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Change Management Tips for Your Epicor Kinetic Upgrade

Change Management Tips for Your Epicor Kinetic Upgrade

The Process

Is your team ready to unlock the full potential of Epicor Kinetic? Don’t fear the upgrade process – with these key strategies, you’ll guide your team through a smooth and successful transition. You can quickly elevate operations with Epicor Kinetic. But before you embark on this exciting journey, let’s address a common concern: Change Management.

Change Management Epicor Kinetic Upgrade ERP

What is change management in an Epicor Kinetic upgrade?

Change management for Epicor Kinetic is your strategic roadmap for a smooth transition from an older Epicor system to the new Kinetic platform. It involves proactively preparing, guiding, and supporting your entire organization throughout the process. The ultimate goal is to minimize disruption, ensure your employees embrace the new system, and maximize the benefits it has to offer.

How to Manage Your Change Management: Epicor Kinetic Upgrade Management

Successfully upgrading to Epicor Kinetic requires a collaborative effort. By implementing these key strategies, you can equip your team with the knowledge, ownership, and resources they need to thrive in the new system:

  • Keep employees informed about the upcoming changes, the reasons behind them, and the expected timeline is crucial.
  • Provide employees with the necessary training on the new features and functionalities of Kinetic ensures they can effectively utilize the system and its benefits. Actively involving key stakeholders and employees in the process can foster a sense of ownership and encourage participation.
  • Use your top talent at all levels to create a detailed plan that outlines the steps required to migrate data, update workflows, and adapt to the new system.

The Culture

Navigating an Epicor Kinetic upgrade requires a strategic approach. Discover how to minimize disruption, ensure user adoption, and maximize the benefits of your new system with effective change management strategies. Learn how to anticipate and address concerns, foster communication, and build a successful transition plan for your team:

  • Acknowledge and Address Concerns: Understand change can be daunting. Openly discuss potential challenges and proactively develop solutions to keep your team engaged and motivated.
  • Foster Communication and Transparency: Keep your team informed throughout the process. Share updates, address concerns, and encourage open communication to ensure everyone feels involved and heard.
  • Empower Your Team with Training: Equip your team with the knowledge and skills to navigate the new system effectively. Prioritize comprehensive training tailored to their specific roles and responsibilities.
  • Leverage Collaboration and Teamwork: Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration between team members. Create a supportive environment where everyone can learn from each other and adapt together.
  • Celebrate Successes and Milestones: Recognize and acknowledge individual and team achievements throughout the transition process. Celebrate milestones to maintain positive momentum and reinforce the value of embracing change.

Prepare for your Epicor Kinetic upgrade with confidence.

Move quickly from your first decision to your building a team that can make the best decisions at every step:

  • Decide what you truly need from your ERP system. Collaborate to identify essential features and streamline your system.
  • Customize with purpose. Assess your current customizations, pinpoint those crucial to your workflow, and remove outdated ones.
  • Discover the power of Kinetic. Break down the new features and how they’ll benefit your specific operations.
  • Build a rock-solid upgrade plan. Develop a detailed strategy and assemble a dedicated upgrade team for a smooth transition.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to navigating complex upgrades.

A proactive approach fosters transparency and ownership within your team, paving the way for a smooth and successful transition to the new Kinetic system. By empowering your team with knowledge, you’ll be well-positioned to unlock the full potential of Kinetic and achieve your business goals. Here are a few tips:

  • Equip your team for success: Leverage EstesGroup’s expertise to provide your team with comprehensive documentation and resources.
  • Empower them as upgrade champions: Foster confidence by equipping your team with the knowledge to navigate each step of the process.
  • Gain clarity through collaboration: During an initial consultation, EstesGroup will guide your team through the entire journey, ensuring they feel fully prepared and informed.
  • Transparency and ownership pave the way: This proactive approach fosters transparency and empowers your team to take ownership, setting the stage for a smooth transition to Kinetic.

