Fractional CIO Eliminates Frustrations of Epicor ERP for Manufacturing Firm

Overcoming ERP Frustrations for a Scalable Future

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are supposed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency and position manufacturers for growth. However, for many businesses, they can quickly become a source of frustration, inefficiency and unexpected costs. This was precisely the case for a $50 million a year manufacturing company that came to Thriveon after years of struggling with its ERP system, Epicor.

Their experience with Epicor had been nothing short of a nightmare. The system was expensive to maintain, requiring ongoing costly investments for even minor changes or customizations. Worse yet, the ERP simply didn’t align with their business needs, forcing workarounds that slowed processes and frustrated employees. To compound the issue, Epicor’s support was unreliable, leaving the company without the help it needed when problems arose.

Despite recognizing the need for change, the idea of transitioning to a new ERP felt overwhelming. The process seemed daunting, and no one within the organization had the bandwidth to take on such a monumental task. They knew they needed a solution that fit their business, but the challenge of evaluating, selecting and implementing a new system felt insurmountable.

A Tailored ERP Solution:

This is where Thriveon stepped in. Our Fractional CIO partnered closely with the company’s leadership, taking on the heavy lifting so they didn’t have to. We started by gaining a deep understanding of their business goals, operations and pain points. Through a comprehensive gap analysis, we identified the inefficiencies of their current system and what an ideal ERP solution would look like.

Rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all approach, we provided strategic recommendations tailored to their needs. Our team guided them through the evaluation and selection process, ensuring they chose an ERP that was both cost-effective and aligned with their long-term growth strategy.

Today, the company operates with a new ERP that not only costs less than Epicor but also fits its business without requiring endless customizations. With a system designed for their specific needs, they can scale seamlessly into the future. What once seemed like an impossible challenge became a smooth transition with Thriveon’s guidance, leaving the client with a solution that truly supports their business rather than hindering it.

ERP frustrations don’t have to be the norm for manufacturers. With the right expertise and a strategic approach, businesses can turn a costly, inefficient system into a tool for growth. Thriveon proved that with the right partner, overcoming ERP struggles is not only possible — it’s a game-changer.

Manufacturing Firms Turn to Thriveon When...

Thriveon stands as the premier IT partner across Minnesota and Florida, dedicated to helping mid-size companies achieve enterprise-level outcomes. Manufacturing executives turn to Thriveon when they are facing strategic IT gaps, under mounting pressure to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses, committed to optimizing ROI on substantial IT investments or frustrated with stalled IT projects and underperforming teams.

Our comprehensive IT service combines Fractional CIO expertise, cybersecurity and proactive IT management into one cohesive solution. You'll receive:

• A Fractional CIO is embedded in your business, crafting strategies and budgets that drive scalable profitability and security.
• Proactive technology audits align with over 500 proprietary best practices, preempting issues and fortifying defenses for enhanced productivity and reduced risk.
• Comprehensive oversight of your technology ecosystem - hardware, software, and services - so everything works seamlessly together, preventing overspending on unnecessary tools or personnel.
• By deeply understanding how you use your line-of-business applications, we identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance data quality, and maximize your return on investment.
• Leadership in cybersecurity readiness, including preparing for third-party audits, conducting tabletop exercises, leading company-wide security meetings, developing IT policies, all while ensuring robust defense strategies.

Discover how Thriveon transforms IT into a strategic advantage, fostering growth and resilience for our clients in manufacturing.