As part of our quarterly community service initiative for Q1 2020, Encompass Solutions will be working with SPCA of the Triad to conduct a donation drive. We are gathering and requesting Food, Materials, and monetary donations to assist our local SPCA. While all of our employees are encouraged to participate, we extend our invitation to participate beyond the walls of our offices. If you’d like to help improve the lives of shelter animals and their caregivers, please join us in making a donation.
We are holding a food drive for the SPCA of the Triad from March 1 – April 14, 2020 (extended from the original March 31 close). Ideally, we want to funnel all goods to our Greensboro office and monetary donations through our local SPCA. However, if you’d like to support your local chapter, that’s just as admirable.
We don’t want this effort to be limited to ESI employees. So, please invite your friends, family, and colleagues to participate. Please see our donation drive flyer below for more details on how you can participate and what items are needed most. To make a donation directly to the SPCA, you can do so here:
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 has helped modernize operations and automate 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 Industry.
Epicor Insights 2020 Cancellation (Updated March 23, 2020)
Due to the growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, Epicor has decided to cancel this year’s Epicor Insights 2020 conference. Refunds will be issued over the coming weeks for event registrations. Any additional inquiries can be submitted to the contact us through the link at the bottom of this post. We will endeavor to answer your questions as best we can.
Epicor Insights 2020
Epicor Insights 2020 is right around the corner. Taking place May 3-6, 2020 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN, Epicor Insights 2020 delivers “Your 2020 Vision” to businesses around the world. Join us for this exciting event to learn more about the powerful tools developed by Epicor Software Corporation, speak with existing and prospective customers, and speak to Epicor Certified Partners, engineers, and developers.
Dedicated education tracks are made available. Each focused on specific products and solutions, these educational tracks deliver all the details as well as practical applications of the tools available, not to mention the many more opportunities to network across products and industries.
Learn about each specific Epicor solution, network with your peers, and enjoy the core benefits of a global customer conference. Gain valuable insight on how to utilize your Epicor solution to grow your business, your employees, and your bottom line. We hope you’ll join us—and your peers—in Nashville!
Offered on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 prior to the conference. Valued at $495, these four-hour training sessions are only $275.
Valuable One-On-One Sessions
Schedule individual meetings with Epicor executives and product experts.
Technical Insight
Learn how to reduce costs, increase ROI, and deal with compliance issues.
Peer Insight
Network with fellow professionals, discuss common challenges, and share solutions.
Education ROI
Extended education sessions offer a deep dive into the business software you’re using today.
Practical Insight
Attend labs with Epicor technical staff demonstrating practical software solutions.
Expert Insight
Hear from Epicor executives regarding what lies ahead and schedule meetings with Epicor experts.
Epicor Insights 2020 Extended Education
Extended education sessions will take place Saturday, May 2 and Sunday May 3, 2020 on-site at the Opryland.
These are elite training sessions developed by the Epicor worldwide education, product management, development, support, and services teams. They move beyond traditional labs and are conducted by Epicor professionals for product-specific training with your own Epicor-provided computer, small class size, and direct access to technical experts. These sessions will be available Sunday and Monday before the conference.
Pricing
Extended Education Sessions are not included in your Insights registration fee. These additional courses are valued at $495, but are offered at the conference for $275/session. Sessions are four hours long and run from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. or 1–5 p.m. Some courses consist of two parts from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at $550. Registering for only one portion of a two-part session is not permitted.
Increased visibility of your business as an industry leader
50% discount off the regular registration fee for accepted single presenters
20% discount off registration for accepted presenters on 2+ panels
10% discount off registration for accepted presenters on one panel
Please take a moment to tell us what information you would like to present or what business issues you have solved using Epicor solutions. Presentations can be organized as best practices, case studies, general business, technical, or tips and tricks. Submit an abstract with 500 words or less, and a member of the Insights team will contact you if you have been selected to speak.
Epicor Insights 2020 Hotel and Travel
Hotel Reservations
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center 2800 Opryland Dr. Nashville, TN 37214 Book Your Discounted Insights Hotel Rate!Book before March 29, 2020, to secure your discounted rate.
Group rate: $199 (9.25% sales tax & 6% occupancy tax plus $2.50 city tax per room per night)
Daily Resort fee of $26 plus applicable taxes will be added to each guest room rate.
