Prophet 21 vs Inform ERP

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Our analysts compared Prophet 21 vs Inform ERP based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Distribution Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Prophet 21 Software Tool

Product Basics

Epicor Prophet 21, powered by Microsoft Azure, is a business management system for distributors. It streamlines distribution processes and helps overcome modern distribution industry challenges. It’s designed to grow with your business without making extensive modifications and is available for SaaS or on-premise deployment.

It has numerous capabilities, such as CRM, sales order management, e-commerce, inventory management, product management and wireless warehouse management. Other functionalities include financial management, manufacturing and production management, rentals, VMI, service and maintenance, SCM, business intelligence and analytics and enterprise content management.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Scalable
  • Affordable
  • Cloud-based
  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Limited features
  • Not customizable
  • Poor customer support
  • Lacks integrations
  • Security concerns
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Inform ERP is a software solution that helps with distribution, production and financial activities. It integrates these processes to automate and streamline operations across various aspects of a business. Its financial management tool coordinates with production workflows so that as transactions are made, they are automatically inputted to the general ledger. It also allows users to plan transportation logistics and look at factors such as volume and necessary stops when planning routes.

This program further enables users to optimize the supply chain through visualization and control of a variety of processes. Users can benefit from personalized dashboards that leverage real-time data so that quicker and more relevant insights can be developed.
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$200/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$10,000 One-Time
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Configurability and Scalability:  The system adapts to business requirements and needs using an application programming interface (API). This flexibility allows businesses to build on specialized functionality and increase efficiency and productivity by connecting business processes with the partners, vendors and customers they need. 
  • Flexible Deployment: The user can deploy the system on-premise or in the cloud and can then change the deployment down the road as their business evolves. 
  • Forecasting Capabilities: Advanced demand forecasting predicts how much inventory is needed, contact management tracks customers’ buying patterns and customer buying trend analysis anticipates customer issues. The business analytics module provides various reports through the executive dashboard, accounts receivable dashboard and sales rep dashboard.  
  • Increase Sales: Drive sales with e-commerce capabilities and pull in repeat business by responding to buying trends and providing excellent customer service. Additionally, mobile solutions allow for more sales because a business can serve customers from anywhere. 
  • Improve Margins:  Maximize profits with inventory management, analytics and pricing optimization. The integrated wireless warehouse solution allows you to take control of warehouse tasks. 
  • Drive Employee Productivity:  Build workflows, create mobile portals and leverage learning management systems. It also provides user personalization without having to work with source code. 
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  • Paperless Workflows: Inform ERP includes electronic signature and electronic document scanning functionality. The system can also store documents such as product images, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and descriptions. 
  • Increased Productivity: This program can increase productivity through its demand planning tool, which forecasts material and production needs. The system also contains the ability to make orders into quotes and to create price inquiries with just one click, therefore reducing the amount of time that employees spend on these tedious tasks. 
  • Automation: Automation is a driving factor of increased productivity and, by extension, increased revenue. An example of how Inform ERP uses automation to its benefit is through its financial management tool, which archives important documents and posts transactions to the general ledger automatically. 
  • Improved Customer Relationships: The Embedded CRM tool allows users to keep track of important customer information. By using and sharing this data, employees can hone their sales tactics and improve customer relationships through more personalized and targeted conversations. 
