Epicor Kinetic vs. SAP Business One

Written by

David Budiac

Last updated on

August 23rd, 2024

Epicor Kinetic

SAP Business One

Formerly known as Epicor ERP, Kinetic is renowned in manufacturing and distribution. Kinetic is a two-tier ERP software offering compliance management, planning and scheduling, supply chain management, quality assurance, and maintenance management.

Best For:

Kinetic is best for a range of business sizes, from small companies (10-50 employees) to enterprises (over 10,000 employees). It supports mixed-mode, made-to-order, engineer-to-order, and discrete manufacturing environments.

This software can be deployed on-premise or on the cloud, and accessed from any mobile device through iOS and Android apps. The SAP API Business Hub allows for a wide range of partner integrations.

Best For:

Small to midsize enterprises with $1M to $200M in annual revenue seeking a comprehensive ERP solution. It suits businesses aiming to centralize data management and streamline core operations. Companies leaning towards SAP Business One should understand specialized ERP systems.

8.8

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

8.9

USER RATING

based on 9 user reviews

Our Verdict:

We like Kinetic’s extensive product configuration, discrete manufacturing capabilities, and customizable reporting. We also liked having the option to make limited code adjustments to the software.

Though it offers multi-company management, Kinetic is not the best option for multinational organizations with numerous product lines.

Pros:

Built for manufacturers
Collects real-time shop floor data
Built-in artificial intelligence support
Customizable and extensive reporting
Easily-integrated with applications like Excel

Cons:

Not ideal for multinational organizations
High learning curve

8.1

USER RATING

based on 14 user reviews

Our Verdict:

SAP Business One is crafted to help businesses with steady expansion. The platform offers a refined methodology for managing core business operations. Noteworthy attributes include centralized data management, real-time decision-making capabilities, efficient customer data retrieval, and many customizable reports.

While SAP Business One prides itself on catering to the needs of small to midsize entities, its complexity and pricing structure might resonate more with midsize firms familiar with intricate ERP landscapes. With its ability to allow businesses to adeptly harness their data in real time, it remains a top ERP choice.

Pros:

Highly customizable
Improved decision-making capabilities via extensive BI
Multi-currency/multi-language support
Native iOS and Android apps
Supports both SQL Server and SAP HANA database engines

Cons:

Requires phone consult for pricing
Setup usually requires help from a Value Added Reseller (VAR)
No payroll module
Limited chart of accounts

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $175/user/month
Client OS Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $410/user/year
Client OS Windows

About the Companies

Epicor Kinetic and SAP Business One are part of two of the biggest names in ERP software. SAP was founded in 1972 and has been a leader in ERP innovation for over 50 years, currently providing solutions for over 269 million cloud users. Similarly, Epicor has also been providing leading business software for over 50 years, with offices in 34 countries and over 2 million daily users.

Epicor Kinetic: Manufacturing and Distribution Focus

Epicor Kinetic is an ERP solution focusing on manufacturing and distribution. Because of this, Epicor has superior manufacturing and supply chain management modules compared to SAP Business One. We appreciate its detailed inventory with a sophisticated global search and its wide range of manufacturing tools, like real-time shop floor data collection.

However, we found Epicor Kinetic’s CRM module lacking compared to Business One. Some users have reported limited functionality and have found integrating a third-party CRM system like HubSpot more efficient. On top of this, the system is more expensive than Business One, with a starting price of $175/month.

SAP Business One: Comprehensive Business Management

SAP Business One is a strong ERP option for small to midsize companies that do not require advanced manufacturing modules. We found its finance, sales, and project management tools to be more comprehensive than Epicor Kinetic. It includes strong reporting insights into business finance, and its CRM includes partner and campaign management tools. Also, its starting price is cheaper, costing $410/user/year.

Compared to Epicor Kinetic, its manufacturing module is not as strong. It functions best for less complex and smaller manufacturers. Also, small businesses will want to consider getting help from a value-added reseller (VAR) for setup, as it is complex to implement the system without one.

Final Verdict: Who’s the Winner?

While Epicor Kinetic is a clear choice for manufacturers and distributors looking for a modular approach, it is limited in terms of CRM functionality. On the other hand, SAP Business One offers a holistic view of business data and promotes efficient processes.

However, we feel that SAP Business One might be the better choice for most businesses. It offers wide-ranging features that extend beyond Epicor Kinetic’s manufacturing focus. It’s a more flexible ERP solution designed to grow with businesses.

Nonetheless, your final decision should largely depend on your business type and specific requirements. Understand your organizational needs, consider what both platforms offer, and then make your pick.

Epicor Kinetic

★★★★★

(9)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$175/user/month

Client OS

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises

SAP Business One

★★★★★

(14)

SAP Business One provides comprehensive business management capabilities for small and medium-sized companies. This system provides integrated departmental support for finance, sales, supply chain management, production, project management, and production processes. This software can be deployed on-premise or on the cloud, and accessed from any mobile device through iOS and Android apps. The SAP API Business Hub allows for a wide range of partner integrations.