For businesses now, having the right ERP solution in place is no longer a convenience, but a necessity. A well-integrated system can help organizations manage their core data and build efficiency in their workflow.
Epicor ERP is one of those tools.
In this article, we’ll understand what Epicor ERP is and how it can potentially help your business.
Key Takeaways
- Epicor ERP streamlines business operations for better efficiency
- It supports multiple deployment options: cloud, on-premise, and hybrid
- The system offers strong financial, supply chain, production, and project management tools
- Customization is possible but requires technical expertise
- Implementation can be costly and time-consuming, so businesses need expert support for a smooth transition to ERP Epicor
Why Businesses Should Invest in Epicor ERP Software?
Epicor Cloud ERP offers end-to-end solutions that can be personalized to meet the requirements of your business.
This tool helps automate key processes such as finance, supply chain management, and production. It does so through its Kinetic platform, a cloud-based ERP platform, which integrates various modules into a single system.
By leveraging data generated by Epicor Kinetic, organizations not only reduce operational costs but also enable them to scale their business.
Furthermore, with Epicor Automation Studio, businesses can eliminate repetitive tasks, boosting employee productivity.
In short, investing in the Epicor ERP system empowers you to make smarter decisions with accurate, real-time insights, rather than relying on gut feelings.
With these features at your fingertips, you can gain a clearer picture of your operations, ensuring a future-ready framework that drives growth.
Although the software caters to the requirements of various processes, it is specifically designed to manage the core functions of manufacturing.
For more than 50 years, the Epicor ERP system has been helping made-to-order manufacturers succeed in this ever-changing market demand and technological advancements.
Apart from made-to-order, it supports various production methods, including:
- Discrete Manufacturing: It is the process of creating distinct products that are countable and easily identifiable by assembling parts. For instance, nuts, bolts, and brackets can be converted into bigger machines.
- Engineer-to-order (ETO): In this method, a product is designed and engineered based on the customer’s requirements. The manufacturing process will only begin once the exact specification is received.
- Configure-to-order(CTO): This production process involves creating products from the existing set of components to meet the client’s needs.
- Mixed-mode: It allows manufacturers to produce customized as well as standard items based on current requirements.
- Make-to-stock: Manufacturing industries produce goods depending on anticipated demand. This means an inventory is created that is readily available for buyers to purchase without waiting for the order to be made.
Epicor Manufacturing Management tool features many robust functionalities that cater to enterprise needs across a multitude of industries. They include:
Flexible Deployment Options
Epicor ERP offers several setup options: on-premise, cloud-based, or hybrid deployment.
You can switch deployment modes as needed to align with your evolving goals. This flexibility allows businesses to adapt to the new system as the company grows.
For instance, your company started with a cloud-based solution for lower upfront costs. Then when it expands, you can switch to an on-premise setup for greater control over your IT infrastructure.
Intuitive and Productive
Organizations need an intuitive user experience to make operations easier. This is where Epicor ERP software excels.
Some of the software’s most attractive functionalities are its role-based active home pages, easy navigation, and real-time insights.
With its role-based active home page, you can see key performance indicators (KPIs), such as production schedules and inventory levels, at a glance.
This intuitive dashboard allows companies to identify any bottlenecks so that they can promptly resolve them.
Similarly, its easy navigation features let you drill down the data, as per your requirements.
This instantaneous access to relevant information is key to making quick, informed decisions that boost productivity.
Latest technologies for Intelligence and Automation
The ability to integrate with advanced technologies is one of the best ways for businesses to enhance efficiency.
Epicor ERP leverages cutting-edge tools like business analytics, big data, and IoT to automate processes.
Collaboration
Epicor ERP is designed for seamless collaboration using modern technology like Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA).
Its modular structure connects different departments, applications, and processes, enabling teams to share data in real time.
This connectivity ensures smoother communication and faster responses to customer needs.
Mobility
Epicor’s mobile solutions allow employees to access business systems, from anywhere, using any standard device.
As an outcome, employees stay connected, automate tasks, and improve responsiveness, even when working remotely.
