Our editorial staff tested and reviewed both Epicor Kinetic and Zoho Books to provide a comparison based on firsthand experience. This will help you understand the target markets and deciding factors when choosing between these two ERP solutions.
Epicor Kinetic is best for a range of business sizes from small businesses (10-50 employees) to massive enterprises (over 10,000 employees). It’s optimal for mixed-mode, made-to-order, engineer-to-order, and discrete manufacturing environments.
In contrast, Zoho Books is good for small businesses with up to ten employees in online retail spaces and digital marketing. It serves growing organizations that plan to expand their functionality into inventory management, project tracking, and other areas.
Epicor Kinetic, previously known as Epicor ERP, is a renowned player in the manufacturing and distribution space. It offers compliance management, planning and scheduling, supply chain management, quality assurance, and maintenance management.
Kinetic offers product configuration, discrete manufacturing capabilities, and customizable reporting. It also provides the flexibility to make limited code adjustments to the software.
However, despite offering multi-company management, we found Kinetic less suitable for multinational organizations with numerous product lines. It also has a somewhat steep learning curve.
Zoho Books is a popular alternative to QuickBooks Online. It’s a cloud-based accounting software that offers accounts receivables and payables functionality, allowing you to manage your financials, create reports, and automate your sales and purchasing workflows.
Zoho Books offers time-tracking features, robust inventory management, and easy integrations with other Zoho products. However, it’s not ideal for companies searching for a comprehensive system beyond simple accounting. It’s part of an ecosystem of product suites that can integrate in a piecemeal fashion. You’ll need additional apps for inventory, CRM, and more.
Zoho Books is likely the better choice for most businesses. While Epicor Kinetic is a powerful tool for manufacturing and distribution companies, Zoho Books offers a broader appeal. Its versatility, affordability, and scalability make it a decent choice for small businesses in various industries.
Check out our roundup of the best ERP software to find the solution that best fits your business.