27
Nov 2018
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an image of the epicor logo for the epicor consultants at encompass solutions

Epicor Consultants | Epicor ERP Cloud, Epicor 10, 9 and Vantage

When it comes time to seek out Epicor ERP consultants for your next project, you’ll want to partner

Epicor Consultants | Epicor ERP Cloud, Epicor 10, 9 and Vantage

Encompass Solutions , , , , , , Sean Balogh

When it comes time to seek out Epicor ERP consultants for your next project, you’ll want to partner with certified Epicor consultants that have a long history of successful implementations and quantifiable results. You can find a list of the most distinguished Epicor consultants on the Epicor Partners page, here.

Encompass Solutions Epicor consultants have been a staple feature on this list for years. If you’re ready to bring on an Epicor consultant for full-scale implementation, renovation of existing systems, or other process improvements, we are here to help. While we may be headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, we aren’t just North Carolina ERP consultants. We have resources all over the US and in many locations abroad. If you’re more interested in a demo or are evaluating new technologies and processes for your unique business needs, we’d love the opportunity to show you what we can do. Don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

Benefits of Hiring Epicor Consultants

Your resources are limited. whether you need a complete business system installed and customized for your needs or need routine maintenance, if you lack the capital or in-house talent to take on the project, an Epicor consultant may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

In-house resources lack the expertise. Let’s say have open tasks in Epicor maintenance. You know what needs to get done and you have the capital to invest in the project, but your team doesn’t have the experience in implementation, upgrades, or custom coding you require. This is where a consultant can step in and guide your team to success and then train your staff to the level of operation your business requires.

Learning from the best practices.  There are potentially several ways to achieve your goals in Epicor. However, not every approach to a problem leads to a solution, you may take care of one need and end up causing issues elsewhere in the system. knowing the ins and outs of the Epicor system is where we excel. Our Epicor consultant team has been implementing Epicor best practices for decades in an array of environments. What’s more important is that we’ve seen the consequences when shortcuts are taken. Use our expertise so that you don’t have to learn the hard lessons of what happens when best practices and sound advice are not followed.

Protecting your technology investment. Protecting your technology investment and service satisfaction is our number one goal. Using a non-certified consultant could result in costly modifications that are not supported and jeopardize your ability to upgrade in the future. That is why you should only allow trained Epicor employees or authorized partners to perform Epicor application work.

What Can Encompass Solutions Epicor Consultants Do For You?

Simply put, the Epicor consultants at Encompass Solutions can do just about anything you need when it comes to the Epicor environment. We have experience in full-scale implementations, renovations or upgrades of existing systems, customizations for unique business needs, and even functional and technical IT support if you lack the in-house resources and dedicated staff.

As an Epicor Preferred Partner and Value-added Reseller, Our certified Epicor consultants:

  • Have completed the Epicor Certification Program for the highest level of product knowledge
  • Invest in their customers’ success with Epicor solutions
  • Are fully trained on the most recent product releases
  • Have direct relationships with Epicor product development, services, and support staff
  • Are informed about the latest product roadmaps, promotions, and incentives
  • Adhere to regulations set by Epicor for the protection of your business

Everyone on our Epicor consultant team, from analysts and developers to engineers and sales staff has extensive knowledge of the Epicor framework. We leverage the flexibility and power of the Epicor framework to deliver the right solutions to our customers, at the right time and the right price.  We routinely leverage Epicor’s capabilities to integrate the ERP system with specialized third-party applications or to customize dashboards, reports, and other functions to fit your business processes.

What Is Our Consulting Process?

Our consulting process begins the same in each case, we commit to a deep-dive discovery to identify where your operations are excelling and where they are costing you precious resources. Based on our findings, we’ll complete a thorough business process review (BPR) and deliver the report to you in clear language. The document will outline our findings, our suggestions, and the general cost of those tools and services will be. We proceed with demonstrations of the software in action and address the exact use cases that fit your business needs in detail. Our solution engineers will come in to draw out a plan of action, giving your team a clear direction that will lead to clear results. You can learn more about our approach to consulting and the Epicor signature methodology here.

The Encompass approach doesn’t stop once the plan is in place, when the work is underway, or even after implementation. We are with you every step of the way to ensure your project is a success from discovery to Go-Live and beyond.

Encompass Solutions Epicor Consultants’ Experience

Over 200 cumulative years of Epicor consulting experience going back to Epicor Vantage 4.41.

In-depth and proven experience with:

  • Epicor ERP
  • Epicor Cloud ERP
  • Epicor 10, 9, and Vantage.

Experience with the following vertical markets:

  • Aerospace & Aviation
  • Automotive
  • Electrical
  • Energy
  • Fabricated Metals
  • Fastener Distributors
  • Furniture & Fixtures
  • Medical Devices and Components
  • Medical Distribution
  • Music and Entertainment
  • HVAC Wholesalers
  • Packaging Distributors
  • Paper Distributors
  • Rubber & plastics

Epicor Certifications

  • Certified Epicor Consultant Level I
  • Certified Epicor Consultant Level II
  • Certified Epicor Consultant Level III

Our Epicor Consultants’ Services

Key Areas Of Encompass Certified Epicor Consultant’s Expertise

Epicor Production Methodology

  • Make to Order
  • Make to Stock
  • Engineer to Order
  • Distribution

Epicor Tools

  • Service Connect
  • Configurator
  • Jitterbit
  • Business Process Management (BPM)
  • Business Activity Queries (BAQ)
  • Business Activity Management (BAM)

Epicor Areas of Customization

  • Personalization
  • Dashboards
  • SDK – Software Development Kit
  • Crystal Reports
  • User Interface Customization
  • Third-party Application Integration

Cloud Deployment Advice

  • Epicor public cloud
  • Epicor Private Cloud
  • Epicor Hybrid cloud
  • Customization uplift advice for cloud compliance

Functional Areas of Epicor

  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
  • Quote management
  • Order Management
  • Job Management
  • MRP
  • Material Movement
  • Lot Tracking & Serialization
  • Costing
  • Production Planning
  • Production Scheduling
  • Purchasing
  • Receiving
  • Shipping
  • General Ledger
  • AR – Accounts Receivable
  • AP – Accounts Payable
  • Financial Reporting
  • CRM
  • Barcoding

Upgrade Services

  • Deployment options – cloud, data center, on-premise
  • Fixed price, 3 pass conversions for testing, piloting, and go-live
  • Straightforward upgrade methodology
  • Vantage 8, Epicor 9, and Epicor 10 to the latest version of Epicor
  • Continuous upgrade service available

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers and Distributors. 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, and 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.

