What is our primary use case?
I have been using Epicor ERP, and it's still in implementation. We decided not to proceed because it is not workable for us. Anything we want to use requires complete customization. It's not a matter of 10% customization; every screen, every field, every process, and every workflow has to be customized, making it a nightmare for us.
What is most valuable?
Regarding the modular architecture feature in Epicor ERP, we were told it cannot be implemented. The reason is that in manufacturing, all processes are linked with other processes, so everything has to be completely done. There are dependencies; for example, if you're doing a project management module, it is linked with finance. Unless finance is implemented, this module cannot be completed.
For the past two years, my focus has been fully on Epicor ERP, and there are many new features which we did not deploy in our platform. We plan to work on deploying the new features and controls, more automation, and then we'll revisit if we proceed with any other system.
What needs improvement?
My overall experience with Epicor ERP is extremely bad. I just finished a call with the team, and the experience is really unsatisfactory. I will not recommend it to anyone.
There's extensive customization required for Epicor ERP, and the standard process is not suitable. Though it is meant for manufacturing, it is not performing the manufacturing job effectively.
Regarding the installation process, the implementation is not the problem as the installation is fine. The issue lies with configuration. Although it's supposed to be configurable, it requires customization for everything we need to do.
When comparing to JD Edwards and in-house applications, a process that takes one minute in those systems takes ten minutes in Epicor ERP because users have to navigate through different screens constantly. If a user forgets to switch to one screen, the process remains incomplete, making end-user training extremely difficult.
There's no automation and workflow feature that can be used without customization. Everything requires changes, making it similar to developing a new platform from scratch.
Initially, we anticipated some benefits from using Epicor ERP, but based on the current outcome, it has been completely unsuccessful.
The main issue is that everything requires customization rather than configuration. Unless they change their whole approach from customization to configuration, this product should not be used anywhere.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been dealing with Epicor ERP for two years during this implementation.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
The integration with our existing ecosystem requires full coding. There are no automation and workflow features that we can use without customization. Everything requires changes, making it similar to developing a platform from scratch.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Epicor ERP has experienced multiple crashes and performance drops multiple times.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
From our experience so far, Epicor ERP is not a scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
When issues are raised to customer support, they direct us to work with the partner. If we want them to work on it directly, we have to pay them separately.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I am currently considering returning to JD Edwards. We are still using JD Edwards and are thinking to continue with it.
What about the implementation team?
We have a partner implementing Epicor ERP for us. According to them, there are about 8 to 10 people working on the project, plus additional process owners. We provide input on processes and have deployed our entire team, with six people from our side, plus users from various departments. Despite having a huge team deployed, the implementation team is unable to implement it due to the extensive customization requirements.
What was our ROI?
Epicor ERP did not provide any return on investment or cost reductions.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing cost for Epicor ERP is a concern. The licensing becomes cheap, which leads people to opt for it, but then they encounter troubles similar to ours. The licensing was reasonable when we opted for it, but it has been a disaster.
While the exact current licensing costs are confidential, it is approximately 50% of Oracle's cost.
What other advice do I have?
The product remains the same whether deployed on-premises or in the cloud; only the licensing aspect differs.
Additional support, including training, requires separate payments. The only free component with Epicor ERP is the pre-sales demos.
We have not gone live yet with Epicor ERP after two years. We are expecting about 300 people to use it once we go live.
This product doesn't meet our expectations, but this feedback could serve as a warning for other users.
Based on this negative experience, I would rate Epicor ERP a one out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other