Epicor’s Product Configurator is among its most enigmatic and elusive modules. Configurator has been diversely characterized and mischaracterized, as everything from the cure to all that ails you to the straw that broke the company’s back. This presents a daunting task for Epicor customers operating in engineer-to-order and configure-to-order environments, for there are a lot of answers and partial-answers out there, and getting to an answer specific to a given business is more easily said than done. Different companies, in different markets, have specific questions, and Epicor’s introductory materials tend to serve a general audience. Moreover, the experiences of customers from different industries and earlier versions of configurator may or may not apply to a company looking to implement or upgrade to the current Epicor release. The place of the customer within the Epicor implementation lifecycle also greatly affects their needs. For companies implementing Epicor for the first time in version 10.1, the questions may relate to the applicability of Epicor’s Product Configurator module to the company’s product offerings, or to the ease with which Product Configurator instances can be constructed and maintained. For companies moving from Vantage 8.03 or Epicor 9.05 versions, the questions may relate to the ease with which they can convert their configurators from Epicor’s older architecture to its new platform, and how to get their staff ready to maintain them, moving forward. Customers already in the heart of an implementation effort may just need someone to look over their shoulder and ensure that best practices are being followed, or even help expedite the configurator design and development.
For these reasons, The Estes Group tailors its Epicor ERP implementation services to meet the specific needs and circumstances of the client in question:
Configurator Upgrade Assessment: For existing Epicor customers considering the move from Vantage 803 or Epicor 905, but are concerned about the ramifications to their existing configurators, an assessment of their current use of Epicor’s Product Configurator module is often of great value. Estes’s consultants have configurator experience going back to Vantage 803 and moving forward into its current 10.1.600 release. Moreover, Estes’ consultants have experience uplifting and rebuilding configurators from earlier versions to Epicor’s current architecture, capturing the business requirements from the original versions, while leveraging Epicor’s new features, such as the expanded user interface, the elaborated method rule architecture its user-defined method capabilities and its highly-flexible configurator lookup table competencies. Such an assessment is most often a combination of remote and onsite effort, analyzing the existing solution and mapping its requirements to the Epicor 10 configurator.
Epicor ERP Configurator Business Process Review:
New or existing customers often benefit from the traditional business process review (BPR) format, tailored to the areas affecting or affected by Epicor’s Configurator (quoting, order entry, planning, manufacturing). The goal of a Configurator BPR is to help the client understand whether Epicor’s Product Configurator module will address their business needs. It is common to incorporate a Business Process Review at the onset of an upgrade assessment when working with existing Epicor customers. These events normally extend from a few days to a week in duration, depending primarily on the size and complexity of the business and follow a detailed agenda, designed to explore the customer’s products and processes from multiple angles.
Epicor ERP Configurator Proof-Of-Concept:
For new customers in greater need of verification, or for customers looking to get a jump-start to their implementation, a Proof-Of-Concept activity (POC) is often the appropriate direction. Normally performed on the heels of a BPR, POC events involve a configurator and a production consultant working with the client team to develop a working prototype that can be processed through the quote-to-ship cycle, for purposes of business process prototyping and configurator verification. For companies in need of a definitive answer to specific questions, a Proof-Of-Concept activity is the most concrete way in which to provide them. And for companies struggling to gain project momentum, these events can be highly beneficial in gaining much-needed project traction.
Configurator Development Support: For customers in the midst of an Epicor implementation, but in need of some “extra muscle” in the area of Product Configurator, Estes offers trained consultants who can step in, roll up their sleeves, and immediately assist with design review, configurator development, and related system consulting. These activities can be performed remotely or onsite, based on customer need, and can vary in scope from a few remote hours a week, to an onsite intensive session, to ongoing engagement.
Ask us any question you have about Epicor ERP Configurator. We have answers.
New competitors are entering the market, product categories are evolving rapidly, and customers are consuming products and services in new and different ways. These factors are driving unprecedented changes to the industry and your distribution business.
The question is how will you respond to all of this? Will you be reactive in trying to keep up with the pace of change, or will you become a change agent and transform your business to harness change as a competitive advantage?
Fundamentally, there are five strategic goals you need to pursue to remain on the cutting edge of the distribution business:
Provide a best-in-class e-commerce experience to your customers
Attract new customers, leveraging your online presence and e-commerce platform
Become the preferred supplier in your target verticals
Optimize your processes
Defend your base
Key to achieving these goals is having the right systems and processes in place. In this post we look at the Epicor P21 software system, its flagship product for distributors.
Epicor P21’s user interface has a similar look and feel to Microsoft Outlook, which makes it intuitive and easy to use. This also tends to make implementations go smoothly.
Using Epicor P21 software you’ll be able to enter service quotes, process orders, and track by serial numbers with ease. Keeping track of warranty claims, scheduling technicians and billing for labor is seamless.