Let’s say, your warehouse staff uses a mobile device to scan barcodes to update inventory levels. Now, the availability of items will be immediately reflected in your Epicor ERP system.
Everyone having access to the software will know the status of the product. They can make informed decisions like whether to initiate a reorder or remove the product from their offerings, etc.
Exploring Top Epicor ERP Modules and Features
So what are the modules that make up Epicor ERP software?
Each element is designed to streamline key operations with its state-of-the-art tools.
Here are a few of the modules that simplify several functions of a business:
Financial Management
Managing business finances can get complicated, but Epicor makes it easier.
Their financial management tools give you a clear picture of where your money is coming from and where it’s going—helping you stay in control.
Whether you’re tracking operating expenses, managing invoices, or handling taxes, its interface is designed to keep things simple.
Let’s take a look at some of its features:
General Ledger
The general ledger is at the core of Epicor’s financial management. It records every transaction in your business.
It helps you organize accounts, track money movement, and generate reports, whenever needed.
With a flexible setup, you can tailor it to match your business needs.
Whether you want to break down expenses by department or automate fund allocations, this module lets you do everything.
Global Engines
If your business operates across different countries, Epicor makes handling international finances less stressful.
The system automatically adjusts for different currencies, tax laws, and legal requirements.
This means that instead of worrying about exchange rates or compliance rules, you can focus on running your business.
Plus, the built-in Tax Connect Calculation Engine comprises up-to-date data that helps you stay compliant without extra effort.
Accounts Payable and Receivable
It is crucial to pay suppliers on time and track customer payments. Epicor’s tools help you manage both.
Accounts Payable ensures you never miss a bill, keeping your supplier relationships strong.
Meanwhile, Accounts Receivable helps you track incoming payments, send invoices, and follow up on overdue amounts.
Everything is in one place, so you always know where your cash flow stands.
Other Tools
Beyond the basics, Epicor offers additional tools to make financial management even smoother.
You can plan budgets, set up automatic tax calculations, manage assets, and even use templates for electronic payments.
If chasing overdue invoices is a challenge, the software “Cash Collect” feature helps remind customers to pay. That too without the awkward phone calls.
This cloud-based functionality can boost your cash flow by automating 90% of AR tasks.
Supply Chain Management
For businesses that deal with manufacturing and distribution, having control over your supply chain is essential.
Epicor’s supply chain management (SCM) module offers everything you need to manage your entire supply process.
From sourcing raw materials to getting finished products to your customers, this module can manage most key processes.
It helps you stay on top of your operations and make smarter decisions that improve customer satisfaction.
Some of the features that make this module so effective are:
Purchase Management
Epicor makes handling purchases easier by tracking supplier performance and helping you manage purchase orders.
With advanced requisition management, the process becomes fully automated.
It creates an easy online workflow for purchase orders, including automatic approval routing.
Inventory Management
Stay on top of your inventory with Epicor’s inventory management.
It lets you know exactly what’s in stock, where it is, and when to reorder.
With built-in tools for managing inventory, you’ll have everything you need to keep your operations running without overstocking or running out of stock.
Advanced Material Management
When it comes to sourcing materials, time is money.
The Advanced Material Management (AMM) system of Epicor ERP software helps you manage your materials in real-time.
It generates electronic material requests, tracks inventory movement, and handles dispatching.
With wireless terminals and barcoding, you get instant updates on inventory. As a result, it reduces human error and increases transparency throughout the supply chain.
Planning and Scheduling Module
Keeping operations organized is essential for any business that manufactures or distributes products.
Without the right planning tools, it’s easy to fall behind on orders or struggle with unexpected delays. That’s where Epicor’s planning and scheduling module helps.
Here’s how it works:
Material Requirements Planning
One of the biggest challenges in manufacturing is making sure you have the right materials at the right time.
This Material Requirements Planning (MRP) tool helps strike that balance.
It looks at customer orders, forecasts future demand, and automatically adjusts production schedules.
Whether you run a single location or a global operation, this tool keeps your supply and demand in sync.