15
Nov 2018
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Epicor Positioned as a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP

Gartner recently published its brand new, cloud-focused 2018 Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Midsize Enterprises where

Epicor Positioned as a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP

Epicor , , , , Sean Balogh

Gartner recently published its brand new, cloud-focused 2018 Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Midsize Enterprises where Epicor is positioned as a Visionary player based on the evaluation of our Epicor ERP offering. You’ll find the News Release about this great acknowledgement by Gartner and here is a direct link to the News Release.

Epicor In Gartner 2018 Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP

Cloud ERP offers customers improvements in responsiveness, agility, and costs to help businesses digitally transform and get fit for growth Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth, today announced it has been positioned in the Visionaries quadrant of the first ”Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Midsize Enterprises” by Gartner Inc1. The position is based on a full evaluation of the global enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, Epicor ERP. The Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP focuses on ERP systems that are offered in a cloud services application deployment. It covers midsize enterprises across all geographies with annual revenue between approximately $50 million and $1 billion USD. The full report is available to access from the Epicor website.

“Our mission is to be the cloud vendor of choice in the markets we serve. We believe being positioned
as a visionary in the cloud ERP quadrant validates our strategy. We feel that customers trust us to
deliver solutions that helps them grow in an Industry 4.0 world,” said Steve Murphy, Chief Executive
Officer for Epicor Software. “The strength of Epicor solutions lies in our unique ability to deliver
industry-specific functionality and cloud technology that fit our customers’ distinctive ways of working.
With a deep understanding of the industries we serve, our solutions promote growth while easing
complexity. The result is powerful solutions that do exactly what our customers need and free their
resources so they can profitably grow their businesses. Just log in, and everything from daily sales reports to
product locations was right there for review. It’s the easiest system I ever used.”

Michael Schmitz, Chief Financial Officer, Epicor Software Corp.

1 Report: Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Midsize Enterprises. By Gartner Inc. Analysts: Mike Guay, John
Van Decker, Christian Hestermann, Nigel Montgomery, Duy Nguyen, Denis Torii, Paul Saunders, Paul Schenck, Tim Faith.
Published 31 October 2018.

Gartner Magic Quadrant for Epicor Cloud ERP

In addition to industry-specific capabilities that drive improvements in responsiveness, agility, and costs, the cloud is helping businesses digitally transform and focus on growth. As businesses shift away from traditional on-premises systems to cloud-based ERP they are taking advantage of new capabilities to improve their business and optimize processes. What’s more, it’s enabling teams to access real-time information from across the business and use that data to make better business decisions.

About the Gartner Magic Quadrant

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other
designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor Software Corporation drives business growth. We provide flexible, industry-specific software designed to fit the precise needs of our manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industry
customers. More than 45 years of experience with our customers’ unique business processes and operational requirements are built into every solution―in the cloud or on premises. With this deep understanding of your industry, Epicor solutions dramatically improve performance and profitability while easing complexity.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing the emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of Industry.

12
Nov 2018
0
Based on the communication regarding Altec support policy from December of 2017, you may be aware that we intended to discontinue the support of Altec for the ERP version 10.1.600 and above from November, 1st , 2018. If you have already migrated or signed an Altec migration order form with your Epicor account manager to migrate your solution from Altec to Epicor advance printing (APR) or to APR with DocStar solution, we greatly appreciate that, However, if you are on ERP version 10.1.600 or above and if you have not had a chance to discuss with your Epicor account manager and sign an Altec migration order form yet, we are pleased to inform you that we are extending the Altec support deadline for ERP versions 10.1.600 and above till October, 31st , 2019 to enable you to have some extra time to plan for the Altec migration. In case you did not see the communication from December of 2017, please see the details of the Altec migration program below. In January 2017, Epicor acquired DocStar, a leading enterprise content management (ECM) provider. Founded in 1996, DocStar provides collaborative ECM with automated Accounts Payable (AP) solutions to streamline business processes for organizations of any size. DocStar solutions are available either on-premises or as a cloud hosted service in the SaaS (software as a service) model. DocStar customers gain control over documents, improve retention and increase efficiency with the ability to capture, store and manage any document, from any location, on any device. DocStar’s experience in providing powerful integrations with various ERP solutions, accounting systems or other line of business applications gives companies an even better return on investment. Deeper business insights empower users to make smart decisions that positively impact the bottom line. We are encouraging Epicor ERP customers on releases 10.1.600 or 10.2.x, or moving to 10.1.600 or 10.2.x that are also using Altec to migrate to DocStar for a number of reasons: The DocStar solution is more comprehensive, providing an all browserbased UI, easy-to-use user experience, well-integrated single platform for capturing, storing, retrieving and collaborating with search enginelike document searching, viewing/annotation, scanning, intelligent data capture, version control, security and retention management along with a drag and drop graphical workflow and electronic form designers. • Now that DocStar is part of Epicor, there will continue to be coordinated development and innovation with respect to future Epicor ERP releases for tighter integration between the solutions. • With DocStar, customers now have the choice between a cloud or onpremises deployment with the same functionality. • A tighter integration between ERP and ECM solutions is a key for a seamless user experience. DocStar and Epicor ERP 10.1.600/10.2.x (and all subsequent versions of Epicor ERP) are tightly integrated for document attachment management functionality (Epicor APR and Epicor APR with DocStar to store/retrieve documents from Epicor ERP). DocStar AP automation processes invoices through the DocStar workflow to validate and match against Epicor ERP 10.1.600/10.2.x data in real time and raise exceptions when needed before automatically creating invoice records in ERP 10.1.600/10.2.x. Using DocStar workflows, electronic forms, and scanning, various other processes within your organization can be streamlined and automated to continue to expand the usage of the DocStar solution suite. • DocStar is Epicor’s only go-forward integrated ECM and AP automation suite for Epicor ERP. The updated FAQ includes details on what versions of Epicor ERP will be supported with Altec moving forward, what the time frame is for continued Altec support, and guidance on how to make the transition. If you have any questions, please contact your Epicor Account Manager. An image of a woman managing documents like those entered into an Altec, DocStar, or other document management system alongside Epicor ERP with the help of encompass solutions.

