Epicor Kinetic vs QAD Adaptive ERP
Side-by-side comparison of Epicor Kinetic and QAD Adaptive ERP — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
Epicor Kinetic vs QAD Adaptive ERP at a Glance
| Criteria | Epicor Kinetic | QAD Adaptive ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers | Automotive, life sciences, and CPG manufacturers |
| Starting Price | $80/user/mo | $90/user/mo |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-user |
| Deployment | cloud, on-premise, hybrid | cloud |
| Company Size | 51-250, 251-1000, 1001-5000 | 251-1000, 1001-5000, 5000+ |
| Implementation | 5–10 months | 5–10 months |
| Typical Cost | $100K–$500K | $150K–$600K |
Module Comparison
| Module | Epicor Kinetic | QAD Adaptive ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Supply Chain | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| CRM | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
| HR & Payroll | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
| Project Management | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Procurement | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Warehouse Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Ecommerce | ★ Basic | — N/A |
| Business Intelligence | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Quality Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Field Service | ★★ Moderate | — N/A |
| Asset Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
Pros & Cons
Epicor Kinetic
Pros
- +Deep manufacturing capabilities (MES, APS, quality)
- +Strong shop floor control and production scheduling
- +Good fit for make-to-order and engineer-to-order
- +Modern Kinetic UI with browser-based access
Cons
- -Financials not as strong as SAP or Oracle
- -Ecommerce and retail modules are limited
- -Customisations can be complex to upgrade
- -Reporting relies heavily on SSRS — can feel dated
QAD Adaptive ERP
Pros
- +Deep automotive and life sciences industry templates
- +Built-in EDI and supply chain collaboration tools
- +Strong quality management with compliance traceability
- +Cloud-native on AWS with rapid provisioning
Cons
- -CRM and HR are basic — third-party needed
- -No ecommerce or field service modules
- -Smaller partner ecosystem than Tier 1 vendors
- -Less flexibility for non-manufacturing use cases
When to Choose Epicor Kinetic
- You need an ERP best suited for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers
- Your company has 51-250 or 251-1000 or 1001-5000 employees
- You operate in Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace & Defense
- You prefer cloud / on-premise / hybrid deployment
- Your budget aligns with $80/user/mo starting price
When to Choose QAD Adaptive ERP
- You need an ERP best suited for automotive, life sciences, and cpg manufacturers
- Your company has 251-1000 or 1001-5000 or 5000+ employees
- You operate in Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage
- You prefer cloud deployment
- Your budget aligns with $90/user/mo starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Epicor Kinetic better than QAD Adaptive ERP?
It depends on your business needs. Epicor Kinetic is best for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers, while QAD Adaptive ERP is best for automotive, life sciences, and cpg manufacturers. Epicor Kinetic starts at $80/user/mo and QAD Adaptive ERP starts at $90/user/mo.
How does Epicor Kinetic pricing compare to QAD Adaptive ERP?
Epicor Kinetic uses a per-user pricing model starting at $80/user/mo, while QAD Adaptive ERP uses a per-user model starting at $90/user/mo. Epicor Kinetic typical total cost is $100K–$500K vs $150K–$600K for QAD Adaptive ERP.
Which is better for manufacturing: Epicor Kinetic or QAD Adaptive ERP?
Both vendors serve manufacturing companies. Epicor Kinetic is typically chosen by 51-250, 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee organizations, while QAD Adaptive ERP targets 251-1000, 1001-5000, 5000+ employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
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