Introduction

Manufacturing companies today are facing a myriad of challenges and disruptions to their business. Economic pressures, such as inflation and fluctuating exchange rates, are squeezing profit margins. We continue to see the introduction of trade barriers, tariffs, and regulatory hurdles, complicating cross-border transactions. Additionally, global supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, have led to delays and increased costs.

The industry is also grappling with a significant skills shortage, making it difficult to find and retain qualified workers. Environmental regulations are pushing manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices, which, while beneficial in the long term, require substantial upfront investment. Lastly, the rapid pace of technological change means that companies must continuously innovate to stay competitive, a task that can be particularly challenging for smaller enterprises with limited resources. Navigating these stormy waters with an outdated ERP system is like boxing with one hand tied behind your back.

How do we know this? Our customers tell us, loudly and clearly, when they start to see the benefits from migrating from their former legacy applications to a modern, cloud ERP solution like Epicor Kinetic.

Over the course of this blog, we will hopefully provide insight how Epicor customers have seen significant benefits from their implementation of Kinetic and how these have helped them mitigate some of the challenges we mentioned earlier.

Benefits of Migration

A leading manufacturer of fluid flow and control equipment for over 30 years needed a robust solution to support their growing needs. Their legacy system was unable to manage the increasing datasets and supply chain demands. With Kinetic, they simplified their expansion process, adding several global factories and increasing their product line.

Real-time data empowered the company to improve customer relationships, accelerate shipments, and automate planning and scheduling. The increased visibility also enhanced their inventory control, providing a reliable system to support enterprise growth while reducing costs.

The world’s leading manufacturer of custom-built tufting equipment sought to maintain their competitive edge by implementing Kinetic. The modern system’s strong manufacturing and inventory capabilities were crucial for the company. Employees benefited from real-time data visibility across multiple modules, reducing assembly cycle times by 30% and machine shop work-in-process by 40%. The streamlined operations and improved efficiency helped the company stay ahead in a competitive market.

Modern Solutions

A global manufacturer of water purification and treatment equipment needed a robust ERP solution to manage their diverse operations. Kinetic ERP provided the necessary scalability and flexibility to fast-track their business. The modern system enabled the company to streamline processes, reduce costs, and leverage automation at multiple sites. This transformation empowered them to make data-informed decisions and drive consistency across global operations.

One of the world’s leading manufacturers of rotary and diverter valve suppliers needed a unified, global business platform and a single source of truth. The company’s former infrastructure limited ambition and adaptability. Kinetic deployed in the cloud offered the highest flexibility, scalability, reliability, security, and innovation with the least dependency on individual skills and scarce resources. Standardizing on scalable Epicor software-as-a-service helped provide unfettered growth.

At the Epicor Insights customer conference, the company learned about advanced carbon calculations and reporting functionality. The ability to track and report on the carbon footprint of raw materials, kilowatts per machine hour, or factor in the lighting burden on a product will help the company to meet and set new sustainability targets while supporting their leadership role in this critical area.

Success Stories

A manufacturer of plumbing, pumps, and natural gas products for the utilities market underwent a successful digital transformation with Kinetic and Advanced MES. Real-time insights boosted productivity and enhanced operational efficiency, helping ensure essential availability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This transformation allowed the organisation to maintain exacting standards of production and service, even in challenging times.

Australia’s largest and most trusted bus body manufacturer, dedicated to continuous improvement, was undergoing a significant digital transformation. A major step in that journey was moving off a legacy ERP software to Kinetic deployed in the cloud. The mandate for access to more accurate, real-time data was a primary driver of that decision. The switch provided all the advantages of a modern cloud solution, including stronger security, automatic updates, and eliminating the risk of downtime associated with server maintenance.

By embracing modern ERP systems, these companies have not only overcome operational challenges but also positioned themselves for sustained growth and competitive advantage. Investing in advanced technology is essential for businesses looking to thrive. Epicor solutions provide you with the right tools to achieve this transformation.

Want to know more about how the move from a legacy ERP system to a modern SaaS solution can deliver significant improvements in efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction? Please visit our customer success hub on our website, or drop us a quick message at info@epicor.com.

Mark Feathers
Principal Product Marketing Manager, Manufacturing

Mark Feathers is a Manager of Product Marketing at Epicor, responsible for manufacturing ERP solutions across the international region. He holds APICS CPIM & CSCP accreditations and is committed to helping manufacturing organisations improve their operational effectiveness.

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