Epicor ERP Extends Altec Support To October 31, 2019

Epicor Altec Update Based on the communication regarding Altec support policy from December of 2017, you may be

Epicor ERP Extends Altec Support To October 31, 2019

Epicor , , , , , Sean Balogh

Epicor Altec Update

Based on the communication regarding Altec support policy from December of 2017, you may be aware that we intended to discontinue the support of Altec for the ERP version 10.1.600 and above from November, 1st, 2018. If you have already migrated or signed an Altec migration order form with your Epicor account manager to migrate your solution from Altec to Epicor advance printing (APR) or to APR with DocStar solution, we greatly appreciate that, However, if you are on ERP version 10.1.600 or above and if you have not had a chance to discuss with your Epicor account manager and sign an Altec migration order form yet, we are pleased to inform you that we are extending the Altec support deadline for ERP versions 10.1.600 and above till October, 31st, 2019 to enable you to have some extra time to plan for the Altec migration. In case you did not see the communication from December of 2017, please see the details of the Altec migration program below. For more information on how this extension of Altec support affects your business, contact the experts at Encompass Solutions.

Altec Document Management And Epicor ERP

In January 2017, Epicor acquired DocStar, a leading enterprise content management (ECM) provider. Founded in 1996, DocStar provides collaborative ECM with automated Accounts Payable (AP) solutions to streamline business processes for organizations of any size. DocStar solutions are available either on-premises or as a cloud hosted service in the SaaS (software as a service) model.

DocStar customers gain control over documents, improve retention and increase efficiency with the ability to capture, store and manage any document, from any location, on any device. DocStar’s experience in providing powerful integrations with various ERP solutions, accounting systems or other lines of business applications gives companies an even better return on investment. Deeper business insights empower users to make smart decisions that positively impact the bottom line.

We are encouraging Epicor ERP customers on releases 10.1.600 or 10.2.x, or moving to 10.1.600 or 10.2.x that are also using Altec to migrate to DocStar for a number of reasons:

The DocStar solution is more comprehensive, providing an all browser-based UI, easy-to-use user experience, well-integrated single platform for capturing, storing, retrieving and collaborating with search engine-like document searching, viewing/annotation, scanning, intelligent data capture, version control, security and retention management along with a drag and drop graphical workflow and electronic form designers.

Why DocStar Over Altec For Epicor ERP

  • Now that DocStar is part of Epicor, there will continue to be coordinated development and innovation with respect to future Epicor ERP releases for tighter integration between the solutions.
  • With DocStar, customers now have the choice between a cloud or on-premises deployment with the same functionality.
  • A tighter integration between ERP and ECM solutions is key for a seamless user experience. DocStar and Epicor ERP 10.1.600/10.2.x (and all subsequent versions of Epicor ERP) are tightly integrated for document attachment management functionality (Epicor APR and Epicor APR with DocStar to store/retrieve documents from Epicor ERP). DocStar AP automation processes invoice through the DocStar workflow to validate and match against Epicor ERP 10.1.600/10.2.x data in real time and raise exceptions when needed before automatically creating invoice records in ERP 10.1.600/10.2.x. Using DocStar workflows, electronic forms, and scanning, various other processes within your organization can be streamlined and automated to continue to expand the usage of the DocStar solution suite.
  • DocStar is Epicor’s only go-forward integrated ECM and AP automation suite for Epicor ERP.

Altec To DocStar Migration FAQ

DocStar, Altec, And APM Document Management In Epicor ERP

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing the emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of Industry.

26
Oct 2018
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Epicor ERP Software Update

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Now Live

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 is now live and generally available to users. Epicor Software Corporation officially announced the release of their

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Now Live

Epicor , , , Sean Balogh

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 is now live and generally available to users. Epicor Software Corporation officially announced the release of their latest version of Epicor ERP (10.2.300) earlier this month. It was released to the public last week.

Announced at Epicor Insights earlier this year, the new capabilities provided in 10.2.300 deliver a better employee experience, improves package control, manages electronic (ACH) transactions in finance and leverage the power and agility of the Microsoft Azure platform to enhance the brands ERP cloud offerings. The Epicor Dealer Network Portal has also been released alongside Epicor ERP 10.2.300.

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Features

When it comes to overall functionality, Epicor ERP version 10.2.300 brings a lot to the table in terms of capabilities found in the preceding releases of version 10.2. In its latest release, Epicor continues to build on its cloud-first architecture, provides new capabilities for users, strengthens its impact on business objectives, further develops ease of use and overall user experience, and improves visibility with relevant data insights. Leveraging the improved user experience, global capabilities, analytics, deep industry focus, performance and quality, more than 450 companies and 9000 users are utilizing the Epicor ERP 10.2.300 release in the cloud.

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Kinetic UX Design And Framework

When it comes to usability and simplicity, Epicor ERP 10.2.300 extends across platforms and devices to drive growth and cultivate positive digital experiences. The workforce of today has come to expect device agnostic access coupled with intuitive interfaces. Epicor ERP 10.2.300 delivers on expectations with the best-in-class UX design and framework provided by Kinetic. Bringing a modern look and feel to the forefront, Kinetic goes further by improving system usability and performance.

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Business Intelligence And Analytics

Data visibility and analysis tools continue to draw significant investment from Epicor and, in the ERP 10.2.300 release, Epicor Data Discovery (EDD) brings even more advantages. Leveraging the data you need to make analyses for timely and accurate decisions has never been easier. Enhanced with new dashboards and an advanced version, EDD can be used to provide a standalone security mechanism across multiple solutions—with or without ERP.

Sales and Material Management benefit greatly from empowered Epicor Data Analytics views, as well. A new content pack, making it easier to align financial and operational data, has been released for Financial Statements, too.

