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Epicor Prophet 21 is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for distributors, offered as either an on-premises or cloud-based solution. Prophet 21 Cloud is built on the secure Microsoft Azure platform. Beyond standard ERP functions, Epicor Prophet 21 provides wholesale distributors with features and functions pertinent to their business processes, such as inventory optimization and wireless warehousing.
Prophet 21 combines over 45 years of Epicor’s distribution industry expertise with an end-to-end, web-based infrastructure and modern tech stack.
Epicor Prophet 21 API
The Epicor Prophet 21 Application Programming Interface (API) is a web services tool that connects Prophet 21 to other applications and external sites. The Epicor Prophet 21 API provides a full .NET stack, including Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and Representational State Transfer (REST). This provides connectivity to over 300 sites and services, as well as other Epicor companion applications such as Epicor Proof of Delivery.
What Prophet 21 Does and What It Includes
Epicor’s Prophet 21 ERP solution includes all the standard ERP modules, such as Finances, Human Resources, and Sales Management, plus several specialized modules and features to support business processes that are specific to distribution. For example, sales history is accessible on each customer profile as well as the ability to schedule sales orders.
Prophet 21 lets users issue quotes and convert quotes to orders from a single screen, as well as entering orders remotely via their mobile devices. It also includes financial management capabilities such as a real-time drill-down feature on historical product or customer data. It also incorporates business intelligence (BI) functionality and enables faster auditing and year-end closing. The integration of inventory data and purchase orders streamlines the Accounts Payable (AP) process.
The Wireless Warehouse Management Solution (WWMS) is a comprehensive, fully integrated warehouse management system developed for Prophet 21. It is browser-based and can run on iOS or Android devices. It enables warehouse staff to communicate and record inventory movement details and provides real-time warehouse and inventory data to all company stakeholders.
Epicor also offers simplified operations and automation through the Epicor Virtual Agent (EVA), or EVA. The EVA app lets users interact with Prophet 21 through text or voice commands. EVA can answer simple questions about data with helpful visuals, and even perform routine tasks such as issuing quotes and scheduling.
Prophet 21 Pricing
The pricing of Prophet 21 Cloud is based on a subscription mode, much like other Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products. The total cost of a subscription to Prophet 21 Cloud depends on more than the number of user licenses: it also varies based on the expected volume of transactions and the extent of services expected from the vendor or reseller. These are standard cloud-based software pricing variables.
The cost of purchasing Prophet 21 as an on-premises solution depends on unique factors, including the degree of customization your company requires and the number of users the system must support. You can find out more in TEC's ERP Pricing Guide.
Having the choice of a cloud-based or on-premises deployment makes Prophet 21 a contender for companies of different sizes. Smaller companies can choose the cloud option to minimize their initial spending, completely avoiding the purchase of hardware beyond personal computers and other terminals. Larger or more established companies may choose the on-premises option to make use of the hardware they may already own, and they can record the ERP purchase price as either a capital or operating expense.
Benefits of Epicor Prophet 21
An ERP system like Prophet 21 is an efficient way for distribution companies to centralize all databases (customer, inventory, financial, employee) for a unified business management approach. ERPs like Prophet 21 also automate routine tasks, streamline business processes, and increase data visibility for better business intelligence. The end goal of any ERP deployment is to optimize operations across all departments and business units, setting the stage for manageable growth.
Unifying business operations into one system reduces the chance of data errors such as duplications, and it increases visibility and communication across all departments, allowing them to use the same information, resulting in just one version of the truth. Integration and automation of these operations can increase productivity while reducing the cost of time and labour, and it can free up employees to focus on their work or customers rather than menial, manual tasks.
Prophet 21 can adapt to business requirements using an application programming interface (API) that allows businesses to build on specialized functionality by connecting business processes with partners, vendors, and customers.
Business analytics modules provide various reports and advanced demand forecasting predicts inventory requirements and customer buying patterns and trends. Analysis of these allows businesses to anticipate customer needs. Users may also personalize their workflows without having to work with source code.
Prophet 21 Comparison
Competing distribution ERP software systems include NetSuite, Acumatica, SAP ERP, and Sage Intacct. Each ERP is different and has varying features and functionalities. While the modules may have similar or identical names, they differ in their coverage of particular features and functionalities. A close examination of your company’s unique business needs and the capabilities of various vendors’ ERP systems is the best way to form a short-list of contenders.
Prophet 21 Reviews
The top online review sites give Prophet 21 a score of 4.4/5 stars based on customer feedback from mostly small and midsize businesses (SMBs). Anecdotal evidence can be reassuring to know that others find Prophet 21 to be an asset, but be careful not to form impressions of large, complex software solutions from one-off comments in forums. We recommend assessing your particular business requirements and checking out our full feature review to help you determine the best-fit software for your business. |