Anticipate to Migrate

During your Epicor Kinetic upgrade process, anticipate and address potential challenges and concerns your team might have. Understand that fear of change, unfamiliarity with the new system, and perceived disruptions to workflows are common sources of resistance. Partner with EstesGroup to ease the pain and get peace of mind knowing that your project will be successful, your ROI will be bountiful, and your team will be grateful for change.

EstesGroup Interviews Dan Aldridge: A Journey Through ERP

EstesGroup Interviews Dan Aldridge: A Journey Through ERP

Celebrating 20 Years with EstesGroup

For two decades, EstesGroup has been immersed in the world of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), aiding companies in harnessing technology for their organizational advancement. In honor of EstesGroup’s 20th anniversary, we embark on a series of interviews with friends and colleagues who have shared in our remarkable journey.

Dan Aldridge Interview ESTES LIVE 2024

On January 12th, Brad Feakes, President of EstesGroup, sat down with Dan Aldridge, a prominent figure in the ERP community and a burgeoning social media influencer in the realms of digital transformation, change management, and Enterprise Resource Planning.

Begin with Baan

Dan brings a unique perspective to the ERP landscape, having actively participated in ERP since the late ’90s and directly witnessing the Y2K ERP boom and its aftermath. Having gained experience with Baan’s Tier 1 ERP solution at its peak, he observed its subsequent decline and eventual integration into Infor’s comprehensive suite of ERP solutions. One could say he has witnessed it all.

Network Equals Net Worth

Dan’s career is characterized by the relationships cultivated along the journey. Colleagues from past ventures became the foundation for new endeavors. When it was time to expand the team and venture into new territories, his network provided invaluable support. Reflecting on the past, Dan finds new connections emerging based on shared business cultures that transcend their original brands.

Inbound and Outbound Strategies

In marketing and business development, Dan emphasizes the transformative power of relationships. Rather than conforming to algorithmic preferences, he advocates for informative and educational content that fosters genuine connections. “Network equals net worth” underscores the organic growth nurtured by meaningful relationships. Dan’s approach to content marketing aligns with his organizational goals while building his personal brand. In the ERP space, inbound marketing is inherently relational, focusing on solving problems and building connections that drive business growth.

Scaling, Impaling, and Prevailing

Dan’s insights into business growth and operations extend from his experiences as a business owner and a leader tasked with growing an ERP organization in the US market. Scaling organizations presents unique challenges that extend beyond implementation activities. Navigating growth requires tailored approaches in sales and marketing, particularly when transitioning from a smaller market to a larger one.

Solutions vs. Services

A notable challenge in the ERP space lies in the disparity between selling ERP solutions and selling implementation services. Selling ERP solutions emphasizes software capabilities, while selling implementation services focuses on demonstrating domain authority and expertise. As a consultant, selling services is often more straightforward due to the control over delivery, unlike the uncertainties associated with software sales.

Navigating the Future: Cloud ERP and Composable ERP

Cloud ERP dominates the horizon as on-premise models become obsolete. Dan explores the concept of Composable ERP, envisioning dynamic ERP architectures built atop legacy infrastructure without necessitating underlying system upgrades. This approach offers large organizations the flexibility to create common business processes across divisions with disparate systems, heralding a new era in ERP adaptability.

Next Steps: More EstesGroup Interviews to Come!

As the year unfolds, EstesGroup will continue celebrating its 20th anniversary by reflecting on the journey alongside the friends and colleagues who have been part of this remarkable story. We look forward to sharing more EstesGroup interviews with you along the way.

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Watch EstesGroup Interviews on YouTube to Learn More about ERP in 2024

Frenetic to Kinetic: 5 Tips for Epicor Kinetic Upgrades

Frenetic to Kinetic: 5 Tips for Epicor Kinetic Upgrades

Transforming ERP Upgrades into Smooth Operations

As your manufacturing company considers upgrading its current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to Epicor Kinetic, the prospect of navigating potential challenges and complexities might seem daunting. However, with the right approach, this transition to advanced enterprise software can be a smooth and beneficial process for your organization.

