EPICOR

EPICOR INTERNET COMPONENT ENVIRONMENT 1.4

RELEASE GUIDE, DECEMBER, 2007

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Epicor ICE 1.4 Release Guide

Copyright Epicor Software Corporation, 2007. The contents hereof are provided for information purposes only. Epicor makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents of this document publication and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. The usage of Epicor Software is subject to the terms of the Epicor End User License Agreement and the use of any Epicor professional Services shall be subject to an agreed engagement agreement. The contents of this document are believed to be current and accurate as of its date of publication, December, 2007. Changes to this document between reprinting and other important information about the software product are made or published in release notes, and you are urged to obtain the current release notes for the software product. We welcome user comments and reserve the right to revise this publication and/or make improvements or changes to the products or programs described in this publication at any time, without notice. For a complete description of the product features, please refer to the products user guides, reference manuals and release notes. Companies, names and/or data used in screens are fictitious, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Epicor Software Corporation. Epicor and the Epicor logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

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Table of Contents
Epicor Internet Component Environment 1.4 ........................................................ 4 Introduction .................................................................................................... 4 Epicor ICE 1.4 Features........................................................................................ 5 Adaptive Designer........................................................................................... 5 Epicor Localization Editor ................................................................................ 7 Business Process Management...................................................................... 14 Miscellaneous Features ................................................................................. 17 Additional Information .................................................................................... 19 Compatibility................................................................................................. 19 Languages..................................................................................................... 19 Upgrades....................................................................................................... 19 Technical Support ............................................................................................. 20 Overview ....................................................................................................... 20 EPICWEB ....................................................................................................... 20 Optional Technical Support Services Offerings.............................................. 21 Consulting Services ........................................................................................... 22 Overview ....................................................................................................... 22 Implementation Support ............................................................................... 22 Global Presence ............................................................................................ 23 Product Education......................................................................................... 23 User Groups ....................................................................................................... 25 Overview ....................................................................................................... 25

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Epicor Internet Component Environment 1.4

Introduction
Epicor Internet Component Environment (ICE) is a 100% service-oriented architecture (SOA) and application framework, designed for a new breed of enterprise solutions that fulfill the businesses requirements for next-generation technologies today. Epicor ICE leverages pure, granular XML Web services to provide a secure and global framework that is both highly productive and relatively inexpensive to maintain. By incorporating and optimizing the powerful Microsoft .NET Web services platform, Epicor ICE delivers agile, flexible and cost-effective solutions, while ensuring high-level performance and rich user experiences. WHATS INSIDE This guide is designed to be an introduction to the key new features of the Epicor (ICE) 1.4 release. Further details can be found in the User Guide shipped with the product. This guide also provides information on professional services, product support, education and other important topics related to this release. Please note that all information in this document is subject to change without notice.

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Epicor ICE 1.4 Features

Adaptive Designer
The Adaptive Designer is an integrated development environment that hosts Epicor ICE tools used for the development and customization of Epicor ICE-based applications. The Adaptive Designer hosts the following applications: Data Model Editor User Interface Editor

The Adaptive Designer is the primary development tool used by internal Epicor developers as well as customers and consultants who wish to customize Epicor ICE-based applications. Most tasks, such as editing client and business object source code can be performed in the Adaptive Designer, with the exception of debugging, which must be performed in Microsoft Visual Studio.

The Adaptive Designer can also package a set of modified files into a CAB file, which can then be applied to an existing application site. CAB files are the mechanism through which customizations and product patch releases are deployed. Once a CAB file has been created, it can be applied to an application site using the Epicor ICE SiteBuilder application.

Several new features have been added to the Adaptive Designer in Epicor ICE 1.4, including new wizard forms, report wizards, and miscellaneous functions.