Discounted Group Rate cut-off: March 29, 2020
Check-in 3 pm
Check-out 11 am
Office: 615-889-1000 and Toll-Free: 1-877-382-7299 *Please note that Insights attendance is limited to current Epicor customers, authorized partners, and invited guests only. As in past years, full conference registration includes all conference sessions, access to the Solutions Pavilion, meals, and the evening events. All conference sessions and meals will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN.
Shuttle Service Information
Gaylord Opryland offers a daily roundtrip shuttle service from the Nashville Airport to the Hotel. Purchase tickets here online, or upon arrival to the airport, find the Gaylord Opryland Welcome Desk on the lower level of the airport between the two escalators. An agent can assist with travel needs and ticket purchase, or guests can use the resort kiosk, which is located at the welcome desk. Daily shuttle schedule:
CASCADES LOBBY CANOPY located outside the Cascades Lobby to the left.
MAGNOLIA CANOPY (Inn at Opryland upon request) 7 am – 6 pm (departs every 30 minutes)
Cost: $35 per person, roundtrip fareGuests ages 18 and under will receive complimentary admission with an accompanying paying adult.
Guests 65 and older receive a discounted rate of $32 for roundtrip fares.
Epicor Insights 2020 Entertainment
Little Big Town
GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, and AMA Award-winning group, Little Big Town — consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook — first entered the music scene over 20 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” Their breakthrough albums Tornado and Pain Killer produced multiple #1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year (2015) “Girl Crush.” 2017’s, The Breaker, debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Charts and Top 10 (No.4) on the Billboard 200 to critical acclaim, marking the group’s fourth Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 chart. The album features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” The band recently released new music from their upcoming ninth studio album, Nightfall, the Grammy-nominated song “The Daughters,” country single “Over Drinking,” and “Sugar Coat.” The album is set for release January 17, 2020. Little Big Town has earned more than 40 award show nominations and in the past five years has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple GRAMMY, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA, ACM awards, and an Emmy award. The Grand Ole Opry inductees (2014) went onto receive their star on the Nashville Walk of Fame in 2017. In July of 2018, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville launched their lead, yearlong exhibit called LITTLE BIG TOWN: THE POWER OF FOUR showcasing the bands powerful and storied 20-year history within the country music community. The band recently launched 4 Cellars wine, their first non-musical project as a band, with Browne Family Vineyards. The collaboration features exclusive wine blended by the foursome and recently released canned wine spritzers called “Day Drinking.”
Epicor Insights 2020 Keynote Speaker
Marcus Lemonis
As an impressionable youth, Marcus Lemonis read the description of the Entrepreneur to his mother from the dictionary while working on a school project, which inspired him to challenge himself and make his dreams come true. His humble beginnings and journey through life represent the heart and soul of what true entrepreneurism is. Although he was not born in America, he is proud to be living the American Dream through hard work, determination and believing. Those who have had the chance to hear his story through his moving speaking engagements would say that he is humble, down to earth and 100 percent brutally honest. A past nominee for the 2018 Critic’s Choice Award for Best Structured Reality Series for his work on CNBC’s The Profit, Marcus lends his business expertise to struggling businesses in various industries across the country while using his famous People-Process-Product principle. Through his 3P mantra, he analyzes every business by the quality people, whether they have an excellent and relevant product, and the best possible process for creating, delivering, and selling that product. While many people frequently call him the “business turnaround king,” he will be the first to say that he really helps people with tough love so they can use the experience to inevitably succeed. Marcus was born in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon in 1973; and, at nine months old, was adopted by a couple living in Miami, FL. As a young child, he was exposed to positive and prosperous business values at his family-owned auto dealership. His entrepreneurial spirit bloomed at age 12 while attending Epiphany Catholic School, when he started a lawn mowing service to generate money for a candy business while enlisting his friends for their help. He then graduated from Christopher Columbus High School and moved to Milwaukee, WI to attend Marquette University, where he studied Political Science, Criminology and Economics. With approximately 225 locations in 36 states and a comprehensive e-commerce platform, Marcus has long time served as the Chairperson at America’s #1 source for RVs, camping accessories, RV maintenance and repair – Camping World and Gander RV& Outdoors. In 2017, he became the RV Business Newsmaker of the Year for “evolving into one of the most transformational characters in the U.S. recreational vehicle industry.”With multiple ventures on his resume, Marcus can be seen sharing his knowledge through numerous business and entertainment television programs and is also regarded as one of the most sought-after industry experts and keynote speakers in the small business sector today. Marcus drives results through collaborations, partnerships and relationships. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: know your numbers, trust the process and remember that he’s 100 percent IN CHARGE!