Epicor Kinetic Upgrades ERP Project

Preparation for ERP Upgrade Team Success

Begin by thoroughly preparing for the transition to Epicor Kinetic. Evaluate your ERP needs, customize the solution to align with your requirements, and identify any redundant aspects of your current system. Gain a comprehensive understanding of Kinetic’s new features and formulate a detailed upgrade plan tailored to your company.

Utilize Documentation for a Stress-Free Epicor Upgrade

Leverage available documentation and industry best practices to make the upgrade to Kinetic a stress-free experience. Conduct an initial consultation to walk through the planning and upgrade process, ensuring your team is well-informed and prepared for the transition.

Adopt a Three-Stage Approach to All ERP Upgrades

Implement a three-stage approach to streamline the upgrade process. Develop checklists, tools, and data fixes that align with the flexibility and customization needs of your current system. This approach minimizes disruptions and ensures a seamless transition during each stage of the upgrade.

Harness the Power of ERP Upgrade Tools

Prior to your upgrade, use tools to identify necessary customizations and anticipate potential obstacles. Post-upgrade, utilize tools to understand your new configurations and operating system. This analytical approach enables your team to make well-informed decisions throughout the transition. Software is alive, and Epicor Kinetic upgrades often become part of a holistic digital transformation process, and the abundance of tools will help your team optimize every digital step. 

Invest in Employee Learning for Optimal Performance

Maximize the performance of your updated system by investing in employee learning. Develop a comprehensive training plan to ensure that your staff can fully utilize the functionality of the new Epicor Kinetic system. Proactively schedule training sessions to facilitate a smooth transition and enhance overall workflow and productivity.

By adopting these strategies and focusing on internal capabilities, your manufacturing company can smoothly transition to the Kinetic upgrade. Navigate each step with careful planning, industry knowledge, and a commitment to optimizing your ERP system for enhanced efficiency and productivity. Embrace the benefits of a newly customized system without hesitation, and position your company for success with Epicor Kinetic.

Totaled Tip: Choose Your ERP Cloud Wisely So You Don’t Crash

When considering the Epicor Kinetic upgrades, businesses often find themselves deliberating between the private cloud deployment and the Software as a Service (SaaS) web-browser version. The private cloud option provides companies with a dedicated environment, offering greater control over customization, security, and data management. It is an ideal choice for organizations with specific compliance requirements or those seeking a tailored solution. On the other hand, the SaaS web-browser version, being a cloud-based option, offers flexibility and accessibility. With this model, businesses can benefit from reduced infrastructure costs, automatic updates, and seamless scalability. The decision between private cloud Kinetic and SaaS depends on factors such as organizational needs, preferences, and the level of control desired. While private cloud ensures a more personalized approach, SaaS brings the advantages of convenience and agility in adapting to evolving business requirements.

Are you looking for help with Epicor Kinetic upgrades and updates?

Chat with us now for immediate help, or schedule a free introductory consultation with one of our Epicor experts.

Connecting the Clouds: Website vs. ERP Hosting

Connecting the Clouds: Website vs. ERP Hosting

Manufacturers and distributors can benefit significantly from a Managed Services Provider (MSP) managing one website or kin websites as part of an integrated IT services, IT security, and enterprise cloud strategy. An external IT provider ensures that the world will view web-based company representation with optimal performance, scalability, and security, reduced downtime and enhanced user experience. Through robust IT security measures, a cloud provider like EstesGroup safeguards sensitive data, mitigating the risk of cyber threats. Additionally, integrating enterprise cloud solutions facilitates seamless data access, collaboration, and scalability, enabling manufacturers and distributors to focus on core business functions while staying agile and competitive in the digital landscape.

