Epicor Kinetic vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Epicor Kinetic
Score 7.4 out of 10
N/A
Epicor Kinetic (the name of the former Epicor ERP) presents a wide feature breadth, customizability, and scalability, typical product-centric cloud ERP offerings. It is meant as a single, end-to-end software solution for businesses, and is available on-premise, hosted, or in the cloud as a software as a service (SaaS) solution.N/A
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (formerly Dynamics NAV) is one of the ERP products in the Dynamics family. The technology is based on the Navision product acquired by Microsoft in 2002. This product is the best-selling Microsoft ERP platform, and is often used by companies in the manufacturing and distribution verticals.N/A
Pricing
Epicor KineticMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Epicor KineticMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsMust contact sales team for pricing.—
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Epicor KineticMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Considered Both Products
Epicor Kinetic

No answer on this topic

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Chose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
There was a third party that collected company ERP requirements from people representing all functional areas to narrow down the field of ERP offerings. The top two options presented were Epicor and NAV. Company management and IT preferred that the ERP system be hosted on a …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Epicor KineticMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.4
13 Ratings
3% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.6
6 Ratings
5% above category average
Pay calculation7.713 Ratings7.86 Ratings
Benefit plan administration7.79 Ratings7.04 Ratings
Direct deposit files6.39 Ratings9.35 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
6.0
26 Ratings
19% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.0
16 Ratings
10% above category average
API for custom integration6.124 Ratings8.015 Ratings
Plug-ins6.022 Ratings8.013 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.5
37 Ratings
8% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.0
20 Ratings
10% above category average
Single sign-on capability8.030 Ratings9.016 Ratings
Role-based user permissions7.037 Ratings9.020 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
8.4
37 Ratings
19% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
5.1
21 Ratings
31% below category average
Dashboards7.936 Ratings5.117 Ratings
Standard reports9.036 Ratings5.121 Ratings
Custom reports8.332 Ratings5.120 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.1
36 Ratings
7% below category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.8
21 Ratings
14% above category average
Accounts payable7.334 Ratings9.020 Ratings
Accounts receivable7.235 Ratings8.419 Ratings
Global Financial Support9.016 Ratings9.08 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers6.316 Ratings10.07 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations7.319 Ratings10.010 Ratings
Configurable Accounting7.917 Ratings10.010 Ratings
Standardized Processes8.018 Ratings9.011 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
9.9
36 Ratings
23% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.7
16 Ratings
10% above category average
Inventory tracking9.935 Ratings9.016 Ratings
Automatic reordering9.921 Ratings6.79 Ratings
Location management9.928 Ratings9.013 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
8.7
39 Ratings
11% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.9
19 Ratings
2% above category average
Pricing9.036 Ratings7.117 Ratings
Order entry8.039 Ratings8.016 Ratings
Credit card processing7.219 Ratings10.011 Ratings
Cost of goods sold8.938 Ratings8.015 Ratings
Order Orchestration9.916 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Subledger and Financial Process
Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
8.8
22 Ratings
17% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.4
11 Ratings
13% above category average
Billing Management9.917 Ratings8.39 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management9.918 Ratings9.010 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management5.713 Ratings7.86 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting8.914 Ratings8.37 Ratings
Period Close8.218 Ratings10.010 Ratings
Project Financial Management
Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
9.2
19 Ratings
19% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.7
8 Ratings
13% above category average
Budgeting and Forecasting9.015 Ratings10.08 Ratings
Project Costing8.016 Ratings10.07 Ratings
Cost Capture10.017 Ratings10.08 Ratings
Capital Project Management9.011 Ratings8.05 Ratings
Customer Contract Compliance9.09 Ratings10.06 Ratings
Project Revenue Recognition9.012 Ratings8.04 Ratings
Project Execution Management
Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.6
14 Ratings
11% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.7
4 Ratings
12% above category average
Project Planning and Scheduling7.612 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Task Insight for Project Managers5.47 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality7.25 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Definable Resource Pools7.36 Ratings7.03 Ratings
Grants Management
Comparison of Grants Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.8
7 Ratings
3% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.7
3 Ratings
25% above category average
Award Lifecycle Management8.03 Ratings10.03 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
8.2
13 Ratings
16% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.0
6 Ratings
14% above category average
Bids Analyzed and Compared8.75 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Contract Authoring9.04 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Contract Repository7.75 Ratings7.03 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated8.87 Ratings7.55 Ratings
Supplier Management7.910 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Risk Management
