The U.S. manufacturing industry is on the cusp of a digital revolution. The Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning have the potential to bring about impressive digital transformation.
However, these advantages might miss the mark because of a talent shortage. Manufacturing also suffers from an image problem that the C-suite needs to work on.
Here is a look at the U.S. manufacturing landscape and prescriptions to overcome the labor challenges we have faced in recent years.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
2020 saw a surge in remote work with companies experiencing shutdowns and business disruptions. But thanks to Industry 4.0 and smart factory technologies, many resilient businesses were able to adapt. Manufacturer Hytera reassigned a few of its production lines to produce disposable face masks. Baoshan Iron and Steel kept its facility in Shanghai running with automated production. According to a news report, “The two major product lines in Baoshan are fully unmanned. Each line needs two to three workers for inspections.”
Companies have had to reevaluate their operations to meet social distancing requirements. They created virtual workspaces and leveraged new skills for their employees, Gartner reports. Hytera and Baoshan maintained production with new health guidelines to keep employees safe. With the sudden global changes, many businesses expected a change in production. Close to 80% of U.S. companies surveyed by the National Association of Manufacturers anticipated a financial impact. More than half anticipated a change in operations.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
With a popular line of wood pellet grills and barbecue accessories, Traeger Grills knew it needed to get its manufacturing analytics to continue its impressive growth.
Big box retailers, specialty dealers, and cooking events had helped dramatically increase awareness of Traeger products among key customer groups, from backyard barbecue enthusiasts to world-renowned chefs. But the company sensed potential challenges ahead as its monthly product requests had reached the thousands.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
This is a story about extraordinary innovation. About how a small commercial manufacturing company in Lexington, Kentucky transformed into an international industry leader by making daring decisions. When they adopted their provocative name, it was a spark that ignited a fire. Innovation followed by growth, followed by more innovation. Now, they use data-driven manufacturing as a standard way to operate. See how Big Ass Fans transformed manufacturing fans into high-tech solutions for customers.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
For manufacturers, simplifying your business process and streamlining your organization is a constant concern. Whether you’re just starting or are actively growing, making improvements to challenges like supply chain visibility, production, and product delivery can put you on a path to greater success.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
Entrust EDI is an ERP-agnostic solution that enables the automation of document exchange between a business, its trading partners, and customers. This Entrust EDI Automation Demo shows the manual steps Entrust EDI can remove from the document exchange process. This saves time, cuts down on errors, and improves supplier/trading partner relationships.
Implementation of the Entrust EDI solution will depend on your business’s level of preparation before engaging with Encompass. You can begin the process of readying your business by completing a simple checklist. We’ve outlined an EDI readiness checklistHERE with the most common information required to move forward with an EDI implementation project.
To expedite the process, you can complete the EDI discovery questionnaire at your convenience. This will help both Encompass and your organization to move through to implementation more swiftly.
For an idea of the costs associated with implementing EDI, you can use our convenient EDI quote calculator tool.
Want to know more about Entrust EDI? Contact our representatives from the Entrust EDI support team at edisupport@oldencompass.sevenagesdesign.com or get in touch with us for a general inquiry using the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
It has come to our attention that recent Microsoft updates have impacted several users’ Epicor environments in terms of performance. These Epicor Client performance problems manifest most often in significantly decreased speeds and hang time when carrying out processes within the Epicor system. The updates causing the issues were released by Microsoft in both February and April of 2021. Sr Principal Engineer, Epicor ERP Technical Support, Nathan Anderson, has identified one potential resolution in the form of an Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix.
Keep in mind, that his article is not a formal recommendation for any one business in particular. This potential fix may be able to alleviate a system’s poor performance as a result of those aforementioned Microsoft updates. Each customer will need to determine whether or not this fix is appropriate for their system after due consideration of the variables as summarized in KB0108621 and elsewhere. This fix is only meant to remedy system performance issues until an official solution is provided by Microsoft through their official update channel.
A Statement From Nathan Anderson
The steps to apply the preview Microsoft fix below are provided to try to help our customers that have been negatively impacted by these Microsoft updates until the official fix can be delivered by Microsoft through their normal update channel. Epicor ERP Support has made every effort to document this process in a way that would lead to the greatest chance of success while working with the conflicting interest of doing so as quickly as possible.
The steps that follow are technical in nature, and may be beyond what a specific user can successfully execute despite ERP Support’s efforts to streamline the steps to apply a fix to a product we don’t support using a process the author of this knowledge article was first exposed to applying the preview fix being discussed in this article. If there are challenges that prevent the successful application of this Microsoft preview fix, and while ERP Support would not be able to assist there are resources available that would be able to assist further including Epicor Professional Services and Epicor’s Partner network.
