Epicor Extends SRM Solution to Help Midmarket Organizations Control Spending, Maximize Resources, and Predict Performance (email this article)

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Epicor Software Corporation (Nasdaq: EPIC - News) (Company Profile, Past Stories, Case Studies), a leading provider of integrated enterprise software solutions for midmarket companies, today announced significant feature enhancements to its integrated end-to-end enterprise suite with the release of Epicor eProcurement 7.3, a complete purchasing management solution that provides a seamless connection between buyers and suppliers for the purchase of direct and indirect goods and services within the framework of predefined business rules. In this latest release, Epicor eProcurement 7.3 further enhances purchasing processes with the addition of automated, blanket orders and releases, integration with back office inventory and purchasing systems, and one-click order copying and other purchasing ease-of-use features.

Maximize Supplier Contracts with Blanket Orders

Epicor eProcurement 7.3 enables efficient management and execution of blanket order purchases, which often qualify buyers for discounts and other supplier concessions, and can be an effective means of minimizing overhead. The solution includes several configuration options and allows selected personnel to create blanket orders, establish rules for how and when releases against those orders are executed, and track consumption against the blanket orders.

"Commonly used in the distribution chain, blanket orders help companies track multiple purchases with the same supplier within agreed terms over time, which many companies are successfully using today to manage the requisition of business services which have been too complex for a simple e-procurement purchase order," said Christa Degnan, research director at the Aberdeen Group. "Aberdeen research shows midmarket organizations have suffered more than both larger and smaller organizations in managing services spend to date, so the blanket order capabilities in Epicor eProcurement will help these organizations start to control services-related purchases. Simply by beginning to track these purchases more effectively over time will help them negotiate more gainful contracts with their services suppliers and minimize corporate expenditure as well."

Integration to Inventory and Back Office Purchasing Systems

The inventory management functionality in Epicor eProcurement 7.3 extends beyond cataloging and purchasing of items that can be inventoried to include catalog creation and demand generation and receiving. The system now also enables end-users to requisition inventory items using eProcurement while a back office inventory solution fulfills their requests.

Epicor eProcurement enables automated enterprise-wide requisitioning for inventory items by generating inventory demand signals from approved requisitions. Back office purchasing systems leverage the eProcurement workflow and electronic order transmission capabilities, features not typically found in ERP purchasing modules. The integration of these three key applications employs the best features of each for a highly efficient system. While Epicor eProcurement includes complete integration components to Epicor's Purchasing and Inventory modules, it can also be integrated to third party or homegrown applications, due to its Web services and XML-based architecture.

"Inefficiencies in supplier relationships and purchasing processes create a great financial burden for midmarket enterprises, making electronic procurement solutions a valuable technology asset," said Scott Hays, senior product marketing manager for Epicor's Enterprise Solutions Group. "Epicor eProcurement helps enterprises achieve speed, accuracy and control in purchasing processes, three critical components of cost containment. This latest release extends those characteristics to inventory and back office purchasing, helping companies increase the return on their existing systems and optimize their supplier relationships."

Capitalize on Supplier Relationships

Part of the Epicor Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) suite, which includes modules for strategic sourcing and spend analysis, Epicor eProcurement streamlines the purchasing cycle by automating routine tasks like requisitions and approvals, and eliminating personnel bottlenecks and paper trails. By eliminating off-contract spending and enabling supplier compliance across all locations, eProcurement helps midmarket companies control costs and capitalize on supplier relationships.

Epicor customer Cox Enterprises, one of the nation's leading media companies and operators of automobile auctions, recognizes the benefits of increased control and visibility afforded with Epicor eProcurement. "We no longer waste time and resources tracking down the invoice origination, who bought the item and whether it was received as ordered. With Epicor eProcurement, we have all this information all in one place," said Bob Pelon, manager of Cox Marketplace, the procurement portal at Cox Enterprises.

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor is a leading provider of integrated enterprise software solutions for midmarket companies around the world. Founded in 1984, Epicor has over 15,000 customers and delivers end-to-end, industry-specific solutions that enable companies to immediately improve business operations and build competitive advantage in today's Internet economy. Epicor's comprehensive suite of integrated software solutions for Supplier Relationship Management, Customer Relationship Management, Financials, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Professional Services Automation and Collaborative Commerce provide the scalability and flexibility to support long-term growth. Epicor's solutions are complemented by a full range of services, providing single point of accountability to promote rapid return on investment and low total cost of ownership, now and in the future. Epicor is headquartered in Irvine, California and has offices and affiliates around the world. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.epicor.com .

Epicor is a registered trademark and Epicor SRM and Epicor eProcurement are trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation. All other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners. The product and service offerings depicted in this document are produced by Epicor Software Corporation.