In this review, I’m going to share my analysis and evaluation from my hands-on experience with Epicor Kinetic. But first, if you’re just beginning your search for the best enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools, check out my picks for the best ERP software. You probably already know that Epicor Kinetic is among the most popular ERP tools out there, but you need to better understand what’s good (and not so good) about it.
This in-depth Epicor Kinetic review will walk you through the tool's pros and cons, features and functionality, and more to help guide you to better understand its capabilities and its suitability for your needs.
Epicor Kinetic ERP Software Overview
Epicor Kinetic, an intuitive Epicor ERP software, excels in streamlining and automating various business processes. It's configured to meet the unique needs of manufacturing companies, offering an on-premise or cloud ERP solution to efficiently manage operations. The software's design ensures significant benefits like enhanced data visibility, improved decision-making, and better resource management.
Epicor Kinetic adeptly addresses key pain points in complex supply chain management, production scheduling, and inventory control. Among its best features are detailed analytics, customizable dashboards, and robust integration capabilities, all contributing to its status as a comprehensive ERP solution.
Pros
- Detailed Analytics: Epicor Kinetic offers advanced analytics tools which enable users to gain deep insights into their operations, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Customization: The software is highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor it to their specific needs and processes.
- Integration: It excels in integrating with various systems and platforms, ensuring seamless data flow across different business areas.
Cons
- Learning Curve: The complexity of its features can result in a steep learning curve for new users.
- Cost: While not the most expensive, it can be a significant investment for small businesses.
- Support Variability: The quality of customer support can vary, potentially impacting user experience.
Expert Opinion
In my experience, Epicor Kinetic stands out for its robust data management and forecasting capabilities, especially in areas like accounts receivable. This cloud-based ERP software offers deep insights and extensive customization options through various apps, catering to the intricate needs of different businesses. However, its complexity and cost are factors to consider. Epicor Kinetic excels in data analytics and integration, making it a strong choice for businesses that require solid data handling and software compatibility.
On the downside, the learning curve associated with its advanced features and the variability in support quality can be challenging for some users. Compared to other ERP solutions, Epicor Kinetic offers a more tailored experience for manufacturing businesses, but might not be the ideal fit for smaller enterprises or those in search of a simple, plug-and-play solution.
Epicor Kinetic: The Bottom Line
What sets Epicor Kinetic apart in the crowded field of ERP software is its focus on detailed analytics and customization, especially in areas like general ledger and human capital management. This tool innovates in the realm of manufacturing operations, offering a level of depth in data analysis and adaptability to business-specific processes, including MRP (Material Requirements Planning), that many other tools don't provide. Particularly impressive are its robust integration capabilities and customizable dashboards, which are noteworthy for businesses seeking to streamline complex operations. This makes Epicor Kinetic particularly well-suited for manufacturing companies looking for a comprehensive, data-driven ERP solution.
Epicor Kinetic Deep Dive
Here's a deep dive into Epicor Kinetic's features, best use cases, pricing, customer support, and other purchase factors.
Product Specifications
1. Financial Management - Yes
2. Supply Chain Management - Yes
3. Production Management - Yes
4. Project Management - Yes
5. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - Yes
6. Human Resources Management (HRM) - Yes
7. Inventory Management - Yes
8. Purchasing Management - Yes
9. Sales Management - Yes
10. Business Intelligence and Analytics - Yes
11. Reporting and Dashboards - Yes
12. Workflow Management - Yes
13. Document Management - Yes
14. Asset Management - Yes
15. Quality Management - Yes
16. Compliance Management - Yes
17. E-commerce Integration - Yes
18. Mobile Access - Yes
19. Cloud Deployment - Yes
20. Data Import/Export - Yes
21. Multi-Currency Support - Yes
22. Multi-Language Support - Yes
23. Customization Tools - Yes
24. API for Integration - Yes
25. Collaborative Tools - Yes
Epicor Kinetic Feature Overview
1. Financial Management: Epicor Kinetic offers comprehensive financial tracking and management tools, standing out with its ability to handle complex financial operations across different regions and currencies.
2. Supply Chain Management: It streamlines supply chain processes with real-time visibility and control, making it distinctive in its ability to handle complex global supply chains.
3. Production Management: This feature allows precise control over manufacturing processes, with its standout aspect being the deep integration with other business functions.
4. Project Management: Epicor Kinetic's project management tools are designed for detailed tracking and efficient management, notable for their seamless integration with financial and resource planning modules.
5. Customer Relationship Management: The CRM functionality is robust, offering deep insights into customer interactions, distinguishing itself with its detailed analytics and reporting.
6. Human Resources Management: This feature stands out with its comprehensive tools for managing the workforce, including payroll, benefits, and talent management.
7. Inventory Management: Epicor Kinetic excels in inventory management, providing detailed tracking and optimization, unique in its ability to integrate with supply chain and production modules.
8. Business Intelligence and Analytics: The software's BI and analytics tools are top-notch, offering detailed data analysis and visualization, setting it apart with its deep integration with all ERP modules.
9. Customization Tools: It offers extensive customization options, making it stand out for businesses that require tailored ERP solutions.
10. API for Integration: Epicor Kinetic’s API functionality is significant for businesses seeking extensive integration with other systems, unique in its flexibility and range of integration options.