Conference FAQs
What is Epicor Insights?
Epicor Insights is the official global customer conference for Epicor customers. It brings together Epicor customers, partners, and industry experts for a three-day learning and networking experience focused on Epicor products, solutions, and future plans. With more than 500 sessions and extensive hands-on labs, the conference offers the opportunity to learn, connect with peers, and understand your industry best practices.
When and where is Insights held?
Insights 2020 will be held Sunday, May 3-Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
615-889-1000
2800 Opryland Dr.
Nashville, TN 37214
Who should attend Insights?
Users of Epicor products who want to extend functionality and protect their investment in Epicor solutions are encouraged to attend. The conference has something for everyone—from IT-focused professionals to business executives.
Please note that Insights attendance is limited to current Epicor customers, authorized partners, and invited guests only.
Are meals provided during the conference?
All conference attendees and paid guests with either a guest pass or Tuesday night pass have access to that pass’ applicable meals.
What is the dress code for the conference?
The attire for Insights is business casual. The meeting space can be cold, so please bring a jacket or a sweater for your comfort.
How do I book my hotel at the Epicor rate?
Epicor has reserved a block of rooms at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center for the Insights 2020 Customer User Conference. Book your discounted hotel rate for Insights 2020 here.
Can I transfer my registration to someone else in my company in the event I cannot attend?
Yes. Substitutions can be made in writing to Insights registration at insights@epicor.com with the names of both the original and substitute registrant and/or guest.
What if I need to cancel?
There is a $150 fee for cancellations made prior to April 3, 2020, the full conference amount is non-refundable. All cancellations must be made in writing and addressed to “Epicor Insights 2020—CANCELLATION” and faxed to (949) 341-4994 or sent by email to insights@epicor.com
How do I get a copy of my registration invoice?
A link to your invoice(s) will be sent to you in your registration confirmation email. Please click on that link to print out the invoice(s) to send in with your company check for payment. If you need an additional copy, you can access your invoice(s) through your registration record or email insights@epicor.com
How can I pay?
Acceptable methods of payments are check, credit card, or wire transfer.
Getting Involved
Are you accepting speaker applications?
Information and best practices shared by users is extremely valuable content that we look to maximize every year. There’s also a significant discount if your abstract is selected. Please visit the Call for Speakers section for more information on submitting your application.
Are there any sponsorships or exhibit spaces available?
Yes, sponsors are included in Insights every year. Sponsorship opportunities are available to all Epicor Alliance Partners. To get more information on becoming a sponsor of the event, please email insights@epicor.com
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 has helped modernize operations and automate 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 Industry.
As we continue making progress through the Epicor Kinetic journey, more reports and processes are now available to our customers to test and provide important feedback that shapes Kinetic innovations. Providing early access helps drive user adoption among Epicor ERP cloud customers and gain interest from prospective users.
New Epicor Kinetic Design Reports And Processes
We have recently communicated to cloud customers that as part of the Epicor ERP 10.2.500.10 Cloud update, they will get access to the following reports and processes, which have been redesigned with the sleek Kinetic User Interface:
Kinetic Reports
Sales Order Backlog
Sales Order on Hold
Scheduled Shipments
Open RMA
Stock Status
Kinetic Processes
Build Project Analysis
Build WBS Phase Analysis
Capture Project Revenue Recognition
Capture WBS Phase Revenue Recognition
Project Invoice Preparation
Epicor Kinetic Design Introduction
Epicor ERP Kinetic Design FAQ
As one of the newest additions to the Epicor architecture, Kinetic delivers entirely new experiences to a system and users who have been utilizing Epicor software Products for decades. Here are the most common questions submitted regarding this new technology.
What is Kinetic?
Epicor Kinetic provides a clean, intuitive and easy to use experience for all ERP users. By utilizing modern research in user interface design, Kinetic delivers consistency in navigation, simplified visuals that reduce the clutter and noise from your daily tasks, and improved accessibility and productivity. Over time Epicor Kinetic design will be applied to all ERP forms.
What is the difference between the Kinetic and classic versions of forms?
