Epicor ERP Review (Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons)

Nowadays, cloud ERP is changing the way we do business. With the introduction of cloud ERP solutions, companies can manage their entire information in one place and streamline the flow of information from one end of the organization to another.

Epicor ERP is one of the leading cloud ERP providers initially focused on manufacturing and distribution. Now Epicor has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of sectors.

This article provides Epicor ERP reviews; you will get all the information about Epicor ERP, including its features, implementation, support, services, and alternatives.

What is Epicor ERP?

Epicor ERP is a cutting-edge enterprise resource planning software designed to unify and enhance essential business operations. Epicor ERP supports a wide array of industries with specialized solutions to address unique business challenges.

The latest declaration of Epicor as a Cognitive ERP means it now incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to provide predictive analytics, enhanced decision-making, and automated processes.

This helps businesses gain deeper insights, anticipate market trends, and respond proactively to changes. 

Epicor ERP provides the following solutions for Retailers, Manufacturers, and Distributors:

• Epicor BisTrack: For building suppliers
• Epicor CMS: For automotive manufacturers
• Epicor Decor Fusion: for Independent paint and decorating retailers
• Epicor Eagle: For independent retailers
• Epicor Eclipse: For electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and PVF distributors
• Epicor Kinetic: For the manufacturing industry
• Epicor LumberTrack: For the lumber market
• Epicor Propello: A cloud-based retail management system
• Epicor Prophet21: For distributors
• Epicor Vision: For distribution business

In this article, we are concentrating on Epicor Kinetic.

What is Epicor Kinetic?

It is a global cloud ERP solution meticulously crafted to meet the unique demands of manufacturers. Designed by industry experts at Epicor, Kinetic empowers businesses to achieve maximum profitability through real-time business intelligence and advanced collaboration tools.

Whether you specialize in discrete or make-to-order manufacturing, Kinetic’s robust functionality ensures your operations are future-ready and poised for seamless digital transformation.

Capabilities of Epicor Kinetic

Below are the updated features of Epicor ER

Financials

• It helps to have control and better financial visibility.
• Manages accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger.
• Provides multi-site, multi-currency options.

Business Intelligence and Analytics

• Tracks production processes and receives immediate alerts to prevent issues.
• Enhances decision-making with reliable, real-time reporting and tracking.
• Transforms manufacturing data into financial goals with real-time reports and dashboards.

Supply Chain Management

• It is developed specifically for manufacturers, by industry experts.
• Provides end-to-end visibility from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products.Results-Driven
• Converts your supply chain into a value chain focused on results.
• Offers a complete set of enterprise application tools to manage all aspects of supply chain operations.

Planning and Scheduling

• Suitable for both global, multi-site enterprises and single-site manufacturers or distributors.
• Enhances performance with precise and flexible planning and scheduling.
• Utilizes comprehensive MRP solutions to meet material needs efficiently.
• Implements advanced planning and scheduling to optimize operations.

Production Management

• Adaptable to make-to-order, configure-to-order, engineer-to-order, and make-to-stock operations.
• Includes modules for Job Management, Advanced Production, Lean Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and more.
• Enhance both efficiency and responsiveness across simple and complex manufacturing processes.
• Designed for manufacturers balancing complex and repetitive production demands.

Services and Assets

• Effectively maintains and optimizes the performance of company and customer assets.
• Improves customer service by keeping all technicians and support personnel informed and coordinated.
• Maintains clear visibility into service-level agreements for better compliance and performance tracking.
• Utilizes the right tools to monitor and manage asset deployment and performance.

Risk and Compliance

• It is designed to align with published international standards and industry best practices.
• Ensures operational readiness with advanced user roles and robust cloud security from Microsoft Azure.
• Reduces compliance costs with deep industry capabilities supporting traceability requirements.
• Enhances governance to achieve and deliver on sustainability objectives.

Omnichannel Sales

• Streamlines labor-intensive processes and boosts sales productivity by automating administrative tasks.
• Helps sales teams efficiently manage opportunities, allowing them to concentrate on building lasting, profitable relationships.
• Enables your sales team to produce precise estimates swiftly.

Customer Relationship Management

• Manages customer interactions efficiently by integrating task management capabilities.
• Allows you to empower your sales force with synchronized and essential CRM data to strengthen customer relationships.
• Connects employees, departments, and supply chain partners seamlessly, fostering responsiveness across the organization.

Product Management

• Collaborative product lifecycle management (PLM) is a process that helps companies manage the development of products from start to finish.
• Makes product data management processes digital and stores product data in one central location.
• Creates three-dimensional models, images, and drawings that you can share with others.

