Learn why Epicor Kinetic users made the transition to the cloud.
Are you considering moving your organization's operations to the cloud? Curious about the experiences of others who have made the switch? Epicor customers from various organizations recently shared their experiences and insights on migrating to Kinetic Cloud: the motivations behind their decision to make the move, the challenges they encountered during the process, and the benefits they gained from embracing cloud technology. Several key themes emerged, including the importance of careful planning, thorough testing, and comprehensive user training. In this blog, we delve into these benefits and provide key takeaways for organizations considering a move to Epicor solutions deployed in the cloud. Get ready to gain valuable insights as you begin your digital transformation journey.
Epicor customers unanimously agreed that there were compelling reasons to migrate their systems to the cloud. Jackie Heinrichs, Business Solutions Manager at R&B Wagner, highlighted the need to leverage the technology offered by Epicor and the desire to move away from on-premises infrastructure that required renewal. Shannon Noweck, Chief of Staff & Corporate Secretary at Solex Thermal Science, mentioned the importance of ensuring consistency across multiple locations as their organization grew rapidly, while Greg Peart, Director of Information Technology at Technical Chemical Company, emphasized the simplicity and efficient resource utilization that businesses can achieve through cloud adoption.
Understanding the scope of the migration and managing customizations are key considerations in a successful implementation. Greg shared his experience of working closely with department heads to identify and disable unnecessary customizations. They conducted a "screen test" to gauge the significance of disabled features, helping ensure a smooth transition for end-users. Our customers also emphasized the importance of testing and identifying compatible customizations for the cloud environment, as well as the significance of inventorying all customizations—including VPNs, BAQs, and UD fields—to effectively plan for upgrades.
Progressing toward an ERP system deployed in the cloud takes buy-in across the organization, including executive support and a clear vision for the future. All of our customers stressed the importance of thorough testing, comprehensive user training, and managing user expectations during the migration process. All agreed that having a solid test plan and understanding the impact of each customization aided in successful testing and migration to the cloud. Jackie emphasized the importance of training users on the new system to facilitate a smooth transition, while Shannon suggested being patient and guiding users through the process to alleviate any concerns or resistance to change. By leveraging test plans, organizations can effectively manage user acceptance testing (UAT) at every stage of cloud transition. Training and continuous skillset building is crucial for a smooth transition to the cloud. Epicor Learning offers a comprehensive digital learning suite that provides end users with different types of training that can be tracked and accessed directly from the system so they can learn as they do.
Reflecting on their companies’ overall improvements after migrating to the cloud, our customers highlighted a reduction in performance issues. Although they experienced occasional outages, everyone praised the responsiveness of Epicor support in resolving these issues promptly. They also stressed the importance of upgrading to the most current version for reduced downtime, along with teaching others to have patience in adapting to change, and using tools like the Insights platform to interact, learn, and connect with a wider community.
Our customers viewed upgrading to the cloud as a simplified process compared to on-premises upgrades—their key recommendations included following the upgrade guide provided by Epicor and paying meticulous attention to testing. Shannon noted a significant improvement in the upgrade process after the Solex migration, resulting in reduced time and lower costs.
Migrating to the cloud can be a game-changer for organizations seeking greater efficiency, scalability, and alignment with modern technologies. By considering the insights shared by our customers, you can prepare for a successful cloud migration and maximize the benefits of Epicor Kinetic. Remember that clear goals, solid planning, and thorough testing are key components of a successful migration. Leverage the power of the cloud to streamline your operations, drive innovation, and stay ahead in today's competitive landscape.
For further information and the opportunity to connect with other industry leaders, be sure to explore our annual Epicor Insights conference and consider attending user group meetings. Your journey to the cloud starts here!