Designed with the user in mind, Kinetic forms have a streamlined user interface with expandable and collapsible panels which provide easy access to information but only when you need it. Classic forms have a tab structure which requires you to click through tabs to get to the information you need, oftentimes requiring more clicks to access data. In most applications the functionality and business logic will not change. However, the layout and navigation will.
Can I still run the classic version of a form that has been converted to Kinetic?
Yes, you can choose to run the classic version of any Kinetic form. You configure the default form to use in Menu Maintenance for each form. The default value is to open the form in the Kinetic UI, with the ability to override globally by an administrator or by a user.
Can I still use classic forms that have not been converted to Kinetic during the transition?
Yes, during the transformation you can use both classic and Kinetic versions of a screen. Forms not yet converted will open in the same smart client window. You will continue to log into one system from the same home page. When you select a menu item, the form will either open in Kinetic or the classic version depending on your settings and whether it was converted yet.
Can I customize a Kinetic Report or Process form?
Currently, you cannot customize a Kinetic form. Customization capabilities will be available in an upcoming release of Epicor ERP.
Can I personalize a Kinetic Report or Process form?
Currently, you cannot personalize a Kinetic form. The personalization toolset will be available in an upcoming release of Epicor ERP.
What if I currently have customization on a form that was converted to Kinetic?
You can still use your customized forms by launching the classic version. By default, the application opens any form in the classic UI when you have customization attached to it.
As an administrator, can I globally set access to Kinetic forms for all users?
Yes, as an administrator you can define Kinetic as the default form that launches for each form and user.
Can I still use a custom report type on a form that was converted to Kinetic?
Yes, you can still generate the same report output that you do today.
How do I submit feedback on the Kinetic forms?
We want your feedback! Please send your feedback to Kinetic-Feedback@epicor.com. If you run into an issue, please submit a support call just like you would do for any other issue in the software.
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.
Every year, millions of workers brave the cold to perform year-end full physical inventories in the final weeks of the fiscal year – with mixed results. While this annual ritual is in many cases the only way to reconcile inventory variances incurred throughout the year, it doesn’t need to be. Enter the cycle count.
Cycle Counts That Count will help you implement better cycle counting on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis starting in April and let you potentially conduct your last ever year-end full physical inventory that same year. The final full physical will validate your efforts at daily counting and provide management with the data they need to determine when to switch to a cycle only inventory process.
Cycle Counts That Count Or…How I Learned To Stop Worrying About The Year-End Full Physical Inventory And Love The Cycle Count
An effectively implemented cycle count program can, within 9 months, effectively do away with conducting a full physical inventory. That’s right. You can free your organization from the dreaded yearly shutdown that pulls staff away from their families during the holiday season and closes your shipping doors for a week.
Now, what if we told you that our workshop would ensure you’d never have to perform another year-end full physical inventory, ever?
Contact Us today to set up your workshop and we can help you perform Cycle Counts that Count!
We can work with you to level work out over sessions that coincide with your low periods.
Cycle Count Project Management
Partner with your Encompass team to lay out a simple project for implementing daily or weekly cycle counting for your organization. The audience should include senior management, such as plant managers, the controller, or the executive team, as well as staff responsible for inventory control.
Our first workshop will review how a typical daily cycle counting program looks, how much time will be required to conduct daily counts, as well as case studies in efficiency gained by accurate inventory adjusted on a quicker basis. A series of planning documents will be provided and reviewed during this session which will create a custom-tailored implementation plan for your organization.
Our second workshop will include the same audience. The consultant will review your implementation plan with you and then provide training on setup, configuration, and daily processing of counts in Epicor. The goal of the session is to provide you with a simple roadmap you can follow to get the program up and running immediately for a small subset of product while you complete the implementation plan and ramp-up to include all products over the following 45 days. The session will be recorded to be used by staff for reference in the future.
Your First Count Workshop
We will schedule a follow-up session with our consultant and your finance and warehouse teams to work with you on setting up and processing your first cycle count.
Quarterly Reporting Workshop
We will then follow up with your inventory control team and workshop with your inventory control team to review your first 90 days of results, and help this team prepare their first cycle counting efficiency reports back for management.
End of the Year-End Workshop
In this workshop, your consultant will review best practices for a year-end full physical inventory and work with your team as they prepare to answer a critical question for management: Is this our last year-end inventory?