Accurate Forecasting and Production Scheduling
Using Epicor’s Master Production Scheduling (MPS) tool, you can predict future demand based on past sales and market trends.
The system analyzes historical data to create accurate forecasts, helping you make better long-term business decisions.
Multisite Management
To surpass the competition and improve lead times, utilize Multisite Management to oversee multiplant operations.
Product Data Management
Managing product information can get messy when data is scattered across different departments.
When you keep all the information, from quality records to documents, you not only save time but also reduce mistakes.
That’s where Epicor’s Product Data Management (PDM) module steps in.
It organizes all your product-related information in a single system. Thus, making it easy to track, update, and manage everything.
Here are some of its key features:
Flexible Bill of Materials (BOM)
Before production begins, you need to ensure that all the right materials, parts, and components are in place.
The Bill of Materials (BOM) feature makes this process simple.
You can drag and drop components from previous jobs, quotes, or templates, regardless of the level of your business.
Product Configuration
If your business makes customizable products, keeping track of all possible variations can be a challenge. But it is not anymore with Epicor’s Product Configurator.
This tool simplifies this process with an easy-to-use question-and-answer system.
When a customer places an order, employees can enter their choices, and the system automatically updates the BOM to match.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
From designing and testing to production and retirement, a product goes through multiple stages in a manufacturing business.
Epicor’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tool keeps a secure, central record of all product-related information. This facilitates top-level audit tracking.
Production Management
Epicor ERP system has what a business needs for strong production control and responsiveness
Its production management tool can help manufacturers stay ahead in the following ways:
Quality Assurance
A robust quality management solution helps companies stay in control of stringent compliance demands.
The software’s quality assurance feature includes inspection workbenches, audit trails, and more.
Manufacturing Execution System
If you’re looking for an online system that offers real-time visibility for plant-based transactions, MES is an ideal tool.
When integrated with other software, employees can access important documents, track shipments, and avoid dual data entry errors.
Pros and Cons of Epicor ERP
Epicor ERP is a powerful software designed for manufacturers, distributors, and service-based businesses looking for a scalable, all-in-one solution.
While it offers plenty of benefits, there are also a few downsides to consider.
Let’s go through both.
Pros
- Industry-specific Features: One of Epicor’s biggest strengths is that it’s built with specific industries in mind. Unlike generic ERP systems, it offers tools that cater to manufacturing, distribution, retail, and services, making it a great fit for businesses that need industry-specific functionality.
- Strong Financial Management Tools: Real-time financial tracking gives businesses better visibility into cash flow, expenses, and profits. What’s more, with the tools’ built-in multi-currency support and tax management, it’s well-suited for organizations operating in multiple countries.
- Scalable: If your business needs to adapt new systems over time, Epicor can be shaped to the requirements without requiring a complete overhaul.
Cons
- High Implementation Costs: Epicor is a feature-rich system, but setting it up can be expensive. Businesses often need to hire experts to customize the software and train users. For smaller companies that are tight on budgets, high Epicor ERP pricing can be a significant drawback.
- Time-consuming to Learn: The software has a steep learning curve, and employees might need excessive training to get comfortable with it.
- Customization Requires Technical Expertise: Though the Epicor EPR system allows businesses to personalize workflows, reports, and dashboards, making such changes often requires coding knowledge. If you don’t have an in-house IT team, you may need to outsource Epicor accounting services to tailor the system to your needs.
Wrapping Up
Epicor ERP is a powerful and flexible system that works well for mid-sized to large enterprises.
Aside from strong financial tools and customization options, it has several robust industry-specific features that make the software stand out.
That being said, it’s also not the easiest or cheapest system to implement.
It comes with a steep learning curve, and businesses often need technical expertise to configure it properly.
To get the most out of Epicor, companies should carefully evaluate whether the benefits of its advanced functionality outweigh the costs and complexity.
But, having the right support team can make all the difference. This is where Ledger Labs comes in.
We help businesses seamlessly implement Epicor ERP so they can focus on what truly matters: growing their businesses.
Book an appointment with our certified Epicor implementation team to learn how we can help your business.
