Item: Epicor Kinetic
Rating: 5
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

It is being used across the whole organisation to a limited extent. There are developments pending to make this a full-featured Multi-site implementation though. It's going to combine 3 manufacturing sites (2 in EU + 1 USA) with 6 Sales offices (the USA, 4x Europe + India).
Also, a new product configurator is under development and scheduled for release by Q4-2018.

Pros and Cons

Our version evolved from Vantage, and to be honest, I'm not really impressed yet. I've seen good examples so am aware it's due to implementation errors, rather than Epicor shortcomings.
Unfortunately, our version of the product configurator is very slow.
The need for well educated/trained consultants to get a proper implementation should be addressed well by Epicor, as this also determines user experience to a great extent. There is no true fall-back for improper implementation.

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?

Return on Investment

At this moment, 2-3 FTEs are involved to keep Epicor running and evolving, and for a <200 FTE company this is way too much.
Improper implementation can easily slow-down the program for day-to-day business administration.

Scalability

Using the word Scalability usually implies an increase of use, or adding the use of other features. Making the product put to good/proper use for small companies without the need for full-time support, whilst integrity is maintained it is an entirely different topic.

In my view, the current company may have acquired a full truck with options, where initially a small pick-up may have been better suited.

Post-Sale Experience

Companies parted (10 years ago) with the legal trail following improper implementation (over 3 years), still felt today.

Alternatives Considered

With my former employer, we used ISAH-7, including couplings to Autocad (with BOM-integration) and Account View for financial reporting. At this company, I was also doing on-site support and report updates and year-closing, which would normally cost me just 4-5 working days. With another trading company, I was involved in the merger from King to AccountView and with a third, I was supporting developments of web-based forms in Exact.

All these companies were only somewhat smaller than the present employer, but the software seemed to be working much better to company needs than with present setup.

Likelihood to Recommend

Understanding the question very well and think to know Epicor pretty well too, this highly depends on whom is asking.

When a medium to large size OEM company would be asking, I'd probably agree (with the right consultant!).
I believe the package offers too many options (too complex) for small project-oriented companies though. At least in Holland, there are better alternatives readily available.

Proper implementation is vital

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with Epicor ERP