Unlocking Data Insights: Master Epicor ERP Reporting Tools

In modern business, data insights are one of the most powerful tools you can command. The ability to derive patterns, trends, and performance indicators from data generated by your everyday operations can help to inform decisions, shape strategies, mitigate risks, and prepare for growth.

Unlocking data insights is essential for today’s manufacturers. One of the greatest advantages of using an all-encompassing ERP solution like Epicor Kinetic is the ability to compile data and prepare reports from every facet of your company. Epicor ERP users have a wealth of reporting tools at their fingertips, ready to help them make the most of their resources from problem-solving to growth planning.

Encompass Solutions is an expert in Epicor implementation and data management. Today, our goal with this article is to help you improve your Epicor Kinetic reporting processes, gain deeper insights from your data, and enhance your decision-making capabilities through the discovery of tools that simplify reporting and help you leverage your Epicor ERP more effectively.

Whether you are trying to optimize financial reporting, enhance operational visibility, or tailor reports to meet unique business needs, this content series will help you find the Epicor reporting tools you need.

Epicor Kinetic Reporting Tools

Epicor ERP transforms your operations into valuable data insights. Every order, invoice, and project is made up of data points. Epicor makes these accessible through a wide range of ERP reporting tools designed to streamline your reporting processes and enhance your decision-making capabilities.

Each reporting tool is tailored to specific business needs. A quick look can help you get a sense of the tools we are about to cover in depth.

GROW translates your data through real-time interactive dashboards. Financial Planning and Analysis provides financial reports and forecasts. SSRS enhances operational reporting with the help of an SQL server. BarTender simplifies label printing and documentation for compliance and operational efficiency.

GL Report generates general ledger reports, Enform manages paperwork inside the Epicor ERP system, and Custom Reporting helps you build tailored reports that address more unique business needs.

1. GROW

GROW is the Epicor Business Intelligence toolkit, which allows organizations to create innovative and interactive dashboards of custom data. You decide what data is most important and how you want it presented, and GROW will do the rest. GROW empowers real-time business intelligence, offering interactive dashboards and reports that simplify complex data analysis.

GROW implements an innovative back-end that utilizes ETL Processes (Extract, Translate, Load) to acquire the data you need from each source, then stores your real-time data in a data warehouse so it is ready to present through an interactive chart at any time.

Organizations can build a large number of custom dashboards, accessing data extracted from throughout the ERP system and integrations such as Kinetic. It can be used by top leadership or implemented for specific roles and departments. Once you decide the data you want to display, you can organize and refine it into the most useful charts for quick visual presentation and detailed analysis.

Dashboards designed with GROW can be used to monitor operations, create powerful presentations, and inform data-driven decision-making.

2. Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)

The Epicor FP&A or Financial Planning and Analysis toolkit helps you to streamline financial reporting for smarter forecasting and budgeting. It is designed to assist your organization in making data-driven financial decisions using in-depth analysis of your financial health, ongoing operations, and potential opportunities.

FP&A is a cloud-based solution that uses machine-learning technology to provide powerful financial insights based on your company’s real-time financial data. It is designed to empower your organization by improving the way you access financial reports, enhancing your operations, and helping your business adapt to an ever-changing financial environment.

With the Financial Planning and Analysis toolkit, you will be able to quickly generate reports that both ensure compliance and accurately predict future revenues, profits, and cash flows based on both recent and historical financial data. This allows you to craft goal-oriented and driver-based plans by presenting models of complete financial operations and even exploring what-if scenarios to stay agile in the ever-changing marketplace.

The tools provided by FP&A can also help you analyze and discover which products, customers, and segments of the business are generating the greatest profits so you can prioritize and adapt your strategy for a more successful future. Then, consolidate your reports with ease across entities so you can compare financial performance in a compact yet comprehensive way.

3. SSRS – SQL Server Reporting Services

The SQL Server Reporting Service (SSRS) is designed to enhance your access to operational reporting with the help of SQL Server operations. Epicor SSRS Reports are customizable data representations built using Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, tailored to Epicor ERP users. This allows you to build and deploy robust, interactive reports using truly complex and innovative methods.

SSRS provides an interface that makes it possible to visualize complex data that is empowered by the dynamic and in-depth data management toolkits built into the Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services. It is an extremely effective and powerful method to extract, analyze, and present your business data.