-Nathan Anderson
Sr Principal Engineer, Epicor ERP Technical Support
High-level Technical Information Regarding The Preview Fix From Microsoft
This is an interim delivery mechanism for this preview fix as Microsoft will be rolling it into an upcoming Patch Tuesday– the specific date of which has not been set by Microsoft at this time.
The preview fix will not need to be uninstalled for the official Windows patch to be applied when it is released through regular Microsoft update channels.
The preview fix will lead to the same performance behavior outcome as the official fix. This is the final production quality fix.
There is a Local Group Policy adjustment to apply the preview fix (this step will not be required with the official fix from Microsoft). The only difference between the official Windows update and this preview fix is the adjustment required for the preview fix.
Steps To Apply Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix
1. Log into the Windows machine in question with a user account that has local administrator rights, then click Start and launch winver.
2. When the About Windows form appears, locate and make note of the Windows version.
3. Download the Microsoft hotfix for the Windows version identified in step 2 from the table below.
4. Locate the downloaded Microsoft hotfix .msi, and right-click > Install.
5. Click Next/Yes through the setup wizard, then click the Finish button when the Completed the Known Issue Rollback Policy Definitions Setup Wizard window appears.
6. Click Start and launch Edit group policy.
7. Within Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
NOTE: The specific navigation for this step will be different based on the Windows version of the Microsoft fix installed. Only one of the following will be available–navigate to the subfolder node that begins with Windows 10
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > KB4601383 Issue 003 Rollback > Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2019
OR Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > KB4601380 Issue 001 Rollback > Windows 10, version 1903
OR Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > KB4598291 Issue 001 Rollback > Windows 10, version 2004
8. Right-click on one of the following settings and select Edit
NOTE: The specific setting name for this step will be different based on the Windows version of the Microsoft fix installed. Only one of the following will be available– right-click > Edit on that setting.
OR
OR
9. Select Disabled, then click Apply and OK.
10. Restart the machine to complete the process.
Video Recording of Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Process
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
Encompass Solutions is pleased to announce our new technology partnership with EBizCharge, a provider of payment gateway solutions for manufacturers and other businesses.
What EBizCharge Does
EBizCharge is an out-of-the-box payment integration. The solution allows businesses to accept credit and debit card payments, send email payment reminders to customers, automate payment collections, and more. This all happens within the Epicor environment.
EBizCharge qualifies cards at the lowest rates, lowering your monthly processing costs. The solution is easy to install and requires no development activities.
The Benefits of EBizCharge
The new partnership between Encompass and EBizCharge offers two tiers of benefits. The first comes in the form of benefits specific to Epicor users. The second includes benefits specific to Encompass customers. Here are the benefits you can leverage as both an Epicor user and Encompass customer.
Benefits for Epicor users
The latest data encryption and tokenization technology for maximum transaction security and PCI compliance.
Access to an online customer payment portal, allowing customers to pay invoices online.
Unlimited transactions/batch history for viewing and reporting purposes.
Powerful search functionality to run custom reports.
Ability to sort through transactions by category.
Immediate release of funds when issuing refunds.
Ability to assign users and manage access limits with ease.
The mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices.
Benefits for Encompass customers
Lowered processing costs.
A quick and seamless transition.
No long-term contracts.
Simplified statement (one instead of two to three) and one point of contact.
Flat rate processing options.
Next-day funding options.
Proactive chargeback management team.
Access to a world-class, in-house customer support team, available 24/7 and free of charge.
if you’re ready to learn more about EBizCharge’s proprietary payment gateway, with its streamlined payment integrations backed by five-star customer support, schedule a demo, here.
EBizCharge integrates over 100 major ERP, CRM, and accounting systems including Epicor 9 and 10. EBizCharge is the leading integrated payments platform in the United States allowing merchants to accept payments in their ERP system, power their online store, upload customer invoices to the online payment portal and provide mobile credit card processing, unlimited transaction history, customizable reports, electronic invoicing, email payment links, secure encryption, tokenization, and more.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
Epicor has announced the upcoming major product upgrade of Epicor Kinetic 2021.1 in April 2021. This upgrade not only represents a major milestone in the advancement of manufacturing solutions from Epicor, but also a complete rebranding of the Epicor ERP solutions as Epicor Kinetic.
Epicor Kinetic 2021.1 represents decades of the Epicor manufacturing expertise fully reimagined for today’s modern workforce and digital business. Given the such depth of enhancements in this upgrade, the standard testing timeframe for customers on cadence has been extended from four weeks to seven weeks.
