Implementing an ERP system like Epicor® is one of the most transformative—but also complex—steps an organization can take. But long before software installation, data migration, or training sessions begin, there’s a critical phase that too many businesses overlook: defining what success looks like.
At Epicforce Tech, we believe the path to a smooth Epicor implementation begins long before you touch a single configuration setting. It starts with clarity. Clarity about your goals, your processes, your people, and your metrics. In this article, we’ll break down how our team helps clients define success—before implementation starts—and why that makes all the difference.
Why Defining Success Matters Before Epicor Implementation
ERP projects are infamous for going over budget, missing deadlines, or falling short of expectations. Often, it’s not because of the technology—it’s because the goals were vague or success wasn’t clearly defined. Without a shared vision:
- Stakeholders are misaligned
- Priorities shift mid-project
- Users resist change
- ROI becomes difficult to measure
At Epicforce Tech, we solve this by building a success framework before any implementation steps begin.
Phase 1: Understanding Your Business Vision and Objectives
We start by learning your language, not just Epicor’s. That means working closely with your leadership, operations, finance, and IT teams to answer foundational questions:
- What strategic goals is this ERP meant to support?
- Which pain points are driving the need for change?
- Where is the business heading in 1, 3, and 5 years?
- What does “done right” actually look like?
Rather than jumping into features and modules, Epicforce Tech consultants take a discovery-first approach. This ensures the Epicor implementation doesn’t just replicate old systems—it supports where your business is going.
Phase 2: Documenting and Mapping Key Business Processes
Before we recommend any solution or customization, we help you map your existing workflows across departments:
- Sales and quoting
- Inventory and warehousing
- Procurement and supply chain
- Financials and reporting
- Production planning
This exercise helps uncover gaps, duplications, and manual inefficiencies. It also allows us to identify where Epicor can add the most value, and where customization may be required.
Tip: We often use process-mapping tools that become part of your internal documentation—so the investment pays off beyond the ERP project.
Phase 3: Defining Success Metrics (Quantitative and Qualitative)
Success is measurable. At Epicforce Tech, we work with clients to define SMART KPIs tied directly to the ERP implementation:
| Business Area | Sample Success Metrics |
|---|---|
| Finance | Reduce month-end close from 10 to 3 days |
| Inventory | Decrease stockouts by 20% within 6 months |
| Sales | Automate 75% of order entry tasks |
| Procurement | Cut vendor lead time reporting from 3 days to real-time |
We also define qualitative goals, such as:
- High user adoption
- Improved cross-department collaboration
- Real-time visibility for decision-makers
These success metrics help keep your project grounded—and give you a way to measure ROI later.
Phase 4: Aligning Stakeholders and Building Internal Ownership
ERP projects affect nearly every corner of an organization. That’s why Epicforce Tech works to build early alignment among all relevant teams:
- Executive leadership
- Department heads
- Functional power users
- IT and support staff
We run pre-implementation workshops to:
- Clarify roles and responsibilities
- Build trust in the implementation plan
- Surface risks and concerns early
- Create cross-functional buy-in
This alignment makes implementation smoother and reduces post-launch resistance.
Phase 5: Planning for Training and Change Management Early
Another hallmark of Epicforce Tech’s approach is that we don’t treat training and change management as afterthoughts. These are baked into the success definition from day one.
We help answer:
- Who needs training—and at what level?
- What type of training works best for each user group?
- How will feedback be gathered and improvements made?
We also prepare your internal team to become Epicor champions—empowered, confident users who can lead adoption long after go-live.
Phase 6: Building Your Epicor Success Roadmap
Once your goals, metrics, and alignment are in place, we formalize it all into a custom Epicor Success Roadmap. This is more than a timeline—it’s a blueprint that includes:
- Key phases and milestones
- Success criteria for each phase
- Ownership roles by department
- Change management checkpoints
- Early warning indicators
This roadmap is fully customized by Epicforce Tech consultants, based on your industry, structure, and specific needs. It keeps everyone focused and accountable throughout implementation.
Why This Approach Drives Better Results
By defining success early, Epicforce Tech helps businesses:
- Make better implementation decisions
- Prioritize what truly matters
- Stay on budget and on time
- Increase end-user confidence
- Maximize ROI from Day One
We’ve helped organizations across manufacturing, distribution, and professional services transform their operations with Epicor—not just by installing software, but by building a foundation for growth.
Common Challenges We Help Clients Avoid
| Challenge | How Epicforce Tech Helps |
|---|---|
| Vague expectations from leadership | We create alignment workshops to clarify project goals |
| Conflicting priorities between departments | We facilitate cross-functional discovery sessions |
| Lack of adoption after go-live | We start training and communication early in the process |
| Underestimating data quality issues | We audit and cleanse data as part of the pre-planning |
| Scope creep and delays | We stick to a success-focused roadmap with guardrails |
Epicor Is the Tool. Epicforce Tech Is the Partner.
Epicor ERP is a powerful platform—but it’s just that: a platform. The success of your implementation depends not on what the software can do, but how it’s deployed, who guides the setup, and how well it aligns with your vision.
That’s where Epicforce Tech comes in.
Our consultants don’t just implement ERP—they help you define success, structure the journey, and build momentum that lasts beyond go-live.
Ready to Define What Success Looks Like for You?
If you’re planning an Epicor implementation or considering a re-implementation, let’s start with a conversation—not a sales pitch.
We’ll walk you through our success framework and help you uncover what’s possible.
Contact Epicforce Tech for a no-obligation discovery session
Explore our Epicor implementation services
Read More:
7 Best Tips for a Successful Epicor Implementation
ERP Data Migration Strategies for Successful Epicor Implementation
Successful Epicor Implementation: A Step-by-Step Guide for Optimizing Business Processes
Step-by-Step Guide to Epicor Implementation for Business Success
The Secret to a Successful Epicor® Implementation? Employee Training – Here’s How Epicforce Tech Helps
How to Speed Up Your Epicor ERP Implementation with Epicor DMT