Benefits of the SSRS reporting system include dynamic data representation, customization, integration, and accessibility. Take control of real-time data analysis and engage in accurate data-driven decision-making. You can also personalize reports to fit unique requirements and generate reports in multiple formats such as Excel, PDF, and Word.

For even more access to your data, SSRS integrates seamlessly with other Epicor ERP modules for fully connected data presentation.

4. BarTender

The Epicor BarTender toolkit was designed to simplify label printing and documentation processing. It will improve traceability, compliance, and operational efficiency by creating and automating the printing and control of labels, barcodes, RFID tags, plastic cards, and other essential forms of physical data output.

BarTender is a unique method of accessing data that is essential to manufacturing businesses because it allows you to print accurate labels and documents regarding your products. The toolkit primarily focuses on design for product labels, cards, RFID tags, and other related output types. You can enter print time easily and ensure your data is presented through customizable forms.

With Bar Tender, it’s easy to consolidate design with intelligent templates and ensure that each label represents the most current data. Then you can apply secure document control to ensure your business is always within regulatory compliance.

BarTender represents a set of tools that help you design labels and label templates with ease and efficiency. You can configure and connect to data sources through your Epicor-managed business systems and then launch print commands. It is also designed to empower automated printing, automate print status, manage printing supplies, and streamline print production while providing complete control over the process.

5. GL Report

General Ledger reports are an essential part of your company’s financial performance. This led to the Epicor GL Reports toolkit to help your business generate clear and comprehensive general ledger reports that provide visibility into your financial performance. A general ledger report is a financial tool that summarizes all of a business’s financial transactions, is organized by account type, and provides a comprehensive record of account balances.

The General Ledger module is linked to all aspects of business operations. By mastering it, you can achieve better financial reporting. Ig gives you the ability to record and report on finances from throughout your ERP system with no repeat data entry.

The Chart of Accounts (COA) feature shows up to 20 user-defined segments. This makes it possible to record, store, allocate, and report financial data with granular control.

The Fastclose Financial Intelligence feature helps you build reports on customer and project profitability. You can break down your data between multiple sites or branches to compare performance easily.

The multiple books function can help you build unlimited financial books, seamlessly combined into a single consolidated report for a unified financial truth. You can also build multiple financial schedules, which will be compiled gracefully into your GL reports. From tracking subsidiaries to forecasting to consolidations, GLreports is a great way to compile your financial insights and remove needless complexity from the process.

6. Enform

Business forms play a vital role in operations and data management. EnForm is the Encompass Solutions answer to the Epicor Standard Style business forms. Enform makes it possible to improve your forms with superior formatting, unified data types, and clear, detailed information to empower more efficient and integrated paperwork management. Enform Reports improves Epicor’s Standard Style business forms for any organization that uses the Epicor Kinetic ERP system.

EnForm Reports makes use of a more modern style of document that is both pleasing to see and easier to read for both your workforce and business partners. Users can also hide unused form fields to streamline formatting and improve the readability of each form in every use case across your business operations.

EnForm reports transform the Epicor Standard Style of forms to make better use of each page. We ensure word-wrapping occurs less often than standard reports while maintaining sufficient white space for clarity and optimal legibility. This means fewer pages that you need to print per report while ensuring the same level of usefulness and detail. Each report appears as a new option in the Report Style field to help you print reports with ease, using fewer pages for an eco-friendly update across the board.

7. Custom Reporting

Epicor also makes it possible to design custom reports based on needs that are not predicted by common Epicor Kinetic use cases. Custom reporting allows you to tailor your reports and dashboards any time out-of-the-box tools do not quite align with your needs.

Building custom reports requires more attention to detail and fine-tuning your report’s data curation and dashboard assembly. However, with the tools available and the comprehensive source-of-truth data within the Epicor EPR system, you will be able to create valuable data insights and presentations based on the unique needs of your business, operations, projects, collaborations, and goals.

Custom reporting makes it possible for a company to operate outside of standard procedures, whether you are innovating new internal operations or planning industry-disruptive strategies. Reports are valuable no matter your purpose, and custom reports with Epicor reporting tools will empower your progress.

