Epicor unveils AI-boosted supply chain tools at Insights 2024

Epicor has introduced its latest offering, the Epicor Grow portfolio, a robust set of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Business Intelligence (BI) tools tailored specifically for supply chain industries. Launched at the Epicor Insights 2024 user conference, the new portfolio aims to revolutionise AI-powered enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, enhancing its value for supply chain operations and the workforce.

The Epicor Grow portfolio promises to transcend the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to ERP by enabling workers to harness the power of AI to think and learn more effectively. This set of tools supports decision-making processes, reduces operational complexity, and fosters higher levels of efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness across supply chains.

Vaibhav Vohra, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Epicor, explained, "We know the keys to realising the full power of AI revolve around applying AI to well-defined, practical business issues and leveraging high-quality data." Vohra highlighted that the Epicor Grow portfolio achieves these objectives by deeply integrating AI into real-world industry workflows, providing workers with actionable insights tailored to their specific tasks.

The portfolio capitalises on various AI technologies, including generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics. It delivers over 200 industry-specific use cases that adapt to the worker's environment, driving improved efficiencies and decision-making capabilities. Features such as AI-driven predictive analytics, AI-generated sales orders, and AI-powered predictive maintenance suggestions reflect the portfolio's practical, outcome-focused applications.

The Epicor Grow suite also includes several core elements designed to enhance various aspects of supply chain management. One notable feature is Epicor Prism, a generative AI service integrated within the Epicor Industry ERP Cloud. This service provides workers with contextual insights and the ability to automate tasks. For instance, Epicor Prism can act as a code assistant for automating business processes or use conversational ERP to access production and purchasing information seamlessly.

Another significant component is Epicor Grow AI, which enhances the ERP experience with user-friendly AI tools designed to solve industry-specific problems efficiently. Capabilities include generating multiple forecasts related to inventory and sales, creating sales orders from natural language emails, and offering personalised product suggestions based on order history. These features aim to improve inventory management, reduce costs, and increase revenue.

Epicor Grow Inventory Forecasting, derived from Epicor's acquisition of Smart Software, uses predictive analytics and scenario modelling to optimise inventory management with embedded machine-learning engines. The Epicor FP&A module also provides comprehensive financial planning and analysis capabilities for more accessible and accurate reporting.

The Epicor Grow BI tool employs no-code technology to create visual dashboards and metrics, enabling users to transform and analyse data effectively. Recently, Epicor has also expanded data centre availability in AWS U.K. to better support international organisations.

At its core, the Epicor Grow Data Platform offers a full-stack, no-code solution for managing enterprise data, facilitating faster insights with enhanced visibility. Users can centralise their data to power Epicor's AI and BI applications, using the interactive Pipeline Canvas to customise data pipelines as needed.