Epicor Eclipse
Stands out as the premier ERP software for wholesale distribution, offering unmatched efficiency and comprehensive tools catered for the industry.
Introduction
Companies have started to adopt ERP systems for their operations to enable them to be efficient and remain competitive. Epicor Eclipse is an ERP solution packed with features specifically tailored to the wholesale distribution trade. Integrating separate business processes into one platform simplifies the coordination of resources, information, and operations, thereby achieving a better outcome.
Epicor Eclipse gives essential competitive edges to today’s enterprises, such as having one unified data management, process automation, instant reporting, superior customer service, and growing with the business. It is specifically designed to respond to the different problems of wholesalers, distributors, and supply chain businesses. From inventory management to financial operations, it covers all the areas of concern.
In this article, we will explore the features of Epicor Eclipse and how distribution companies can benefit from its core and advanced functionalities. This brief will present how Epicor Eclipse equips distribution companies to streamline operations, amplify customer connectivity, and boost progress in a highly competitive environment.
What is Epicor Eclipse?
Epicor Eclipse is an innovative ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) program for distribution firms that seek more simplicity in today’s complicated supply chains. It is not just a regular “pick, pack, and ship” solution; instead, it gives employees a secure platform that enables both the company’s upper and lower-line efficiency for distribution businesses.
Eclipse stands out in front counter operations, work queues, job management, advanced inventory forecasting, EDI, and contract pricing. Although it is primarily designed around the distributors’ everyday business processes, it is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all kind of solution; rather, it is a flexible system whose functionality can be adapted to the business needs of the distributor.
With ongoing upgrades through the use of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Eclipse delivers a modern platform that adapts to your company’s requirements. It is more than just an ERP system; it is an extensive solution that aims to simplify operations and boost growth in the highly competitive and complex distribution marketplace.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Inventory management: With the Eclipse platform, you can easily adjust stock levels, track the movement of goods within multiple locations, and improve inventory turnover.
- Order management: The system is designed to handle every stage of the order process methodically, from the generation of quotes to the fulfillment of orders, and it is also capable of processing several kinds of orders and advanced pricing schemes.
- Purchasing and Supplier Management: Eclipse offers tools for streamlining the procurement process, including the generation of purchase orders based on demand forecasts and tracking the vendor’s performance.
- Warehouse Management: The solution is enhanced with features that include bin management, pickle path optimization, and mobile device support in warehouse operations.
- Financial Management: Eclipse presents everything necessary as financial tools, such as general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, and financial reporting capabilities.
- CRM: The system is provided with built-in CRM features for customer interaction management, tracking sales opportunities, and improving customer service.
- BI and Reporting: Eclipse comes with real-time analytics and a reporting tool that can be customized to provide business performance insights and support decision-making.
- E-commerce Integration: The platform can connect with e-commerce solutions, thus enhancing the online management of sales channels and the offline sales channel.
- Industry-Specific Functionality: Eclipse has features that are common in the distribution sectors, such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and industrial supplies.
Epicor Eclipse refers to distribution and wholesale software that brings together various features mentioned above to provide a comprehensive tool to manage the entire operation efficiently and enhance customer satisfaction and profit growth during a competitive market scenario.
Core Modules and Functionality
Order Management
Epicor Eclipse’s Order Management module streamlines sales orders, ensuring efficient and accurate handling. It tackles complex scenarios like different item numbers, kit builds, custom parts, and varied delivery options.
Key features include:
- Comprehensive Information Access: Quickly check inventory, review credit, look up item details, and create complex orders.
- Flexible Search Functionality: Look up customers, vendors, transactions, and products by any identifier for swift service.
- Personalized Customer Experience: Supports customer-specific part numbers, loyalty points, rebate programs, and personalized document styles. Maintains customer-specific pricing for tailored profitability.
Eclipse Mobile lets field sales teams and remote employees manage orders on the go, accessing customer, item, and order info via mobile devices.
The Salesperson Dashboard tracks sales performance, comparing actual sales to budgeted figures and monitoring individual rep opportunities. This helps sales teams stay on target.
