ERP Shootout: Epicor ERP Review

Introduction

• Event: Clients First ERP Shootout
• Purpose: Review and comparison of various ERP products.
• Focus: Technical and functional capabilities.

Agenda

1. Vendor and Product Overview
2. User Interface and Technical Highlights
3. Reporting and Analytics Capabilities
4. Sales and Order Fulfillment
5. Manufacturing and Purchasing
6. Finance and Financial Reporting

Epicor Corporation Overview

• Companies Using Epicor: Over 20,000
• Number of Employees: 3,800+
• Global Presence: 150+ countries
• Annual Revenue: ~$1 billion
• Focus: Dedicated to ERP software, unlike multi-software vendors (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Market Segment: Mid-market companies, divisions of larger corporations (not competing with low-end or high-end like QuickBooks or SAP).
• Industries: Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail, Services (focus of review on manufacturing and distribution).

Epicor ERP Modular and Functional Areas

• Comprehensive: Many integrated components, fewer third-party solutions needed.
• Advantages: Less integration issues, common user interface, streamlined upgrades, reliable solution.

Technical Perspective

• Architecture: Built on SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture)
• Customization: Allows customization without modifying source code, built like "Lego blocks".
• Deployment Flexibility: Supports desktop, Windows App, or web browser view.
• API Support: Uses SOAP and REST services, aiding integration with other systems.
• Features: Enterprise Search, Composite Apps, Presence, RSS.

Demo Highlights

User Interface

• Version: 10.2 (desktop browser type interface)
• User Profiles:
  • Penny Lane: Customer Service (tracks customer info, orders)
  • Scott Popeil: Sales (order entry, quote entry, CRM)
  • Brian Howard: CFO (financial views, KPIs)
  • Administrator: Extensive functionalities across departments.
• Customization: Personalized views, favorites, menus, and search capabilities.
• Accessibility: Consistent user experience across profiles.

Data Entry Screen Example: Sales Order Entry

• Features:
  • Detailed summaries, line items, and releases.
  • Comprehensive help system and technical details for every field.
  • Standard Windows look and feel.
• Field Tracking: Change logs and memos.
• Attachments: Related docs (e.g., MSDS, specs), stored centrally (local, SharePoint, Dockstar).
• Customization: Simplified forms available (similar to QuickBooks).
• Document Handling: Advanced printing, emailing, and document archiving (Dockstar).

Enterprise Search

• Capabilities: Universal search of any data within the system (e.g., POs, CRM convos, any field or text).
• Functionality: Drill-downs and detailed trackers for related information.
• Accessibility: Enterprise Search available via web browsers and integrated into applications like Outlook.

Business Process Management (BPM)

• Custom Workflows: Allows custom workflows without modifying the core system.
• Example: Commission analysis and regulation workflow for sales orders.
• Functionality: Emails, alerts, automated approvals or holds.

Dashboards and Analytics

• Real-time Dashboards: For real-time operational insights
  • Examples: Billings, Backlog, Job Cost Exceptions, Quote Funnel.
  • Updateable dashboards allow direct data entry and updates.
• Data Discovery Views: Standard business intelligence components.
• Mobile Access: Dashboards accessible and updateable from mobile devices.
• Epicor Data Analytics (EDA): Advanced hosted analytics solution for comprehensive data insights.

Master Data Maintenance

• Customer Tracker: Comprehensive view of customer data and related transactions.
• Part Master: Detailed information including inventory, attributes, and planning.
• Lot Traceability: Track lot numbers and serial numbers through all transactions.

Opportunity and Quote Management

• Quotes and Opportunities: Integrated CRM and quote management.
• Manufacturing Details: Custom BOMs and routing for quote customization.
• Configurable Items: Smart part numbers and configurations.
• Document Handling: Automated handling and emailing of supporting documentation.
• Sales Order Conversion: Direct conversion of quotes to sales orders.

Fulfillment, Picking, and Shipping

• Fulfillment Workbench: Manage order fulfillment and picking.
• MES (Manufacturing Execution System): Real-time tracking on the shop floor.

MRP Processing

• Options: Net change, regenerative, finite scheduling, etc.
• Planning Workbench: Review planned jobs and shortages.
• Production Planner Workbench: Multi-level pegging analysis of job shortages and demands.

Purchasing Management

• Purchase Order Suggestions: Automated MRP-driven purchase recommendations.
• Purchase Order Management: Create, approve, and send POs, including document attachments.

Financial Management

Accounts Receivable (AR)

• Reports: Aged Receivables
• Cash Receipts: Group-based batching and invoice matching.

Accounts Payable (AP)

• Invoice Workbench: Centralized AP management of invoices and holds.
• Payments Management: Group creation, invoice selection, and payment processing.

General Ledger (GL)

• Segments and Value Maintenance: Detailed account segmentation.
• Journal Entries: Various types such as recurring, reversing, multi-currency, multi-company.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Trackers: Account Activity, Allocation Templates
• Excel Connect: Integration with Excel for financial statements and general reporting.
  • Features: Real-time data updates, templates, broadcast functionality for automated report distribution.