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:


Recently, we’ve been receiving many questions on Epicor’s Lifecycle Policy. This blog will outline the currently supported versions of the Epicor ERP system, the difference between Active and Sustaining support, and the upgrade options available.

Release Lifecycle

Like other software packages, Epicor Kinetic requires frequent patching. These can be for cosmetic (Updates), functional enhancements (Releases), or wholesale architecture changes (Version). Regular patching is necessary to keep the software running smoothly or plug security holes to keep you and your data safe. Epicor’s cadence is defined and outlined in the graphic below of how often you can expect updates, releases, and versions from Epicor. 

Support Lifecycle

Support is an essential part of any software package, and when things are running smoothly, you seldom need it. However, when issues arise and you need support, having an active support contract is the difference between being down for a short period versus an extended outage. The chart below shows what you can expect from a support contract. 

Active support gives you full access to Epicor phone support, security updates, and new issue investigation, to name a few. Sustaining support gives limited phone support, access to the latest release, and an online knowledge base. While you will no longer be able to purchase new modules under Sustaining support, you can purchase additional users for your version.

Review the comprehensive FAQs for Epicor’s support lifecycle. You will need a valid Epicor EpicWeb ID to review the guide. 

Product Lifecycle

All good things must come to an end. Or so the saying goes, right? The good news is Epicor software supports versions back to Version 8.03.400 and earlier under their Sustaining support model. Below is a chart outlining the transition date for each version of Epicor Kinetic ERP. If you are on the Epicor Public Cloud model, you never have to worry about being out of Active support – more on this option below.

What are the Options?

Your options are straightforward. On-premise customers have two options:

  1. On-premise upgrade: As long as you have an active maintenance contract with Epicor, you are entitled to the latest version of the Epicor Kinetic versions. This version can be installed in your server farm, a hosted server farm, or your cloud subscription (i.e. Azure, AWS, Google, etc.)
  2. Migration to Epicor SAAS Cloud: You can migrate your on-premise database up to the Epicor public cloud. Doing so provides a future of hassle-free upgrades and allows you to get back to running your business.

No matter which option you choose you will need to do something if you are on Epicor ERP 10.2 or earlier. To have a conversation about upgrading your Epicor software, email info@encompass-inc.com.


The U.S. manufacturing industry is on the cusp of a digital revolution. The Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning have the potential to bring about impressive digital transformation.

However, these advantages might miss the mark because of a talent shortage. Manufacturing also suffers from an image problem that the C-suite needs to work on.

Here is a look at the U.S. manufacturing landscape and prescriptions to overcome the labor challenges we have faced in recent years.

 

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.


It has come to our attention that recent Microsoft updates have impacted several users’ Epicor environments in terms of performance. These Epicor Client performance problems manifest most often in significantly decreased speeds and hang time when carrying out processes within the Epicor system. The updates causing the issues were released by Microsoft in both February and April of 2021. Sr Principal Engineer, Epicor ERP Technical Support, Nathan Anderson, has identified one potential resolution in the form of an Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix.

Keep in mind, that his article is not a formal recommendation for any one business in particular. This potential fix may be able to alleviate a system’s poor performance as a result of those aforementioned Microsoft updates. Each customer will need to determine whether or not this fix is appropriate for their system after due consideration of the variables as summarized in KB0108621 and elsewhere. This fix is only meant to remedy system performance issues until an official solution is provided by Microsoft through their official update channel.

A Statement From Nathan Anderson

The steps to apply the preview Microsoft fix below are provided to try to help our customers that have been negatively impacted by these Microsoft updates until the official fix can be delivered by Microsoft through their normal update channel. Epicor ERP Support has made every effort to document this process in a way that would lead to the greatest chance of success while working with the conflicting interest of doing so as quickly as possible.

The steps that follow are technical in nature, and may be beyond what a specific user can successfully execute despite ERP Support’s efforts to streamline the steps to apply a fix to a product we don’t support using a process the author of this knowledge article was first exposed to applying the preview fix being discussed in this article. If there are challenges that prevent the successful application of this Microsoft preview fix, and while ERP Support would not be able to assist there are resources available that would be able to assist further including Epicor Professional Services and Epicor’s Partner network.