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WIZARD FORMS Wizard forms are designed to guide users through complex tasks. The wizard form appears in a sliding panel on the left side of the application window. The wizard panel can be launched from anywhere within another form type or from the Navigate panel. For example, the Project Wizard might be called from a button in the Project Planner header. Alternately, the same wizard can be called from the Navigate panel by adding the wizard form to a Menu View. The wizard form contains a task list which may contain a link to a form where the user can complete the task. Optionally, each task in the list may contain a wizard set, which is a series of panels that guide the user through a task. This graphic shows the Project Guide wizard, which was opened from a button in the Project Planner form header.

See the Adaptive Designer Online Help or User Guide for details about wizard functionality and how to create a wizard.

REPORT WIZARD The Report Wizard guides you through the process of integrating a Crystal Report (.rpt) into Epicor for Service Enterprises. If you select Report in the Create Document dialog box, a Wizard button appears in the lower left corner of the window. If you click the button, the wizard opens and guides you through six steps to create a Report panel which will call a Crystal report.

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In the wizard, you will perform the following tasks: Define the title and the initial view of the Report panel Identify one or more .rpt files that the user can select as the report format Define how the report connects to the target database Define the XML data islands that contains the criteria entered into the panel Include any Web Service methods called by the report Set the properties of the criteria fields

Epicor Localization Editor

The Localization Editor is an environment in which translators and localizers can edit the text resources of Epicor ICE-based application objects, such as Web forms and ICE framework components to meet the language and display requirements of a specific locale. The Localization Editor has a complete translation environment with powerful search and replace capabilities as well as custom filters to control your translation environment. The Localization Editor also allows you to export resources to be translated in other tools, and then import them back into the system where the resources can be packaged into CAB files for deployment to an application site. A resource preview and built-in reports allow you to track your progress.

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ENHANCED RESOURCE EDITOR

The Resource Editor has been upgraded and includes new navigation controls, menu options, a spell check button, and a custom filter button.

TRANSLATION DIALOG BOX

A new Translation dialog box opens when you click a grid cell in the Resource Editor. This dialog box is useful when the localized value is large and it is not convenient to edit the value in the Resource Editor grid. You can also use this dialog box to edit non-text values, such as colors and fonts. Navigation controls appear at the top of the dialog box to allow you to browse through all the available resources.

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CRYSTAL REPORT PLUG-IN A new plug-in (ResourceCrystal.dll) for Crystal Reports translation has been added to the Localization Editor. In previous versions, it was only possible to add reports that had already been translated to the Localization Editor project so that they could be included in a CAB file. Now you can edit Crystal Reports objects directly within the Localization Editor. You may extract strings and other formatting information from the original report, translate the strings and formatting, and package the translation into a CAB. Furthermore, the translated resources can be applied to future versions of the reports. The Crystal Plug-in requires Crystal XI runtime to be installed on the computer hosting Epicor ICE and the Localization Editor. If you are not planning to translate Crystal Reports, you may disable the plug-in.

SOLUTION SEARCH AND REPLACE A new search function has been added to search for and replace text strings within any resource that has been added to the active solution. If the solution contains translations into multiple languages, the feature searches on one language at a time.

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In previous versions of the Localization Editor, the find and replace operations could be performed on only one resource at a time. The search and replace operation is a two step process: The first step is to search for text matches based on the options set in this dialog box.

The second step is to review the results of the search and select which matching text strings will be replaced with the replacement text. You perform the second step in the Report Data Grid dialog box.

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SPELL CHECK A spell checker can be used to check the spelling of translated values. The following dictionaries are included with the system: English basic English Great Britain English United States Portuguese French Netherlands Spanish German

The system also allows custom dictionaries to be added.

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CUSTOM FILTER ENHANCEMENTS Custom filters may now include compound filter criteria statements joined by AND or OR. You may also save filters.

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ENHANCED PLUGIN CONFIGURATION The Plug-In tab of the Configuration Dialog box has been modified to allow greater control over which plug-ins are loaded when the application starts up.

REGION FREE MENUS Previous versions of the Localization Editor required menus to be translated into specific regions. For example, to accommodate two localizations of a French menu, you were required to create two separate and distinct menus: one for French-France users and one for French-Canadian users. Now you may create a base menu in French-France that will be picked up by all French users. On top of the base menu, you may create a French-Canadian version containing only the differences required for French-Canadian users.