Inventory Management
Epicor Eclipse’s inventory management system is designed to ensure distributors have the “right item, right place, right time,” treating inventory as the business’s lifeblood. It helps distributors keep optimal stock levels for high-service items, boosting profits while reducing less profitable stock. Eclipse enhances customer service and maximizes ROI by increasing inventory turnover and reducing investment.
Inventory Control
- Real-time inventory value calculations.
- Efficient inventory counts with cycle counting and system-generated count sheets.
- Monitoring investment with rolling 365-day GMROI analysis.
Product Tracking
- Tracks consignments, rentals, lot items, hazardous materials, and serial numbers.
- Manages comprehensive product information, including UPCs, user classifications, product descriptions, substitute products, and MSDS tracking.
Product Life Cycle Management
- Identifies and manages slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
- Tracks manages and reduces the impact of dead stock.
Product Data Warehouse (PDW)
- Integrates with third-party content providers like NAED and IDW.
- Automates electronic product and pricing data exchange.
- Eliminates manual file maintenance and duplicate non-stocks.
Pricing Management
- Handles complex pricing and costing rules with a flexible price matrix.
- Supports class-specific pricing, quantity break pricing, customer-specific overrides, and promotions.
- Manages SPAs and SPJs, streamlining rebate data via EDI.
Purchasing and Transfers
- Automates purchase and transfer functions for distributed and centralized procurement.
- Uses dynamic inventory replenishment to reduce carrying costs and obsolete inventory.
- Automates transfer processes based on committed sales, day’s supply, branch transfer schedules, and surplus inventory.
Job Management
Epicor Eclipse’s Job Management module handles large commercial lighting and switchgear projects in real time. Integrated with Eclipse, it manages bids, BOMs, submittal status, releases, change orders, billing, and vendor invoice reconciliation.
Key Features Include:
- Job Bidding: Create customer-specific bids, send RFQs to vendors, and compare vendor pricing.
- Awarding Jobs: Track won and lost jobs, reasons, and competitor info with the Job Won/Lost Report.
- Purchase Orders and Releases: Generate POs and manage direct orders for customers and vendors simultaneously.
- Direct Through Stock: Manage customer-owned inventory and ship as needed.
- Submittals: Track and send submittal documents, including specs and detail sheets.
- Change Orders: Track and process order changes, updating quantities and prices.
- Financial Summary: Get a real-time financial snapshot of the job. Compare initial and current totals, track costs and margins, and view vendor and customer payments.
Eclipse’s Job Management module streamlines project management, ensuring efficiency and profitability.
Warehouse Management
Epicor Eclipse’s Warehouse Management module optimizes logistics, boosting profitability and satisfaction. It handles complexity and drives improvement with RF automation or manual methods.
Key Features Include:
- Item Tracking: Manage multiple bin locations and quick put-aways based on needs.
- Receiving Simplification: Use Advance Ship Notices (ASN) and set fulfillment priorities.
- Real-time Visibility: Share warehouse activity for control and inventory verification.
- Carton Packing: Validate and label package contents, improving fulfillment accuracy.
Proof of Delivery (POD): Drivers can view routes, capture signatures, record issues, and track stops. Integrate delivery updates, RMAs, and COD prompts.
Financial Management
Epicor Eclipse’s Financial Management module sharpens financial control and boosts profitability with integrated features across four key areas.
Key Features Include:
- Purchasing and Transfers: Oversee accounting periods, access historical data, and create advanced reports for multi-branch and multi-company setups. Handle foreign currency effortlessly.
- Accounts Receivable and Payable: Real-time updates for AR balances and credit status. Simplify AP with Purchase Order Variance Queue and EDI payment matching.
- Credit Management: Track customer credit at each sales stage, set credit limits, and prioritize collections with the AR Collection Queue. Manage lien tracking to protect rights.
Eclipse Financial Management offers powerful tools for optimizing cash flow and credit control.
Specialized Features
CRM Integration
Epicor Eclipse’s CRM integration supercharges customer management and sales. Here’s how:
- Customer Data Access: Instantly view contact details, purchase history, and logs.
- Sales Tracking: Keep tabs on opportunities and leads effortlessly.
- Customer Service: Share and document communication across the team.
- Mobile Access: Sales teams can manage CRM on iOS and Android devices.
- Bi-Directional Sync: Maintain accurate, up-to-date customer info across systems.
