For every business, the right tech stack is a necessity. Every order, shipment, and inventory update depends on a system that keeps everything in sync. Without it, inefficiencies arise. An ERP system like Epicor bridges these gaps by integrating supply chain processes, making it easier to procure, assemble, and deliver goods without disruption.
Epicor P21 is designed with this in mind, equipping distributors with the tools they need to manage business processes smoothly and meet customer demands without the usual roadblocks.
Product Overview: Epicor Prophet 21
As businesses grow, spreadsheets and disconnected systems start causing more problems than they solve. Epicor Prophet 21 was designed by Epicor to tackle these challenges and more. Built for wholesale distributors, Prophet 21 brings everything under one roof, making daily operations smoother and less challenging.
It offers both cloud and on-premises deployment options, allowing businesses to choose what works best for their operations. Using technologies like HTML5, AngularJS, .NET, and SQL Server, it ensures businesses aren’t stuck with outdated, clunky software. Instead, they get a system that grows with them, adapts to their specific needs, and helps them stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.
Key Features Of Epicor Prophet 21
Epicor Prophet 21 is built to make your business operations smoother by bringing everything under one system. Here’s how it helps:
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Keeping customers happy starts with having the right information at your fingertips. Prophet 21’s CRM tools help you track customer interactions, streamline communication, and provide better service without digging through multiple systems.
Order Management
Whether an order comes in through a mobile device, a laptop, or directly from your customer online, Prophet 21 ensures it’s processed quickly and accurately so you don’t waste time on manual data entry.
eCommerce
Selling online isn’t just an option anymore, it’s a necessity. With Epicor Commerce, you can expand your reach, increase sales, and shorten the buying process by offering customers an easy, self-service online shopping experience.
Inventory Management
Too much stock ties up cash flow, and too little can cost you customers. Prophet 21’s flexible inventory management tools help you strike the right balance by optimizing stock levels, reducing excess inventory, and improving order fulfillment.
Purchasing
Managing purchases across multiple warehouses can get complicated fast. Prophet 21 simplifies this by centralizing purchasing, helping you optimize inventory levels while taking advantage of bulk-buying opportunities.
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
A well-run warehouse means fewer errors and faster order fulfillment. Prophet 21’s WMS improves accuracy in receiving, cross-docking, put-away, picking, cycle counting, and other warehouse processes, keeping everything running smoothly.
Financials
Knowing where your money is going is key to running a profitable business. Prophet 21’s real-time General Ledger gives you up-to-date financial insights, helping you make informed decisions rather than reacting to problems after they happen.
Manufacturing
For distributors who handle assembly and production, Prophet 21 Manufacturing keeps track of orders from start to finish, ensuring every step of the process is accounted for.
Service & Maintenance
If your business involves servicing products or managing maintenance contracts, Prophet 21 helps you keep track of service orders, warranties, schedules, and technician assignments, all in one place.
Grow Business Intelligence
Making data-driven decisions is easier when your reports actually make sense. Grow BI offers prebuilt dashboards, no-code data integrations, and real-time analytics to help you spot trends, engage customers, and improve sales.
Epicor Automation Studio
Manually updating multiple systems is tedious and time-consuming. Powered by Workato, Epicor Automation Studio connects Prophet 21 with applications like Salesforce, ADP, and ServiceNow, allowing you to automate workflows and eliminate repetitive tasks without needing a team of developers.
Who Can Use Epicor Prophet 21?
Epicor Prophet 21 is designed for distributors across various industries, helping them streamline operations and improve efficiency. It is used by businesses in:
- Consumer Packaged Goods
- Electrical
- Fasteners
- Fluid Power
- HVAC
- Industrial Supplies
- Jan/San, Cleaning, and Hygiene
- Medical Supply & Pharmaceuticals
- Paper & Packaging
- Pipe/Valve/Fittings
- Petroleum
- Plumbing
- Safety Supply
- Tile & Flooring
- Welding Supply & Packaged Gases
Additionally, Epicor partners with over 40 industry associations and buying groups, ensuring that Prophet 21 meets the real-world needs of distributors.
Epicor Prophet 21 Pricing
Epicor Prophet 21 does not disclose pricing information. Prospective customers should contact Epicor for details or you can contact the vendor here to get pricing information for your custom needs.
For a better idea, you check out what the users have to say about the Epicor Prophet 21 ERP Solution on some of the few review sites like Capterra or G2 based on industry, ratings, customer views, pricing, organization size, features, and more.