Unlock Powerful Insights with Epicor Reporting Tools

Epicor ERP empowers comprehensive business management and collects a treasure-trove of both real-time and historical data in the process. Epicor’s powerful reporting tools put that data at your fingertips with intuitive charts, reports, dashboards, and ways to put the data to work through label creation, GL reports, and standard forms. Encompass Solutions is an expert Encor ERP consultant who can help you get more from your ERP infrastructure, tools, and more.

To receive more information about these reporting tools, see this guide, or to see a live demo, fill out a form here: https://content.oldencompass.sevenagesdesign.com/encompass-solutions-erp-edi-consulting-rfq-request-a-demo

Contact us for a personalized consultation on how we can improve your Epicor implementation.


For more than five decades, Epicor has collaborated closely with its clients, gaining an intimate understanding of their operations—almost as if it were their own. This has enabled our clients to craft tailored software solutions and services that elevate their business performance. It’s not just working with you, but truly working for you. Epicor has launched its new upgrade, Epicor Kinetic 2023.1, and this manufacturing brochure will give you all of the important information that you need.

Our clientele comprises the very companies that manufacture, distribute, and provide the products and services we all rely on. They place their trust in Epicor to optimize their business processes. Our cutting-edge solutions are meticulously designed to align with their specific requirements, ready to adapt swiftly to their dynamic business environment. We propel every client towards their goals, whether it’s expansion and transformation, or achieving greater productivity and efficiency. This is what positions us as indispensable partners to the world’s most vital enterprises.

Download the Epicor Kinetic 2023.1 Brochure below:


Kinetic 2022.2 utilizes the Epicor manufacturing industry knowledge to deliver a best-in-class solution for your organization. The new release features allow you to accelerate, scale, connect, and optimize your business for success.

What’s New in Kinetic 2022.2


Learn how the world-leading OEM engine tooling provider, Rhinestahl, leveraged Epicor Kinetic to improve efficiency.


Recently Epicor reached a new cloud milestone: 1,000 Epicor Kinetic customers have chosen cloud. That’s over 82,000 daily users in 105 countries transacting over 100,000 jobs a day for over 1 million tasks a week.

Epicor has made it a goal to become “The cloud vendor of choice in the markets we serve.” This milestone represents Epicor and Encompass’ combined success in transitioning technology, business models, and culture to transform businesses to be successful in the cloud.

Customers and the market have taken notice. Recently, an Epicor Kinetic customer posted this statement in the peer reviews for Gartner,

“Switching to Epicor and as a SaaS has allowed us to advance our ability and continue our growth. It is completely scalable for our business and has been great for our ability to integrate our business processes.” Director of ERP Systems, Industry: Manufacturing, Firm Size: 50M-250M

The good news moving forward is that driving growth through cloud business propels us all forward at a higher velocity and offers new opportunities in the process.

Who is the 1,000th cloud customer on Epicor Kinetic?

VPI Technology Group is a multi-discipline technology firm, specializing in electronic design services, engineering, prototyping, certification and testing services, and electronics manufacturing. Epicor Solutions for Electronics and High Tech delivered what this service and manufacturing firm in the Electronics market needed. With rapid growth plans that include acquisition targets in the future, the need for ERPs to manage their distributed business became a priority. A key driver for their decision to choose Epicor Kinetic was our Government Cloud offering that supports their requirements for CMMC, simplifying their ability to stay in compliance with the Department of Defense (DOD).

“As a government contractor, it was essential to select an ERP that offered world-class security and compliance. Epicor Kinetic in Azure gives VPI many assurances. It can accommodate data subject to various US government regulations and requirements, allowing us to transform mission-critical workloads to the cloud.”

“Of all the systems our committee evaluated, Epicor Kinetic was rated as the most easy-to-navigate and easy-to-use system, which factored heavily into our ERP decision. The rich UI for the development and integration tools was also a key factor in our decision-making process.”

Jerry Scott, Chief Operating Officer | VPI Technology Group

About Encompass Solutions

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 released numerous feature enhancements, bug fixes, and improvements. Below is a breakdown of each of those release updates that Epicor users can leverage as part of this Epicor Financial Management tool.

