Month: November 2025

If your ERP system isn’t running in the cloud, then you might just have your head in the clouds! 

Jokes aside though, cloud ERP is no longer the future. It’s the present. Businesses that still rely on on-premise systems are missing out on flexibility, resilience and cost efficiency that are now standard in modern operations. 

According to Stuart Scanlon, managing director of epic ERP, companies that move their ERP to the cloud see immediate improvements in accessibility, performance and control.  

“Cloud ERP isn’t just about saving money or keeping up with technology trends,” he says. “It’s about giving your people the freedom to work from anywhere and the ability to make faster, smarter decisions.” 

Unlike on-premise systems, cloud ERP grows with your business. Whether you’re expanding into new regions or scaling back after a busy season, you can adjust capacity easily without disruption or major expense.  

“For many of our clients the flexibility of the cloud has been a game changer,” says Stuart. “It allows them to move quickly while keeping their IT spend predictable.” 

Security and reliability 

Today’s cloud environments are built for enterprise-grade security and resilience. Regular updates, advanced encryption and global redundancy ensure that your business stays secure and operational.  

From a cost and hardware perspective, cloud ERP eliminates costly servers, maintenance and upgrade projects. Instead of heavy capital expenditure, you pay a subscription based on usage.  

“Cloud ERP shifts IT from a headache to a service,” says Stuart. “You’re always on the latest version, with predictable costs and no nasty surprises.” 

And if disaster strikes (think power outage, flood, or even load shedding), cloud ERP keeps your data safe and your business running.  

“You don’t have to worry about servers overheating or backups failing. Everything is handled automatically, and your team can keep working without interruption,” says Stuart. 

Enabling innovation 

The cloud is also the gateway to technologies like AI, automation and predictive analytics. These tools integrate directly into cloud ERP platforms to deliver real-time insights and faster decision-making.  

The verdict 

Moving your ERP system to the cloud is a smart business move. It boosts performance, reduces costs, and helps your organisation stay agile.  

“Cloud ERP gives you the freedom to focus on what matters: growing your business. And that’s what being epic is all about.” concludes Stuart.

When choosing an ERP implementation partner, you’re not just selecting a service provider – you’re choosing the team that will help shape your organisation’s digital future. The right partner ensures your ERP investment delivers measurable results, drives innovation, and supports long-term business growth.

At epic ERP, our strength lies in the partnerships we hold and the standards we uphold. As both a Microsoft Designated Partner and an Epicor Premium Partner, we combine two powerful ecosystems – Microsoft’s cloud innovation and Epicor’s deep ERP expertise – to deliver solutions that are smart, scalable, and future-ready.

Here’s why that partnership combination gives your business an undeniable advantage.

1. The Power of a Microsoft Designated Partner

A Microsoft Designated Partner has proven capability, performance, and customer success through Microsoft’s rigorous global framework. This recognition is more than a title – it’s proof of measurable excellence and reliability.

Criteria	Microsoft Designated Partner	Non-Designated Partner
Technical Expertise	Certified professionals with verified ERP implementation success. Meets Microsoft’s rigorous standards for customer success and performance.	May lack structured methodologies and formal certifications. Skill levels vary widely.
Access to Microsoft Resources	Priority access to Microsoft tools, FastTrack onboarding, and advanced technical support.	Limited or no access to Microsoft-funded support or programmes.
Funding & Incentives	Eligible for Microsoft-funded Solution Assessments, Proof of Concepts (PoCs), and workshops – reducing cost and risk for customers.	Typically not eligible for Microsoft-funded engagements.
Co-Sell Opportunities	Collaborates directly with Microsoft; featured on Microsoft AppSource; gains joint sales visibility.	No co-sell opportunities or marketplace exposure.
Specialisations & Advanced Skills	Can earn advanced specialisations that validate niche technical depth.	No access to specialisation programmes.
Trust & Credibility	Recognised by Microsoft for excellence and compliance with global best practices.	Reputation based solely on individual project history.
Early Access to Innovation	Priority access to Microsoft’s product roadmap and emerging technologies such as AI-driven ERP tools.	Standard release cycles only.
Structured Methodology	Uses Microsoft-aligned implementation frameworks, ensuring predictable and low-risk outcomes.	Often ad hoc or inconsistent project methodologies.

