Overall Satisfaction with Epicor Eclipse
Epicor Eclipse is being used across the entire business. We use it for Purchasing, Sales, Inventory Control and Accounting functions. It addresses the need to keep accurate track of inventory and all other aspects of our business. Since the software was designed for the area of business we operate in, it is a great tool.
- It's very easy to use. I have used more complex accounting software and this is so simple.
- It has some powerful reporting tools.
- It can be used at a sales counter to handle walk-in customers.
- 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.
- I'm fairly certain the return on investment has been tremendous, having used the system for so long now and it requires less effort than their previous methods.
- I believe the inventory accuracy has improved significantly as well.
- I believe that there has also been a positive impact on the customer billing and accounts receivable functions.
- SAP and Great Plains
Epicor Eclipse was here when I started 2 years ago. SAP and Great Plains were used at previous employers. Epicor Eclipse versus the others, I would say that Eclipse has the edge in terms of the learning curve for new employees because of how easy it is to use. However, it is not as robust in terms of finding exactly what you want or need to find a certain screen/module. So because of how easy it is to use and learn the edge has to go to Epicor Eclipse.
Epicor Eclipse Feature Ratings
Using Epicor Eclipse
20 - The business functions represented are, Sales, Warehouse/Inventory, Purchasing, Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Accounts payable, a portion of payroll, and finance. Specific departments would be Warehouse, Salesmen, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Accounting, Human Resources, and Management. It is a company wide tool and necessary for everything we do as a Wholesale Plumbing Supply Company.
1 - To be honest, I really don't know what specific skills would be necessary to be effective as a support person for Epicor Eclipse. I am our main go-to for any issues with Eclipse. My personal background is primarily in Accounting, but I have implemented several systems at several different types of companies in the past. I have the basic knowledge to be a tier 1 tech support person on-site.
- Probably the most important would be Inventory management.
- Second would have to be Sales functionality.
- Third would be the accounting aspect, in this scenario I am including Accounts Receivable and Payable in the same use case.
- Our organization hasn't really been innovative in their use of the system. They know how it works and that's how they use it.
- One way they could use it in the future would be to add on an E-commerce module.
- Maybe in the future they can utilize the cycle count features.
Evaluating Epicor Eclipse and Competitors
- Price
- Product Features
- Third-party Reviews
I wasn't with the company when they chose this system, but from what I have been told, they made the decision after seeing it at a trade show. They spoke with the representatives of the company and discovered that the system was actually tailor made for the plumbing/electrical supply industry, which is exactly the type of company that we are. With that being the case, they like how easy it was to use and chose to implement it. I should also point out that prior to this system, everything was done manually in handwritten ledgers and type (on a typewrite) invoices.
I personally would have opted for a windows based system. It's easier to use, more customization is available and it is more like what the users see in other applications. This creates a better feeling about the system and less hostility. A few other things I would insist upon is a better support package, so when we bring on new people (which doesn't happen very often at all) they can get the same high-level of training that is provided when the system was installed without the high cost of occasional training sessions provided by Epicor at various times through the year.
Epicor Eclipse Implementation
- Vendor implemented
- I don't know I wasn't here when that happened.
Epicor Eclipse Training
- Online training
- In-person training
- Self-taught
I did a lot of my self teaching just by going into various applications and seeing what the screens looked like, figuring out what went where and how to properly use certain screens. The best thing is that as long as you don't save your work, you can't really mess anything up, Eclipse is goos in that aspect because you can abort almost any process before it can be saved.
Configuring Epicor Eclipse
I really couldn't say, because I don't know what is configurable and what isn't. I guess my only recommendation would be, to make sure you map out what you want from the system, what you need from the system, and what you would like from the system before you implement. That way you can know whether it is for you and your needs or not. You may have to settle or compromise between your wants, needs and likes.
No - we have not done any customization to the interface
No - we have not done any custom code
I really don't have anything else to add on this topic.
Epicor Eclipse Support
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Problems get solved Support cares about my success | None |
We had an issue with Sell Matrices and nobody here either knew or remembered how they had been set up or how to fix them. The tier 1 support guy was great, it took a little bit longer but he stayed with it and escalated it to get assistance from tier 2 in order to resolve the case.
Using Epicor Eclipse
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- General ledger journal entries are very easy.
- Cash applications are very easy
- vendor and customer ledger review is very easy
- Report writer is somewhat difficult to master
- inventory look ups are not clearly identifiable in the menu
Epicor Eclipse Reliability
Integrating Epicor Eclipse
- none
We don't integrate anything with Epicor Eclipse. Primarily because we don't have a need to. We can run everything we need in either Epicor Eclipse or one of the Microsoft products (Word or Excel).
- None
I know that they do have some systems that can be integrated and those are suggested by Epicor Eclipse, but we have none that we would like or need to have integrated.
We don't have anything integrated and I don't know any of the specific systems or technologies that can be integrated into Epicor Eclipse.
I can't provide any advice or tips on this subject since we didn't opt to integrate anything.
Relationship with Epicor Software
I wasn't involved in the negotiation of any terms. As far as I know there wasn't any or much negotiation to be had, since we were looking or a system and theirs did exactly what we needed for our industry. It was almost a perfect fit.
I have not tips or advice in regards to effectively dealing with the vendor. I don't think they would be completely unreasonable, if they were they wouldn't have many customers, but I don't know that for sure.
Upgrading Epicor Eclipse
Yes - Yes, the upgrade was simple. I came in on a Saturday morning and the upgrade was complete in less than 2 hours. That was the first time, which was a multiple point upgrade. The system hadn't had a point upgrade in several years when I started and that was one of the first things I had to accomplish. They provide detailed instructions for preparation and what will happen the day of.
- We had current available processes
- Any bugs from prior upgrades were worked out
- I really don't know what to expect, we just had one in December and there were really no noticeable differences based on our particular set up.