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Infor LN also provides a superior suite experience akin to SAP and Oracle, featuring enterprise-grade best-of-breed functionalities, including PLM, WMS, WFM, BI, and a supply chain collaboration platform. On the other hand, Epicor Kinetic excels in catering to manufacturing companies with formal processes. Its distinctive data model and BOM structure, coupled with robust planning capabilities for dimensional inventory, make it ideal for industries like metal, fasteners, fabrication, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.
While Infor LN excels in discrete manufacturing and offers a robust suite experience, it does face certain challenges in specific scenarios such as with process-centric operations for companies. Whereas, Epicor Kinetic is tailored for companies advancing beyond basic transactional processing, it targets those in need of mature manufacturing capabilities such as MRP, allocation, and scheduling. Therefore, choosing between Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic requires a detailed examination, and this comparison offers valuable insights for ERP selection projects. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics.
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| Infor CloudSuite LN | Epicor Kinetic | |
| Started in | 2006 (when Infor acquired BaaN) | Rebranding in 2021 (legacy version existed for more than 20 years) |
| Ownership by | Koch Industries | CD&R, over $57B in assets, and CVC with over $220B in assets |
| No. of customers | 1,000+ | 23,000+ |
What Is Infor CloudSuite LN?
Infor CloudSuite LN is a complete product suite to meet the needs of an enterprise similar to Epicor, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft. Infor is also perhaps the only vendor after the larger ones that has the capabilities to build best-of-breed architecture akin to SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft. In fact, Infor might have deeper capabilities than Microsoft in some areas with pre-integrated best-of-breed solutions such as Infor WFM and Nexus. Infor is also the only vendor that can provide depth in several industries while not struggling with the transactional processing requirements of large accounts.
Infor LN is ideal for particularly discrete manufacturing companies. It is successful in the upper mid-market, targeting the $250M – $750M revenue range. Positioned for companies surpassing entry-level ERP systems like Acumatica, Infor CSI, or NetSuite, this solution also delivers mature capabilities for intricate manufacturing intertwined with distribution operations. Infor LN also provides a superior suite experience akin to SAP and Oracle, featuring enterprise-grade best-of-breed functionalities, including PLM, WMS, WFM, BI, and a supply chain collaboration platform.
While Infor LN excels in discrete manufacturing and offers a robust suite experience, it does face certain challenges in specific scenarios such as with process-centric operations for companies. They might also include business operations such as plastic or chemicals as part of their automotive operations. Despite limitations in broader capabilities compared to other vanilla solutions, recent upgrades acknowledge its broader application in various automotive business models.
What Is Epicor Kinetic?
Epicor Kinetic, their flagship solution, particularly excels in catering to manufacturing companies with formal processes. Its distinctive data model and BOM structure, coupled with robust planning capabilities for dimensional inventory, make it ideal for industries like metal, fasteners, fabrication, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. Epicor Kinetic’s versatile data model addresses complex planning needs for companies particularly with diverse business models, encompassing manufacturing, distribution, and construction. Moreover, its advanced features support WBS-centric processes, enabling efficient management of large manufacturing programs with centralized cost tracking.
Epicor Kinetic boasts a sophisticated data model, surpassing entry-level ERP systems particularly like Acumatica or NetSuite. Tailored for companies advancing beyond basic transactional processing, it targets those in need of mature manufacturing capabilities such as MRP, allocation, and scheduling. Implementation success with Epicor Kinetic also requires substantial expertise in process and data coding, making it unsuitable for founder-led companies lacking seasoned operational and financial executives with ERP experience. Given its rigid revision model, companies with suboptimal SKU and BOM models may face challenges during implementation, emphasizing the need for robust internal capabilities and advisory support.
Epicor Kinetic has also undergone noteworthy technological advancements, adopting a look and feel reminiscent of Microsoft Dynamics ERP systems. Despite its legacy status, it supports mature cloud capabilities like enterprise search. Positioned for companies particularly in the $50M – $750M revenue range, it has a strong customer base within this bracket. Current limitations also include its field service capabilities, which are being addressed through an acquired add-on, and its finance and accounting module, not as tightly integrated as other modern cloud-native solutions.
Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic Comparison
Navigating the choice between Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic is a significant decision for businesses particularly looking for operational efficiency and strategic alignment. Thus, this section delves into the comprehensive comparison of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic across various critical dimensions.
