Epicor ERP (Kinetic): Review & Guide

Epicor ERP, now branded Epicor Kinetic, is a manufacturing- and distribution-focused enterprise resource planning system from Epicor Software Corporation. It targets mid-market discrete, mixed-mode and engineer-to-order manufacturers with modules for production, MRP, supply chain, quality and finance, deployable in the cloud or on-premise.

Epicor Kinetic ERP

What Is Epicor ERP?

Epicor, formerly known as Epicor ERP, is an enterprise resource planning solution designed to fit the manufacturing industry, more specifically discrete manufacturing, mixed mode, engineer to order and more. It is frequently shortlisted as one of the best ERP for manufacturing options for mid-market product businesses.

Kinetic is popular with small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, as well as in two-tier ERP strategy scenarios where it runs subsidiary or divisional operations alongside a corporate-tier system.

Epicor ERP vs Epicor Kinetic: Same Product, New Name

There is no separate product called "Epicor Kinetic" — it is simply the current name for what was previously sold as Epicor ERP, and before that Epicor ERP 10 (E10). Epicor began rolling out the Kinetic brand around 2020–2021, pairing it with a modernized, browser-based user interface and a low-code application studio, while retaining the same underlying data model and business architecture.

In practice this means searches for "epicor erp" and "epicor kinetic" refer to the same system. If you are evaluating quotes, documentation or partner references, treat the two names as interchangeable: "Kinetic" is the marketing name, "Epicor ERP" remains the widely understood category description. Existing Epicor 10 customers were migrated onto the Kinetic UI rather than to a different product, so historical Epicor ERP knowledge still applies.

Modules & Features List

Epicor Accounting

Epicor financial management and accounting includes all of the features you need to run a slick finance department including:

• General Ledger
• Accounts Receivable
• Accounts Payable
• Fixed Assets
• Budgeting
• Governance, Risk and Compliance
• Consolidations
• Financial Analysis
• Internationalization
• Banking & Cash Management
• Credit Management

Epicor also provides a unique set of functionality which it calls its Global Engines. Global Engines help Epicor ERP users to configure their own tax rules to meet the needs of different jurisdictions.

Epicor Supply Chain Management

Epicor Supply Chain Management allows Epicor ERP customers to monitor their processes across supply chains. These features include:

• Inventory Management
• Advanced Material Management
• Purchasing Management
• Contracts
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Shipping & Receiving
• Warehouse Management
• Distribution Requirements Planning
• Purchase Order Approvals
• Requisition Management
• Stock Status
• MRP
• Serial tracking

Planning and Scheduling

Epicor ERP includes robust functionality for planning and scheduling which includes capabilities such as:

• Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
• Lead times
• Forecasting and Master Production Scheduling
• Multisite management
• Advanced planning and scheduling
• Scheduling
• Resource Management
• Multiplant Operations
• Multisite Management
• Transfer materials

Production

Epicor is a leader in manufacturing ERP software and supports manufacturing operations for made to order (MTO), make to stock (MTS), engineer to order (ETO) or (CTO). Epicor includes features to support:

• Quality Assurance
• Traceability
• Audit trails
• Inspection
• Compliance
• Lead Production
• KANBAN
• MRP
• Manufacturing execution system (MES)
• Orders
• Jobs Management
• Advanced Production
• Manufacturing Intelligence

Product Data Management

Epicor enables manufacturing companies to centralize important information and documentation for all product data in one ERP system. Epicor ERP includes features including:

• Bill of materials (BOM) management
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Product configuration
• Engineering documents
• Quality documentation
• PDM
• CAD
• Product configuration
• Audit tracking
• Engineering change and revision control
• Product costings

Human Capital Management

Epicor helps manufacturing companies to synchronize important information about their workforce with manufacturing data, as well as streamline important human capital management and human resources processes. Epicor's HCM modules include capabilities such as:

• Payroll
• Human resources management
• Training and recruitment
• Employee Self Services
• Timesheets
• Holiday and absence management

Sales Management

Epicor provides manufacturers to manage their end to end processes from sales to delivery. The Epicor sales management module caters for several features to enable this including:

• Estimates
• Quotations
• Order Management
• Sales Orders
• Demand Management
• Storefront

For a deeper look at how these capabilities map to shop-floor and engineering workflows, see our Epicor for manufacturing modules guide.