The Prophet 21 system is specifically architected to handle the high transaction volumes required to scale your distribution business. Here are the platform highlights:
Technology
The P21 distribution ERP system has a familiar look and feel to any other Microsoft application and runs on Microsoft SQL Server. This makes it easy to use and provides the necessary scalability and reliability. It’s capable of accessing real-time information from a wide range of data analysis platforms.
Mobile POD (proof of delivery)
Delivery personnel can use mobile POD to capture customer signatures electronically and send that information back to Epicor P21 software. Your drivers can build their delivery list by selecting orders and assigning them to specifics routes or dates. Custom routes can be built based on order and required delivery date. Drivers can also issue return RMAs and pick-up the returned items.
Customer Service & Maintenance Contracts
Using the P21 distribution ERP system you can create service quotes and process maintenance orders seamlessly. The system can track serial numbers, mapped to customer information. Customers can make inquiries using the serial number, service orders can then be created directly from those queries. You can configure your system to suggest upsells for preventive maintenance contracts at the item level. USEABILITY:
The data entry format and modules of Epicor P21 software are quick, easy to access and with a separate Navigation Pane featuring folders, you will have the capability to launch various functions such as Order Entry, Inventory Control, CRM, and Accounting.
Need to go back through history and find a specific job or order? No worries here, the P21 distribution ERP’s History Panel allows for very rapid access to information and previously accessed documents, modules, functions.
And then, there is the game-changer: DynaChange
Now, once we implement your customized Prophet 21 ERP distribution software, you will make use of the DynaChange page designer. We will work with you to make sure all of your interfaces bring up the right distribution information you need using this powerful tool, and you will not need a specialized programmer to make future changes to your pages. Prophet 21’s DynaChange allows for such ease-of-use and customization, that you will be able to change as your distribution business grows.
At EstesGroup, we know technology is only a good investment when it makes your business run better when it improves deliverability, customer satisfaction, and financial forecasting.
Together we will implement Epicor’s powerful P21 distribution ERP and customize every one of its amazing modules, technology, and features to ensure your distribution business is more scalable, delivers even better customer service, and of course more profitable than ever before.
Many IT departments are multifaceted, and they don’t have the time to properly take care of everything, including planning for the future of technology. Virtual CIO services allow you to extend your IT leadership for additional executive guidance when needed.
For example, many customers feel their ERP system is upgraded simply by adding big hardware. However, IT is actually an investment, not an expense, and includes resources that extend far beyond the initial technology purchases. To help companies with the investment of IT, whether in hardware or in software, our IT experts start with infrastructure planning, virtualization advice, virtualization tuning, and security assessments. We need to look at the security of your system overall and by application. We need to evaluate your IT process and develop maintenance planning strategies because all machines and software require some maintenance.
All databases require management on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
Our IT services team can help you with database management. In addition, we can set up a schedule so that it’s ongoing for you. We can even be a remote person when you need external expertise.
Everyone talks about disaster recovery, yet very few people ever implement it. It has to be done. Look at it as a matter of when disaster’s going to strike, not if. What is a good business continuity plan? How’s the business going to run after you’re down? We need to talk about these items. Do you need security for virtual office workers? We can and will be your customer advocate. If you have issues with anything involving your IT, we can help you work your way through this and plan it.
What has been slowing your business down? We know technology should not, and we will ensure it will not again.
Ben Nixon, Vice President of the Enterprise Technology with the EstesGroup.
I am here today to speak to you a few moments on IT performance testing and tuning.
You know, everyone wants your IP system to operate efficiently. I’ve got 17 years of Epicor experience, and this service can help you identify and eliminate as many hardware and configuration bottlenecks as possible.
Are these negatively affecting your assisted performance?
Have you ever thought about the cost of downtime?
These are items we could help you with. You know, a little time spent now can make your operation much more efficient.
Have you ever looked at the cost of downtime? How much does a down man-hour cost? Many people do not look at these items. Take a look at that. It doesn’t take long to realize we can make things much more efficient. We can come in, and we can help you test your servers, tune them, set up maintenance plans, identify bottlenecks, review your resources to see if they’re configured properly. We run the Epicor performance diagnostics tools to see if your application is performance and Epicor’s quality assurance performance benchmarks.
How much does a down man-hour cost? Many people do not look at these items. Take a look at that. It doesn’t take long to realize we can make things much more efficient. We can come in, and we can help you test your servers, tune them, set up maintenance plans, identify bottlenecks, review your resources to see if they’re configured properly. We run the Epicor performance diagnostics tools to see if your application is performance and Epicor’s quality assurance performance benchmarks.
Many people do not look at these items. Let’s take a look at these issues in your business. It doesn’t take long to realize we can make things much more efficient. We can come in, and we can help you test your servers, tune them, set up maintenance plans, identify bottlenecks, review your resources to see if they’re configured properly. We run the Epicor performance diagnostics tools to see if your application is performance and Epicor’s quality assurance performance benchmarks.
