Epicor Eclipse vs. Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Epicor Eclipse
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Epicor Eclipse is an end-to-end business system for wholesale distributors, as well as electrical, HVAC, plumbing and PVF businesses.N/A
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (or Dynamics AX) was an ERP product in the Dynamics family. It has been split into separate Dynamics 365 products to provide more flexibility to customers, allowing users to pay only for the functionality they need. Microsoft Dynamics AX will reach end of support in 2021, and end of extended support in 2023. Financial tracking and budgeting features are now found in the newly launchedN/A
Pricing
Epicor EclipseMicrosoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Epicor EclipseMicrosoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Epicor EclipseMicrosoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Epicor EclipseMicrosoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
8.5
3 Ratings
16% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
8 Ratings
20% above category average
Pay calculation10.01 Ratings9.07 Ratings
Benefit plan administration9.01 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Direct deposit files8.73 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
7.2
9 Ratings
1% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.0
13 Ratings
3% below category average
API for custom integration7.87 Ratings5.013 Ratings
Plug-ins6.79 Ratings8.912 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
7.8
14 Ratings
4% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
6.0
14 Ratings
30% below category average
Single sign-on capability8.09 Ratings5.113 Ratings
Role-based user permissions7.514 Ratings7.014 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
6.6
16 Ratings
5% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.3
14 Ratings
18% above category average
Dashboards6.711 Ratings9.012 Ratings
Standard reports6.416 Ratings7.014 Ratings
Custom reports6.916 Ratings9.014 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
7.2
15 Ratings
6% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.2
15 Ratings
7% above category average
Accounts payable6.915 Ratings7.015 Ratings
Accounts receivable6.813 Ratings7.014 Ratings
Global Financial Support7.17 Ratings8.06 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers7.26 Ratings9.07 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations7.310 Ratings7.010 Ratings
Configurable Accounting8.38 Ratings9.08 Ratings
Standardized Processes6.710 Ratings8.99 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
7.1
17 Ratings
10% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
13 Ratings
10% above category average
Inventory tracking7.417 Ratings8.013 Ratings
Automatic reordering6.715 Ratings9.011 Ratings
Location management7.717 Ratings9.011 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
7.4
17 Ratings
5% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.6
13 Ratings
2% below category average
Pricing7.317 Ratings8.012 Ratings
Order entry7.717 Ratings9.011 Ratings
Credit card processing8.014 Ratings3.09 Ratings
Cost of goods sold7.816 Ratings8.010 Ratings
Order Orchestration7.413 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Subledger and Financial Process
Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
7.2
13 Ratings
3% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
10 Ratings
16% above category average
Billing Management6.911 Ratings8.99 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management7.48 Ratings8.010 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management7.36 Ratings8.97 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting6.15 Ratings8.97 Ratings
Period Close7.511 Ratings8.07 Ratings
Project Financial Management
Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
5.7
9 Ratings
29% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.9
7 Ratings
16% above category average
Budgeting and Forecasting6.86 Ratings9.06 Ratings
Project Costing7.26 Ratings8.06 Ratings
Cost Capture6.26 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Capital Project Management6.05 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Customer Contract Compliance7.75 Ratings9.03 Ratings
Project Revenue Recognition7.04 Ratings8.95 Ratings
Project Execution Management
Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
6.4
6 Ratings
7% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
5 Ratings
25% above category average
Project Planning and Scheduling6.63 Ratings8.95 Ratings
Task Insight for Project Managers5.73 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality6.42 Ratings6.04 Ratings
Definable Resource Pools00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Grants Management
Comparison of Grants Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
8.0
2 Ratings
6% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
4 Ratings
14% above category average
Award Lifecycle Management8.01 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
6.1
9 Ratings
13% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
7 Ratings
22% above category average
Bids Analyzed and Compared5.16 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Contract Authoring6.82 Ratings9.03 Ratings
Contract Repository4.83 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated6.94 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Supplier Management6.84 Ratings8.06 Ratings
Risk Management
Comparison of Risk Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
4.5
4 Ratings
37% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
2 Ratings
30% above category average
Risk Repository2.72 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Control Management6.22 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Control Efficiency Assessments4.51 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Issue Detection4.12 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Remediation and Certification3.82 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Logistics
Comparison of Logistics features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
4.9
11 Ratings
33% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.5
6 Ratings
21% above category average
Transportation Planning and Optimization4.36 Ratings8.06 Ratings
Transportation Execution Management4.26 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Trade and Customs Management4.12 Ratings8.95 Ratings
Fulfillment Management6.32 Ratings8.04 Ratings
Warehouse Workforce Management6.34 Ratings10.05 Ratings
Manufacturing
Comparison of Manufacturing features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
5.0
3 Ratings
40% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.7
6 Ratings
2% above category average
Production Process Design4.52 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Production Management5.73 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Configuration Management6.41 Ratings7.04 Ratings
Work Execution5.43 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Manufacturing Costs4.83 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