The agenda will include time to:
Review cycle count reports to determine how well parts are being counted based on ABC codes.
Review methods to identify problem parts based on recurring variances and suggest probable root causes.
Provide best practices for preparing for the full physical.
Provide suggestions for reconciling year-end results and evaluating the cycle counting program’s success for the year.
Encompass is ready to partner with you today. For more information, please speak to your consultant, Customer Account Manager (CAM) or our team at info@encompass-inc.com.
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, 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 Industry.
Encompass Solutions’ Managed Services offers a simple, structured patch management cycle to keep your on-premise Epicor installation aligned with Epicor’s update cadence policy.
The Encompass patch update program keeps your Epicor ERP system running at peak performance. This update cadence keeps your business in sync with the latest iteration of your Epicor software. The benefit Encompass provides is a dependable and iterative service that leaves you more time and energy to focus on revenue-generating activities for your business.
Stop spending time on tedious back-end tasks that can distract your teams from making real headway in the form of productive work.
What Is Patch Management?
Patch management is a component of overall system management that generally includes acquiring, testing, and installing multiple patches. Common patch management tasks include, but are not limited to:
Maintaining knowledge of available patches
Determining which patches are appropriate for specific systems
Proper patch installation
System testing prior to and following installation
Documentation of configurations and procedures
Patch Management Service Schedule
The whole patch process takes roughly two weeks to complete before the cycle is ready to start anew. Here’s how the Encompass Solutions Patch Management Service works:
Day 1 – A new patch is released from Epicor Software Corp. and notification follows
Day 2 – Epicor ERP system patch updates are disseminated and installed
Days 3 through 12 – Testing of processes and Unique Business Cases (UBCs) takes place in the test environment to ensure no process is impeded with new patch rollout.
Day 13 – After testing is completed, the new patch is pushed to the live Epicor ERP environment.
Day 14 – A new patch is released from Epicor Software Corp. and notification follows
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.
For customers on cadence, the Epicor Cloud Operations team will deploy your Epicor ERP Cloud update version 10.2.500.10 next week. This routine update includes enhancements to product quality and Kinetic user experiences. Testing is optional. For more details, please read this email and refer to the release notes in the 10.2.500 folder on your EpicWeb Customer Portal.
What To Expect During Epicor ERP Cloud Update Version 10.2.500.10
Pilot Update
Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM Local Server Time
Production Update
Saturday, February 15, 4:00 PM to Sunday, February 16, 8:59 PM Local Server Time
While the 10.2.500.10 update deploys, your application may be unavailable for 30-60 minutes during the update window. Once complete you will be prompted to update the Epicor ERP Smart Client. If you happen to encounter unexpected behavior, please open an EpicCare case and include 10.2.500.10 in the details.
More Kinetic Experiences Are Here In 10.2.500.10, we’ve updated five reports and five processes (below) with the sleek, new Kinetic User Interface. As these and other Kinetic forms are periodically enabled in your environment, there will be nothing you need to do. All business logic is exactly the same. Simply enjoy the ease-of-use, modern design, and clear interface.
Like what you see? We rely on your feedback to drive our Kinetic innovations, so we encourage you to share your thoughts. Epicor’s customer experience team will randomly contact several customers to gather input, but please email Kinetic-Feedback@epicor.com at any time to send your comments or request a call.
For more information about the new Kinetic experiences, watch this 90-second video and check out Frequently Asked Questions.
Kinetic Reports in 10.2.500.10:
Sales Order Backlog
Sales Order on Hold
Scheduled Shipments
Open RMA
Stock Status
Kinetic Processes in 10.2.500.10:
Build Project Analysis
Build WBS Phase Analysis
Capture Project Revenue Recognition
Capture WBS Phase Revenue Recognition
Project Invoice Preparation
Epicor Cloud ERP Update Schedule
Here is the latest information on the release and update schedule for Epicor Cloud ERP.
To learn more about Epicor version numbering and deferred release upgrades, see the bottom section of this post.
The Cloud ERP environment is updated as indicated in the table below. Each date represents the day your update is complete. Keep in mind that these dates and update notes are subject to change without notice at the behest of Epicor Software Corporation.