Is your SQL maintenance plan very much forgotten?
Everyone thinks SQL’s plug and play, do you? It is not.
SQL’s a great database. It needs some maintenance. We can help you do that. We can and will review your virtual configuration. It often — one little setting can make a difference. Upon completion, we give you a detailed report of what you’re gonna need. Uh, more satisfied users. User complaints come to a slowdown. These are all items that will help you, um, enabling your employees to do their jobs faster, providing better customer service, quicker diagnostics.
And the nice part is, I love to work with your people, your-your IT people. We’ll train them. We’ll show them what to look for, how to help keep this going. Give me a call for a free 30-minute consultation. Let’s see what Estes can do for you. Make your business run better with our Epicor training.
Tell us how we can help, what has been slowing your business down? We know technology should not, and we will ensure it will not again.
Ben Nixon, Vice President of the Enterprise Technology with the EstesGroup.
Here is what you need to know before you upgrade your Epicor ERP database.
I’m going talk to you a few moments about upgrading your Epicor database. You know, everyone wants to upgrade. You’ve got many people coming to you, telling you they can help you upgrade. Give Estes a call. We can help you. You have many considerations. This is not as simple as, “Push a button, and you’re upgraded.” This is not as simple as, “Put it in. No testing, no training, and walk away.” Let Estes help make your move efficient and safe.
Give EstesGroup a call at1-888-300-2340 to help you implement a safe database Epicor ERP Upgrade.
We can help you. There are many things to consider before you upgrade. This is not as simple as, “Push a button, and you’re upgraded.” This is not as simple as, “Put it in. No testing, no training, and walk away.” Let EstesGroup help make your move efficient and safe.
Upgrades fail for a variety of reasons; Lack of planning, Lack of testing. Failure to recognize changes required, No verification of data. Too often I see a customer upgrade and then before frustrated for a variety of the previous reasons. What is the impact on your business if the Epicor system is not functional or performing as it should?
You are moving forward with technology, let Estes help you embrace it and before more efficient.
Don’t take your business down. We can help you consider: Now is the time to possibly reimplement. Is now the time to virtualize? Is your hardware out of date? You know, Microsoft Server 2000 went out of date in July of 2015. If you’re still running on that, you’re walking in a danger zone. Let us help you decide if an upgrade is right and how to do it.
We have many choices for you.
We can help you, guide you as far as any services you need for ERP software training and consulting. Give usa call for a free 30-minute consultation. Thank you.
Respected global technology leader will expand EstesGroup offerings to include full IT enablement & integration of critical systems.
LOVELAND, CO – April 5, 2017 – EstesGroup, a leading Epicor ERP partner and managed services provider, today announced the appointment of Ben Nixon to the new post of Vice President of Enterprise Technology.
Nixon brings 17 years of Epicor ERP consulting experience and a strong background in complex business and technology environments. He’s recognized internationally as a value-added advisor to Epicor clients and his peers.
EstesGroup utilizes a proprietary 5-step PEAK methodology to provide best-in-class EPR services to more than 500 clients worldwide. EstesGroup has expertise in the manufacturing, distribution, medical and services industries and provides implementation, support, optimization, training and integration solutions for Epicor, NetSuite, IQMS, and Microsoft ERP.
“EstesGroup has been my go-to implementation partner for many years and the organization I would rely on to resurrect failing ERP implementations,” said Nixon. “Their staff is 100% certified, to the highest levels of ERP systems, often to a higher level of certification than even the publishers themselves. It’s tremendously exciting to now join the company and help expand their offerings to include database management, performance management, virtualization and disaster recovery planning.”
Before joining EstesGroup, Nixon served in a variety of technical leadership roles spanning 17 years at Epicor Software Corporation, a leader in industry-specific business software. Nixon’s experience includes ERP technical consulting and management consulting. He is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in systems and database management.
“Ben is a respected global business and technology leader with strong cloud, SaaS and on-premise expertise,” said Bruce Grant, CEO, EstesGroup. “Ben’s solutions-focused approach and creative problem-solving skills have established him as a go-to expert in the ERP industry. Ben and his team will provide solutions to allow customers to remain on the leading technology edge and be competitive in the global marketplace. As a virtual CIO to EstesGroup’s clients, Ben will drive value-added IT infrastructure solutions from the planning stage, through implementation, and ongoing support.”
About EstesGroup
EstesGroup helps businesses run better. We provide solutions to industry-specific verticals including the needs of manufacturing, distribution, medical, retail, and service industry customers. With our own PEAK methodology and over 12 years of experience, our clients enjoy the highest level of professional support in the industry―in the cloud, hosted, or on premises – for their ERP or Managed Services needs.
“Focus on what you do best, and let us handle the rest!”
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Media Contact: Jeff Klaubert EstesGroup Inc. Phone: 603-860-6078 Email: [email protected]
Ask us anything you want to accomplish, and we will help you acheive your goals.
