Initial BFN Approval
In order to publish your app on NetSuite's own platform (SuiteApp.com), it is necessary to complete the 'Built for NetSuite' (BFN) process. This process is a requirement for publishing an officially approved SuiteApp. Without completing this process, it is only possible to publish apps as bundles. A bundle app is lower profile carries no approval recognition, is harder to locate for users and is more arduous to deploy for developers.
The BFN process is only open to approved SuiteCloud developer network (SDN) partners. These are typically made up of independent third-party software providers who wish to integrate their platform with NetSuite or external developers who may specialise in publishing utilitie software to enhance NetSuite functionality. DevGroop is an SDN partner - but we also support other SDN partners in their SuiteApp development and maintenance.
Keeping Up to Date
Every spring and autumn, there is a new NetSuite release. The nomenclature for these is YYYY.1 / YYYY.2.
Generally speaking, these releases contain iterative changes or small updates but every so often they will mark the release of a key new feature or the deprecation of an existing feature. If you have an existing SuiteApp that has been BFN approved, then you must re-attest to its compliance with each NetSuite release. If the SuiteApp in question is relatively new and built to best practice, then it's unlikely to fall foul of any changes - and we recommend a normal test cycle. However, if a SuiteApp is older or is known to contain older technology or processes, then it's important that this is checked against changes in NetSuite's best practice (SAFE guide) and to ensure no features are impacted by deprecation or discontinuation.
Questionnaire
When initially applying for BFN approval, there is a questionnaire with approximately 130 questions to be completed. These are predominantly technical questions but do also include product, marketing and security questions. We routinely assist our clients with the completion of these questionnaires.
With each new NetSuite release, the BFN questionnaire must be reviewed. A basic part of this is just to state that the SuiteApp has been tested against the latest version of NetSuite but with each release, there are new questions and changes to existing questions. It's important to understand these questions and make any changes to the SuiteApp to ensure it is compliant with any changes - before being able to confirm this in an answer.