-Nathan Anderson
Sr Principal Engineer, Epicor ERP Technical Support

High-level Technical Information Regarding The Preview Fix From Microsoft

  1. This is an interim delivery mechanism for this preview fix as Microsoft will be rolling it into an upcoming Patch Tuesday– the specific date of which has not been set by Microsoft at this time.
  2. The preview fix will not need to be uninstalled for the official Windows patch to be applied when it is released through regular Microsoft update channels.
  3. The preview fix will lead to the same performance behavior outcome as the official fix. This is the final production quality fix.
  4. There is a Local Group Policy adjustment to apply the preview fix (this step will not be required with the official fix from Microsoft). The only difference between the official Windows update and this preview fix is the adjustment required for the preview fix.

Steps To Apply Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix

1. Log into the Windows machine in question with a user account that has local administrator rights, then click Start and launch winver.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 1

2. When the About Windows form appears, locate and make note of the Windows version.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 2a

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 2b

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 2c

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 2d

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 2e

 

3. Download the Microsoft hotfix for the Windows version identified in step 2 from the table below.

Windows Operating System version Link to Microsoft hotfix
Windows version 2004 and 20H2 Windows 10 (2004 & 20H2) Known Issue Rollback 040221 01.msi
Windows versions 1903 and 1909 Windows 10 (1903 & 1909) Known Issue Rollback 040221 01.msi
Windows version 1809 Windows 10 (1809) & Windows Server 2019 Known Issue Rollback 032321 01.msi

 

4. Locate the downloaded Microsoft hotfix .msi, and right-click > Install.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 4

5. Click Next/Yes through the setup wizard, then click the Finish button when the Completed the Known Issue Rollback Policy Definitions Setup Wizard window appears.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 5a

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 5b

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 5c

6. Click Start and launch Edit group policy.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 6

7. Within Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to:

NOTE: The specific navigation for this step will be different based on the Windows version of the Microsoft fix installed. Only one of the following will be available–navigate to the subfolder node that begins with Windows 10

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > KB4601383 Issue 003 Rollback > Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2019

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 7a

OR
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > KB4601380 Issue 001 Rollback > Windows 10, version 1903

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 7b

OR
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > KB4598291 Issue 001 Rollback > Windows 10, version 2004

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 7c

8. Right-click on one of the following settings and select Edit
NOTE: The specific setting name for this step will be different based on the Windows version of the Microsoft fix installed. Only one of the following will be available– right-click > Edit on that setting.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 8a

OR

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 8b

OR

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 8c

9. Select Disabled, then click Apply and OK.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 9

10. Restart the machine to complete the process.

Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Step 10

Video Recording of Epicor Preview Microsoft Fix Process

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 announced the upcoming major product upgrade of Epicor Kinetic 2021.1 in April 2021. This upgrade not only represents a major milestone in the advancement of manufacturing solutions from Epicor, but also a complete rebranding of the Epicor ERP solutions as Epicor Kinetic.

Epicor Kinetic 2021.1 represents decades of the Epicor manufacturing expertise fully reimagined for today’s modern workforce and digital business. Given the such depth of enhancements in this upgrade, the standard testing timeframe for customers on cadence has been extended from four weeks to seven weeks.

What’s New in Epicor Kinetic 2021.1

More details will be released, but a few highlights include:

A Transformed User Experience

Enjoy the fresh look and intuitive design of all your most-used screens and forms – now accessible in a web browser – as the user experience transformation is getting closer to completion.

Expanded Capabilities of Application Studio

Your daily users will appreciate what your power users already know – This robust low/no code toolset is more feature-rich and intuitive to help even the casual user personalize screens to work faster and smarter.

Improved Help & Support Panel

With so many new features, it’s important to have quick and easy access to help when you need it. The Help & Support panel now features familiar type-head predictive search results and more ways to personalize your favorite topics.

Important Dates For Epicor Kinetic Upgrades

For cadence customers

Date​

Event

​Details

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Data Refresh in Pilot For all live Public Cloud customers staying on cadence, your pilot database will be automatically refreshed this day. Additional environments are not automatically refreshed, but if you would like them to be, please submit a case in EpicCare by Friday, April 9.

For implementing customers staying on cadence, your pilot database will not be automatically refreshed, unless you submit an EpicCare ticket requesting a refresh by Friday, April 9. Please note that you will not be able to have your database refreshed from Production to Pilot during the upgrade testing period.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Data Refresh in Pilot for MT/Express

For all legacy Multi-tenant and Express customers, your pilot database will be automatically refreshed this day.

Friday, April 16, 2021 –

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Pilot System Upgrade to 2021.1 During this time, your Pilot system, Education environment, and additional environments will be unavailable while Epicor performs your upgrade, but don’t worry—your Production system will not be affected by the new release. Once it is complete, log in to your Pilot system (and other environments) to start exploring what’s new.