Update
Pilot
Production
10.2.500.5
19 Nov 2019
23 Nov 2019
10.2.500.7
17 Dec 2019
21 Dec 2019
10.2.500.8
14 Jan 2020
18 Jan 2020
10.2.500.10
11 Feb 2020
15 Feb 2020
10.2.500.13
24 Mar 2020
28 Mar 2020
10.2.600.2
(Release 10.2.600)
17-18 April 2020
(one month to test)
16-17 May 2020
The Public Cloud Deferred Customers environment upgrade options for major release are as indicated in the tables below. Subject to change.
Upgrade 400 to 500
Pilot
Production
Flex Option 1: 10.2.500.xx
Week of 16 Dec 2019
25-26 Jan 2020
Flex Option 2: 10.2.500.xx
Week of 20 Jan 2020
22-23 Feb 2020
Note: Prior to 10.2.500, if you chose to defer your upgrade, you continued to receive 400.x updates up to your scheduled deferred upgrade date.
With 10.2.500, if you choose to defer your upgrade, you will not receive any 400.x updates after the 10.2.400.11 update.
Upgrade 500 to 600
Pilot
Production
Flex Option 1: 10.2.600.xx
Week of 22 June 2020
25-26 July 2020
Flex Option 2: 10.2.600.xx
Week of 20 July 2020
22-23 August 2020
Note: With 10.2.600, if you choose to defer your upgrade, you will not receive any 500.x updates after the 10.2.500.13 update.
Epicor ERP Cloud Version Numbering and Timing
A typical Epicor ERP version number is ‘10.2.500.7’. In this example, ’10’ represents the Product, ‘2’ represents the Version, ‘500’ represents the Release, and ‘7’ the Update level.
Updates. Updates are generally applied on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Updates are applied to the customer’s ‘pilot’ environment on Tuesday or Wednesday evening, and then promoted to ‘production’ environments during Saturday night local datacenter time. You may test if you like, but these are non-disruptive updates to our system, and do not introduce schema changes. We avoid month-end and calendar year-end for your convenience.
Releases. Releases are scheduled twice a year with black-out dates to avoid calendar year end. Because they tend to be larger releases and may introduce new functionality release upgrades are installed into a customer’s pilot environment no less than one month before their promotion to production, allowing customers to test the new features and updates.
Versions. Version upgrades occur approximately every 18-24 months. These often include changes to schema, user interface, and business objects. Like release updates, testing is required, so the upgrades are applied to the customer’s pilot environment thirty days prior to the scheduled production upgrade. Customers also receive an additional sandbox environment for more extensive testing.
Products. Product updates are typically more involved; and accordingly, we allow extended time and support to test and prepare before introduction into production.
Deferred Release Upgrades
If your business is subject to fluctuating seasonal demands or other time constraints, Epicor offers its premium “Epicor Public Cloud Flex Option,” which allows clients to defer upgrades for up to 90 days, for an additional subscription fee. With the Epicor Public Cloud Flex Option you may select among two or three alternate pre-selected dates for your upgrade.
Regardless if you select this option and choose to stay on cadence or select a later date to upgrade, you still receive the standard one month to test releases in the pilot environment. Customers with this option would not have the full 90 days to test upgrades, but rather have the option to test and upgrade up to 90 days later if business needs require. Please contact your Epicor Sales Representative for more information.
Change Notifications Preferences
Use these steps to manage your notification preferences in order to receive alerts regarding Cloud releases.
Navigate to System Setup > System Maintenance > System Monitor. From the Actions menu, select Notifications Preferences.
The In-App Notifications User Preferences window opens. In the Select Roles section, specify the following:
– In the Titles/Levels field, to receive notifications, you must select either User-Power, Executive, or Manager. Note: If you select a different option, or if you enter your own title, you will not be included in the scheduled in-app messages or email notifications.
– In the Functions/Departments field, you can specify your specific business detail.
In the Types of Business section, define your Primary Sector and Primary Industry.
Use the Select Interests section to indicate what type of notifications you want to receive. Note: This area is configurable and depends on your admin settings.
Verify your email address in the Email field.
Select the Send Notifications via email too checkbox if you are not a regular user of Epicor ERP and you want to receive notifications using email.
Click Close.
Upgrading Custom Items in Cloud Environments
If you are upgrading your cloud environment, you can use the Unique Business Component Dashboard to locate and then update your custom items. To learn how to upgrade your custom items, watch the free, self-paced Epicor University course “Upgrading Custom Items in Cloud Environments”. This course is designed to assist System Administrators in understanding the tools and processes to effectively manage Unique Business Components during a system upgrade. To take the self-paced course, click here.