The takeaway:
Microsoft Designated Partners deliver structured, lower-risk, innovation-ready ERP solutions with direct Microsoft backing.

Non-designated partners may appear more affordable upfront but often lack the consistency, support, and access to innovation that come with Microsoft’s recognition.

2. The Assurance of an Epicor Premium Partner

As an Epicor Premium Partner, epic ERP stands in the top tier of Epicor’s global partner ecosystem – recognised for delivery excellence, deep product knowledge, and exceptional customer success.

Criteria	Epicor Premium Partner	Non-Premium Partner
Certification & Training	Staff certified through Epicor University, with continuous training on the latest releases and modules.	May have limited or outdated product training.
Access to Epicor Resources	Dedicated partner support, participation in beta programmes, and early access to new product versions.	Standard support access only; delayed feature adoption.
Implementation Methodology	Follows Epicor’s Signature Implementation Methodology for predictable, efficient ERP delivery.	May use mixed or homegrown methods, leading to greater risk and inconsistency.
Customer Support & SLA	Enhanced support channels, faster escalation paths, and stronger post–go-live assistance.	Standard response times; limited escalation options.
Co-Marketing & Joint Initiatives	Co-branded marketing opportunities, event collaboration, and increased visibility within the Epicor ecosystem.	No access to co-marketing or brand alignment opportunities.
Innovation Access	Early access to Epicor R&D insights, AI-driven ERP advancements, and pilot programmes.	Access only after public releases.
Reputation & Trust	Recognised by Epicor as top-tier for delivery quality, customer success, and technical excellence.	No formal endorsement; credibility based on individual track record.

The takeaway:
Epicor Premium Partners provide greater assurance, smoother implementations, and closer alignment with Epicor’s evolving technology.

Non-Premium Partners can still implement ERP solutions but often without the same level of expertise, structure, or endorsement.

3. Why Epic ERP’s Dual Accreditation Matters

When you combine Microsoft’s innovation with Epicor’s manufacturing and distribution expertise, you get a partnership that covers every layer of your ERP environment – from infrastructure and cloud to process optimisation and analytics.

Combined Benefit Area	Value for the Customer
End-to-End Expertise	epic ERP’s dual status ensures certified, skilled teams across both the Microsoft and Epicor ecosystems – covering infrastructure, cloud, and ERP layers seamlessly.
Accelerated Implementation	Microsoft FastTrack together with Epicor’s Signature Implementation Methodology delivers faster go-lives with less risk and stronger governance.
Access to Exclusive Resources	Dual access to Microsoft and Epicor-funded programmes, advanced technical support, and early innovation channels.
Future-Ready Technology	Priority access to Microsoft Copilot, AI, and Epicor’s automation tools ensures your ERP solution evolves with your business.
Reduced Cost & Risk	Eligible for both Microsoft and Epicor funding programmes – reducing total cost of ownership and implementation risk.
Proven Trust & Recognition	Two globally recognised partnerships reinforce epic ERP’s credibility and commitment to excellence.
Co-Sell & Joint Ecosystem Leverage	Visibility in both Microsoft and Epicor partner networks amplifies reach, resources, and long-term support stability.

In short:
Working with epic ERP means partnering with a team endorsed by both Microsoft and Epicor – ensuring your ERP project is delivered using certified expertise, world-class tools, and globally aligned standards of quality, trust, and success.

4. The epic Advantage

ERP projects are complex, but they don’t have to be risky. With epic ERP, you gain a partner that brings global credentials and local expertise – one that’s deeply invested in your success.

We don’t just implement ERP systems; we build long-term value by aligning technology to your business strategy, optimising processes, and unlocking meaningful performance gains.