Simpler is better When it comes to SRSS reporting and a new SSRS Report Design application delivers enhanced design, preview, and publishing capabilities.

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Dealer Network Portal

When it comes to Epicor users’ selling of products and services, a digital experience geared towards dealers is as important as the one provided to their own customers. Attract new levels of loyalty from dealers when leveraging the Epicor Dealer Network Portal, a component of Epicor Commerce Connect. The new Portal includes:

  • The Ability to leverage the Epicor Web Configurator
  • A focus on a dealer-centric experience
  • A dealer-dedicated channel through which to drive growth

“According to Forrester, direct-to-consumer (D2C) commerce is not a new approach to retail, but there is renewed interest for it among branded manufacturers. Epicor can help manufacturers transform the dealer experience through a modern eCommerce interface that dramatically elevates their brands to accelerate business growth. Dealer Network Portal works seamlessly with Epicor ERP and eliminates the cost of manual interactions and duplicate data entry, reducing errors, and overall operational costs.”

Scott Hays, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing, Epicor Software.

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Package Control Identification (PCID)

The platform’s Package Control Identification (PCID) component received a significant expansion resulting from Epicor’s investment. PCID is an essential component of ERP for any manufacturer with a requirement for superior traceability, such as medical devices and aerospace and defense. Those manufacturers intent on grouping products together and managing their location and path through the enterprise. This release signifies the largest investment in traceability of Epicor ERP in years.

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Field Service Automation (FSA)

Introduced with the initial release of version 10.2, Field Service Automation continues to make great advancements with four new integrations in:

  • Material Requests
  • Returned Material Goods
  • Expense Reporting
  • The Expansion Of Bi-Directional Contract Management

Additionally, enhancements for ease of use and to support international requirements across the product for both FSA Office and Field Mobile users including added functionality for call center, surveys and mobile pricing.

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Global Business Management

The release of Epicor ERP 10.2.300 continues to expand with 20 countries that have been enhanced to stay current with recent updates.

The US and Canada received a major feature update to support wider use of electronic payments through ACH. Further expansion regarding the capabilities of ACH include direct deposits for payroll and automatic withdrawals from customer accounts.

US-based business’ FIPS 140-2 encryption and compliance requirements for U.S. customers is been introduced for companies with ITAR compliance requirements. For international customers, release enhancements include:

  • Automatic matching of AP & AR payments
  • Lower of cost or net realizable value (LCNRV) reporting

Epicor ERP 10.2.300 Cloud And MS Azure

The partnership between Epicor and Microsoft continues to make expand with the Microsoft Azure platform. Epicor 10.2.300 further leverages a range of Azure technologies that include Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to deliver ready-to-use, tailored-to-fit productivity and innovation solutions for midmarket manufacturers and distributors. Regardless of whether Epicor users’ deployment is in the cloud or not, the benefits of the partnership can be readily seen with the release of Epicor ERP 10.2.300. The capabilities of Azure include:

  • Epicor Cloud Upgrade Services is using cloud resources to move Vantage/Vista, Epicor ERP 9, and 10.0 customers to the latest release.
  • In-app messaging is now available to message to cloud users, bringing greater clarity around use of Epicor ERP in the cloud.
  • Online help and education are available to all users in the cloud, simplifying the installation and ongoing management of Epicor ERP for all customers.
  • Azure AD Authentication is used for single sign on (SSO) capabilities for both cloud users and Mobile CRM users.

Epicor ERP 10.3.300 Epicor University

New learning tools, content, and training tools are now available through Epicor University (EU). Users can leverage these new and exciting features to further achieve business goals. Beyond offering comprehensive training options The latest release can be more readily aligned with the different learning styles and needs of employees.

The Epicor ERP 10.3.300 release offers 75+ Upgrade Essentials courses that have been carefully designed to train users on the new functionality available to them. all users on maintenance and support have these courses available to them. Epicor’s Knowledge on Demand (KoD) service has been built directly into Epicor ERP 10.2.300, which includes several new short videos to help solve problems quicker and better understand the new functionality that can be used to great advantage. Ge the answers you need quickly and get back on task with simple search a function in the video library. Alternatively, you can access KoD video content through the Epicor ERP product directly. The Video Help icon on the program toolbar will assist in connecting you with the appropriate video content for your needs.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing the emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of Industry.

 

13
Sep 2018
0

Case Study: Kaufman Container And Encompass Solutions Business Process Review

Kaufman Container has enjoyed substantial returns on its investment in Epicor ERP software thanks to skilled consulting, implementation, and training

Case Study: Kaufman Container And Encompass Solutions Business Process Review

Case Studies , , , , , , , , , , , Sean Balogh

Kaufman Container has enjoyed substantial returns on its investment in Epicor ERP software thanks to skilled consulting, implementation, and training services provided by Encompass Solutions, Inc. and Epicor Software Corp.

The Project

Kaufman had been running several non-integrated systems before the implementation of Epicor ERP. During that time, these non-integrated platforms led to colleagues having to do each other’s jobs. One example included a lack of confidence in the inventory on hand. with no trust in the system data, users had to manually confirm inventory availability.

The Epicor implementation effort was owned by Kaufman IT Director Larry Keilin. “The transition from our old system to our new system was less painful than I expected for many employees, the day you switch from an old system to a new system is the day they love the old system,” Keilin commented. “A large number of our employees got on the Epicor bandwagon and became excited about all the work they can now do that they couldn’t do before. We are truly seeing the benefits, for example, for the purchasing department, the Buyers Workbench is such a useful tool that it stands out, and our customer service department loves the way they can take an old order, copy it, and create a new one-it’s a huge time saver for them.”

The Details

  • 70 Concurrent Office Users
  • 15 Concurrent Data Collection Users
  • 8 Database Users
  • On-Premise Deployment

The Challenge

Challenges for this project are both substantial and essential to overcome if Kaufman were to make the most of its new ERP system. First, overcoming the lack of visibility for purchasing decisions, which up until this point had been made using days’ worth of research and inventory management via Microsoft® Excel® worksheets, would be essential.