Alternatively, Encompass is here to help as your Certified Epicor Partner. We can help you upgrade custom business items in cloud environments any time you like. Reach out using the Contact Us link below to discuss your next project.
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.
With Industry 4.0 taking the lion’s share of headline space, smart manufacturing technologies are bigger than ever. For many manufacturers, these concepts can seem more than just a little intimidating, if not worthy of some cautious scepticism. Fortunately, there are manufacturing technologies that have been proven by years of practical application. Industry 4.0 concepts support them with more informed data and more efficient process improvements. We’re looking at you EDI. The concept of a digital twin is another one of these manufacturing technologies anyone can implement to improve operations.
What Is A Digital Twin?
The term “digital twin” refers to a digital replica of a physical asset. This asset can be any common hardware found on any factory floor. This includes heavy equipment, a smart machine, a robot, a work cell, an inspection station or a manufacturing line. These “Physical Twins” are anything that can provide data to the Digital Twin for interpretation. Connection bridges the physical and digital to create a cyber-physical system, whereby data flows through and informs a process.
The digital twin concept can be broken down into three distinct parts:
a physical product
a digital/virtual product
connections between the two products
Digital Twins birthed in the Apollo Missions
The digital twin is a true example of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) at work.however, the concept outdates the term Internet of Things by decades. The term was coined by John Vickers of NASA in a 2010 Roadmap Report. however, the concept goes back even further in the NASA toolbox when the Apollo program utilized digital twins of the Command Module, Lunar Module and Lunar Rover to carry out maintenance, support, and troubleshooting activities.
How Are Digital Twins Used In Manufacturing?
As we stated before, the connection between physical and digital twin creates a cyber-physical system that feeds real-time performance data to operators, analysts, and managers.
Individuals and groups fulfilling these roles within an organization can leverage industry 4.0 concepts to analyze and interpret data to make sound predictions and carry out appropriate actions. Here, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) all come together to troubleshoot, raise alarms to identify potential problems, view maintenance conditions, support the various condition-based maintenance required to maintain seamless operations.
How Do The Components Of A Digitial Twin Work Together?
Analytics, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) technologies all have a hand in making Digital Twins work for manufacturers. Here’s how they come together to deliver leaps in process and operational improvement:
Industrial Internet Of Things (IIoT): Connects the physical and digital systems to provide accurate data in real-time.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Intelligent software analyzes the data, provides an interpretation of what is physically taking place, what outcomes or problems may arise, and what actions should be carried out to maximize performance.
Machine Learning (ML): Builds on scenarios, both experienced and potential, to execute analysis more quickly and orchestrate improvements for the physical counterpart, ideally, without human intervention.
Analytics: Additional tools that simplify the data to communicate, diagnose, predict and prescribe actions to optimize the operation of physical systems.
How Do Digital Twins Optimize Or Diagnose To Improve Operations?
By leveraging the data they receive, Digital Twins get a snapshot of how machinery or other physical systems operate throughout a process. The data serve to build a picture of what is good performance and what is bad or what is streamlined and what is bottlenecked.
Optimization comes into the picture when historical data can inform future operations to “say” this didn’t work well last time, let’s try something else. One example of how digital twins are used in optimizing machines emerges with the maintenance of power generation equipment such as power generation turbines, jet engines and locomotives. How can we make this piece of machinery more efficient? Let’s look at the historical data and improve on past performance by trying other tweaks our engineers and machinists can implement. Or, better yet, what hypothetical concepts can we experiment within the digital realm? The same is true for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. In enterprise architecture (EA), architects create EA blueprints as a digital twin for the organization.
A more relatable example may be found in autonomous vacuums. Many homes now employ robotic servants to clean while their owners are away. Digital twin technologies could effectively map the optimal vacuum path of a room and then employ that strategy to mitigate wasted energy and clean living spaces more quickly.
Diagnostics are another huge component of digital twins’ utility. By referencing historical data for machinery, a digital twin may be able to predict maintenance intervals, make service recommendations, and ensure downtime is kept to a minimum. In his case, the digital twin isn’t relegated to just one machine or just one plant. IIoT technology can connect like-machines across an organization or several organizations to show a more complete picture of how machines perform under an array of conditions. This includes when they are most likely to breakdown or characteristics that can indicate a serious issue is looming on the horizon.