Companies Using Epicor ERP

Epicor reports serving roughly 20,000 customers worldwide, with its installed base concentrated in discrete and mixed-mode manufacturing rather than process industries or services-only firms. Typical Epicor ERP users include metal fabrication shops, automotive parts manufacturers and suppliers, electronics and high-tech producers, industrial machinery and equipment makers, aerospace and defense manufacturers, and wholesale distributors.

The classic Epicor customer profile is a mid-market business in the 51–1,000 employee band with roughly $5M–$100M in revenue — large enough to need full MRP, scheduling and multi-site control, but not so large that it requires a tier-1 system. Epicor is also commonly deployed in two-tier ERP strategy scenarios, where a larger parent runs SAP or Oracle at headquarters and rolls Epicor out to manufacturing subsidiaries for local production control.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Deep, mature manufacturing and MES depth, with strong shop-floor control, advanced planning and scheduling (APS) and quality functionality for product-centric and regulated businesses.
• Deployment flexibility with both Cloud (multitenant & single tenant) and On-Premise offerings, and the ability to move between them.
• Global Engines support country-specific tax, legal and reporting rules, making multi-jurisdiction operations easier to configure.
• Strong fit for engineer-to-order and mixed-mode manufacturers that need BOM, configuration and job costing in one system.

Cons:

• The user interface, although improved with the Kinetic rebrand, still has a learning curve for new users.
• Can be complex and costly to implement for smaller manufacturers with simpler requirements.
• Heavier customizations and integrations often rely on implementation partners, which adds to cost and timeline.

Industry Fit

Epicor ERP is a flexible and adaptable solution that can be tailored to the needs of various industries. However, it's particularly well-suited to certain sectors due to its specialized features and modules. Here's a breakdown:

• Manufacturing: Epicor ERP is widely used in manufacturing businesses. It has modules for managing production, supply chain, quality, and maintenance. It also supports various manufacturing modes, including make-to-order, make-to-stock, engineer-to-order, project-centric, job shop, repetitive, and batch processing. With real-time data and analytics, manufacturers can improve their operational efficiency and make more informed decisions.

• Distribution: Distributors can benefit from Epicor ERP's supply chain management, inventory management, and warehouse management features. The software can help distributors optimize their inventory levels, streamline their order-to-delivery processes, and improve customer service.

• Retail: For retailers, Epicor offers point-of-sale (POS), eCommerce, and customer relationship management (CRM) features. The software can integrate with various sales channels, giving retailers a unified view of their customers and operations.

• Services: Service businesses can use Epicor ERP to manage their projects, resources, and financials. The software also includes a field service module, which can help businesses schedule and track their field operations.

• Construction and Engineering: Epicor has tools for project management, job costing, and resource management, which can be useful for construction and engineering businesses. It can help these businesses manage their projects more effectively, keep track of their costs, and optimize their resource usage.

• Automotive: Epicor ERP also fits well in the automotive industry, especially for parts manufacturers and suppliers. It offers features for production planning, quality control, and compliance management.

History

Epicor ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a software suite that provides businesses with a platform to manage and streamline their processes. As an integrated suite, it offers tools for managing various aspects of business operations, including manufacturing, supply chain, sales, accounting, and more.

Here is a general timeline of the history of Epicor ERP:

• 1972: Epicor's history can be traced back to 1972, when the original company was founded as Triad Systems. The company initially focused on providing hardware, software, and services for automotive parts wholesalers.

• 1984: The company's flagship software, Eagle, was launched in 1984, marking the beginning of the company's transition to a software and services provider.

• 1992: Triad Systems went public in 1992, and continued its operations, focusing on software and services for the manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and services industries.

• 2003: The company changed its name to Activant Solutions in 2003, and two years later, in 2005, it was acquired by investment firms, which took the company private.

• 2005-2011: Between 2005 and 2011, Activant acquired several companies, expanding its product offerings and entering new markets.

• 2011: In 2011, Activant Solutions was merged with Epicor Software Corporation, which was another major provider of enterprise software. The merged company retained the Epicor name. This merger resulted in a broad portfolio of solutions, including Epicor ERP, which became one of the flagship products of the company.

