBrowser secure?
From a security standpoint, SuiteBrowser works exactly like standard Web browsers. Users have to log into NetSuite just as they normally would. And from that point on, NetSuite's native security model is implemented - meaning that the role the user logged in with determines the permissions that are granted to them. That applies to all of SuiteBrowser's functions, including the SuiteQL Query Tool, SuiteConsole, and so on.

Can a NetSuite administrator prevent their users from using SuiteBrowser?
Yes. If an administrator wants to prevent their users from logging into their NetSuite account using SuiteBrowser, they'll be able to block its use. I'll have more info on how that works in the weeks ahead.

Can you be logged into multiple NetSuite accounts at the same time?
No. If you log into another NetSuite account, whether using SuiteBrowser or another Web browser, then you'll be logged out of the account that you were previously logged into.

SuiteQL Query Tool

Can you have multiple SuiteQL Query Tool windows open at the same time?
Yes. You can be working on as many queries as you'd like.

Will the new version of the SuiteQL Query Tool support saving and loading queries to and from the File Cabinet? And will the shared Remote Library still be supported?
Yes. The UI for loading queries - regardless of where they are stored - is something that I'm working on. My goal is to provide a much better UI for this than what's provided in the SuiteScript-based version of the SuiteQL Query Tool.

Will we still be able to run the SuiteScript-based version of the SuiteQL Query Tool in SuiteBrowser?
Yes, you can run the current SuiteScript-based version of the SuiteQL Query Tool in SuiteBrowser - and for that matter, any Suitelet that you'd like.

SuiteQL Schema Tool

Can you use the Schema Tool to open a schema file generated for another NetSuite account?
At the moment, you can only open the schema file for the NetSuite account that you're logged into. However, this is something that I'm working on.

You mentioned that it might be possible to "diff" the schemas of two NetSuite accounts. Will that be a function of the SuiteQL Schema Tool?
The current version of the Schema Tool doesn't support that. However, my plan is to provide a separate "diff" tool that will let you compare the schemas of two NetSuite accounts, such as production and sandbox accounts.

Context Bridge

Is the Context Bridge function secure?
Context Bridge runs using the role that the user is logged with. So in that regard, yes, it is secure. I'm also planning to add support for optional HTTP basic authentication, which would require apps that want to access the bridge to authenticate.

Are multiple instances of Context Bridge supported?
Not yet, but they will be. You'll be able to spin up multiple Context Bridge instances, each listening on their own port. And as I mentioned above, you'll be able to optionally require authentication for each instance.

What happens to Context Bridge if you log out of NetSuite?
If you open Context Bridge, and then logout of the NetSuite account (or switch to another NetSuite account), then the bridge will no longer be able to process requests. You have to stay logged into the NetSuite account in order for the bridge to continue working.

Is Context Bridge an alternative to SuiteTalk?
I don't see it as an alternative to SuiteTalk, or as an alternative to RESTlets. I see it as a special purpose, local API that makes it easy for other apps to integrate with NetSuite on a user's behalf.

Other Questions

In the preview video, under the Apps menu, there were "App Manager" and "App Marketplace" listed. What are they?
The "App Manager" function will give an administrator the ability to add, update, or remove SuiteBrowser-based apps from their account. The "App Marketplace" will give developers a way to market and promote the SuiteBrowser-based apps that they've developed. It'll also give admins the ability to learn more about those apps, and possibly purchase and install them.

Under the Developer menu, there's a "SuiteIDE" option listed. What's that?
While working on SuiteConsole, it occurred to me that being able to develop and work with a single script is nice, but being able to work with multiple scripts at the same time, and providing a better development experience in general, would be ideal. So essentially I'm considering adding a full-blown SuiteScript development IDE to SuiteBrowser. That's an ambitious project, but I'm planning to explore it at some point.

Will SuiteBrowser be available on the app stores?
Probably not.

What are you using to develop SuiteBrowser?
I'm developing SuiteBrowser using Xojo.

How are you going to monetize SuiteBrowser?
That's a good question, and unfortunately, I still don't have a good answer for that.

Thanks again for your interest in SuiteBrowser!

~ Tim