Partner with epic ERP – Where Innovation Meets Expertise

With both Microsoft Designation and Epicor Premium Partner status, epic ERP delivers the depth, reliability, and forward-looking capability your organisation needs to thrive in a digital-first economy.

Let’s make your ERP investment count.

Contact epic ERP today to explore how we can deliver an ERP solution built for performance, innovation, and growth.

An AI-Driven Future for Business Central – and what it means for epic ERP clients and prospects 

This November, our leadership team joined thousands of Microsoft partners in Poznań, Poland, for Directions EMEA 2025 — the annual gathering where the global Dynamics 365 Business Central community connects, collaborates, and shapes the future of ERP innovation. 

For epic ERP, attending this year’s event was about more than staying informed — it was about understanding how Microsoft’s AI-first strategy is reshaping Business Central, and how we can help our clients turn that evolution into real business value.  

“Beyond unveiling a fancy new logo, the announcement of exceeding 50,000 cloud customers! Straight from the Keynote, Directions EMEA 2025 underscored our excitement in how rapidly Business Central is evolving — from an ERP system into a true business platform powered by AI. For us at epic ERP, the opportunity is to help our clients translate that innovation into measurable outcomes that matter in their daily operations. ” 
— Stuarts Scanlon, MD, epic ERP 

From ERP to an AI-First Business Platform 

A key takeaway from this year’s conference: 
Business Central is no longer “just” an ERP system. 

Microsoft is rebuilding it as an AI-first operating system for how smaller and mid-sized businesses actually work. 
From intelligent agents that automate repetitive tasks to analysis tools that explain trends in plain language, Business Central is evolving into a platform that gives businesses time, attention, and headspace back. 

New features like: 

• Copilot-driven reconciliations, automatically matching transactions 

• Analysis Assist, turning natural-language questions into meaningful data insights 

• Payables and Sales Order Agents, reducing manual admin 

• Sustainability metrics built-in, eliminating side spreadsheets 

All reinforce the same point — automation and intelligence are moving to the heart of daily operations. 

The Cloud Is No Longer Optional 

Every Microsoft announcement this year assumes a modern, cloud-based world. 
With Bridge to the Cloud II active and Bridge to the Cloud III launching in 2026, partners and customers still on-premises (NAV or older ERP systems) have a clear, structured migration path forward. 

On the other side of that move sit the real innovations: 

• Copilot and agent automation 

• MCP Server for advanced integration 

• ARC Toolkit (arriving Jan 2026) — enabling developers to build structured AI experiences directly inside BC 

For epic ERP clients, this confirms what we’ve been advocating for years: 
The true value of ERP modernisation lies not just in moving to the cloud, but in what becomes possible once you’re there. 

From Selling Hours to Delivering Outcomes 

Microsoft’s message to partners this year was unambiguous: 

“Move away from selling hours and start taking responsibility for outcomes.” 

That philosophy aligns perfectly with how we operate at epic ERP. 
Our focus isn’t simply on deploying technology — it’s on helping clients design, measure, and achieve specific business outcomes. 

Whether it’s: 

• Faster month-end close 

• Improved stock visibility 

• Reduced data-entry effort 

• Real-time business insights 

Our goal is to ensure the technology delivers tangible improvements that show up in your numbers and your team’s experience. 

epic ERP’s Perspective: What’s Next 

Directions EMEA 2025 underscored the shift from ERP implementation to business transformation enablement. 
For our team, the next phase is clear: 

1. Guide our clients and prospects to the right platform — supporting migrations from on-prem or legacy systems to cloud-based ERP. 

2. Design outcome-driven scenarios — where automation and AI directly reduce effort, cost, or errors. 

3. Leverage Business Central’s new AI toolset — to build smarter, industry-specific solutions. 

4. Continue bridging our ecosystems — offering customers the flexibility to modernise on the platform that best fits their needs. 

Closing Thoughts 

Directions EMEA 2025 made one thing clear: 
Business Central is growing up — and so must the way partners and clients approach it. 