Standout Functionality
1. Advanced Analytics: Epicor Kinetic’s advanced analytics and business intelligence tools are unique in their depth and integration, providing unparalleled insights into business operations.
2. Comprehensive Customization: The level of customization available in Epicor Kinetic is a standout feature, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs.
3. Deep Integration Capabilities: Its ability to integrate seamlessly with a variety of systems and platforms sets it apart from many other ERP solutions.
Integrations
Epicor Kinetic, as a user-friendly SAAS solution, enhances profitability through its out-of-the-box integrations with various software and tools. It streamlines key business processes, including handling purchase orders and sales orders, with native integrations for finance, CRM, e-commerce, and more. Epicor Kinetic also offers an API for custom integrations, which is particularly useful for businesses with unique system requirements. Additionally, there are various add-ons available that extend the platform’s capabilities, catering to specific industry needs or business functions, further contributing to the effective management of business operations and profitability.
Epicor Kinetic Pricing
Epicor Kinetic does not publicly disclose their pricing, so pricing information is available only on request. You can get in touch with their sales team on their website through chat.
While it may be more expensive than some basic ERP solutions, the range of features and customization options often justify the cost. Additional costs may include setup fees, training, and support. It’s important for potential buyers to consider the total cost of ownership when evaluating the pricing.
Ease of Use
Epicor Kinetic can be complex due to its extensive features and customization options. The user interface is comprehensive but may require a learning curve, especially for users not familiar with advanced ERP systems. The onboarding process is crucial to effectively navigate and utilize the tool. While it offers robust functionality, some users might find certain aspects of the tool challenging to use without proper training.
Customer Support
The customer support for Epicor Kinetic is generally well-regarded, with various channels available including documentation, webinars, live chat, and tutorials. However, some users may find response times variable, and the level of support can depend on the complexity of the issue. While the resources provided are extensive, navigating them can sometimes be a challenge for users seeking quick solutions to specific problems.
Epicor Legal Use Case
Who Would Be A Good Fit For Epicor Kinetic?
From my assessment, Epicor Kinetic is particularly well-suited for mid to large-sized manufacturing companies. Its robust feature set and deep customization capabilities make it ideal for businesses that have complex manufacturing processes and require detailed analytics. The tool's strongest users are those in industries like automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and electronics, where managing intricate supply chains and production schedules is critical.
Who Would Be A Bad Fit For Epicor Kinetic?
On the other hand, Epicor Kinetic might not be the best fit for small businesses or startups due to its complexity and cost. Companies with simple processes or those seeking a plug-and-play solution might find the software overwhelming. It's less suitable for industries that don't require in-depth manufacturing or supply chain management features, such as retail or professional services. Businesses with limited technical resources or those looking for quick and easy implementation might also be disappointed.
Epicor Kinetic FAQs
What industries is Epicor Kinetic best suited for?
Epicor Kinetic is particularly well-suited for manufacturing industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and electronics.
Can Epicor Kinetic support global operations?
Yes, Epicor Kinetic is designed to support global operations with features like multi-site, multi-currency, and multi-language capabilities.
Is Epicor Kinetic suitable for small businesses?
Epicor Kinetic is generally more suited for mid to large-sized businesses due to its complexity and cost.
Does Epicor Kinetic offer cloud deployment?
Yes, Epicor Kinetic offers cloud deployment, providing flexibility and scalability for businesses.
How customizable is Epicor Kinetic?
Epicor Kinetic offers a high level of customization, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs and processes.
Does Epicor Kinetic integrate with other systems?
Yes, Epicor Kinetic provides robust integration capabilities, including native integrations and an API for custom integrations.
What type of customer support does Epicor Kinetic offer?
Epicor Kinetic offers various support channels including documentation, webinars, live chat, and tutorials.
Is training provided for Epicor Kinetic users?
Yes, training is available for Epicor Kinetic users, which is crucial for effectively navigating and utilizing the software.
Alternatives to Epicor Kinetic
- SAP ERP: Often chosen for its extensive suite of applications suitable for large, complex businesses, especially in diverse industries.
- Oracle NetSuite: Preferred for its strong cloud-native capabilities, making it a good choice for businesses looking for a flexible, scalable solution.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365: Selected for its seamless integration with other Microsoft products, ideal for businesses already using Microsoft solutions extensively.
Epicor Kinetic Company Overview & History
Epicor Software Corporation, the company behind Epicor Kinetic, specializes in business software solutions, particularly ERP software. It caters to a range of industries, with a strong presence in manufacturing. The company is a privately owned entity. Its headquarters are located in Austin, Texas.
The mission statement of Epicor focuses on driving business growth through innovative software solutions. Over its history, Epicor has achieved notable milestones, including significant global expansion and the development of industry-leading ERP solutions.
Summary
In conclusion, Epicor Kinetic is a robust ERP solution, especially suited for mid to large-sized manufacturing companies. Its strengths lie in its detailed analytics, customization, and integration capabilities. While it might not be the ideal choice for small businesses or those looking for a simple ERP solution, its comprehensive feature set makes it a strong contender for businesses with complex manufacturing processes and global operations.
I invite you to share your experiences or comments about Epicor Kinetic, as real-world insights are invaluable for others considering this software.