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Business Process Management

Business Process Management (BPM) technology enables the midmarket enterprise to automate and streamline business processes for continuous improvement. Serving as a complete workflow and business process solution, the ICE platform incorporates a comprehensive business orchestration application, Epicor Service Connect, with framework support for business event messaging using Epicor BPM Director. Both application developers and technically adept information workers can utilize Epicor Service Connect and Epicor BPM Director to coordinate business processes, orchestrate workflows, and automate decision-making. Epicor ICE-developed applications make it simple for companies to map their current processes within an application, automate its execution, monitor current performance and make on-the-fly changes to improve the current processes. Organizations can use Epicor BPM Director to refine best practices and respond to market conditions by changing how an entire application works on-demand.

SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS WORKFLOW FOUNDATION (WWF) Epicor ICE and Epicor BPM Director now support Microsoft Windows Workflow Foundation. This integration allows developers to create workflows in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 using a Visio-style interface to model objects that match your business needs. Windows Workflow Foundation is the programming model, engine and tools for quickly building workflow enabled applications on Windows. It consists of a Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.0 (formerly WinFX) namespace, an in-process workflow engine, and designers for Visual Studio 2005. Windows Workflow Foundation is available for both client and server versions of Windows. Windows Workflow Foundation includes support for both system workflow and human workflow across a wide range of scenarios including: Workflow within line of business applications User interface page-flow Document-centric workflow Human workflow Composite workflow for service oriented applications Business rule driven workflow Workflow for systems management A workflow is a set of activities stored as a model that describe a real world process. Work passes through the model from start to finish and activities might be executed by people or by system functions. A workflow provides a way of describing the order of execution and dependent relationships between pieces of short or long running work. While it is possible to write a workflow completely in code, a workflow is often best viewed graphically. Once a workflow model is compiled it can be executed inside any Windows process including console applications, forms-based applications, Windows Services, ASP.NET Web sites and Web Services.

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It is important to note that to develop new workflows, Visual Studio 2005 must be used with a development plug-in named Visual Studio 2005 extensions for .NET Framework 3.0 (Windows Workflow Foundation). With this plug-in installed, it is easy to create a workflow project, compile it, and debut it. Earlier versions of Visual Studio are not supported. However, to use previously developed workflows, Visual Studio 2005 and the plug-in are not necessary. To learn more about Windows Workflow Foundation go to http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa663328.aspx To download Visual Studio 2005 extensions for .NET Framework 3.0 (Windows Workflow Foundation) go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5d61409e-1fa3-48cf-8023e8f38e709ba6&displaylang=en.

MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES CAN EXECUTE UNDER A SINGLE DIRECTIVE In Epicor ICE 1.4, you may create a single directive, set the conditions, and if the conditions are met, the directive will execute one or more activities. In previous versions of Epicor ICE, a directive could execute only a single action, such as attach a hold or send an e-mail. If multiple actions were required, the system required multiple directives.

EPICOR WORKFLOW MONITOR The Workflow Monitor polls the tracking database and automatically shows the status of the workflow and activities in the Workflows and Activities panes and the progress of the workflow in the Workflow View pane. To turn on monitoring, use the Monitor On toolbar button or click Start on the Monitor menu.

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SUPPORT FOR WORKFLOWS DEVELOPED WITH EPICOR ICE 1.3 Epicor ICE 1.4 supports all workflow bindings, inhibitors, events, directives, macros, custom actions, global variables and workflow solution packages developed for Epicor ICE 1.3. However, any workflows and directives created and developed using Epicor ICE 1.4 must use the Windows Workflow Foundation methodology. For instance, the creation of custom actions are no longer supported. Instead this behavior can be handled in a different manner using Windows Workflow Script activities

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Miscellaneous Features
This section of the Release Guide lists new features that have been added to smaller components of the Epicor ICE 1.4 platform.