| Infor CloudSuite LN | Epicor Kinetic | |
| Global Operational Capabilities | Has financial hierarchy layers and pre-baked global trade compliance functionalities. | The limited number of global and financial layers would require inefficient workarounds. |
| Diverse Capabilities | Limited focus on certain business models. | The versatile data model addresses complex planning needs for companies with diverse business models. |
| Best-of-breed Capabilities | HCM, PLM, data lake, ERP, WMS, TMS, and advanced supply chain planning, are all pre-integrated. | Limited, relying on third party add-ons for field service and quality module. |
| Last-mile Capabilities | Present along with breadth of capabilities for diversified manufacturing business models. | Pre-packaged capabilities for metal, automotive, and aerospace verticals. |
| Operational Functionalities | Legacy solution with limited cloud-native capabilities. | Equipped with strong mixed-mode manufacturing capabilities, and strong WBS-centric processes. |
| Integration Capabilities | Manufacturing tools, such as HCM, PLM, data lake, ERP, WMS, TMS, and advanced supply chain planning, are pre-integrated. | With out-of-the-box MES functionality, particularly appeals to smaller companies seeking pre-integrated Industry 4.0 capabilities. |
| Manufacturing Capabilities | Mature capabilities for manufacturing and distribution operations. | Manufacturing organizations with formal processes and revision numbers will relate more. |
| Pricing Model | Subscription-based | Per user, monthly. |
| Key Modules | 1. Financials 2. Human Resources 3. Manufacturing Management 4. Inventory Management 5. Purchasing Management 6. Quality Management 7. Sales Management 8. Product Technology | 1. Financial Management 2. Supply Chain Management 3. Production Management 4. Risk and Compliance 5. Customer Relationship Management 6. Project Management 7. Cloud Business Platform 8. Business Intelligence and Analytics 9. Planning and Scheduling 10. Services and Assets 11. Omnichannel Sales 12. Product Management 13. Global Business Management |
Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic Feature Comparison
Both platforms offer a plethora of features and functionalities designed to streamline business operations and enhance efficiency. In this feature comparison, we delve into particularly the distinct capabilities of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic across various critical dimensions, providing insights to aid businesses in making informed decisions regarding their ERP selection. Thus, this section discusses features under each of the following modules, particularly financial management, supply chain management, and manufacturing management.
Financial Management Comparison
In this section, we are discussing a detailed comparison of the financial management capabilities particularly offered by Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic. By examining their respective strengths and functionalities, particularly in managing financial processes. Businesses can therefore gain valuable insights to determine the best-suited ERP solution for their financial management needs.
| Infor CloudSuite LN | Epicor Kinetic | ||
| Financial Management | General Ledger | The General Ledger is the core component of Infor LN Financials, recording all transactions within the application that affect accounting. | It is a customizable, secure core component of its Financial Management suite. Offers accounting controls, seamless integration with other financial modules, global capabilities, and also advanced reporting tools. |
| Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable | AR manages customer invoices and credit, while AP handles supplier invoices and balance management. | Includes AR (managing invoicing, credit, cash, and customer payments) and AP (automating invoice processing, supporting multiple payment methods, and tracking expenses). | |
| Cash Flow Management | Cash Management handles cash-related transactions, primarily involving payments to and receipts from business partners. | Features automated cash handling, bank reconciliation, multi-currency and multi-bank management, integration with other financial modules, and also real-time reporting and analysis. | |
| Currency Management | The LN multicurrency systems allow a company to conduct accounting in multiple currencies, calculating and registering amounts in up to three currencies. | Simplifies multi-currency transactions, automates exchange rate management, integrates with other financial modules, ensures global compliance, and provides real-time reporting and analysis. | |
| Tax Management | Tax reporting is part of financial accounting and is limited to one country, so LN’s tax handling in a multicompany structure is similar to that in a single company environment. | Automates sales and use tax calculations, integrates with financial modules, supports multiple jurisdictions, provides real-time updates, and simplifies reporting and filing. |
Supply Chain Management Comparison
In this comparison, we explore and analyze the supply chain management capabilities of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic, shedding light particularly on their respective strengths and weaknesses.
| Infor CloudSuite LN | Epicor Kinetic | ||
| Supply Chain Management | Warehouse Management | Warehousing focuses on managing and replenishing goods within a warehouse, including tasks to report and analyze inventory movements. | Optimizes operations with real-time inventory tracking, advanced material management, seamless integration with other systems, and configurable workflows. |
| Service Management | Manages the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of field-based and plant-based products, equipment, and systems. | Streamlines operations with maintenance management, service contract handling, case management, RMA tracking, and real-time insights for efficient equipment upkeep and customer support. | |
| Inventory Management | Can support complex inventory types including dedicated inventory masters for MRO or quality components for added granularity and control | Optimizes processes with detailed tracking, smart planning, advanced units of measure, automated purchase contracts, and seamless integration with supply chain and production modules. | |
| Purchase Order Management | Can create and modify purchase orders for purchasing goods. | Streamlines procurement with tools for supplier negotiations, order tracking, automated processes, and supplier relationship management. | |
| Sales Order Management | They are utilized to sell and deliver items or services to a sold-to business partner under specific terms and conditions, originating from various sources like Contracts, Quotations, EDI, and Planning. | Streamlines sales with features for order tracking, automation, estimating, cross-functional collaboration, and eCommerce integration. | |
| Requisition Management | Specifies nonsystem planned requirements for different types of items, including inventory items, cost items, and service items. | Automates procurement with real-time budget checks, vendor support, standing and blanket orders, multi-level approvals, and effective expenditure management. |
Manufacturing Management Comparison
In this comparison, we explore and analyze the manufacturing management capabilities of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic, shedding light, particularly on their respective strengths and weaknesses.