This CRM integration amplifies customer service, ramps up sales productivity, and supports smarter business choices.
Business Intelligence and Reporting
Epicor Eclipse’s Business Intelligence and Reporting tools sharpen decision-making and boost performance:
- Key Metrics: Access critical figures like profit margins, cash flow, and inventory turns.
- Epicor Data Analytics (EDA): Dive into interactive dashboards for deep insights, mobile access, and quick ROI with minimal spending.
- Activity-Based Costing: Track costs by activity to uncover hidden expenses and fine-tune pricing for better profits and satisfaction.
- Reporting and Analysis: Use built-in reports or craft your own with Eclipse Report Writer. Schedule and send reports via Eclipse or email.
- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Automate document handling for purchasing, scheduling, and sales, cutting costs and boosting efficiency.
These features deliver crucial insights and streamline reporting, helping you stay sharp and competitive.
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Benefits of Epicor Eclipse
Boosted Efficiency with Automation
Eclipse automates routine tasks, slashing manual work and errors. From order processing to financial operations, automation streamlines workflows. Employees shift focus to strategic tasks, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Elevated Customer Service
With a 360-degree customer view, Eclipse offers personalized service and quick responses. Real-time inventory and order tracking refine accuracy and delivery. E-commerce features grant self-service options, boosting customer satisfaction.
Cost Savings through Smart Inventory Management
Advanced inventory tools ensure optimal stock levels, cutting carrying costs while maintaining availability. Demand forecasting prevents overstocking and stockouts. Streamlined processes reduce costs and improve cash flow, while integrated functions cut the need for multiple systems, saving more.
Scalable for Growth
Eclipse grows with your business. Its modular design and flexible integration handle expanding locations, product lines, and customer segments without disrupting operations. This scalability maximizes your ERP investment as you expand.
Informed Decisions with Analytics
Powerful analytics like Epicor Data Analytics (EDA) and activity-based costing provide real-time insights. These tools reveal trends, optimize pricing, and improve financial performance, giving you an edge and helping you adapt to market shifts.
Deployment Options and Scalability for Epicor Eclipse
Epicor Eclipse provides two main ways to deploy its system:
Deployment Options: Cloud vs. On-Premises
- Cloud-Based Deployment:
- Flexibility and Access: Work from anywhere with an internet connection. Ideal for remote teams and multiple locations.
- Lower IT Costs: The provider handles hardware, updates, and security. Less need for in-house IT.
- Easy Scaling: Adjust resources quickly. Get updates and new features automatically.
- Predictable Costs: Operates on a subscription model, reducing upfront costs.
- On-Premises Deployment:
- Full Control: Customize and integrate with existing systems. Best for specific security or regulatory needs.
- Data Security: Keep data within company infrastructure for greater control.
- High Initial Cost: Significant upfront investment in hardware and software. Ongoing maintenance is your responsibility.
- Tailored Customization: More extensive customization, but requires extra resources.
Scalability for Growing Businesses
- Modular Architecture: Add or upgrade specific features as needed. Start with core modules and expand into areas like CRM or analytics.
- Cloud Scalability: Easily adjust your plan and resources. Scale up or down based on demand without disrupting operations.
- On-Premises Expansion: Invest in additional hardware or upgrade infrastructure to scale. Requires more planning and upfront investment.
- Integration Capabilities: Connect with other systems (e-commerce, CRM) seamlessly. Support evolving business needs as you grow.
- Performance Optimization: Maintain efficiency with tools for automation, reporting, and real-time analytics. Manage increased transactions and complex operations effectively.
Integration between Epicor Eclipse and DCKAP Commerce
Integrating Epicor Eclipse with eCommerce platforms like DCKAP Commerce is essential for smooth operations and a stellar online presence. This integration synchronizes crucial data—product details, inventory levels, and orders—ensuring seamless information flow between your ERP and online store. DCKAP Commerce bridges this gap, using real-time data to boost efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction.
Integration Capabilities
- API Integration: DCKAP Commerce uses REST and GraphQL APIs to connect with Epicor Eclipse. These APIs ensure that product info, pricing, and inventory are updated in real-time across both systems, maintaining data accuracy and smooth operations.