  • Insight Development: This program uses real-time data and customizable dashboards to help users manage workflows such as sales and production. It includes drill-down functionality that allows users to find the specific data that they need to access. 
  • Accessibility: Inform ERP is available both on-premise and as a cloud-based solution. This makes the program accessible to a wide variety of businesses. If cloud deployment is opted for, the program can be accessed anytime and anywhere as long as there is an internet connection. 
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  • Customer Relationship Management: It contains multiple tools designed to manage and improve customer relationships. A mobile sales system, contact management, marketing management and lead and opportunity management are all usable for daily CRM tasks. 
  • Finance and Accounting: The system comes equipped with several financial and accounting tools, including a general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, Avalara Tax Connect and XL Connect and vendor rebates. Avalara Tax Connect manages sales tax compliance, and XL Connect allows users to generate reports in Microsoft Excel. 
  • Business Analytics: The Business Analytics feature comes with an executive dashboard, accounts receivable dashboard and a sales rep dashboard. It also has a customer buying trend analysis function that predicts future customer issues. 
  • Supply Chain Management: Manage the entire supply chain with a full range of SCM capabilities. Purchase management, sourcing and procurement, inventory management, advanced material management and warehouse management features are included.  
  • Enterprise Content Management: Manage content throughout its entire lifecycle. Document imaging converts paper documents into digital files. 
  • Contact Management: The CRM module supplies users with next-generation customer contact management. It tracks customers’ buying patterns, prospect and client information while displaying key information on one screen for easy access. 
  • Service and Maintenance: The service and maintenance module comes with tools to deliver an excellent customer experience. Service order management, service dispatch, preventative maintenance and warranty capabilities streamline service and maintenance processes are all available with this system. 
  • eCommerce Website Management: Manage multiple branded websites with the Epicor Commerce Connect feature. 
  • Epicor Virtual Agent: The EVA app allows users to interact with the solution via voice or text commands. 
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  • Financial Management: Inform ERP contains accounts payable, accounts receivable and bank reconciliation functionality. It gives users access to financial reports and allows them to perform tasks such as posting transactions to the general ledger as they occur. The program also contains the ability to archive documents such as invoices, financial reports and statements automatically. 
  • Inventory Management: This feature enables users to visualize inventory information such as purchase orders, availability, returned goods and open orders. It also allows for adjustment to sporadic demand and can balance warehouse overstocks. The advanced demand planning and forecasting tool contains a real-time replenishment calculation that facilitates adjustment to actual demand. 
  • Order Fulfillment: Inform ERP lets users make quotes into orders with the click of a button. Defective parts can be tracked through the system along with vendor reimbursement claims. The customer checkout process is streamlined through PCI-compliant card processing. 
  • Embedded CRM: This program enables users to gather relevant customer information such as purchase history, order status and personal notes to assist in the personalization and improvement of the customer experience. It can also create order entries and price inquiries with one click. Individual and group calendars are included in the program so that staff can look at operations and sales opportunities in real-time. 
  • Analytics and Reporting: Inform ERP’s reporting dashboards are customizable and can be segmented by user level. The Inventory Pivot Table Cube Editor allows users to manage stock transfers. The program also leverages real-time data and includes drill-down menus so that users can find relevant information. 
  • Warehouse Logistics: With this tool, users can assign transportation to orders. Delivery routes can also be created while keeping factors such as weight, volume and necessary stops in mind. Additionally, users can create and print manifests and shipping documents through this feature. 
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Product Ranking

