Legacy customizations are often the invisible weight holding back your Epicor® system. What was once a quick workaround or department-specific enhancement can become a barrier to scalability, performance, and upgrades.
The solution isn’t to remove them entirely—but to rebuild them the right way.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to identify outdated Epicor® custom features, rebuild them for current needs, and ensure they align with your long-term ERP roadmap—with real-world advice and practical steps to get it right.
What Are Legacy Custom Features—and Why Do They Become a Problem?
Legacy customizations are modifications added to your Epicor® system over the years to solve specific problems. These can include:
- Custom screens or forms
- Hardcoded business logic
- External integrations patched into the system
- Scripts or extensions with no documentation
- User-defined fields and dashboards that no longer serve a purpose
They become problematic when:
- Epicor® releases updates that break them
- No one knows how they work (or why they were built)
- They create performance issues
- They block cloud migration or module upgrades
- They’re deeply embedded in processes that no longer match business goals
Step 1: Audit and Prioritize What Needs Rebuilding
Start with a customization inventory. Review:
- What was built
- When and why it was created
- Who uses it (and if they still do)
- Whether Epicor® now has built-in support for that function
- The technical impact (risk of failure, performance, etc.)
Tip: Classify each customization
- Replace – Epicor® has a native alternative now
- Retire – No longer needed
- Rebuild – Still valuable but poorly implemented
- Retain – Works well, no action needed (for now)
Step 2: Redesign for Flexibility and Maintainability
Instead of replicating old logic line-for-line, take this opportunity to redesign smarter.
Ask:
- Can this be rebuilt using Epicor® BPM instead of hard code?
- Can a BAQ or dashboard achieve the same result with less risk?
- Can it be broken down into modular logic for easier updates?
- Should this logic sit in the ERP—or in an integrated system?
Best Practices for Rebuilding:
- Use low-code tools (like BPMs, BAQs, UD tables)
- Avoid hard dependencies across modules
- Keep logic clean, reusable, and documented
- Build with the upgrade path in mind
- Always test in a sandbox environment
Step 3: Align Custom Features with Current Business Processes
Legacy logic often no longer reflects how your teams work today. Before rebuilding, revalidate the need:
- Is this still how we process POs, invoices, or jobs?
- Has the policy or workflow changed since this was built?
- Are users still relying on it—or bypassing it?
Realignment Ideas:
- Map old logic against current SOPs
- Interview end-users about what works or doesn’t
- Consolidate multiple customizations into one streamlined function
- Replace outdated forms with role-specific dashboards
Step 4: Test, Validate, and Phase the Rollout
Don’t wait until go-live to test. Include stakeholders throughout.
Testing Checklist:
- Unit testing of logic (e.g., BPM triggers, data flow)
- Role-based user acceptance testing
- Performance benchmarking (especially for dashboards or queries)
- Parallel testing with legacy features for comparison
Phased Rollout Options:
- Deploy module by module
- Enable new feature sets for pilot teams first
- Monitor adoption and adjust where needed
Step 5: Document Everything (Even What You Remove)
Documentation is one of the biggest gaps in legacy customizations. Fix that now.
Include:
- Business purpose of the customization
- Technical structure (fields, logic, data sources)
- User roles affected
- Dependencies or integration points
- Change history and versioning
- Screenshots or screen recordings
Real Benefits of Rebuilding the Right Way
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Better system performance | Faster load times and fewer failures |
| Easier upgrades | No breakage during Epicor® updates |
| Improved usability | Simpler screens, fewer workarounds |
| Higher confidence | Clear ownership and documentation |
| Stronger alignment | Custom features support actual goals |
Examples of Smart Rebuilds
Legacy: Custom PO approval screen
Rebuilt As: Role-based workflow using Epicor® BPM with email triggers
Legacy: Sales report in Excel with multiple exports
Rebuilt As: Real-time Epicor® dashboard using BAQs and user filters
Legacy: Script that syncs part master with warehouse bins
Rebuilt As: Scheduled Epicor® function with error logging and alerts
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Rebuilding without process validation
- Using the same bad logic in a new form
- Over-customizing when configuration would work
- Failing to involve end-users in testing
- Ignoring documentation—again
Tags for Searchability and Engagement
- Epicor Custom Feature Rebuild
- ERP Modernization
- Epicor BPM and BAQ Best Practices
- ERP Upgrade Readiness
- Epicforce Tech Epicor Support
Conclusion: Don’t Just Rebuild—Rebuild for the Future
Legacy customizations don’t have to hold you back. With the right approach, you can rebuild smarter, faster, and more strategically—turning outdated logic into upgrade-ready, user-aligned Epicor® enhancements.
At Epicforce Tech, we specialize in helping businesses modernize and optimize their Epicor® environments. Whether you’re planning an upgrade, migrating to the cloud, or just cleaning up years of accumulated logic, we help you do it right—step by step, without disruption.
Let’s turn your legacy features into future-ready solutions.
Talk to the experts at Epicforce Tech today.
Read More:
How Epicforce Tech Simplifies Complex Epicor® Logic with Modular Customizations
Why One-Size-Fits-All Training Doesn’t Work & How Epicforce Tech Builds Custom Learning Paths
How Epicforce Tech Enhances Operational Efficiency with Epicor BPM Customization
Maximizing Data Efficiency with Custom BAQ Solutions by Epicforce Tech
How Epicforce Tech Builds Custom Reports in Epicor® ERP to Improve Business Insights
