Epicor Kinetic vs SAP Business ByDesign
Side-by-side comparison of Epicor Kinetic and SAP Business ByDesign — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
Epicor Kinetic vs SAP Business ByDesign at a Glance
| Criteria | Epicor Kinetic | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers | Midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first SAP |
| Starting Price | $80/user/mo | $120/user/mo |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-user |
| Deployment | cloud, on-premise, hybrid | cloud |
| Company Size | 51-250, 251-1000, 1001-5000 | 51-250, 251-1000 |
| Implementation | 5–10 months | 4–8 months |
| Typical Cost | $100K–$500K | $100K–$400K |
Module Comparison
| Module | Epicor Kinetic | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Supply Chain | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| CRM | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| HR & Payroll | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Project Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Procurement | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Warehouse Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Ecommerce | ★ Basic | ★ Basic |
| Business Intelligence | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Quality Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Field Service | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
| Asset Management | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
Pros & Cons
Epicor Kinetic
Pros
- +Deep manufacturing capabilities (MES, APS, quality)
- +Strong shop floor control and production scheduling
- +Good fit for make-to-order and engineer-to-order
- +Modern Kinetic UI with browser-based access
Cons
- -Financials not as strong as SAP or Oracle
- -Ecommerce and retail modules are limited
- -Customisations can be complex to upgrade
- -Reporting relies heavily on SSRS — can feel dated
SAP Business ByDesign
Pros
- +True cloud — no infrastructure to manage
- +Strong project management and professional services features
- +Good fit for subsidiaries of SAP S/4HANA parents
- +Built-in multi-company and inter-company support
Cons
- -Limited customisation compared to on-premise SAP
- -Smaller partner ecosystem than Business One or S/4HANA
- -SAP has signalled end-of-life in favour of Cloud ERP
- -Not ideal for heavy discrete manufacturing
When to Choose Epicor Kinetic
- You need an ERP best suited for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers
- Your company has 51-250 or 251-1000 or 1001-5000 employees
- You operate in Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace & Defense
- You prefer cloud / on-premise / hybrid deployment
- Your budget aligns with $80/user/mo starting price
When to Choose SAP Business ByDesign
- You need an ERP best suited for midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first sap
- Your company has 51-250 or 251-1000 employees
- You operate in Professional Services, Wholesale & Distribution
- You prefer cloud deployment
- Your budget aligns with $120/user/mo starting price
What Users Say
“20,000+ manufacturers rely on Epicor — a leader in discrete manufacturing ERP”
“Trusted by midsize subsidiaries of SAP S/4HANA parent companies worldwide”
Industry Fit Analysis
| Industry | Epicor Kinetic | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Primary | Secondary |
| Wholesale & Distribution | Secondary | Primary |
Company Size Fit
| Company Size | Epicor Kinetic | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| 1–50 employees | — | — |
| 51–250 employees | ✓ | ✓ |
| 251–1000 employees | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1,001–5000 employees | ✓ | — |
| 5,000+ employees | — | — |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Epicor Kinetic better than SAP Business ByDesign?
It depends on your business needs. Epicor Kinetic is best for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers, while SAP Business ByDesign is best for midsize companies or subsidiaries needing cloud-first sap. Epicor Kinetic starts at $80/user/mo and SAP Business ByDesign starts at $120/user/mo.
How does Epicor Kinetic pricing compare to SAP Business ByDesign?
Epicor Kinetic uses a per-user pricing model starting at $80/user/mo, while SAP Business ByDesign uses a per-user model starting at $120/user/mo. Epicor Kinetic typical total cost is $100K–$500K vs $100K–$400K for SAP Business ByDesign.
Which is better for manufacturing: Epicor Kinetic or SAP Business ByDesign?
Both vendors serve manufacturing companies. Epicor Kinetic is typically chosen by 51-250, 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee organizations, while SAP Business ByDesign targets 51-250, 251-1000 employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
How long does it take to implement Epicor Kinetic vs SAP Business ByDesign?
Epicor Kinetic typically takes 5–10 months to implement, while SAP Business ByDesign takes 4–8 months. Implementation time depends on module scope, data migration complexity, customisation requirements, and organisational readiness.
What modules does Epicor Kinetic have that SAP Business ByDesign doesn't?
Both Epicor Kinetic and SAP Business ByDesign offer a similar range of modules. The key difference is in module depth — compare the strength ratings (Strong, Moderate, Basic) in the comparison table above.
Can I migrate from Epicor Kinetic to SAP Business ByDesign?
Yes, migration from Epicor Kinetic to SAP Business ByDesign is possible and is a common path in the ERP market. Key considerations include data migration (master data, transactional history), process re-mapping, user retraining, and integration reconfiguration. Most migrations take 4–12 months with an experienced implementation partner. We recommend engaging an independent ERP consultant to assess migration scope.
Which ERP is better for small businesses: Epicor Kinetic or SAP Business ByDesign?
Both Epicor Kinetic and SAP Business ByDesign serve small businesses. Epicor Kinetic starts at $80/user/mo and targets 51-250, 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee companies. SAP Business ByDesign starts at $120/user/mo and targets 51-250, 251-1000 employee companies. Consider your budget, industry, and required modules when choosing.
Related Resources
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