Website vs ERP Hosting

For businesses, websites serve as crucial repositories for sharing information, necessitating proper hosting and data management to connect with customers, ensure security, and facilitate growth. When exploring website hosting services and ERP hosting solutions, businesses encounter various cloud options, with managed hosting and shared hosting being the primary types. Understanding the distinctions in the website vs. ERP hosting conversation empowers businesses to make informed decisions aligning with their unique identities.

Is your website hosting forgotten data?

While your IT team is focusing on critical tasks, your website might go unnoticed, opening the path to vulnerability and chaos. In the realm of website hosting, discerning between managed hosting and shared hosting is essential. Managed hosting is ideal for businesses seeking comprehensive control and responsibility, with the service provider acting as a dedicated IT department overseeing all aspects of the website. Conversely, shared hosting accommodates businesses needing performance and security but may lack the size or budget for full-service management. Multiple businesses share resources like RAM and CPU under a shared server, potentially impacting performance during traffic surges. Managed hosting suits larger enterprises prioritizing ultimate performance and security, while shared hosting remains viable for budget-conscious smaller businesses.

Managed Hosting vs. Shared Hosting vs. Managed ERP Hosting

Businesses should consider several key differences between managed and shared hosting for websites and ERP hosting for enterprise resource planning applications. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you unravel your web of business data.

  • Resources: Managed hosting provides dedicated server resources, ensuring optimal performance, while shared hosting involves resource-sharing, potentially leading to performance issues during high traffic.
  • Customization: Managed hosting offers customized solutions, tailored to specific business needs, whereas shared hosting tends to be more one-size-fits-all.
  • Security: Managed hosting prioritizes security, protecting individual businesses, whereas shared hosting may compromise security if one business on the shared server experiences a breach.
  • Optimal Performance: Managed hosting eliminates performance issues associated with shared resources, providing consistent and optimized performance.
  • Updates: Managed hosting ensures prompt updates and security patches, while shared hosting may require businesses to schedule updates themselves.
  • Email: Both hosting types offer email services, with managed hosting providing premium plans for enhanced features.
  • Cost: Shared hosting is more affordable, making it suitable for smaller businesses with budget constraints, while managed hosting, though more expensive, offers superior performance and security.

How ERP Hosting Gets Tangled in Your Website Web

The discussion on website hosting parallels ERP hosting, where businesses can opt for a managed service provider to host their ERP software in a remote, cloud-based data center. This centralized approach provides cost-effective, secure, and scalable solutions, enabling businesses to focus on operations rather than maintaining on-premise infrastructure.

Businesses must comprehend the disparities between the many available cloud options to make informed choices for their website and ERP hosting needs. While managed hosting excels in performance, security, and support, startups or small businesses with budget constraints may consider shared hosting initially. Managed hosting proves invaluable for businesses seeking to eliminate on-premise responsibilities, allowing them to concentrate on optimization and growth.

Complex Cloud Hosting Environments

Experience seamless business operations with our fully managed ERP hosting, ensuring optimal performance, security, and scalability as we take charge of your ERP software in a secure, remote, and cloud-based environment. Ready to tackle website vs. ERP hosting? Elevate your online presence with our fully managed website hosting, where a dedicated IT team handles every aspect, providing tailored solutions for peak performance, robust security, and unmatched support. Trust EstesGroup to streamline your technology infrastructure, allowing you to focus on growth and innovation without the burden of managing complex hosting environments.

Epicor Kinetic Cloud Options: Cloud Mastery for Manufacturers

Epicor Kinetic Cloud Options: Cloud Mastery for Manufacturers

Do you understand your Epicor Kinetic cloud options compared to on-prem ERP history?

In the realm of managed service providers (MSPs) and systems integrators (SIs), the names of giant cloud computing corporations like Azure and Google often loom large. However, the allure of these industry giants doesn’t always translate into the best choice for manufacturers and distributors seeking cloud solutions. Did you know that Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software comes with many deployment possibilities? Let’s have a closer look at how manufacturers can benefit from knowing their options when it comes to a solution like Epicor Kinetic ERP.