Comparison of Risk Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.9
3 Ratings
19% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.6
3 Ratings
38% above category average
Risk Repository8.02 Ratings9.32 Ratings
Control Management8.03 Ratings9.43 Ratings
Control Efficiency Assessments8.02 Ratings9.32 Ratings
Issue Detection8.02 Ratings10.03 Ratings
Remediation and Certification8.02 Ratings9.72 Ratings
Logistics
Comparison of Logistics features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.3
11 Ratings
6% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.7
3 Ratings
12% above category average
Transportation Planning and Optimization7.75 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Transportation Execution Management7.04 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Trade and Customs Management7.04 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Fulfillment Management5.18 Ratings7.93 Ratings
Warehouse Workforce Management7.76 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Manufacturing
Comparison of Manufacturing features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
8.1
20 Ratings
7% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.1
3 Ratings
6% below category average
Production Process Design7.915 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Production Management7.619 Ratings5.83 Ratings
Configuration Management8.113 Ratings1.32 Ratings
Work Execution7.715 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Manufacturing Costs9.319 Ratings8.63 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
9.4
21 Ratings
26% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.5
5 Ratings
27% above category average
Forecasting8.917 Ratings9.05 Ratings
Inventory Planning8.920 Ratings10.05 Ratings
Performance Monitoring9.915 Ratings10.05 Ratings
Product Lifecycle Management
Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Product A and Product B
Epicor Kinetic
7.6
7 Ratings
5% above category average
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.3
2 Ratings
25% above category average
Proposal Management7.44 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Product Master Data Management7.05 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Epicor KineticMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Small Businesses
Acumatica
Acumatica
Score 8.7 out of 10
Acumatica
Acumatica
Score 8.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Infor VISUAL
Infor VISUAL
Score 7.4 out of 10
Infor VISUAL
Infor VISUAL
Score 7.4 out of 10
Enterprises
SAP Business ByDesign
SAP Business ByDesign
Score 7.5 out of 10
SAP Business ByDesign
SAP Business ByDesign
Score 7.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Epicor KineticMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Likelihood to Recommend
8.2
(39 ratings)
8.0
(21 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(1 ratings)
9.0
(3 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(2 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.5
(15 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
7.6
(14 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Epicor KineticMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Likelihood to Recommend
Epicor Software
Epicor is an excellent system for most manufacturing customers and offers several features previously only offered on the very large (e.g. Oracle, PeopleSoft, etc) level platforms. Yet the pricing is mid-level, and the expandability through additional modules provides a great opportunity for future business growth. The architecture is easily scalable, fast, and offers great options for both on premise and hosted systems. Epicor is flexible, and large enough that regular updates and enhancements continue to be adopted to improve functionality and effectiveness. It is however, not for everyone. Competition in this sector is very good, with several mid-level systems being available at a similar price point. If you are considering adopting a new ERP system and are in the plastics space, you also owe it to yourself and your team to consider IQMS, which is becoming a de-facto standard in this segment. Also, for specific medical sectors, you will find that Epicor software validation for CFR Part 11 compliance can be quite costly-- although the software is capable of supporting this with modification. Overall, Epicor is a solid choice. Ultimately, it will be up to your team to determine what works best for your needs. You won't be disappointed with Epicor if you do the due diligence and take the time needed to properly review and demo the product. Remember though, demos are typically "best case" staged, so be sure to throw several curveballs at your vendor and bring out the unique requirements of your business.
Read full review
Microsoft
It addresses well some integration and connectivity issues with other software and adapted technologies: formulation and manufacturing batching software, scanners and bar codes, inventory, financials, emailing of invoices and statement, sales and purchasing... etc. I believe it to be better suited to a medium to large company. Not as simple and seamless as we expected for migrating from another Microsoft Dynamics software product (we moved from GP to NAV). Our staff is going through a tougher time than we thought to learn some procedures. Normal growing pains?!
Read full review
Pros
Epicor Software
  • Epicor has the best product configurator that I have seen on the market. This was one of the main reasons we went with Epicor, and have not been disappointed at all.
  • Epicor is also one of the easiest ERP system to learn, and has many ways for users to get training. Epicor University, on-line courses, or class room settings, also user conference every year, and user support groups.
  • The Enterprise search ability in Epicor is great, can find parts, customers, suppliers, etc. so easily. And if you can't remember where a report or task that you want to do is on the menu, you can search for that also.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Automate the creation of bills of materials for production. We can now generate a BoM from a sales order.
