Epicor Software Corporation, a global leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, has introduced Epicor Commerce Connect, its eCommerce platform management solution for Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) companies available now with Epicor ERP version 10. Epicor Commerce Connect enables Epicor ERP customers to develop unique websites quickly and manage them easily - providing the necessary tools to deliver a rich customer experience, throughout the typical order lifecycle - from quote to fulfillment, and beyond.
Epicor Commerce Connect is a toolset and connector to the Magento® open commerce platform that is developed, implemented, and supported by Epicor. It is designed to create substantial savings based on an affordable entry price, ability to implement rapidly, and scalability through comprehensive feature sets that support advanced B2C, B2B or B2B2C online commerce requirements.
Fully integrated to Epicor ERP version 10, Epicor Commerce Connect eliminates the need to maintain a separate product database and provides streamlined access to ordering, product or account information including customer specific pricing, inventory levels, marketing and customer service processes - all in real-time using ERP data that can be viewed online via Epicor Commerce Connect.
Additionally, Epicor Commerce Connect provides gateways to Android and iOS mobile devices with responsive design that automatically formats the website to the size of the screen, enabling fast, efficient browsing and an optimal user experience on mobile devices.
"While many companies can provide eCommerce services, very few leading providers are able to deliver the value and rapid results that Epicor Commerce Connect affords," said Malcolm Fox, vice president, product marketing at Epicor Software. "Epicor Commerce Connect extends business boundaries with a proven commerce architecture that connects business to consumers, customers, and suppliers. Fully integrated with Epicor ERP version 10, Epicor Commerce Connect enables our customers to utilize their websites to drive revenue, increase customer satisfaction, and grow their businesses."
Whether the objective is to connect with consumers, suppliers or customers, Epicor Commerce Connect provides the platform to develop the right online presence via its Consumer Connect, Supplier Connect, and Customer Connect offerings.
Epicor Consumer Connect is for businesses serving a direct-to-consumer channel. Epicor provides the tools and framework to engage them online, and provides specific features for selling online to consumers such as guest and account login, open site allowing browsing before login, anonymous checkout, sophisticated message caching for B2C performance enhancements, and ERP payment via Epicor Secure Data Manager (ESDM) where the website will display a page and collect the consumer detail for processing by the ERP. Epicor Commerce Connect is PCI compliant, so no card details are held within the solution – any communication with a payment gateway is conducted over a secure HTTPS connection.
Epicor Customer Connect is designed to give business users the same online experience and ease of use provided by top consumer websites. Features include the ability to view special promotions and pricelists, make repeat purchase and pay on account. Other features include portal only login, instant payment options, and a shopping basket that allows users to search and add products and update or remove items, request for quote (RFQ) option, and more.
Epicor Supplier Connect enables businesses to maintain more convenient, seamless and cost effective relationships with suppliers through websites that provides online self-service and whole range of inquiry options - open orders, part information and access to invoice and payment history. With easy access to the information that suppliers need most frequently, Epicor Supplier Connect helps reduce or eliminate time spent on questions that come in via email, phone, or fax - liberating employees to devote their time to other more value-added relationship building efforts.
Epicor Commerce Connect also includes a configurator module that provides a fast and efficient mechanism to display product option on one page – allowing customers to simply and easily select product specifications, streamlining quoting, pricing and order management.
Epicor Commerce Connect delivers a number of business benefits including:
- Full integration of ERP and eCommerce;
- Single database simplifies platform management;
- Around-the-clock service to all trading partners with real-time access to account and product information; and,
- Leverages the strength of a leading eCommerce platform.
Availability
Epicor Commerce Connect is available immediately worldwide with Epicor ERP version 10, and is scheduled to be available with Epicor Prophet 21 and Epicor Eclipse distribution ERP solutions in the summer of 2014.