Sunday, April 18, 2021 –

Friday, June 4, 2021

Extended Testing Timeline

There are seven weeks to test in the Pilot. Between the upgrade from Pilot to Production, there will be two updates for customers on cadence.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Pilot System Update to 2021.1.2 Your Pilot system and additional environments will be updated to include quality enhancements.

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Pilot System Update to 2021.1.3

This will be the second and last update before the upgrade to Production

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

UBC Opt-In Deadline
  • Multi-tenant and Express customers (legacy cloud customers)
    If Multi-tenant and Express customers want Epicor to move your unique business components (UBCs) from your Pilot environment to your Production environment, you must submit an EpicCare ticket to opt into the process. If you do not submit an EpicCare ticket to opt into the process, the UBCs from your Pilot environment will not be moved by Epicor to the Production environment.

 

  • Public Cloud customers (Azure)
    Customers on the public cloud that would like to move your unique business components (UBCs) from your Pilot environment to the Production environment, please refer to KB0035160 for instructions, or attend the complimentary “Learn How to Manage Your Unique Business Components” course from Epicor University.

Saturday, June 5, 2021​ –

​Sunday, June 6, 2021

Production System Upgrade to 2021.1.3

Your upgrade weekend arrives! While Epicor upgrades your Production system to Epicor Kinetic 2021.1.3, your system will be unavailable for several hours during this time.

 

Flex Customers

Date​

Event

​Details

Friday, April 9, 2021

Deadline for Flex Customers  Deadline for customers purchasing the Flex option to submit an EpicCare ticket indicating your preference to defer your upgrade to one of the alternate upgrade dates listed below.

Week of June 21, 2021

Flex Option #1:
Pilot System Upgrade
For Flex Option #1 customers, your Pilot system, Education environment, and additional environments will be unavailable while Epicor performs your upgrade, but don’t worry—your Production system will not be affected by the new release. Once it is complete, log in to your Pilot system (and other environments) to start exploring what’s new.

Week of July 19, 2021

Flex Option #2:
Pilot System Upgrade
For Flex Option #2 customers, your Pilot system, Education environment, and additional environments will be unavailable while Epicor performs your upgrade, but don’t worry—your Production system will not be affected by the new release. Once it is complete, log in to your Pilot system (and other environments) to start exploring what’s new.

Friday, July 24, 2021 –

Saturday, July 25, 2021

Flex Option #1
Production System Upgrade to 2021.1
Flex Option #1 customers: your upgrade weekend arrives! While Epicor upgrades your Production system to Epicor Kinetic 2021.1, your system will be unavailable for several hours during this time.

Friday, August 21, 2021 –

Saturday, August 22, 2021

Flex Option #2
Production System Upgrade to 2021.1

Flex Option #2 customers: your upgrade weekend arrives! While Epicor upgrades your Production system to Epicor Cloud ERP Kinetic 2021.1, your system will be unavailable for several hours during this time.

Note that dates are subject to change.

How To Prepare

Epicor will upgrade your Pilot system and any additional environments seven weeks before Production for customers on cadence. This will provide an opportunity to explore the functionality updates in 2021.1.1 without affecting your Production system.

As a best practice, please use this time to review and make any necessary changes to your Unique Business Components (UBCs)—custom reports, BPMs, User Interface customizations, etc.—to ensure everything continues to operate as expected. There will be more information regarding sample test plans and more that will be made available to you on EpicWeb Documentation.

Flexing Your Epicor Kinetic Upgrade

Subscribers to the Epicor Public Cloud Flex Option can follow the same schedule, but you have the option to defer your upgrade to Epicor Kinetic 2021.1. Below are the two date options for your flex upgrade. Please note the deferred upgrades still have the usual four weeks to test. If you are a Premium Flex Test subscriber, please communicate your preferences by the same deadline and process below.

Pilot ​Production
​Option 1: ​Week of June 21, 2021 ​July 24-25, 2021
​Option 2: ​Week of July 19, 2021 ​August 21-22, 2021

Pilot upgrade dates will be communicated closer to the date.

If you choose to defer, you must submit an EpicCare ticket by Friday, April 9 with your selected upgrade date (Option 1 or Option 2) and we will send you a personalized confirmation with your instructions. We must receive your deferral no later than Friday, April 9. If you do not choose to defer, we’ll keep you on cadence and automatically upgrade your system in June 2021.