5.7
13 Ratings
24% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
9.2
6 Ratings
24% above category average
Forecasting6.112 Ratings9.95 Ratings
Inventory Planning6.611 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Performance Monitoring5.69 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Product Lifecycle Management
Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Eclipse
6.2
7 Ratings
16% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
9.0
3 Ratings
21% above category average
Proposal Management5.93 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Product Master Data Management6.43 Ratings9.03 Ratings
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Epicor EclipseMicrosoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
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Score 7.4 out of 10
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User Ratings
Epicor EclipseMicrosoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Likelihood to Recommend
4.7
(17 ratings)
8.0
(19 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
4.3
(3 ratings)
8.0
(4 ratings)
Usability
7.3
(1 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Availability
9.1
(1 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
9.1
(1 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
5.5
(1 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
In-Person Training
9.1
(1 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Online Training
8.2
(1 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
4.5
(1 ratings)
7.3
(2 ratings)
Configurability
4.5
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
4.5
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
4.5
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
8.2
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
7.3
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Epicor EclipseMicrosoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Likelihood to Recommend
Epicor Software
Eclipse is well suited for quick order entry where the source is a formal purchase order document or a phone call with a known customer. In these scenarios the order entry process is quick, and order processing is smooth even if the customer has a lot of "special" requests like shipping part today and holding the rest or shipping some of the order to other addresses. Eclipse also works well if you have a good database of products, especially in searching for products where only partial information is known or finding existing orders where all you know for sure is the customer. It is not particularly well suited for Point of Sale where a walk-in customer who doesn't have an account wants products for which part numbers are not known, due to the requirements to release an order for a customer with no credit.
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Microsoft
It integrates fully with the other Microsoft software we use daily, and this coordination speeds up our work and gives us the agility to run easily. For example, in a purchase inquiry, the customer, after submitting a request, identifies the teams that should work on the project, and if they need further review by other people, they are added to the process, and everything is managed seamlessly rather than the sales process. Get the result as fast as possible.
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Pros
Epicor Software
  • Sales Order tracking, even returns are strengths of Epicor Eclipse. It can be set up to match returns to previous orders so that the correct credits are applied. It is capable of setting up contract pricing as well as matrix level pricing according to sales velocity or individual customer buyer programs.
  • Purchasing can be set up to work by full line buys or short buys while still maintaining a balanced inventory level of vendor line product.
  • Vendor Invoices and purchase orders are easily matched up for payment and the diverse reporting features are able to provide multi-faceted views of Product Sales, Items with No Sales, or Sales or Purchasing trends, just to name a few.
  • It is also tracking warehouse operation in both RF and non-RF environments, or a combination of the two.
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Microsoft
  • Microsoft Dynamics AX's scalability to meet our regional office needs provide flexibility to the team's requirements.
  • Combined with Citrix Xenapp, the application offers seamless access for users on high latency unreliable network connection to the application.
  • Application maintenance and updates are easy which makes it possible for us to manage remotely considering the servers are located in a remote Asia site.
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Cons
Epicor Software
  • The version we use is a non-windows based version, we chose this due to pricing since we are a small company.
  • Their Tier 1 level tech support leaves a little to be desired.
  • It would be nice to switch between open windows/screens.
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Microsoft
  • MRP can be slow to adapt to changes in actual production or supply chain transactions.
  • Setting up number sequences seems a trivial matter, but these numbers ID transactions once they are in the ledger and are key--easy to miss this point in the implementation process.
  • Bank rec being easily automated and able to quickly plug into a bank back end to get data is not the best.
  • Payment processing can be 'clunky' based on checks, ACH, Wires...as some of these items are not triggered out of the box in AX, bur are easily added --talking ACH and Wires specifically.
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Likelihood to Renew
Epicor Software
I use it every day and can't see a reason why I would stop unless I started a new job. If I were to leave my present position, the new job would be much more attractive if they were Eclipse users.
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Microsoft
Microsoft Dynamics continues to evolve by bringing more functionality to the customer. Also there are several independent software providers that offer a wide range of solutions for vertical markets.
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Usability
Epicor Software
This is very easy to use for someone that hasn't ever used the system before. Despite any preconceived notions about how a system should function they can learn this and become efficient with really not a lot of effort. I have used many systems and this is probably one of the easiest I have ever had to learn to navigate and use.
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Microsoft
Overall the product does what we need it to do in order for us to function as a company. While there are some concerns over ongoing costs, the belief is, once we have it fully acclimated to our business the cost should settle into alignment with our original expectations. The new features that are consistently being added do add value to the product as they are usually customer request directed.