  1. Improved Speed on Copy Paste from Excel
    • The speed for copy-pasting from Excel to spreadsheets took longer for select users. The speed for performing copy paste has therefore been significantly improved.
  2. Improved Value formatting for Journal Entry lines
    • Value formatting for journal entry lines has been improved for an enhanced user experience.
  3. The improved Load speed of Organization & Workflow
    • For select users, loading organization & workflow took a few minutes. We have improved the load speed of the organization & workflow to aid in a faster way of working.
  4. Default measure automatically set for New Calculation
    • This was an enhancement request by some EFP subscribers where the default measure must always be automatically set for the new calculation to avoid delays in starting new calculations.
  1. Sums not shown in drill down
    • Sums are now shown correctly in drill down.
  2. Adding a new account to the input sheet
    • For select users, Adding Account was disabled in input sheets. This has now been fixed and the addition of accounts works as it should.
  3. Can ́t post when the difference is zero
    • For select instances, the posting was disabled when the difference was zero. This has now been fixed.
  4. Workflow & Assignment level & data access scroll issue
    • For select instances, there were scroll and data access issues in the assignment and workflow part. The scroll bar has now been fixed to work as it should.
  5. Missing values in variable margin bar line widget
    • The dashboard chart has been fixed and now shows the correct values.

For more information on this Epicor Financial Planner product release or other Epicor Kinetic Financial Management tools, reach out to Encompass using the Contact Us button below.

About Encompass Solutions

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 Insights 2022 will be taking place in Nashville, Tennessee at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center from May 23 to May 26, 2022. The full agenda, along with extended education classes, for Insights will be released in early 2022.  Below is the schedule at-a-glance so you can plan your trip to Nashville!

  • Sunday, May 22: Extended Education
  • Monday, May 23: Extended Education & Welcome Reception
  • Tuesday, May 24: Welcome Keynote, Breakout Sessions & Wine & Cheese Reception
  • Wednesday, May 25: Guest Speaker Keynote, Breakout Sessions, Evening Party
  • Thursday, May 26: Breakout Sessions

Epicor Insights Registration

Insights attendance is limited to current Epicor customers, authorized partners, and guests only. Early-bird discounts are available for a limited time.

Early-bird Epicor Customer / Epicor Authorized Partner rate – $1,495.00 (Early-bird pricing expires February 18, 2022)

Register for Epicor Insights 2022 by clicking HERE.

Conference Package

The Insights 2022 experience includes:

  • Welcome Reception on Monday evening, May 23, 2022

Conference activities May 24 – 26 include:

  • Learning via keynote and general sessions, breakout sessions, and hands-on labs
  • Meals include daily continental breakfast, lunch, and break refreshments
  • Epicor Solutions Pavilion exhibit hall and giveaways
  • Wine and Cheese Reception on Tuesday evening, May 24
  • Insights 2022 Dinner and Entertainment on Wednesday evening, May 25

Optional items you can add to your registration package include:

  • Additional Guest Meals Pass – $350.00
  • Additional Keynote Speaker Pass – $75.00
  • Additional Guest Final Night Dinner and Entertainment Pass – $150.00
  • Printed Eclipse Lab Book – $25.00
  • Printed Kinetic (the new name for Epicor ERP) Lab Book – $25.00
  • Printed Prophet 21 Lab Book – $25.00

Epicor Insights Hotel and Venue

This year, Epicor Insights 2022 will be held at:

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
(615) 889-1000
2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Click here to book at the discounted rate at the Gaylord Opryland: 

Be sure to book before Wednesday, April 20, 2022, to secure your discounted rate!

  • Discounted room rate at the Gaylord is $219.00 plus a daily resort fee of $20.00 and any applicable taxes and fees
  • A Daily Resort Fee of $20 plus applicable taxes will be added to each guest room. The daily resort fee includes:
    • High-speed in-room wireless internet access
    • Unlimited local and domestic long-distance calls
    • Daily scheduled shuttle service to Grand Ole Opry House, Opry Mills, General Jackson Showboat & The Inn at Opryland
    • Fitness Center access
    • Bottled water (2 daily) replenished once daily with housekeeping service
    • Daily credit of up to $10 per room towards dry cleaning (credit not cumulative through stay)
    • Gaylord Springs Golf Links practice range access, a daily bucket of balls, and shuttle
    • Wildhorse Saloon cover charge for up to 4 guests (some restrictions may apply)
    • Opry Mills Savings Passport worth hundreds of dollars in savings

*Please note that Insights attendance is limited to current Epicor customers, authorized partners, and guests only.  Full conference registration includes all conference sessions, access to the Solutions Pavilion, meals, and evening events. All conference sessions and meals will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Please contact events@epicor.com with questions.