Epicor Kinetic Cloud Options

On-premise ERP isn’t exactly a thing of the past.

As a provider specializing in tailored solutions for all cloud-based services, EstesGroup offers personalized white-glove on-premise and in-the-cloud services that can align seamlessly with the unique needs of manufacturers and distributors, ensuring optimal outcomes and growth. But not all manufacturers will benefit from a move to the cloud. Some manufacturers benefit from a slower migration to full-cloud implementation. Herein lies the value of opting for a custom white-glove ERP consultancy for all of your technology needs that will support your unique ERP deployment:

  • On-premise ERP deployment: On-premise ERP deployment involves hosting the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software within an organization’s physical servers and infrastructure, providing direct control but requiring on-site management and maintenance.
  • Vendor-controlled deployment (Software as a Service or SaaS): Vendor-controlled deployment, commonly known as Software as a Service (SaaS), entails accessing ERP software hosted and managed by a third-party provider.
  • Private cloud deployment: Private cloud deployment involves hosting ERP applications on a dedicated cloud infrastructure exclusively for one organization. This option provides enhanced security, control, and customization compared to public cloud solutions.
  • Hybrid cloud deployment with custom integrations and software solutions: Hybrid cloud deployment combines on-premise, private, and public cloud solutions, allowing organizations to tailor their ERP strategy. Custom integrations and software solutions bridge different environments, offering flexibility, scalability, and efficient data management.

The best ERP deployment for your business begins with the best strategy for your business. With two decades of experience in ERP, the EstesGroup team comes to you with a full suite of on-premise and cloud-based expertise. 

Who doesn’t need customization and dedicated support?

If you are a growing manufacturing company, you will need to know that your ERP system and its underlying technology can support your ongoing operations, ensuring your successful future. Unlike the “big cloud” counterparts, custom white-glove cloud providers such as EstesGroup steer away from one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, they empower organizations, like manufacturers and distributors, to customize and refine their solutions to match distinct requirements and unique teams.

Rather than contending with universal approaches and impersonal support, choosing a custom white-glove cloud provider allows manufacturers and distributors to craft tailored solutions and gain the personalized support they need. With a complex ERP system like Epicor Kinetic, you will need personalized support on both the functional and the technical end. EstesGroup provides unparalleled individual attention and support for manufacturing ERP solutions, allowing you to make the best choice for deployment when considering all of your Epicor Kinetic cloud options compared to on-premise deployment options. Partnering with EstesGroup offers exceptional flexibility and reliability while keeping costs for services and tools well within target.

Do your Epicor Kinetic cloud options come with hidden fees?

In addition to customization and support, partnerships with custom white-glove cloud providers like EstesGroup aid manufacturers and distributors in selecting cloud solutions that align with their budgets. The approaches of larger cloud computing companies can often be intricate and challenging to migrate, leading many organizations to contend with hidden fees that adversely impact their budgets.

For the ultimate ERP experience, choose an expert ERP and IT consultancy, ensuring that your team can comprehend solutions, pricing models, and contracts with clarity. The simplicity of your cloud solutions and transparent pricing and fee schedules are invaluable benefits of choosing a custom white-glove cloud provider. Choose a cloud provider that takes pride in its commitment to transparency, a quality often overshadowed when dealing with larger cloud computing companies. This transparency allows your organization to stay on budget, reduce costs, and expect effortless growth.

Navigating the selection process for a cloud computing partner can be a formidable task.

For manufacturers and distributors, choosing a custom white-glove cloud provider like EstesGroup over industry giants like Azure and Google could prove to be the superior option. A partnership with EstesGroup grants organizations the flexibility to choose customized plans, transparency in solutions, pricing models, and contracts, along with the essential support, reliability, and performance. Rather than grappling with universal approaches and hidden fees, a custom cloud provider assists manufacturers and distributors in tailoring solutions to their specific needs while staying on budget.

