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Epicor ERP System - Client First ERP Shootout

Jul 25, 2024

Epicor ERP Shootout - Client First ERP

Overview

  • Series of videos reviewing various ERP products.
  • Compare and contrast ERP capabilities (technical and functional).
  • First product: Epicor ERP.

Agenda

  • Review of Epicor ERP vendor and product at a high level.
  • User Interface and Technical Highlights.
  • Reporting and Analytics capabilities.
  • Sales and Order Fulfillment.
  • Manufacturing and Purchasing.
  • Finance and Financial Reporting.

Epicor Corporation Overview

  • Company Size: Over 20,000 companies using their software, 3,800 employees, located in 150+ countries.
  • Revenue: Approximately $1 billion/year.
  • Focus: Dedicated to ERP software (not juggling unrelated businesses).
  • Market Focus: Mid-market to larger organizations/divisions (not low-end like QuickBooks or high-end like SAP/Oracle).
  • Industry Focus: Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail, Services.

Product Overview

  • Epicor ERP: Focused on manufacturing and distribution.
  • Comprehensive native capabilities, reducing third-party integration.
  • Benefits: Less integration issues, simpler upgrades, common user interface, common data model.

Technical Highlights

  • Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): Customizable without altering source code, uses modern SOAP and REST APIs.
  • Device Compatibility: Works on desktop, laptop through Windows/web browser.

User Interface

  • Version 10.2: New active desktop browser type interface.
  • Examples of roles: Customer Service Representative, Salesperson, CFO.
    • Customization based on role and functions performed.
  • Administrator Capabilities: Shortcuts for various modules, embedded visualizations.
  • Epicor Data Discovery Views: Integrated business intelligence.

Data Entry and Screens

  • Common code base used throughout the system ensuring uniform experience.
  • Interactive Grids: Grouping, sorting, filtering, exporting to Excel.
  • Advanced Help Features: Including field database location for reporting.
  • Change Log: Tracks changes to specified important fields.
  • Attachments: Documentation attached at order, line, and other levels.

Searching and Reporting

  • Global (Enterprise) Search: Universal search across the system, drill down capabilities.
  • Dashboards: Real-time data, customizable, updatable from mobile devices.
  • Epicor Data Analytics: Hosted solution for data analysis, accessible via browser.
  • Examples of dashboards: Billing bookings and backlog, job cost exceptions, quote funnel.

Master Data Management

  • Integrated trackers for customer, part master, lot traceability, etc.
  • Customer Tracker: 360-degree view, including financials, quotes, orders, jobs, shipments, tasks, CRM conversations.
  • Part Master: Comprehensive part information, warehouses, replenishment, planning, attributes, etc.
  • Lot Traceability/Serial Traceability: Detailed tracking of parts and related transactions.

Sales and CRM

  • Opportunity and Quote Entry: Combines sales opportunities and quotes.
  • Custom configurations, price breaks, method of manufacturing, etc.
  • Order Conversion: Easily convert quotes to sales orders.
  • Epicor Social Enterprise: Internal social media-like communications for tracking and updates.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

  • Fulfillment Workbench: Manage fullfillment for jobs, orders, transfer orders.
  • MRP Processing: Automated materials planning considering various factors like capacity, constraints, etc.
  • Purchase Order Suggestions: Recommendations from MRP, streamlined purchasing processes.
  • Handheld and MES Capabilities: Real-time job tracking and material handling on shop floor.

Finance and Financial Reporting

  • Accounts Receivable/Payable: Invoice management, cash receipts, payment processing, etc.
  • General Ledger: Multi-segment account structures, importing journal entries, allocations, multiple currencies, intercompany postings.
  • Trackers: Detailed views and drill-down capabilities on financial transactions.
  • Reporting Tools: Powerful, customizable financial reports.

Epicor Excel Connect and Excel Connect 7

  • Excel Integration: Real-time data connection to Epicor's database from Excel.
  • Templates: Pre-built financial, operational templates, trend statements, rolling income statements, AR aging, etc.
  • Excel Broadcast: Automates data export and emailing.
  • Excel Connect 7: Enhanced functionality to access more modules and data throughout the system.

Conclusion

Epicor ERP offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored for mid to large-sized manufacturing and distribution companies, with advanced customization, real-time data analytics, and extensive technical capabilities.

Full transcript