Second, The lack of real-time transaction data gave little insight into how Kaufman was performing at any given point in time. Finally, the organization’s multiple costing methodologies provided inconsistent gross margin calculations.

The Goals

Kaufman Container implemented its Epicor ERP solution with the primary goals of:

  • Better tracking of sales and gross margin data to salespersons and customers.
  • Improve inventory management.
  • Integrate production management.
  • Growing revenue and profitability.

The Results

Encompass Solutions was contracted by Kaufman to perform an end-to-end business process review (BPR) which was critical in helping to determine the optimal business processes to follow. This would yield the maximum benefit from the newly implemented Epicor ERP product. The BRP was completed in just one week and helped outline areas for improvement as well as recommendations for systems and process improvement moving forward into implementation. 

Every business area was taken into account during the assessment and recommendations for changes in engineering, production, inventory, purchasing, costing, and accounting departments were presented. In particular, a go-forward path that included additional modules to offer a substantial benefit to production and inventory management was provided by Encompass. 

When asked how he felt we performed in our assessment, Keilin offered, “Encompass has done a great job at assessing the situation, with BPR guidance to systematically attack and resolve pain points following the implementation.”

Improvements included:

  • High return on investment that saw overhead costs cut by 30%.
  • System usability improved significantly as a result of easy-to-use dashboards and report generation.
  • Business Process Management (BPM) provided users the ability to set conditions and actions that added functionality to the system, tailoring screens and processes as needed.
  • Reorganization of sites, warehouses, and bins enabled quick and easy product location for issuing to jobs or shipping.
  • Parts purchasing was made easier with the visibility of time phase reporting.
  • The consistent average cost across all product lines.

Full Kaufman Container Case Study

About Kaufman Container

For the past 100 years, Kaufman Container has been a leader in the North American market in providing quality and innovative packaging components and value-added services. From our beginning, our focus has always been on giving our customers exactly what they are looking for. Kaufman Container continues to be your “One Stop Shop” for all your packaging needs.

an image of the case study kaufman container corporate headquarters

Today, Kaufman Container continues to be a privately-held, family-owned business that operates two key facilities in the Midwest. The business offers a wide variety of products and services, warehousing, quality and technical support, logistics assistance, and an in-house decorating facility.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, a NetSuite Solution Provider, and an Epicor Platinum Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.

16
Aug 2018
0

Profitability Control In Manufacturing With ERP

In the last few years, automation has scaled with technological innovation exceptionally well. Manufacturing industries and consumers both

Profitability Control In Manufacturing With ERP

Helpful Tips , , , , , Sean Balogh

In the last few years, automation has scaled with technological innovation exceptionally well. Manufacturing industries and consumers both are reaping the benefits every day. Hardware, like industrial robots, and enterprise software, like NetSuite and Epicor ERP, are working together more efficiently than ever before to refine processes for manufacturers and deliver high-quality products to consumers. However, while production process efficiencies are making great strides, profitability control doesn’t receive the attention it should be getting. Expenditures and inefficient resource use are two of the most impactful factors for a business to consider.

Manufacturing Profitability Control

According to Federal Reserve data, Manufacturing in the US has risen for the second consecutive month. Factory production of machinery, vehicles, computers, and electronics all signaled a healthy ecosystem going into the second half of 2018. Some industrial production highlights include an increase in factory output of 0.3% and a total industrial production increase of 0.1%. Factory production was 2.8% higher than the same time last year, as well.

Production has increased because of investment, innovation, and the incorporation of new technologies into operations. While modern tools have been leveraged to improve manufacturing productivity, maintenance practices, safety, and worker wellness are feeling the pressure that comes with the demand for increased throughput. Efforts to improve real-time monitoring, control, and maintenance improve safety and equipment reliability. This helps to take a lot off the plate of factory technicians and operators who bear the stress of stakeholders’ demands.

While automation, equipment, and personnel inch closer to harmony every day, efforts in profitability control can be expanded significantly.

Manufacturing Change Management

Dr. Peter Martin, Vice President and Edison fellow at Schneider Electric, uses the relationship between manufacturers and utility providers as an apt example to illustrate the speed at which change has been adopted directly into operations but forgotten in other areas of the manufacturing process. It is in these areas and relationships that further profitability can be explored.

“Some 20 years ago, you’d negotiate an agreement with your electrical utility supplier to fix the price for, say, a year in advance. Today, with open power grids, the price might change every five to twenty minutes. The cost of other inputs such as natural gas and raw materials can vary just as quickly,” he states. “This variation is equally evident at the consumer end. Thanks to Google and Amazon, the price of a product can change between morning and evening.”

Following a thorough round of interviews with more than 1,000 executives, Dr. Martin and his team agree the pain is being felt across the manufacturing landscape and changes can be made to combat the problem, stating, “We realized that by using sensors in a plant we could model real-time accounting at each cost and value point in the process, and these measurements would allow us to provide profitability control, pulled together with efficiency, safety, and reliability.”

Manufacturing Visibility

In another example of the factors that affect manufacturing operations’ profitability, Dr. Martin explains “Here you have ore and electricity entering the crushing circuit, and ground materials coming out. Three factors affect profitability – energy and material costs at the time consumed, and the value of the final product at the time it is produced,” he adds “You need to calculate these three variables and put them into the control system. The traditional control algorithm will, say, open a valve or manage the speed. But with real-time accounting, an algorithm will calculate the production value at each stage for each particular period and put that value into a historian for storage and future analysis. As a result, you have a day-long list of values at every point where cost is incurred.”

Think of this visibility and data management approach as a stock ticker for the value of a given stock throughout the trading day. Manufacturers already taking advantage of automation on the factory floor or in business processes, with the help of ERP systems, can further supplement their operations with profitability control.

Using these costs and fluctuations throughout the day, managers can more accurately forecast, budget, and negotiate with real-time accounting tools. The focus shifts from a month-to-month approach to analysis that’s long outdated in favor of a second-to-second one. This provides superior control in terms of a manufacturing operation’s profitability and automation efforts already in place.

Profitability Control With ERP

Beyond offering invaluable insight into expenditures of capital and resources, ERP solutions bring a lot to the table.