For epic ERP, that means helping organisations: 

• Move confidently to the cloud 

• Harness automation and intelligence to simplify operations 

• Focus on measurable outcomes, not just system go-lives 

As Business Central evolves into an intelligent, AI-driven business platform, epic ERP is ready to help our customers evolve with it. 

Medical device and biotech manufacturers need to rethink their enterprise resource planning strategy in an era of rising regulatory scrutiny, accelerating innovation and complex supply chains. 

That’s according to Stuart Scanlon, Managing Director at epic ERP, who says:

“When you’re producing therapies, devices or advanced materials, there is no room for error. Quality, traceability and compliance must sit hand-in-hand with growth and innovation. A modern ERP system gives you real-time visibility of your operations and the confidence to scale responsibly.” 

Stuart points to several critical pressures in the medical-manufacturing market, including evolving global and local regulations, high standards of product quality and the need to integrate processes from R&D to manufacturing, inventory, service and after-sales.   

“epic ERP’s solutions simplify our clients’ processes with streamlined, efficient solutions that meet and exceed quality standards,” he continues.   

Remaining competitive means reducing time-to-market, avoiding product recalls, managing supplier-and-component traceability, and maintaining lean operations. epic ERP offers platforms built on frameworks such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Epicor Kinetic, designed to support growth-oriented manufacturers in regulated sectors. Our offering includes tools for improved planning, traceability, financial management, reporting and scalability.   

“We’re working with companies that need more than off-the-shelf software,” adds Stuart. “They need a system that supports innovation, keeps rigorous control and enables a flexible operation that can respond to regulatory change or market disruption.” 

The platform supports real-time monitoring, simplified processes, integrated quality control and supply-chain sophistication.   

epic ERP’s solutions are scalable and flexible to grow alongside your operations, offering better outcomes through automation and data-driven insight.  

“With the right platform, manufacturers can reduce costs, enhance accuracy and maintain leadership in quality-driven markets,” says Stuart. 

If you’re a manufacturer looking to upgrade your systems or address bottlenecks in compliance, traceability and supply-chain agility, visit www.epicerp.co.za/medical-and-bio-tech/ to learn more about epic ERP’s medical device and biotech offering.  

Those who work in the world of distribution will tell you… it’s not for sissies! And having outdated systems makes it an even tougher industry to be in.  

epic ERP is calling on distribution businesses to modernise their operations as the industry faces growing pressure from tighter margins, volatile supply chains and shifting customer expectations. 

According to Stuart Scanlon, Managing Director at epic ERP, legacy systems are no longer fit for purpose in a fast-moving, data-driven environment. 

“Distributors today operate in an increasingly complex landscape,” he says. “Fluctuating demand, rising costs and logistical challenges mean you can’t afford blind spots in your business. A modern ERP system brings everything together – from inventory and procurement to sales, warehousing and finance – giving you real-time visibility and control.” 

epic ERP works with distributors of all sizes to streamline operations, automate routine processes and enable smarter decision-making. The company’s distribution-specific ERP solutions help reduce stock errors, improve fulfilment accuracy and enhance profitability through data-driven insight. 

“Our goal goes beyond implementing technology,” says Stuart. “We help our clients unlock the full power of their data. When you can see what’s happening across your business in real time, you can respond faster, plan better and deliver a consistently higher level of service to customers.” 

Stuart says modern ERP systems are particularly valuable for distributors operating across multiple warehouses, currencies and tax jurisdictions, which are all common features of the South African and regional markets. 

epic ERP’s distribution offering includes scalable, end-to-end functionality designed to meet the sector’s unique operational challenges. Businesses can learn more at www.epicerp.co.za/erp-solutions-for-distribution-companies. 

“Now is the time for distributors to take a hard look at the systems driving their businesses,” concludes Scanlon. “With the right ERP platform in place, efficiency, visibility and resilience become competitive advantages.” 