Overcoming Epicor Cutover Challenges: A Tale of Cryptic Errors

Overcoming Epicor Cutover Challenges: A Tale of Cryptic Errors

Epicor Admin Quick Tip: Regen After a Refresh

I once had an Epicor go-live brought to its knees by an administrative snafu – as cutover weekend neared, the Epicor admin refreshed the Epicor production environment with a copy of the Epicor Pilot database. Such a step is not uncommon in an Epicor cutover. But this had not been the first time that a production refresh had occurred, and there had been subsequent customization activities developed since the last Epicor database refresh. As such, there were several Epicor user-defined fields that were present in the Pilot database but new to Production. This small discrepancy created unexpected hardship to all involved.

Epicor Cutover Database Admin

Chaos to Resolution in Epicor

The net result for the Epicor core team that was cutting over to the new system over the weekend was a litany of cryptic Epicor error messages, abysmal system performance, and a near mutiny by the Epicor user community. After roping in a few Epicor administrative experts, we were able to discern the discrepancy, regenerate the data model, and move beyond this hurdle. But the memory of that small Epicor system administration rule-of-thumb gone wrong stuck with me, long after the project had wrapped up.

One reason for this latent memory is that it finds itself refreshed by new instances – just recently, I found an end user reaching out to me over some cryptic errors in a test environment, an Epicor environment that had just recently been refreshed from a seed database. My first question: “Did you regenerate the Epicor data model after refreshing the Epicor database?” Problem solved, albeit this time, without the pitchforks and torches.

Echoes of CRC Errors 

Does this issue sound familiar? For those of us whose Epicor administrator duties go back to Epicor 905, Epicor Vantage, or some earlier Progress-based version, these issues might be likened to the familiar “CRC errors” that once plagued our Epicor custom solutions. In that case, a field had most often been added to the database, and that field caused an existing Progress-based compiled assembly to malfunction. The table structure at the database level did not match the table structure at the application level, and chaos ensued.

Sometimes, the resolution to an Epicor issue is simple. In this case, a simple Epicor admin policy would be to regenerate the data model when refreshing an Epicor environment. This ensures that you will not have any mismatch with your Epicor UD fields, and that the users can jump in without issue.

This is especially true in an environment where custom solutions are being developed, as is the case with many Epicor implementation projects, where changes are most often occurring. This can also be the case in Epicor projects that are heavy in the use of the Epicor Product Configurator module, or longtime Epicor customers who have undergone a significant amount of Epicor customization.

Post-Model Regen

Now that you’ve regenerated the data model, don’t forget the subsequent step of retrieving a copy of the Epicor database’s data model, so that the application server in question can store it locally, for use by the application itself. At a minimum, the Epicor admin should recycle the application pool for the application server instance in question – this is accomplished from the administration console. Now, I’ve had some administrators tell me that it is preferable to start and stop the ERP application pool, rather than simply recycle it. The difference between stopping and recycling an IIS application pool demands its own article, so I will stop at mentioning this controversy for the time being, without discussing its resolution.

Epicor Regen After Refresh

Epicor Cutover Success

The art of efficient Epicor system administration often boils down to steering clear of preventable pitfalls. The instance described here serves as a prime illustration of a minor adjustment that can avert substantial issues. By ensuring the proper regeneration of the data model and taking the necessary steps to maintain database consistency, ERP administrators can fortify their systems against disruptions.

Do you need help with your Epicor cutover or are you looking for more admin tips?

If you find yourself seeking guidance in the realm of ERP administration, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our Epicor Kinetic consultants can assist you in navigating the intricacies of your ERP environment, ensuring smooth operations and enhanced productivity for your organization. EstesGroup brings your company functional, technical, and custom solutions for Kinetic ERP. Manufacturers will benefit from our full-suite of services and solutions, including on-premise expertise and 24/7/365 IT and ERP consultants. From third-party integrations to private cloud and hybrid cloud managed services, Estes provides everything your team needs to succeed before, during, and after go-live.