One of the biggest game changers for discrete manufacturers and process manufacturers is the ability to reduce waste significantly. The waste of time, money, materials, and labor can all be addressed with better visibility of demand and quicker communication. This ensures that the right amount of products are being produced to fill orders and changes are taken into account. Error reduction fits hand-in-hand with unnecessary waste. Identifying process and material issues can reduce the cost of scrap or reworking orders, which controls costs and increases profitability.

Communication throughout the ERP system is fast and efficient, as well. This ensures the right information is on hand and users have access to the information they need. As a result, time wasted in tracking down order details, erroneous data, and miscommunications are less likely to occur. When the entire organization is on the same system and working cooperatively, better productivity is the result. Consistency and reliability ensure higher customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, which further increases profits over time as the business grows.

Improving productivity and controlling costs should be among the highest priorities for a business. With ERP solutions, important delivery in full and on time (DIFOT) metrics inform your organization of delivery performance in a supply chain. It also measures how often your customers get what they want at the time they want it. Stronger performance impacts your bottom line and ERP can help streamline all the processes involved.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Platinum Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.

21
Jun 2018
6
An image of all the core concepts ERP consultants help businesses understand about ERP implementation

10 Ways To Ensure Your ERP Implementation Is A Success

ERP Implementation It’s no secret that the manufacturing landscape is changing constantly and new technologies are emerging faster

10 Ways To Ensure Your ERP Implementation Is A Success

Helpful Tips , , , , , , Sean Balogh

ERP Implementation

It’s no secret that the manufacturing landscape is changing constantly and new technologies are emerging faster than ever. It is for these reasons that identifying which technologies will give your enterprise a competitive edge and allow it to weather the storm of disruption is essential. Adopting a unified ERP system to more efficiently connect and organize your operations is one such advantage. Here’s a list of 10 things you can do to ensure your ERP implementation is a success once you’ve identified which solution is right for your enterprise.

1. Pick The Right Partner For The Job: ERP Consultants, Vendors, and Partners

Who you enlist to assist with your ERP implementation is a crucial component of ensuring your success, if not the most important factor contributing to the outcome project.

Don’t add yours to the long line of inefficient and outright failed ERP implementations by doing your due diligence and identifying a vendor, partner, ERP consulting firm, or other organization that speaks to your needs and connects with your organization, its goals, and desired outcomes. You and your teams will likely be working with these ERP experts for months on end, so it’s important to connect not just on a professional level, but a personal one too. After all, if you’re collaborating with someone you can’t stand, there is little chance the project will survive such a strained working relationship.

Trust your partner to know how to manage the project since it’s likely they’ve completed several implementations across an array of industries. It may mean giving up some control you’re used to maintain, but the success of your project trumps comfort, without question.

2. Pick The Right Solution For Your Situation: Not All ERP Solutions Are Built Alike

There are ERP platforms that have been around for decades and ERP solutions that were developed as recently as last year. They all offer different values for their price. Some sacrifice capability for ease of use, while others sacrifice emphasis on one enterprise need at the expense of another. Whether you want an ERP solution that is cloud-based, hosted, on-premise or one that can be all three, options exist to address your enterprise’s needs. That doesn’t mean the search for the right fit will be easy.

Are you shopping for an ERP solution geared closer to process manufacturing, discrete manufacturing, or a service you provide? It’s better to measure twice and cut once. Don’t’ waste precious resources, like time, money, and labor, on a solution that won’t address your most critical of needs. Contact ERP consultants and vendors, arrange for demos of each solution and meet with your teams to understand what they’ll need out of the final product.

3. Plan For The Future: Going Beyond Go-Live

Your success doesn’t stop once things are up and running. How will your enterprise utilize your new ERP solution for the next 5 or 10 years? Upgrades, turnover, customizations as you enter new markets, and so many more factors await as you move forward.

You need a solution that grows with your business’ trajectory, which makes it even more critical to select a solution that can accommodate that new warehouse overseas or subsidiaries on the horizon. Changing regulations and compliance requirements at local, state, national, and international levels may be something you need to consider.

Going into your selection process with a roadmap of where the organization is going over the next decade will ensure you aren’t painted into an expensive corner. Plan as far as you can to give your partners the clearest picture of your intended journey as possible.

4. Staff Buy-in: On-Boarding Makes The Difference

Let’s put this out there first: nothing ensures a business’ success more than its employees. That said, your staff needs to be on board with this transition or it’ll be destined to fail before it starts. Naturally, change, especially significant change can be fear-inducing. However, with the right approach, your staff can come to embrace the coming change. Address their apprehensions, and be prepared to give concrete answers to how the new system will address employee needs and make their jobs both easier and more efficient. Getting your staff to understand why this change is coming is integral in getting them on board with how you go about implementing it.

5. Sideline The Bureaucracy: Streamline Implementation

Bureaucracy is notorious for slowing down even the most efficient processes. EPR consultants and integrators are good at their jobs when they’re allowed to operate. By getting the necessary parties involved from inception, you can avoid blockers to critical processes during implementation. This may depend on how many layers of management your organization had in place, but by clearing the channel to enable the ERP consultants to do their job without impediment, you can avoid bottlenecks and wasting precious resources in the process.

6. Establish Order: Project Roles And Responsibilities

When it comes to both in-house and external resources, make sure everyone has a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities during your ERP implementation process. Your partnered ERP consultant will walk you through the process and give recommendations on how best to delegate the workload during implementation. Ensure that you and your team know what’s going on at every stage to avoid bottlenecks and unintended setbacks.

7. An Opportunity To Redefine Your Business Processes

Your ERP consultants will likely conduct a business process review before beginning your ERP implementation. This is a critical time for your business to reevaluate how processes are carried out. While you may be tempted to replicate old ways of doing things on a new ERP platform, the new system enables your teams to make more efficient use of the tools at their disposal. Go back to the beginning and determine whether your organization should change the way they do things from the onset. Keep in mind, that many ERP software solutions come built-in with the best practices of hundreds if not thousands of businesses in related industries.