#8

among all
Distribution Software

#124

among all
Distribution Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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96
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50
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Inventory Management
Customer Relationship Management
E-commerce Capabilities
Reports, Dashboards and Business Intelligence
Mobile capabilities
Accounting and Financial Management
Customer Relationship Management
Inventory Management
Mobile capabilities
Purchase Order Management and Procurement

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Prophet 21
Inform ERP
+ Add Product + Add Product
Accounting And Financial Management Customer Relationship Management E-commerce Capabilities Integrations And Extensibility Inventory Management Mobile Capabilities Purchase Order Management And Procurement Reports, Dashboards And Business Intelligence Sales Order Management Warehouse And Transportation Management 91 96 96 50 98 95 86 96 91 76 100 99 50 39 99 97 97 94 80 96 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 158 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 72 reviews
82%
of users recommend this product

Prophet 21 has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 82% when considering 158 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

91%
of users recommend this product

Inform ERP has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 72 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

3.9 (82)
3.7 (5)
4.4 (24)
4.6 (67)
4.3 (52)
n/a

Awards

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SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Inform ERP and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Accounting and Financial Management and Customer Relationship Management. Inform ERP stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Accounting and Financial Management Award
Customer Relationship Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Comprehensive Customization: The solution offers extensive customization, according to 84% of users. It’s versatile and can customize many fields and screens.
Usability: According to 89% of users who reviewed this pro, the solution is easy to use. Navigating the system through the function menus is intuitive.
Integration: About 100% of users who mentioned this pro said it provides advanced integration capabilities. Integration with credit card processing and sales tax software enables the business to conduct financial analysis in a hassle-free manner.
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Comprehensive Functionality: Inform ERP provides a wide range of features that cater to various aspects of distribution businesses, including inventory management, order processing, financials, and customer relationship management. This comprehensive functionality eliminates the need for multiple software solutions, streamlining operations and reducing complexity.
Industry-Specific Focus: Inform ERP is specifically designed for distributors, with features and functionalities tailored to their unique needs. This industry-specific focus ensures that the software aligns with the workflows and processes of distribution businesses, providing a more efficient and effective solution.
Scalability and Flexibility: Inform ERP is a scalable solution that can grow with the needs of a business. It offers flexible deployment options, including on-premise, cloud-based, and hybrid models, allowing businesses to choose the best fit for their infrastructure and budget.
User-Friendly Interface: Inform ERP features a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and learn. This intuitive design reduces training time and allows users to quickly become proficient with the software, improving productivity and user adoption.
Strong Reporting and Analytics: Inform ERP provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling businesses to gain insights into their operations and make data-driven decisions. Users can generate custom reports, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and analyze trends to identify areas for improvement.
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Limited Scalability: While Prophet 21 offers robust features, its scalability may not be sufficient for rapidly growing businesses or those with complex distribution networks.
Steep Learning Curve: The user interface and features of Prophet 21 can be complex and require significant training for users to become proficient.
Customization Challenges: While Prophet 21 offers some customization options, it may not be flexible enough for businesses with unique needs or workflows.
Limited Third-Party Integrations: Compared to other ERP solutions, Prophet 21 may have a smaller selection of pre-built integrations with popular third-party applications.
High Implementation Costs: The cost of implementing Prophet 21, including software licenses, hardware upgrades, and consulting services, can be significant for small and medium-sized businesses.
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Customization Challenges: Making modifications to Inform ERP to fit specific business needs can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring specialized developer skills. This can lead to frustration for businesses with unique workflows or industry-specific requirements.
Reporting Limitations: Generating reports and extracting data from Inform ERP can be cumbersome, with limited built-in reporting tools and a steep learning curve for creating custom reports. This can hinder data analysis and decision-making processes.
User Interface: The user interface of Inform ERP can feel outdated and clunky, leading to a less-than-optimal user experience. Navigating through the system and finding specific functions can be challenging, especially for new users.
Integration Complexities: Integrating Inform ERP with other business systems, such as CRM or e-commerce platforms, can be a complex undertaking. This can create data silos and hinder overall business efficiency.
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User reviews of Epicor Prophet 21 paint a mixed picture, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. Many users praise its robust features and functionality, particularly for sales, purchasing, and inventory control. One user describes it as "really easy to navigate and one of the better ERP systems out there." Others appreciate its deep functionalities and flexibility, noting how it can be tailored to specific business needs. One user commented, "The strong and multiple functionalities from P21 allowed us to address all aspects in a 'deep enough' manner." However, some users also raise concerns about Prophet 21's complexity and learning curve. One user found it "impossible to work with and antiquated," while another said it takes "a minute to understand" and requires patience. This complexity can be a significant drawback for smaller businesses or those with limited IT resources. Some users also criticize its scalability, suggesting it might not be suitable for rapidly growing businesses or those with complex distribution networks. Additionally, the limited number of pre-built third-party integrations compared to other ERP solutions can hinder integration with existing business applications. This lack of seamless integration can lead to manual data entry and inefficient workflows. Despite these weaknesses, many users believe Prophet 21's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, especially for mid-sized distribution companies. They particularly value its ease of use compared to competitors like Infor M3, which one user described as "too big for the business." Furthermore, users appreciate the exceptional partnership and responsive customer service offered by Epicor, which helps overcome initial challenges with implementation and customization. Overall, user reviews suggest that Prophet 21 is a powerful and flexible ERP solution, particularly for mid-sized distributors. However, its complexity and limited scalability may pose challenges for smaller businesses or those with rapid growth plans. Considering the trade-offs and carefully evaluating your specific needs is crucial before making a decision.

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Inform ERP receives praise for its robust functionality and adaptability, particularly in managing complex distribution operations. Users appreciate its ability to handle diverse tasks, from inventory and order management to financials and reporting. Its strength lies in providing a comprehensive solution that streamlines processes and enhances efficiency. However, some users note that the initial setup and learning curve can be challenging due to the system's extensive features. Inform ERP distinguishes itself by offering industry-specific modules and customization options, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their unique requirements. This flexibility is crucial for companies with specialized workflows or niche markets. While Inform ERP excels in functionality, some users mention that the user interface could be more intuitive and modern. Despite this, the software's strengths in customization, scalability, and industry-specific features make it a valuable tool for mid-sized to large distributors and manufacturers with complex operational needs. Its ability to adapt to evolving business requirements ensures long-term value and supports growth.

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