What’s New in Epicor Kinetic 2021.1
More details will be released, but a few highlights include:
A Transformed User Experience
Enjoy the fresh look and intuitive design of all your most-used screens and forms – now accessible in a web browser – as the user experience transformation is getting closer to completion.
Expanded Capabilities of Application Studio
Your daily users will appreciate what your power users already know – This robust low/no code toolset is more feature-rich and intuitive to help even the casual user personalize screens to work faster and smarter.
Improved Help & Support Panel
With so many new features, it’s important to have quick and easy access to help when you need it. The Help & Support panel now features familiar type-head predictive search results and more ways to personalize your favorite topics.
Important Dates For Epicor Kinetic Upgrades
For cadence customers
Date
Event
Details
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Data Refresh in Pilot
For all live Public Cloud customers staying on cadence, your pilot database will be automatically refreshed this day. Additional environments are not automatically refreshed, but if you would like them to be, please submit a case in EpicCare by Friday, April 9.
For implementing customers staying on cadence, your pilot database will not be automatically refreshed, unless you submit an EpicCare ticket requesting a refresh by Friday, April 9. Please note that you will not be able to have your database refreshed from Production to Pilot during the upgrade testing period.
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Data Refresh in Pilot for MT/Express
For all legacy Multi-tenant and Express customers, your pilot database will be automatically refreshed this day.
Friday, April 16, 2021 –
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Pilot System Upgrade to 2021.1
During this time, your Pilot system, Education environment, and additional environments will be unavailable while Epicor performs your upgrade, but don’t worry—your Production system will not be affected by the new release. Once it is complete, log in to your Pilot system (and other environments) to start exploring what’s new.
Sunday, April 18, 2021 –
Friday, June 4, 2021
Extended Testing Timeline
There are seven weeks to test in the Pilot. Between the upgrade from Pilot to Production, there will be two updates for customers on cadence.
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Pilot System Update to 2021.1.2
Your Pilot system and additional environments will be updated to include quality enhancements.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Pilot System Update to 2021.1.3
This will be the second and last update before the upgrade to Production
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
UBC Opt-In Deadline
Multi-tenant and Express customers (legacy cloud customers)
If Multi-tenant and Express customers want Epicor to move your unique business components (UBCs) from your Pilot environment to your Production environment, you must submit an EpicCare ticket to opt into the process. If you do not submit an EpicCare ticket to opt into the process, the UBCs from your Pilot environment will not be moved by Epicor to the Production environment.
Public Cloud customers (Azure)
Customers on the public cloud that would like to move your unique business components (UBCs) from your Pilot environment to the Production environment, please refer to KB0035160 for instructions, or attend the complimentary “Learn How to Manage Your Unique Business Components” course from Epicor University.
Saturday, June 5, 2021 –
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Production System Upgrade to 2021.1.3
Your upgrade weekend arrives! While Epicor upgrades your Production system to Epicor Kinetic 2021.1.3, your system will be unavailable for several hours during this time.
Flex Customers
Date
Event
Details
Friday, April 9, 2021
Deadline for Flex Customers
Deadline for customers purchasing the Flex option to submit an EpicCare ticket indicating your preference to defer your upgrade to one of the alternate upgrade dates listed below.
Week of June 21, 2021
Flex Option #1:
Pilot System Upgrade
For Flex Option #1 customers, your Pilot system, Education environment, and additional environments will be unavailable while Epicor performs your upgrade, but don’t worry—your Production system will not be affected by the new release. Once it is complete, log in to your Pilot system (and other environments) to start exploring what’s new.
Week of July 19, 2021
Flex Option #2:
Pilot System Upgrade
For Flex Option #2 customers, your Pilot system, Education environment, and additional environments will be unavailable while Epicor performs your upgrade, but don’t worry—your Production system will not be affected by the new release. Once it is complete, log in to your Pilot system (and other environments) to start exploring what’s new.
Friday, July 24, 2021 –
Saturday, July 25, 2021
Flex Option #1
Production System Upgrade to 2021.1
Flex Option #1 customers: your upgrade weekend arrives! While Epicor upgrades your Production system to Epicor Kinetic 2021.1, your system will be unavailable for several hours during this time.
Friday, August 21, 2021 –
Saturday, August 22, 2021
Flex Option #2
Production System Upgrade to 2021.1
Flex Option #2 customers: your upgrade weekend arrives! While Epicor upgrades your Production system to Epicor Cloud ERP Kinetic 2021.1, your system will be unavailable for several hours during this time.
Note that dates are subject to change.
How To Prepare
Epicor will upgrade your Pilot system and any additional environments seven weeks before Production for customers on cadence. This will provide an opportunity to explore the functionality updates in 2021.1.1 without affecting your Production system.