8. Emphasize Clean Data

Old SKUs, incomplete, and just plain bad customer data don’t need to follow you into a new era for your business. make an impact with a new start that doesn’t leave room for shoddy work. Ensuring your recording and data practices are clean and clear from the start is the best way to ensure the right approach to record-keeping and management is in your future.

9. Don’t Cut Corners On Training

Like onboarding, your team should be in it to win it when it comes to your ERP implementation. That means they need to know the software inside and out when it comes time to use the platform. A quality ERP consultant will get your staff trained in all the right tools needed for their given role. Instill confidence in your team by giving them the best training that money can buy, your business with prosper and your staff buy-in will increase with your investment.

10. Don’t Cut Ties After Go Live

When it comes time to use the new ERP solution on your own, chances are there will be bumps in the road as you move forward. This is where your team’s training is proven and your reevaluated business processes are put to the test. Consider bringing on an ERP consultant that offers managed services and support beyond ERP implementation. Maintaining a solid professional relationship with partners can save your business a lot of unnecessary grief and precious resources in the long run. On the other end of a successful go-live, when your business hits the ground running and has a bright future ahead a good partner can enable your enterprise to take advantage of rapid development and position for expansion.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.

24
May 2018
0

Case Study: Metaphase Technologies Epicor ERP Selection

Encompass Solutions recently sat down with Metaphase Technologies President Kevin High to discuss the company’s current Epicor ERP

Case Study: Metaphase Technologies Epicor ERP Selection

Case Studies , , , , , , , , , , Sean Balogh

Encompass Solutions recently sat down with Metaphase Technologies President Kevin High to discuss the company’s current Epicor ERP implementation, manufacturing custom vision and lighting solutions, and the future of Metaphase. Here’s what Kevin had to say about his company and where he’ll be taking it with the advanced capabilities Encompass Solutions and Epicor ERP will provide.

A graphic of the Metaphase Technologies logo

Q: Can you describe what Metaphase does and what makes the company unique?

Our mission is to be the leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-performance, custom and standard machine vision LED lighting solutions. Metaphase Technologies is a custom job shop with over 7,000 active products and new ones developed every week. We have in-house resources, including engineering, manufacturing, sales, and service, all under one roof. We customize solutions to fit the end-user’s needs and provide application expertise to help determine the ideal solution.

Q: What are some everyday challenges Metaphase faces in business? Anything specific to vision systems and lighting that other manufacturers might not face?

As a company, some of the common challenges we face on a day-to-day basis include tracking all active projects, custom light specifications, and evaluation units we send to customers. Since we lack continuity of data platforms, it can also be challenging to track where we are in the sales cycle. Lastly, our products are an integral part of our customers’ applications, which means we have to continue designing around component obsolescence. Information acquisition is often a time-consuming challenge. It is challenging to be able to view our inventory levels, provide prompt responses, and have short lead times.

Q: What is your business hoping to accomplish with Epicor ERP software that you couldn’t previously?

Our expectations in working with Epicor are to learn efficiency in a custom job-shop environment, from top to bottom. What we are looking for is a more streamlined integration from start to finish. When our Sales Managers are in the field, we want them to be able to deliver quick and accurate information to the customers. Our goal with our next software implementation is to have a consistency of data across all departments, including BOM accuracy, to ultimately improve quality and lead times, as well as, efficiency in tracking process flows from start to finish.

Q: How are you taking advantage of the strengths and benefits of production located in North America vs. production overseas?

Being a manufacturing company in North America is beneficial for both Metaphase and our domestic customers. Our Sales team maintains a healthy relationship with customers in the USA because of the accessibility and ease of communication. Our time-to-delivery is also decreased since we are not waiting on parts manufactured internationally. 

Q: At what point did you know you would need to implement an ERP solution for your business?

In 2014, we knew that we had to implement ERP software just to keep up with in-house processes, it was becoming resource intensive to find answers; paper trail audits are very resource intensive and could take days to track down information on a product shipped in previous years. Metaphase has been through the implementation of software that didn’t appropriately fit the needs of our unique company. In December 2017, we knew we wanted to start looking and exploring different ERP options because our current ERP system is inadequate to handle the custom job-shop flow our company has. We needed a better solution.

Q: Can you describe your ERP selection process?

We began our search by interviewing multiple vendors and identifying certain requirements. We evaluated live demonstrations of the software and eventually narrowed it down to two software companies. Proposals of the implementation process, as well as the financials, followed the second demonstration of the software systems. An internal discussion was needed to evaluate the risks and rewards of each and we were able to make a decision.

Q: What key component(s) of Epicor got you interested?

Epicor had not been a software we were looking into originally but a chance meeting with Sonia, President of Encompass Solutions, at the A3 convention had put them on our radar. A good repour and quality customer care from the President had been reassuring and important to us.

Q: What are some of your apprehensions regarding the implementation of a new ERP system and how did Encompass allay those apprehensions and give your company the confidence to bring us on?

There will always be uncertainties about implementing a new ERP system since there is always a chance the system will not meet our expectations. Some apprehensions we have include cost and resource allocation, not being able to complete implementation within the projected time frame, and also the transfer of data from our current ERP into Epicor. The quality of training and technical support is also a concern that we, along with many other companies, have going into an ERP implementation. Despite the apprehensions we have, Encompass has been guiding us through the process up to this point. The face-to-face communication with Sonia and Lynn has given us the confidence that they are willing to work with us throughout any issues that may occur during the implementation. The live demonstration of the software by Jeff was smooth and displayed his knowledge of the product well. The detailed proposal documentation that included the implementation process and timeline set expectations for not only Epicor/Encompass but also Metaphase. The level of detail in the documentation made us more confident that Encompass has the experience to run a smooth implementation/ERP transition.

Q: What do you expect will improve as a result of implementation?

After the Epicor implementation, we expect that our process flows within our organization will improve. The user-friendly interface will allow for more timely and accurate information to flow through the system. Being able to help the Sales team save time with easy CRM management and mobile capabilities, we expect them to have more time to do more selling!

Q: What do your employees think about the transition?

We notified our employees about our decision to move forward with Epicor and apprehension was expected. A majority of them are concerned about having a repeat of our previous ERP implementation and how many committed resources will be needed to make this work. But there is also some excitement about the possibilities this software system has and what it can do for us.