| Infor CloudSuite LN | Epicor Kinetic | ||
| Manufacturing Management | Production Planning | One of the most robust production planning capabilities including advanced planning and scheduling capabilities for diverse manufacturing operations. | Enhances manufacturing efficiency with Master Production Scheduling, Material Requirements Planning, Advanced Planning and Scheduling, Job Management, Lean Manufacturing, Quality Management, and Advanced MES for real-time monitoring. |
| BOM and Routing | It is stored as general item data for LN in Item Production Data (IPD). | Streamlines production with multi-level BOM management, dynamic BOM creation, CAD and PLM integration, strong change control, centralized routing management, detailed routing steps, real-time adjustments, and precise cost and time estimation. | |
| Advanced Planning and Scheduling | Stores scheduling information for projects, allowing you to define project plans along with associated activities and milestones. | Enhances production efficiency with automated scheduling, flexible capacity planning, real-time adjustments, what-if scenarios, integrated material constraints, and multi-site management. |
Pros of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic
When evaluating ERP solutions, understanding the distinct advantages of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic is crucial. In this section, we are particularly exploring the strengths of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic across various dimensions. Thus, shedding light on their respective capabilities and functionalities.
| Infor CloudSuite LN | Epicor Kinetic |
| Ideal for upper mid-market companies or as subsidiary solutions in a two-tier setting for private equity-owned or holding companies. | Epicor has a very similar look and feel to Microsoft ERP products, providing you with the same experience but with much deeper last-mile capabilities. |
| It can support the most complex manufacturing business models, WBS-centric manufacturing, or support for attributes with MRP planning. | 90% of the capabilities required by verticals such as metal, automotive, and aerospace are pre-packaged with the core platform. |
| Most tools that make-to manufacturer would require, such as HCM, PLM, data lake, ERP, WMS, TMS, and advanced supply chain planning, are all pre-integrated with LN. | Great fit for manufacturing organizations that follow formal manufacturing processes with revision numbers. |
| While most smaller solutions might require ad-hoc arrangements for global financial operations, Infor CloudSuite LN has them natively built. | Although a legacy product, it includes mature cloud capabilities such as enterprise search and transactional maps for end-to-end transactional traceability. |
Cons of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic
Just like recognizing strengths is important, it’s also crucial to weigh the specific drawbacks of Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic. Therefore, in this section, we will delve into the limitations and challenges associated with Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic across various operational and financial dimensions.
| Infor CloudSuite LN | Epicor Kinetic |
| The limited focus on certain business models poses the risk of requiring other ERP systems to support complex and diverse business operations such as process manufacturing or metal-centric A&D companies. | The data layers are highly detailed, requiring substantial consulting help to be successful with the product. |
| Private equity and holding companies requiring global solutions with a tier-2 solution at the subsidiary level might not be the best use of Infor LN’s strengths. | The limited focus on certain business models poses the risk of requiring other ERP systems to support complex and diverse business operations. |
| Infor LN is a legacy solution with limited cloud-native capabilities such as universal search, mobile experience, etc | The field service capabilities are not as embedded and proven as some of the other products. |
| The consulting base and marketplaces are virtually non-existent for Infor LN. | Epicor takes a suite approach to its products while selling directly to its customers. This limits the overall consulting and marketplace penetration. |
| The integration of Infor LN with MES enhances its capabilities, particularly in complex manufacturing processes. | Requires ad-hoc arrangements for larger mid-market companies with more than three financial hierarchies. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Infor LN vs Epicor Kinetic offer robust ERP solutions tailored to specific market segments and industry needs. Infor LN excels in supporting upper mid-market companies, particularly in discrete manufacturing sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and high tech. Its comprehensive suite of pre-integrated tools and global capabilities make it a strong candidate particularly for complex manufacturing operations. However, its legacy status and limited focus on certain business models may require additional systems for more diverse operations.Â
In contrast, Epicor Kinetic is well-suited for a broader range of mid-market companies, with a focus on industries like metal, fabrication, and medical devices. Its sophisticated data model and strong planning capabilities offer significant advantages for companies particularly needing mature manufacturing processes. Yet, its reliance on third-party add-ons and limited global capabilities may present challenges for larger organizations with more intricate operational requirements.
Both systems have their strengths and limitations, so businesses should carefully evaluate their specific needs and growth aspirations to determine the most suitable ERP solution. Also, seeking assistance from an independent ERP consultant can significantly aid the decision-making process. To get a 360-degree view of feature comparisons, it’s essential to explore not only Infor LN vs. Epicor Kinetic but also insights from other analyses such as Infor LN vs. NetSuite, SAP S/4 HANA, Oracle Cloud ERP, MS Dynamics 365 F&O, MS Dynamics 365 BC, Acumatica, and Infor CloudSuite M3.
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