  • Organization of all data pertaining to thousands of parts, assemblies, and finished goods. Engineering and purchasing have a common portal.
  • We can create sales orders from quotations instead of re-entering them (this did require some bolt-on software). Less redundant work with fewer entry errors.
  • Accounting can provide reports based on specific criteria stored in NAV. We can pull better and more detailed intelligence.
Read full review
Cons
Epicor Software
  • Consultants should be very well trained to make sure program integrity is maintained during challenging implementations.
  • There should be an improvement on answering questions raised, especially upon migration issues.
  • When is Epicor aware of improper/incorrect implementation they might proactively offer improvement support?
Read full review
Microsoft
  • The version of software that we currently use isn't compatible with Windows 7, therefore we had to install it using the virtual computer under Windows XP. This created a few additional steps that the users had to go through in order to access the software which generated more calls to our IT Helpdesk.
  • We did research how much it would cost to upgrade the software so that we could get a version compatible with Windows 7, but the cost was way too expensive for our organization. Also, when we need to make updates or changes to the software, there are very few consultants who are familiar with the software so we are limited in who we can use for consulting services. Since we are limited in choosing consultants who can make updates and changes to the software the fees are usually really expensive for their services.
  • There is a .zup file that we constantly have to delete in order for the database to work properly and update. Users get a pop-up about once a week asking if they want to replace the .zup file and if the file is not deleted then the opening page for the software will not show up correctly and the database will not have the most up to date information.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Epicor Software
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
We've already decided to continue using this software. It is too expensive for us to upgrade so we made a workaround by using the virtual computer with Windows XP installed on it. We did research replacing this software, but it was a better financial decision to keep what we had instead
Read full review
Usability
Epicor Software
It is a good service to have people update and collaborate with I also like the ease of it. It keeps the stock of materials accountable
Read full review
Microsoft
It has simplified all processes and reduces turnaround time for month end processes. You can easily navigate through the dashboard which is very user friendly and easily guides you to different functionalities. Duplications of Invoices is avoided because NAV rejects posting of an invoice number already in the system so you increase accuracy.
Read full review
Support Rating
Epicor Software
If the answer to your problem is not readily available in an answer book, your response or solution will take months, if you get one at all. Problems need to be sent to support and duplicated by them before they try to fix it. This is extremely frustrating because you have to prove to Epicor that you are having an issue. If by some miracle you get by this barrier, your problem is submitted to development for review. You can't speak to them or communicate in any way directly. This group appears to be completely unconcerned about user issues or customer service. Our experiences have been negative across the board.
Read full review
Microsoft
It provides one to efficiently be able to manage bookkeeping and inventory without much challenges. One can easily navigate through workflow processes while managing usages and budgets. Being able to produce reports in Word, Excel or PDF means one is able to have a working document to produce trends and graphs or produce pivot tables.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Epicor Software
Everyone at our organization really appreciated "made 2 manage" because of all of the quick access and some of the capabilities in accounting. So far, Epicor is much more advanced but the two can stand side by side. These two programs cannot really be compared just because it's just not fair to compare an on-site server ERP system to a cloud-based one.
Read full review
Microsoft
I have personally supported all of the Dynamic family of ERP systems and made the decision to concentrate on NAV as the solution of choice. From a support and development standpoint there are few if any packages that can compare. It is not uncommon for most of the companies that I support to only call me once or twice a month after the first year. This is due to the ease of tracking down problems and errors and the ability for a developer to provide the end-user with routines that automatically correct the most basic kind of error
Read full review
Scalability
Epicor Software
The software is pretty easy to use. Things are pretty clear on how to do them and if you don't know how to do something they have instructions on how to do them or you get an error code telling you exactly what to do. I have been satisfied with my overall experience.
Read full review
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Epicor Software
  • The ROI can be hard to quantify. We spend more time setting up and entering information up front, but we spend less time than before trying to track project costs so that evens out. Purchasing the system and implementing it was very expensive, but the benefit is the the better information can save money on projects as we know where best to spend our time and identify potential problems earlier on a project. We believe it will have a positive impact, but I'd say it will take a few years (3-4) to be worth it.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Automation processing, including EDI functionality, has increased employee efficiency and prevented the need for adding additional employees.
  • Implementation of the warehouse functionality, including cycle counts, has resulted in better inventory control/less shrinkage.
  • Implementation of e-Ship and e-Receive, has resulted in greater efficiency and order accuracy.
Read full review
ScreenShots