Note: If you choose to defer your upgrade, you will not receive any 700.x updates after the 10.2.700.12 update. We only host the upgrade webinars on April 6 and April 7, but replays are accessible at any time afterward as documentation on EpicWeb. If you defer, you are strongly encouraged to either attend or watch the replay so you are aware of the upgrade process.

Next Steps

1. Watch the “What’s New in Epicor Kinetic 2021” Webcast Replay

The webcasts were held in early April. If you were not able to attend or need a refresher, we encourage you to watch the replay to understand how to prepare, ways to leverage the new functionality for driving business growth and be aware of the upgrade process. The link to view on demand is coming soon!

2. Before Your Upgrade

Take a look at all of your Epicor Kinetic 2021.1 resources in Documentation – available mid-April. Particularly useful documents include:

  • What’s New via the Feature Summary
  • Upgrade Guide
  • Change list in the Release Notes document

3. During Your Testing Window 

  • Resolve any issues with your configurations
  • Test your business flow in critical areas
    *Testing tip: print customer-facing documents
  • Review daily, weekly, and monthly processes

And as a reminder, reach out to your Encompass CAM or EpicCare anytime you have a question or need application support.

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.


On Tuesday, April 6th, Epicor announced that going forward Epicor ERP, its flagship software solution for manufacturing industries, will be referred to as Epicor Kinetic and defined by the new Epicor Kinetic User Experience.

As the latest product update of Epicor ERP Cloud emerges in the form of version 11, this exciting change coincides with the many enhancements to functionality and overall user experience.

Epicor ERP Becomes Epicor Kinetic

Epicor ERP will “officially” become Epicor Kinetic with the general availability release on June 10, 2021. The initial product release will be called Epicor Kinetic 2021.1.

The ideal platform for manufacturers, Epicor Kinetic is a modern solution that serves the needs of businesses that make the things that keep the world moving. The recent evolution of Epicor Kinetic reveals a great new user experience that represents the lively, energetic impact of an entire ERP solution to accelerate business ambitions.

Top Epicor Kinetic User Experience Benefits

Technology is ever evolving. We’re continuously innovating to deliver the modern and intuitive applications your business needs to stay competitive today and tomorrow. Discover the top user experience benefits you get when upgrading to the latest release of Epicor Kinetic.

  1. Simplicity – Attract and retain talent with modern and intuitive applications that boost productivity and simplify everyday tasks. The Epicor Design System enables a simple and delightful user interface that provides a consistent experience across applications. Reduce training and user onboarding time with embedded guided learning and contextual education tools that enable users to learn as they go.
  2. Mobility – Browser-based user experience that provides the mobility you need to keep your business running anytime, anywhere. No matter if you’re visiting a client on the field, walking through the shop floor, or sitting at your desk, you’ll be able to easily access the system through the device and browser of your choice.
  3. Connectivity – Enable connections between users, business workflows, and processes. Extend technology beyond power users and incentive greater internal collaboration with solutions like Epicor Collaborate, Epicor IoT, and Epicor Virtual Agent.
  4. Efficiency – Happy employees are more productive and engaged. Complete tasks in less time and optimize processes. Everything is easily accessible through the main menu and the Home Page can be personalized by the user. Screens show the most relevant information and let you drill down into details with expandable panel cards as you need.
  5. Tailored Experience –  Create your own experience at a user or company level. We take system flexibility to the next level with Application Studio. Tailor applications with a best-practice approach in a low/no-code environment, that is compatible with the cloud and its upgrade resilient.

Reach out to Encompass for more information on how the Epicor Kinetic User Experience can help better manage your business today.

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.


 

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.


 

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.


In today’s economy, there is no room for waste and inefficiency. Success is about reducing costs as much as it is about revenue. Keeping tight control over capital and operational expenditure is a critical priority for any organization. The key to efficient controlled spending lies in the ability to empower staff with requisitioning responsibilities whilst ensuring that contracted buying agreements and spending limits are enforced and that requisitions are routed to the relevant individuals for approval promptly.

 

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.


Companies justify moving to a standard enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution based on several compelling reasons. By supporting a single system rather than several smaller and disparate systems, they can enjoy economies of scale. Additionally, having a single application architecture with fewer user interfaces creates lower integration costs. Plus, with common task automation and easier access to more information, businesses gain efficiencies not available when employees use multiple systems.

While the case for standardizing on a single ERP system can be relatively straightforward to make, the costs and impacts are sometimes easy to overlook. Companies should take into consideration several factors to help ensure a successful implementation.

 

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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