• 2011-2020: Over the next decade, Epicor continued to evolve its ERP solution, integrating advanced technologies like cloud computing, AI, and machine learning. Epicor ERP 10 was built with an entirely new business architecture that brought together extensive capabilities in a modular, connected, and streamlined system.

• 2020-2021: Epicor rebranded Epicor ERP as Epicor Kinetic, introducing a modernized, browser-based interface and low-code application studio on top of the established E10 architecture.

• Today: Epicor Software Corporation is headquartered in Austin, Texas and is privately owned by private-equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), which acquired the business in 2020. Epicor serves roughly 20,000 customers worldwide across manufacturing, distribution, retail and services.

Deployment Options

Learn how to implement Epicor ERP here.

Deployment

Epicor ERP is offered both as an On-Premise ERP solution as well as a Cloud ERP solution. Customers can also exercise the ability to move Epicor ERP from the Cloud to On-Premise and back again, which is a true differentiator for customers looking for the maximum flexibility.

Integration

Epicor provides multiple options for integration to enable business systems to connect with Epicor ERP, including REST and OData APIs, the Epicor Automation Studio (iPaaS) for low-code connectors, EDI for trading-partner exchange, and pre-built integrations to CRM, BI, eCommerce and CAD/PLM tools. Customers commonly use these to link Epicor to their financials, shop-floor data collection, warehouse systems and customer-facing storefronts.

Epicor ERP Pricing at a Glance

Epicor Kinetic is licensed on a subscription basis, typically billed per named or concurrent user on an annual cloud contract, with cost driven by user count, the depth of modules you enable, and any third-party extensions. Implementation is a separate cost that usually runs a multiple of the annual license fee, depending on scope, data migration and customization.

Because Epicor publishes no public list price, the realistic way to budget is to model users and modules against comparable deployments. For full ranges and a worked cost breakdown, see our Epicor ERP pricing and cost breakdown guide rather than relying on a single headline figure.

Epicor User Interface (UI)

Dashboards and views of Epicor ERP can be tailored based on the user accessing the system, allowing for the user interface to be made as simple or as complex as necessary for each of your system users.

With the rebrand to 'Kinetic', Epicor has rolled out a new user interface, but Epicor 10 veterans can stick with the old style if they prefer.

Epicor ERP Competitors

• Infor CloudSuite Industrial
• SAP Business One
• SYSPRO
• Global Shop Solutions

For head-to-head analysis, read our Epicor vs Infor comparison and NetSuite vs Epicor breakdowns, or browse the full list of Epicor alternatives and competitors to see where Epicor fits against the wider market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Epicor ERP used for?

Epicor ERP (Kinetic) is used to run end-to-end operations for manufacturers and distributors — production and shop-floor control, MRP and scheduling, inventory and supply chain, quality, and financials — in one connected system with real-time visibility.

What is the difference between Epicor ERP and Epicor Kinetic?

There is no functional difference. Epicor Kinetic is the current name for the product previously sold as Epicor ERP (and Epicor ERP 10). Epicor rebranded it Kinetic around 2020-2021 with a modernized, browser-based user interface.

Is Epicor ERP cloud-based?

Yes. Epicor Kinetic is available as multi-tenant or single-tenant cloud SaaS and as an on-premise deployment. Customers can also migrate between cloud and on-premise, which is unusual flexibility among manufacturing ERP vendors.

What industries is Epicor ERP best for?

Epicor ERP fits discrete, mixed-mode and engineer-to-order manufacturing best — metal fabrication, industrial machinery, automotive parts, electronics and aerospace — plus wholesale distribution. It is less specialised for heavy process or services-only businesses.

How much does Epicor ERP cost?

Epicor Kinetic is licensed per user on an annual subscription, with cost driven by user count, module depth and extensions. Implementation is a separate cost that typically runs a multiple of annual license fees. See our Epicor pricing guide for ranges.

Who owns Epicor?

Epicor Software Corporation is a private company headquartered in Austin, Texas, founded in 1972 and owned by private-equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). It serves roughly 20,000 customers worldwide.