How Long Does It Take To Deploy Epicor Prophet 21 ERP System?
The Epicor implementation methodology is broken into five stages: prepare, plan, design, validate and deploy.
Each stage includes a series of segments that are filled with a set of inputs, tools, techniques, and deliverables that build on one another to move the process to the next stage.
- Prepare: Epicor’s consulting team aligns the implementation project expectations with the software suite a company is planning to implement.
- Plan: The planning stage is the absolute start of implementation. It builds the foundation for the complete project and forms the blueprint that sets out the system specifications, sources, and timelines that are required to match a company’s needs and funds.
- Design: A company’s core design team and subject matter specialists begin to utilize the system and report how the organization plans to apply the system to match its business goals.
- Validate: The goal of this stage is to better ensure that all business procedures are correctly documented and that the business operations flow successfully through the system.
- Deploy: Epicor’s consulting team supports clients with developing their go-live plans, as well as implementing end-user training.
Epicor P21 ERP Integration: Connecting Your Systems the Right Way
As businesses grow, having an interconnected, seamless tech stack becomes essential. Your Epicor Prophet 21 ERP needs to integrate smoothly with the rest of your systems whether it’s eCommerce, CRM, shipping, or accounting.
Here are the two major ways to connect it:
Epicor Prophet 21 API
Epicor provides a built-in Prophet 21 API that lets businesses connect P21 with external applications. But while it’s powerful, working with it requires technical expertise, ongoing maintenance, and custom development. It offers over 300 services to support integrations, making it a robust solution for those with in-house developers or technical teams.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key API options:
- v2 P21 API – A stateless REST API that works across most systems using a metadata model.
- Entity API – A fit-for-purpose REST API that provides structured business object models.
- Interactive API – Allows developers to interact with a Prophet 21 session for more advanced, real-time integrations.
- Data Services API – Enables secure reads from the Prophet 21 database using OData protocol, making reporting and data analysis easier.
DCKAP Integrator (Often The Better Alternative)
If you want seamless Prophet 21 integration without dealing with API complexities, DCKAP Integrator is the way to go. Unlike Epicor’s API, which requires technical expertise and custom coding, DCKAP Integrator is an ERP integration solution that simplifies and automates the entire process.
- Custom APIs for Prophet 21:Â Unlike the standard P21 API, DCKAP Integrator offers fully customizable APIs tailored to your business needs. No workarounds, just the exact functionality you need.
- No-Code & Low-Code Integrations: Connect P21 with ERP, CRM, eCommerce, shipping, accounting, and more all without complex coding.
- End-to-End Automation: Eliminate manual data entry, errors, and mismatched records with automated workflows that keep everything in sync.
- Fast Implementation: Get up and running quickly with pre-built connectors, instead of spending weeks on API development and testing.
With extensive experience integrating Prophet 21, DCKAP Integrator has helped over 50 businesses streamline operations and enhance operational efficiency.
If you’d like to learn more about DCKAP Integrator and how it can streamline your integrations, get in touch with us today. You can also explore some of our customer stories here.
FAQs
What is Epicor P21 ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)?
Epicor Prophet 21 (P21) is a cloud-based ERP system designed specifically for the distribution industry. It helps distribution companies streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and optimize supply chain management with modern software solutions.
What is Epicor ERP used for?
Epicor ERP is used to manage various aspects of a distribution business, including financial management, inventory control, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), and customer service. It integrates business processes to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and create new opportunities for growth.
What are some other popular ERPs for manufacturers and distributors besides Epicor P21?
Besides Epicor P21, some widely used ERP systems in the manufacturing and distribution industry include:
- SAP ERP – A leading ERP solution used for large-scale enterprises in manufacturing, finance, and supply chain management.
- NetSuite ERP – A cloud-based solution preferred by mid-sized businesses for financial management and automation.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 – Popular among distributors for sales automation, inventory tracking, and financial reporting.
- Infor CloudSuite Distribution – Designed specifically for distribution businesses looking for advanced supply chain management features.
What is Epicor EDI Integration?
Epicor EDI allows businesses to electronically exchange important documents with suppliers, customers, and trading partners in a standardized format. Instead of relying on paper-based or manual data entry, EDI automates transactions like:
- Purchase orders
- Invoices
- Shipping notices
- Inventory updates
- Financial reports
By integrating Epicor Prophet 21 with EDI, businesses can eliminate delays, reduce manual errors, and ensure data flows smoothly between systems.
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