About Encompass Solutions

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.


Technology and business worlds are awash with talk of the latest security vulnerability posing a threat to enterprises of every size, Log4j. Learn more about the exploit and how it impacts Epicor users.

What is Log4j?

Log4j is a logging utility library for Java, and it has a zero-day exploit that allows for remote code execution. Meaning, This bug affects applications using Java and allows malicious actors to execute external code within the application resulting in a potential takeover of the software.

How does it affect Epicor Users?

Epicor Kinetic (formerly Epicor ERP) from version 10. X onward is built using a C#/.Net framework, PHP, and MS SQL database. It does not leverage Log4j among its dependencies. However, earlier iterations of Epicor software, such as Vantage 8, did employ Java app servers and may include Log4J dependencies.

Log4j may impact third-party solutions that leverage Java, such as ECM (DocStar). Those running on-premise deployments of Epicor Kinetic ERP need to upgrade to the latest version to be fully protected. All the more reason to remain current on the latest version of Kinetic and ensure your business minimizes such vulnerabilities.

Software security vulnerabilities are emerging more frequently among globally used technologies. It’s important to bear in mind that private groups tasked with countering security risks for businesses have a more difficult time managing such widespread system vulnerabilities when compared to vendor-administered SaaS models. In the case of the latter, vendors can push out patches and updates to a multitude of users concurrently. The control of configuration that on-premise deployment provides, while useful in customizing a system to the business’s specific needs, presents a precarious set of conditions in today’s modern technological landscape. On-premise users will do well to invest in InfoSec moving forward to ensure their systems remain as protected as possible.

If that investment is not one a business is willing to take on, upgrading to the cloud may be in that business’ best interest.

What is Epicor doing to address the Log4j Vulnerability?

Epicor is actively responding to the reported remote code execution vulnerability in the Apache Log4j 2 Java library. All Epicor cloud products that use Log4j have been remediated, and there is no additional action required of customers. If you operate Epicor products on-premises, please log in to EpicCare to access knowledge base articles that provide remediation instructions for each affected product. Epicor will continually publish information on Log4j to help customers address any vulnerabilities.

 “Fortunately, we use PHP and not Java, so this zero-day exploit will not affect us or our customers. That said, Java is a very popular language and if your company uses Java or Java frameworks (eg. Java Spring), you should check in to make sure the Log4j library is updated, if in use, to protect against malicious hackers that will exploit this.” – Rich Murr, Chief Information Officer, Epicor Software Corporation

If Encompass can assist in any way with protecting your Epicor on-premise installation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

About Encompass Solutions

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.


Collaboration tools for manufacturers are an unsung hero of the sales cycle. However, the benefits of collaboration don’t start and stop at the bottom line. Employee stress diminishes considerably when collaboration and communication are seamless between departments. Connect your business like never before and foster a culture of collaboration in the workplace to discover just how efficiently your organization can operate with everyone on the same page and working with the same data.

Modern Collaboration Tools for Better Efficiency

Build collaboration across a tech-savvy workforce with Epicor Collaborate—the messaging platform for a connected workforce. Simple and easy to use, Collaborate has the familiarity of popular digital messaging tools—with powerful features designed for business.

  • Familiar concepts like tagging, liking, and sharing help promote cooperation and engagement
  • Cloud deployment offers easy access for a remote workforce on desktop and mobile devices
  • Secure, scalable messaging enabled by powerful Azure tools helps you maintain confidentiality

In less than a day, Encompass can teach your team how to use the new tool, and build collaboration with a connected workforce.

The Benefits of Epicor Collaborate

Out of the box, Collaborate comes with pre-built notifications that cover almost everything a business would need. Not only this but setting up notifications is fast and simple.

Managing the alerts you subscribe to as a user is intuitive and handled right from the Kinetic desktop.

You can message users directly, create and message groups, or message users from inside a record that needs their attention and input.  All of this happens inside the ERP system, so there’s no need to clutter email inboxes.

As long as Kinetic users have a Collaborate license and credentials to access it, Encompass consultants can bring your organization online and up to speed in a single day.

For cloud users, set-up is minimal, while on-premise installations will require the expertise of an ERP systems administrator or our own Managed Services team.

Sound like a conversation worth having? Contact Us today using the link below.

About Encompass Solutions

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.

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