As a best practice, please use this time to review and make any necessary changes to your Unique Business Components (UBCs)—custom reports, BPMs, User Interface customizations, etc.—to ensure everything continues to operate as expected. There will be more information regarding sample test plans and more that will be made available to you on EpicWeb Documentation.
Flexing Your Epicor Kinetic Upgrade
Subscribers to the Epicor Public Cloud Flex Option can follow the same schedule, but you have the option to defer your upgrade to Epicor Kinetic 2021.1. Below are the two date options for your flex upgrade. Please note the deferred upgrades still have the usual four weeks to test. If you are a Premium Flex Test subscriber, please communicate your preferences by the same deadline and process below.
Pilot
Production
Option 1:
Week of June 21, 2021
July 24-25, 2021
Option 2:
Week of July 19, 2021
August 21-22, 2021
Pilot upgrade dates will be communicated closer to the date.
If you choose to defer, you must submit an EpicCare ticket by Friday, April 9 with your selected upgrade date (Option 1 or Option 2) and we will send you a personalized confirmation with your instructions. We must receive your deferral no later than Friday, April 9. If you do not choose to defer, we’ll keep you on cadence and automatically upgrade your system in June 2021.
Note: If you choose to defer your upgrade, you will not receive any 700.x updates after the 10.2.700.12 update. We only host the upgrade webinars on April 6 and April 7, but replays are accessible at any time afterward as documentation on EpicWeb. If you defer, you are strongly encouraged to either attend or watch the replay so you are aware of the upgrade process.
Next Steps
1. Watch the “What’s New in Epicor Kinetic 2021” Webcast Replay
The webcasts were held in early April. If you were not able to attend or need a refresher, we encourage you to watch the replay to understand how to prepare, ways to leverage the new functionality for driving business growth and be aware of the upgrade process. The link to view on demand is coming soon!
2. Before Your Upgrade
Take a look at all of your Epicor Kinetic 2021.1 resources in Documentation – available mid-April. Particularly useful documents include:
What’s New via the Feature Summary
Upgrade Guide
Change list in the Release Notes document
3. During Your Testing Window
Resolve any issues with your configurations
Test your business flow in critical areas
*Testing tip: print customer-facing documents
Review daily, weekly, and monthly processes
And as a reminder, reach out to your Encompass CAM or EpicCare anytime you have a question or need application support.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
On Tuesday, April 6th, Epicor announced that going forward Epicor ERP, its flagship software solution for manufacturing industries, will be referred to as Epicor Kinetic and defined by the new Epicor Kinetic User Experience.
As the latest product update of Epicor ERP Cloud emerges in the form of version 11, this exciting change coincides with the many enhancements to functionality and overall user experience.
Epicor ERP Becomes Epicor Kinetic
Epicor ERP will “officially” become Epicor Kinetic with the general availability release on June 10, 2021. The initial product release will be called Epicor Kinetic 2021.1.
The ideal platform for manufacturers, Epicor Kinetic is a modern solution that serves the needs of businesses that make the things that keep the world moving. The recent evolution of Epicor Kinetic reveals a great new user experience that represents the lively, energetic impact of an entire ERP solution to accelerate business ambitions.
Top Epicor Kinetic User Experience Benefits
Technology is ever evolving. We’re continuously innovating to deliver the modern and intuitive applications your business needs to stay competitive today and tomorrow. Discover the top user experience benefits you get when upgrading to the latest release of Epicor Kinetic.
Simplicity – Attract and retain talent with modern and intuitive applications that boost productivity and simplify everyday tasks. The Epicor Design System enables a simple and delightful user interface that provides a consistent experience across applications. Reduce training and user onboarding time with embedded guided learning and contextual education tools that enable users to learn as they go.
Mobility – Browser-based user experience that provides the mobility you need to keep your business running anytime, anywhere. No matter if you’re visiting a client on the field, walking through the shop floor, or sitting at your desk, you’ll be able to easily access the system through the device and browser of your choice.
Connectivity – Enable connections between users, business workflows, and processes. Extend technology beyond power users and incentive greater internal collaboration with solutions like Epicor Collaborate, Epicor IoT, and Epicor Virtual Agent.
Efficiency – Happy employees are more productive and engaged. Complete tasks in less time and optimize processes. Everything is easily accessible through the main menu and the Home Page can be personalized by the user. Screens show the most relevant information and let you drill down into details with expandable panel cards as you need.
Tailored Experience – Create your own experience at a user or company level. We take system flexibility to the next level with Application Studio. Tailor applications with a best-practice approach in a low/no-code environment, that is compatible with the cloud and its upgrade resilient.
Reach out to Encompass for more information on how the Epicor Kinetic User Experience can help better manage your business today.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