Project Management

• Provides a high-level overview of key processes of the project from planning to execution to reporting with ease.
• Automates manufacturing jobs triggered by sales orders for streamlined operations.
• Utilizes WBS to organize and manage project tasks effectively.
• Enables time and expense entry through mobile apps for convenient on-the-go updates.
• Streamlines project billing, accounting, and revenue recognition processes.

Global Supply Chain Management

• It helps to see multiple sites simultaneously, and more than one company can use this capability.
• Scale globally with extensive country-specific functionality.
• Use the advanced EDI software to make transactions faster and easier to see.

Cloud Business Platform

• Reduces operational and compliance risks through comprehensive ERP solutions designed to handle industry challenges.
• Enhances cybersecurity measures tailored for industry-specific needs to strengthen your business’s defenses
• Reduces operational and compliance risks through comprehensive ERP solutions designed to handle industry challenges.

Some Screenshots of Epicor

Implementation

The Epicor ERP implementation process is divided into five sections.

Prepare	In this beginning stage, the consultant team of Epicor lines up the implementation plan expectations with the software suite of the customer company.
Plan	In this stage, the team establishes the project foundation by creating a blueprint that includes resource, system, and time requirements per the customer company’s budget and needs.
Design	In this stage, the company’s project team starts using the software and documents to check whether the system meets its business needs and goals or not.
Validate	In this stage, validation of the system takes place. The customer company ensures that all its business procedures are documented accurately and business processes flow correctly through the system.
Deploy	In this stage, the Epicor consultant team trains end-users and helps the customer company develop its plans.

While moving from one stage to another, a series of inputs, tools, and techniques will be used.

Supports and Services

Epicor Software provides support through service centers that are located all around the world. These service centers offer support for both On-premise and Cloud deployment.

It offers additional support through an online support portal, EpicCare, and Epicor University.

Epicor Software is a cloud-hosted customer support portal. It provides support as per customer feedback.

Epicor University supports the customer by providing complete training tools.

Advantages of Kinetic

• It provides modules to handle your business processes, from accounting to customer relationship management and project management to HR. In addition, this software allows you to choose the module you want.
• It provides a fully-featured accounting and financial management module. With its help, you can take various reports and statements.
• The built-in tools are good for alerts, business process management, dashboards, and screen customization.
• The sales team guides you in transitioning from legacy systems to Kinetic, ensuring you understand the process thoroughly.

Disadvantages

• Its implementation and customization are complex
• It needs an expert team/user to maintain the software
• You may not get support on time
• Users expect better UI for cloud-solution
• It’s hard to find traces in the new Epicor ERP
• Reporting runs slowly
• The shop floor data collection screen is not intuitive
• HRM should be improved and integrated with financial and HR application
• Little expensive for small businesses
• The wide array of functionalities and specialized requirements can make it difficult to identify the right expert who can seamlessly integrate all necessary components into your implementation.
• Excessive processes Basic interface It’s difficult to locate your page

What Industries Does It Support?

Epicor is mainly dedicated to manufacturing, Retail, Automotive, Building supply, and Distribution.

Epicor for manufacturing	Epicor for distribution	Epicor for retailer
Aerospace and Defense	Building Materials	Building Supply
Automotive	Electrical	Auto Parts
Construction and Engineering	Fasteners	Farm and Home
Electronics and High tech	HVAC	Hardware Stores
Fabricated Metals	Fluid Power	Lawn and Garden Centers
Furniture and Fixtures	Janitorial	Pain and decorating
Industrial Machinery	Medical Supply	Pets
Medical Devices	Paper and Packaging	Pharmacy
Metal Service Centers	Plumbing business	Sporting Goods
Rubber and Plastics	Tiles	Thrift
	Pipes, Valves and Fittings

Epicor ERP Alternatives

Following are a few top Alternatives for Epicor ERP.

• Oracle NetSuite
• Microsoft Dynamics GP
• Infor
• E2 Shop System
• Microsoft Dynamics NAV
• Sage Intacct
• Genius ERP

Epicor Kinetic Customers

• PhRMA
• BHP Groups
• Reece Group
• Syneos Health
• Boral Roofing Pvt. Ltd
• Hallmark Building Supplies Inc.
• Omega Plastics
• AIM Aerospace

FAQS

Conclusion

Epicor ERP stands out as a comprehensive and adaptable solution designed to elevate business operations across various industries.

With its integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, Epicor ERP empowers businesses.

From manufacturing to retail, its specialized modules cater to unique industry needs, ensuring robust functionality and seamless digital transformation.

References:

1. Official Website
2. Official Documentation