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Reliability and Availability
Epicor Software
I haven't experienced any outages in the two years I have been using the system. It is always available as long as the computer is up. The only time I have seen it not be available was on occasions where we lost internet, or power and then we lost access to everything, not just Epicor Eclipse.
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Microsoft
Some integration and high volume ramping challenges, particularly with BizTalk and SQL Server, but getting sorted out. Outages over time appeared to be more dependent on integration complexity than AX MES.
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Performance
Epicor Software
Everything in this system moves fairly quickly, that may be in part because we are a small company with only 21 users on the system at a time, or it may just be a the way the Epicor Eclipse works for any size company with any number of users. I can only speak for what I know and say that it is fast for our purposes.
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Microsoft
Some integration and high volume ramping challenges, particularly with BizTalk and SQL Server, but getting sorted out. Outages over time appeared to be more dependent on integration complexity than AX MES.
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Support Rating
Epicor Software
The tier 1 support is trying, and sometimes they are successful. Sometimes they aren't. This topic isn't as black and white as the questions might suggest. Currently their Tier 1 support team is over seas, all items automatically go to Tier 1 and then when they can't help they either escalate it or tell me they need to check with someone else and they will get back to me. If they escalate me to Tier 2, then the issue comes back to the States and the support is usually at a higher knowledge/experience level and it can get resolved fairly quickly. If they don't escalate, then it might take weeks and multiple follow ups on my part before I either get a satisfactory resolution or finally get escalated.
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Microsoft
We use a 3rd-party Microsoft Partner for the system. They are responsive and very knowledgeable. While costs have been mentioned several times in this review they are very aware of costs and have developers who are more economical they use to help offset the level of work required to meet our changes and fix our issues.
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In-Person Training
Epicor Software
The training classes that I have attended have been top notch. The presenters are extremely knowledgeable on their subject matter, including real-world application of the system. They aren't just software techs training end users, they seem to be end users that have become experts in the over functionality and capabilities of the system.
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Microsoft
It took a lot of work, but Microsoft ultimately did a good job with in-person training, including being onsite in multiple global locations for extended periods.
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Online Training
Epicor Software
The on-line training is very good, and it is taught by the same people that do the live in-person training sessions. The difficult part of it is, asking questions about your specific company's nuances or special circumstances. I don't remember if you can access the on-line training sessions after you have taken them for reminders purposes, but if so that is a great asset.
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Microsoft
Our solution deviated from a number of key out-of-the-box standards that were included in Online training. We just used that for introduction to the general functionality.
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Implementation Rating
Epicor Software
I don't really know about the implementation, it was back in 1998 and I didn't start here until 2016. By the time I started here they had been running it for a number of years and most of the people that were here when it was implemented are no longer here, and the ones that are don't really have much to say about how the implementation went either bad or good.
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Microsoft
Some rough spots, but ultimately worked out. The contract didn't appear to be structured to support the level of overlapping facility deployments required to meet timeline commitments. Merging cultures on the program was also challenging. Overall, not an easy implementation by any stretch. Everyone did the best they could.
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Alternatives Considered
Epicor Software
Most of my experience has been with Epicor's Prophet 21. For most distribution verticals, Prophet 21 is the only way to go. The comparison I've drawn is this: Prophet 21 is like a ferrari. Epicor Eclipse is like a reliable donkey. Both get you from point A to point B but Prophet 21 is going to get you there much quicker and with the kind of insight into your business that will help you thrive.
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Microsoft
I was not part of the decision making process to select Microsoft Dynamics AX, however, I do know that an exhaustive search was done and many options were considered alongside Microsoft Dynamics AX and I feel that the right decision was made in choosing this solution.
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Scalability
Epicor Software
I don't really know about the scalability. It's the same as it was when I started, I do know that you can buy more user licenses, but I think they come in packs of 5, which can be a problem if you only need 1 and will never use the other 4. But, again I'm not sure on that.
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Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Epicor Software
  • One of the main positive ROI impacts has been the constant upgrading and adding of new features to keep the software user friendly, relative, and robust.
  • Our credit manager has said it has made their job easier with daily reports to catch pricing discrepancies and straighten out before they go to invoice makes us look better.
  • With the addition of sale analytics it has given our sales force tools and new approaches to our customer base which has raised profitability.
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Microsoft
  • With the robust built-in reporting we were able to drop an external reporting platform that costed about $40,000.
  • API integrations have saved manual entry and reduced having to hire 2-3 people to manage data.
  • Several administrators and developers are required for this which costs about 200-300 thousand in employee costs.
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ScreenShots