FIRESENTRY PASSWORD POLICY SETTINGS FireSentry's minimum password requirements have been greatly enhanced. By editing the site.config file in the Security Manager site, you can control the following: Enable Remote Passwords This controls whether users can set their remote password or log in using their remote password. A setting of "false" requires all users to log in using their Windows domain user ID and password. Authentication is granted based on the Windows domain policy. A setting of "true" allows users to log in using either their Windows credentials or their remote password. Use Domain Complexity This controls remote password complexity. A setting of "true" simulates the standard Windows complexity settings. A setting of "false" turns off the default complexity tests and allows the administrator to use a regular expression to determine remote password complexity. Note that the regular expression will override the password minimum and maximum length settings. Use Domain Properties This controls whether the established Windows domain policy is used to define the password strength. A setting of "false" allows you to set the following: Minimum password length Maximum password length Minimum password age Maximum password age Password history length Lockout duration Lockout observation window Lockout threshold

See the Account Passwords and Policies article on the Microsoft Web site for a thorough discussion of password policy settings and guidelines for how to determine the appropriate level of security for your organization

SITE SECURITY POLICIES A new field, named Policy ID, has been added to the Site Builder application. Security policies are maintained in the Security Manager database and allow you to maintain unique security settings at various application sites, even though the sites share the same Security Manager. To create a security policy, type a unique ID into this field when creating a site. You can then define the security settings at the site by setting the user and user group access to various descriptors.

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To use a security policy that has already been defined at another site, enter the policy ID into this field. Any changes to the security settings at one site will affect all sites that use the same policy. The default security policy is DEFAULT. If you do not enter a unique ID into this field, the site will be created using the DEFAULT policy. Unless you plan to set up unique security settings at one or more sites that share the same Security Manager, we recommend you leave the default value. Example Site A and Site B share the DEFAULT policy. Site C uses the HDQTRS policy. Since Site C is the corporate headquarters, it permits different access to administrative information for its users than Site A and Site B allow for their users. The person setting up security for the DEFAULT policy would need to be logged into Site A or B to modify the DEFAULT policy. In order to modify the HDQTRS policy, the person would need to be logged into Site C.

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Additional Information
Compatibility
Epicor ICE 1.4 is compatible with the following products:

Compatible Product Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows

Compatible Version
XP Professional SP2 Vista (Business)

Compatibility Type
Client Environment Client Environment

Notes
Supported Development environment. As a workstation only, but not as a Development environment. BPM Client in ICE 1.4 requires the .Net 3.0 runtime and can be run on the server or client machine.

Epicor for Service Enterprises

8.1.1 SP3

Product

Integration Hub Microsoft .NET Framework

7.3.6 SP3 3.0

Product Server Environment

CLR 2.0 (which is .NET 2.0) plus WPF/ WPFe (Silverlight), WCF, WWF = .NET 3.0
Not "Web Edition". Supported Development environment. Not "Web Edition". R2 and SP2 not QA certified

Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows Business Objects Crystal Reports Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft SQL Server

2003 Server R2 or SP2 2003 Server x64 SP1 Crystal XI R2 SP2 2000 SP4 2005 SP2 (32-bit) 2005 SP2 (64-bit)

Server Environment Server Environment Server Environment Server Environment Server Environment Server Environment

Languages
Epicor ICE 1.4 is available in English (US) only.

Upgrades
Please review the installation guide for upgrade instructions.

