Epicor Kinetic vs SAP Business ByDesign
Side-by-side comparison of Epicor Kinetic and SAP Business ByDesign — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
Epicor Kinetic vs SAP Business ByDesign at a Glance
| Criteria | Epicor Kinetic | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers | Midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first SAP |
| Starting Price | $80/user/mo | $120/user/mo |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-user |
| Deployment | cloud, on-premise, hybrid | cloud |
| Company Size | 51-250, 251-1000, 1001-5000 | 51-250, 251-1000 |
| Implementation | 5–10 months | 4–8 months |
| Typical Cost | $100K–$500K | $100K–$400K |
Module Comparison
| Module | Epicor Kinetic | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Supply Chain | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| CRM | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| HR & Payroll | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Project Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Procurement | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Warehouse Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Ecommerce | ★ Basic | ★ Basic |
| Business Intelligence | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Quality Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Field Service | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
| Asset Management | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
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
SAP Business ByDesign
Pros
- +True cloud — no infrastructure to manage
- +Strong project management and professional services features
- +Good fit for subsidiaries of SAP S/4HANA parents
- +Built-in multi-company and inter-company support
Cons
- -Limited customisation compared to on-premise SAP
- -Smaller partner ecosystem than Business One or S/4HANA
- -SAP has signalled end-of-life in favour of Cloud ERP
- -Not ideal for heavy discrete manufacturing
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 SAP Business ByDesign
- You need an ERP best suited for midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first sap
- Your company has 51-250 or 251-1000 employees
- You operate in Professional Services, Wholesale & Distribution
- You prefer cloud deployment
- Your budget aligns with $120/user/mo starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Epicor Kinetic better than SAP Business ByDesign?
It depends on your business needs. Epicor Kinetic is best for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers, while SAP Business ByDesign is best for midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first sap. Epicor Kinetic starts at $80/user/mo and SAP Business ByDesign starts at $120/user/mo.
How does Epicor Kinetic pricing compare to SAP Business ByDesign?
Epicor Kinetic uses a per-user pricing model starting at $80/user/mo, while SAP Business ByDesign uses a per-user model starting at $120/user/mo. Epicor Kinetic typical total cost is $100K–$500K vs $100K–$400K for SAP Business ByDesign.
Which is better for manufacturing: Epicor Kinetic or SAP Business ByDesign?
Both vendors serve manufacturing companies. Epicor Kinetic is typically chosen by 51-250, 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee organizations, while SAP Business ByDesign targets 51-250, 251-1000 employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
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