Leveraging The Digital Twin
To be certain, a digital twin and the technological concepts it relies on are no substitute for a skilled workforce. Those autonomous vacuums don’t dust or polish just yet. However, digital twins can inform and supplement your skilled workers to better utilize their machinery and improve operations overall. By now, it should be clear that implementing the concept of a Digital Twin within your organization can yield real benefit. Consider adding this invaluable tool as a complement to your business operations and remain competitive.
Epicor ERP delivers this technology in the form of a production environment. This component of the solution allows users to map their entire production process or even back-office process for simulated activities. This way, any company using Epicor ERP can experiment with their mad scientist and what if we tried this ideas on how to improve operations without the hassle of interrupting day-to-day operations. The result is a fine-tuned approach to process improvement that can be utilized in real-time after pushing the changes into the live Epicor ERP environment.
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.
Encompass Solutions recently celebrated another successful go-live with a longtime partner and client. This company has several divisions, though this project took focus on Medical Device Manufacturing With Epicor ERP. The project focused on on-site locations in the United States and Costa Rica. The company’s primary Epicor team consists of three resources, supporting approximately 700 employees. The medical device manufacturing company utilizes several Epicor ERP components including all major modules, Advanced Material Management (AMM), Quick Ship, and Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
The Project
The project scope was to upgrade an existing Epicor 9.05.702a to Epicor 10.2.400. The upgrade project would also need to account for hundreds of custom BPMs, Dashboards, Reports, SQL Tools, and linked systems that had built up over the years. Additionally, a transition to an FDA validated environment with proper change control was necessary. All of this happened on a typical non-holiday weekend, with some manufacturing departments on-site and actively working.
The Encompass Solutions Team was responsible for:
Project planning and estimating
Project management
Technical assistance uplifting customizations, reports and dashboards,
Hardware configuration and sizing recommendations
All aspects of the data conversion
Conversion planning and preparation
System test planning
The Plan
An Encompass Solutions project manager was handed the sequencing and timing authority to map the timeline, deliverables, and overall upgrade project plan. At a high level, there were timelines created for Test Conversions, Technical Uplift Tasks, UAT, and Validation.
The project would follow Encompass Solutions’ standard upgrade methodology. This began by estimating the uplift effort, as that would drive the remainder the schedule.
The Execution
Once the project plan was established, Encompass and the client stood up the new 10.2.400 environment and performed the first pass conversion.
The next phase of the project, and most lengthy, focused on uplifting and unit testing over 800 objects (UI customizations, reports, BPMs, dashboard, and more)
Once the uplift was complete, a second pass conversion was performed. This served as the first conversion where we started to look at the length of the conversion, cleaning up errors and started to put together the conversion validation steps. This conversion served as the basis for system test.
System test planning started three months prior to the test. The actual test was conducted over a three-week period by the client and Encompass Solutions.
Upon completion of system test, we executed a third pass conversion. This served to further test our conversion process and procedures. This also provided a clean database for the client to perform their validation process as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. After FDA validation was complete, we executed a fourth pass conversion to finalize all conversion weekend steps, processes validations, timing, and reconciliation.
As part of planning, a series of test and practice installs took place prior to Go Live. During the weekend of Go Live, the project was within15 minutes of the anticipated Go-Live time. Encompass was onsite for the event, and post-Go Live, as needed.
“Perhaps the most surprising detail was that [Encompass] have taken ownership of most errors and bugs and seen them through resolution, which takes a lot of work off our team.”
– IT Business Analysis Manager
The Results
Go live was a smooth process. The client was able to successfully make jobs, ship parts, and collect payments. Aside from a few hiccups, 90% of the users are having a better experience with the updated Epicor ERP system. Of the 10% that didn’t have as great of an experience, these were mostly due to changes in behavior from Epicor 9 to Epicor 10, almost all of which were discovered during UAT. This means that during Go-Live there were very few surprises.
Next Steps
The company’s next steps including taking the Epicor 10 foundation and expanding it to two more locations in 2020 and a third in 2021. The client has already invited the same Encompass Solutions project team to assist in those future projects.
Encompass has also been engaged to support projects that will provide order integration with the client’s European operations, implement a vendor management inventory solution, as well as bring additional sites onto Epicor ERP.
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.