- Real-Time Pricing Updates: Epicor Eclipse updates pricing instantly on DCKAP Commerce. This real-time feature supports dynamic pricing, so customers always see current prices, keeping your business competitive.
- Order Synchronization: Orders on DCKAP Commerce sync with Epicor Eclipse in real time and vice versa. This ensures that order details are accurate across systems, reducing errors and speeding up processing.
- Live Inventory Management: Inventory levels between Epicor Eclipse and DCKAP Commerce are updated in real-time. This prevents overselling and stockouts, keeping your inventory accurate and meeting customer demand.
Key Integration Features
- Product Sync: Product info—descriptions, images, specs—syncs from Epicor Eclipse to DCKAP Commerce. This keeps product data accurate and current, enhancing the shopping experience.
- Customer Sync: Customer details, like contact info and purchase history, are synchronized using customer IDs. This boosts CRM and personalization.
- Customer-Specific Pricing: Prices specific to each customer from Epicor Eclipse are shown on DCKAP Commerce. This feature personalizes pricing, improving the shopping experience and customer loyalty.
- Real-Time Shipping Calculation: Shipping costs are calculated in real-time from Epicor Eclipse, showing accurate rates during checkout. This automation speeds up order processing and ensures correct shipping information.
- Live Tax Calculation: Taxes are calculated dynamically from Epicor Eclipse, ensuring accurate tax rates and compliance. This transparency benefits both the business and the customer.
- Unit of Measure (UOM) Sync: The UOMs are synced between Epicor Eclipse and DCKAP Commerce. This method guarantees that inventory and pricing are correctly adjusted across the sales channels.
- Tracking and Invoice Info: Shipping and invoice details sync instantly, allowing customers to track orders and view invoices directly on DCKAP Commerce. This real-time visibility enhances order management and customer experience.
Benefits of Integration
- Operational Efficiency: The integration automates data syncing, cutting out manual tasks and errors. This streamlines operations and boosts productivity.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Real-time pricing and accurate inventory improve order accuracy and customer satisfaction, fostering loyalty.
- Cost Savings: Automation and precise inventory management reduce operational costs. Lower manual work and optimized resources drive profitability.
- Improved Decision-Making: Real-time data access offers vital insights. Updated info on inventory, pricing, and orders helps refine strategies and optimize inventory.
- Scalability: The integration supports growth. It allows seamless expansion to new sales channels or platforms, handling increased data and transactions smoothly.
- Error Reduction: Automated data syncing cuts manual entry errors. This accuracy helps maintain data integrity and avoids costly mistakes.
- Faster Order Fulfillment: Real-time updates accelerate the order process, which in turn ensures faster order fulfillment, shorter lead times, and higher satisfaction levels among customers.
- Enhanced Data Visibility: Unified data views improve reporting and analysis. Businesses can spot trends and make strategic adjustments more effectively.
- Increased Agility: Streamlined processes and real-time data enhance responsiveness. Businesses can quickly adjust pricing, inventory, and orders.
- Streamlined Compliance: Automated tax calculations and accurate inventory aid in regulatory compliance. This reduces the risk of compliance issues and penalties.
- Better Customer Service: Instant access to order status and shipping info improves customer service. Timely, accurate support boosts service quality and retention.
Integrating DCKAP Commerce with Epicor Eclipse transforms business operations, enhances customer satisfaction, and cuts costs. Seamless data flow between systems supports better decision-making and overall business performance.
Conclusion
Epicor Eclipse is the best ERP software in the wholesale distribution industry. Specific features that are useful for distributors and supply chains, including advanced inventory control, smooth order processing, detailed accounting, and integrated CRM, make it one of the best. The system’s real-time inventory tracking, flexible order management, and smart pricing give businesses a competitive edge.
Epicor Eclipse boosts operational efficiency through automation and real-time data syncing. It also elevates customer satisfaction with accurate, current information and tailored service. Integration with e-commerce platforms like DCKAP Commerce enhances its functionality, ensuring smooth data flow between online and offline channels. This optimization benefits both customer experience and business operations.
With its scalability, specialized features, and versatile deployment options, Epicor Eclipse supports business growth and adaptation. Its flexibility helps companies stay ahead of market changes and tech advancements.