About Metaphase Technologies

For more than two decades, Metaphase Technologies has been developing products that advance “The Quality of Light” through the engineering and manufacture of uniform diffuse high brightness and ultra brightness LED illuminators. Metaphase’s illuminators are specially designed for applications in machine vision, military, and specialty lighting. Metaphase boasts expertise in engineering flexible lighting solutions for ease of integration into vision systems design. The company’s LED illuminators are currently utilized in thousands of applications throughout the world, including vision-guided robotics, automation systems, line scan inspection units, and many others across the machine vision industry.

As the first to standardize built-in constant current drivers, Metaphase continues to synergize cutting-edge machine vision LED lighting & control technologies to simplify innovation and increase customer return on investment.

 

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider, Suite Success Partner, and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.

17
May 2018
1
Business software extended education sessions

Epicor Insights 2018 Begins Next Week in Nashville, TN!

Epicor Insights 2018 Attending Epicor Insights 2018? Explore what’s ahead and start to plan your schedules for: Technical

Epicor Insights 2018 Begins Next Week in Nashville, TN!

Epicor , , , , , Sean Balogh

Epicor Insights 2018

Attending Epicor Insights 2018? Explore what’s ahead and start to plan your schedules for:

  • Technical Insight―Learn how to reduce costs and increase ROI
  • Practical Insight―Attend labs with Epicor technical staff demonstrating practical software solutions
  • Peer Insight―Network with fellow professionals, discuss common challenges and share solutions while enjoying all that Nashville has to offer
  • Expert Insight―Hear from Epicor executives regarding what lies ahead and schedule meetings with Epicor experts
  • Education ROI―Extended education sessions offer a deep dive into the business software you’re using today

You can view the full agenda here, including extended education sessions and hands-on labs. The events begin next week and we couldn’t be more excited!

Join Encompass For A Customer Appreciation Event At Epicor Insights 2018

We are looking forward to seeing you all at Insights. This is a great chance for all of our customers to both meet each other and exchange war stories, but also for you to get a chance for some face-time with your Encompass team ― this year there will be representation at both an Executive and Operations level, as well as the account management team ― Sonia and Dave both look forward to meeting new customers and spending time with those of you who have done business with Encompass for years.

Our team will be available throughout the event for meetings to discuss how we might support your organization in those endeavors. After a long day of training please join us for food and drink while surrounded by natural splendor beneath a soaring glass atrium in the Delta Pavilion Gazebo!

RECEPTION RVSP 

 

16
May 2018
0
ERP-Integrated Customer Self-Service Portals

Enhance Your Customer Experience with ERP Integrated Self-Service Portals

Encompass Solutions’ strategic partner Bezlio has added further enhancements to its mobile dashboard and user interface capabilities within

Enhance Your Customer Experience with ERP Integrated Self-Service Portals

Helpful Tips , , , Sean Balogh

Encompass Solutions’ strategic partner Bezlio has added further enhancements to its mobile dashboard and user interface capabilities within ERP software. The latest feature comes in the form of streamlined and intuitive customer service portals that enhance the overall experience when it comes to providing documentation and service to clients at all hours. An effective ERP solution, with the latest in customer-focused tools, can help differentiate your business from competitors and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

ERP Integrated Self-Service Portals

Customers want access to their essential documents, invoices, and purchase orders, and not just during office hours. Customer portals have fast become a crucial component of the customer experience. As a result, their availability has risen to the top of expected features in any business environment. And why shouldn’t they be?

Bezlio has delivered an attractive and seamlessly integrated answer to customer demand with a customer service portal that can be easily incorporated into an existing EPR system and accessed via desktop or mobile device. Within the ERP integrated self-service portals, customers can:

  • Open orders
  • Review order history
  • Track orders
  • Review shipping records
  • Access inventory in real-time
  • Access invoices

These powerful capabilities are the new normal when it comes to the customers’ experience and businesses must keep up to satisfy an increasingly discerning audience of current and prospective clients. However, reading and displaying data is just the beginning.

An Open Channel Of Communication

Now more than ever, Customers want an open channel of communication available for when questions are asked and answers are needed, on-the-fly. Two-way communication within the customer portal ensures that your customers are empowered to write data and complete transactions directly to your source application. Cut out the complication of modern e-commerce systems and let your customers place orders on their time with the Order Entry functionality of Bezlio’s customer self-service portal.

Security Is Key

As with all digital information exchanges, security is of the utmost importance. Bezlio’s approach ensures you never synchronize a single byte to the cloud, and receive the benefit of top-level encryption and security measures to protect your business and your associated data.

ERP-Integrated Customer Self-Service Portals

The Gauntlet of Bezlio Security Measures Keeping Your Data Safe.

How To Implement The Bezlio Self-Service Center

So, you know you need a functional ERP integrated self-service portal, but don’t know where to begin with integration. Fortunately, the process is made simple and enterprises will only need to follow a few simple steps before they are up and running with this powerful integration from Bezlio.

Initially, the data agent from Bezlio will need to be installed inside of an enterprise’s firewall, be it through Bezlio, a partner, or an ambitious enterprise with a crack IT squad. The agent will be configured to communicate with the sources of data within the enterprise ERP, which can be assigned permissions based on the data to be shared. After that, queries to pull the data are linked up with Bezlio. These can be existing queries or built from scratch to fit a particular purpose within your enterprise. Once the backend is set up, templates and custom HTML/CSS/JavaScript can be utilized to create an attractive interface on the customer-facing end. Once things are set up, all that’s left is to bring your customers into the fold and show them the new and powerful tools at their fingertips. The benefits of more satisfied customers and enhanced ROI are now yours to enjoy.

About Bezlio

Bezlio is a US-based company with 15 years of experience in customizing and optimizing ERP (enterprise resource management) systems and manipulating data. Specializing in mobile, cloud-based integrations, Bezlio offers many supplemental tool integrations for existing Epicor systems, such as mobile crystal reports, Amazon Seller integration, Salesforce + ERP, tableau write-back, and the recently added self-service customer portals.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm specializing in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers and Distributors. 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, and 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.

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