As digital transformation accelerates across industries, many organisations are re-evaluating the capabilities of their legacy ERP systems. One major shift we’re seeing at epic ERP is the move from Microsoft Great Plains to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – a modern, cloud-based ERP solution that meets today’s demands for flexibility, real-time insights, and cost-effective scalability. 

A recent example of this shift is African Unity Life, who partnered with epic ERP to transition from Microsoft Great Plains to Business Central. Their decision was driven by the need for a more agile, data-driven ERP system—one that supports strategic growth and delivers meaningful business insights. With Business Central in place, they are poised for a more streamlined, future-proof financial ecosystem that will evolve alongside their business. 

Why the shift from Great Plains to Business Central makes sense 

Across industries, organisations that have relied on Microsoft Great Plains (GP) are increasingly finding it difficult to keep up with the demands of modern business. As needs around scalability, integration, automation, and remote access grow, many are recognising the limitations of legacy systems and the need for a more agile, cloud-based ERP. 

Microsoft has also outlined the end of the product lifecycle for Dynamics GP, signalling the right time for businesses to plan their next step: 

• December 2029: End of product enhancements, regulatory (tax) updates, and product support 

• April 2031: End of security updates 

These milestones mean that after 2031, businesses still operating on GP will no longer receive critical updates or security patches – potentially exposing systems to compliance risks, security vulnerabilities, and operational inefficiencies. By transitioning to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, organisations can future-proof their operations and take full advantage of Microsoft’s ongoing innovation in the cloud. 

Adding to the incentive, Microsoft offers the “Bridge to the Cloud 2” NCE promotion, which awards eligible NAV and Dynamics on-premises customers a 40% discount on most Dynamics 365 online product licenses during a 3-year, non-cancellable term. 

This promotion, which ends in December 2025, helped African Unity Life save 40% on their Business Central license subscription, significantly reducing migration costs. While this specific offer concludes soon, other funding options are available – making it an opportune time to explore migration support. 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is emerging as the natural successor to GP – offering a modern, future-ready platform that enables businesses to: 

• Gain real-time financial visibility through advanced reporting and analytics 

• Scale effortlessly with a cloud-native architecture 

• Drive productivity through seamless Microsoft 365 integration 

• Improve decision-making with AI-powered automation and insights 

• Lower IT overheads and infrastructure costs with a subscription-based model 

This evolution isn’t just about upgrading technology – it’s about empowering businesses with the tools they need to grow smarter, faster, and more efficiently in a competitive digital landscape. 

epic ERP’s winning approach 

Choosing an ERP partner isn’t just about implementation—it’s about strategic alignment. African Unity Life selected epic ERP for our hands-on, consultative approach, and our ability to configure Business Central to meet the specific demands of a fintech environment. Key reasons for the partnership included: 

• Deep discovery and alignment – epic ERP took the time to fully understand their business model, ensuring a fit-for-purpose configuration 

• Cost-effective innovation – Business Central offered the right mix of features and value 

• Smooth implementation – With minimal disruption and a strong focus on business continuity, epic ERP delivered a transition plan prioritising stability and readiness 

What African Unity Life can expect next 

As the implementation of Business Central progresses, African Unity Life is set to unlock new levels of operational clarity, agility, and efficiency. Once fully live, they can expect: 

• Automated processes that reduce manual work and improve accuracy 

• Faster, smarter reporting to support proactive decision-making 

• Improved compliance and risk management with system-driven controls 

• Flexibility and scalability to support future acquisitions, products, or services 

• A modern ERP experience that evolves with their business 

The future of fintech, powered by Business Central 

Business Central is rapidly becoming the ERP of choice for fintech firms looking to scale, comply, and compete in a digital-first world. With features designed to improve financial agility, streamline operations, and harness real-time data, it offers: 

• Predictive analytics for sharper market insight 

• Automation tools that boost speed and reduce errors 

• Built-in compliance functionality to meet regulatory demands 

• Enhanced cybersecurity and cloud resilience 

African Unity Life’s journey is just one example of how businesses are future-proofing their operations by moving off Great Plains and onto Business Central – with epic ERP as a strategic partner to guide the way.