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Technical Support
Overview
Epicors commitment to deliver high quality business solutions means that our customers depend not only on our applications, but also on our experience in supporting those solutions around the world. Epicor stands behind all of its products with a world-class technical support organization, capable of serving our global customer base. We are able to offer this support through our worldwide support centers located in the US, UK, Mexico, Australia, Hungary, Malaysia and other countries. Contact information for each support center is listed on listed on the EPICWEB, the Epicor Customer and Partner Web site: epicweb.epicor.com. Because mid-market business solutions represent solid, long-term partnerships with our customers, we've developed high standards of service and support. Epicor's support analysts are not only specialists on our product, but also understand the ongoing business needs of successful system operation. Our goal is to continue to fine-tune and improve our support systems to keep your organization as productive as possible. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY Epicor Technical Support uses advanced telecommunications technology to ensure you connect with the right person quickly to resolve your application related issues. When you call into any of our support centers, our Automatic Call Distribution System quickly routes your call to the appropriate support analyst. You also benefit from Epicor's own award-winning customer relationship management software, Epicor Clientele, which gives our analysts instant access to your records and our extensive knowledge base of information, so they can quickly provide you with answers and solutions. Epicor Technical Support also utilizes the latest technology in troubleshooting tools such as WebEx and Identify AppSight BlackBox to resolve tough customer issues in a timely manner. Note: Services are provided as available and might be limited for certain products provided by Epicor or its third-party partners.

EPICWEB
Self-service support via the Internet can be challenging. Thats why Epicor has designed a specific website for customer and partner communication. EPICWEB (epicweb.epicor.com) is our state-of-the-art customer and partner portal. Based on Microsoft SharePoint technology, this portal is the central point of contact between Epicor and our customers and partners. Some key benefits of this portal site include:
Patch management system -- now you can be notified when a new patch is available for your product. The ability to customize your EPICWEB experience -- see only the information you want to see. Manage your customer newsletter and other corporate communication subscriptions from one location. Easy password and account management -- allows customers to manage their account access on EPICWEB. For a complete list of benefits and features, and to setup your own account, go to http://fyi.epicor.com/FYI/EN/0405/supportepicweb.htm.

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KNOWLEDGE BASE Our knowledge base of technical information is available to all support customers over the Internet. We put this wealth of information at your fingertips by leveraging advanced indexing and search technology to provide a powerful and easy to use Web-based resource. This is the place to get up-to-the-minute technical information about our products and the environments and platforms in which they run. CUSTOMER PORTAL Many other support services are available using the Epicor customer portal (epicweb.epicor.com). Customers can review their account information including their currently supported products and update their contact information. Customers can also submit support calls, view support call status and update their outstanding calls directly from their browser. PRODUCT DOWNLOADS Product patches and service packs are regularly published to EPICWEB where they are available for download. Our knowledge base of technical information is available to all support customers over the Internet. We put this wealth of information at your fingertips by leveraging advanced indexing and search technology to provide a powerful and easy to use Web-based knowledge base. This is the place to get up to the minute technical information about our products and the environments and platforms they interact with.

Optional Technical Support Services Offerings

EXTENDED SUPPORT HOURS
As part of Epicor Technical Supports ongoing commitment to providing world class service, we provide 5x24 Technical Support. Epicors 5x24 Support covers the hours 6pm Sunday 6pm Friday (Pacific Time). Epicors 5x24 support policy also includes limited Technical Support Coverage for the Standard US/Epicor Holidays. Customers can submit calls at anytime via the Epicor Customer Portal.

EXPANDED WEEKEND COVERAGE (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

Epicors Technical Support realizes that many customers would like to contract for additional support coverage for specific planned system events, like upgrades, which fall outside the normal business weekday support coverage. For a nominal additional fee, we can arrange for you to have your own personal support contact over most any weekend as long as this is scheduled in advance.

eLEARNING
Epicor Technical Support also offers Web-based eLearning training sessions. eLearning consists of prerecorded Web-based training sessions that cover key topics on Epicor Software. These topics are used by our customers to stay up to speed on the latest Epicor has to offer. eLearning enables Epicor customers to keep their staff up-to-date on the latest software features with little or no down time. These sessions provide Epicors customers with a flexible training option without incurring the cost of class room training. New topics are added monthly. Epicor Technical Support has extended its traditional online training courses to include low-cost individualized Web training sessions for our customers

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Consulting Services
Overview
Epicors Consulting Services organization helps companies implement a complete enterprise software solution, quickly and cost-effectively. By coupling its product suite with a large, wellseasoned Consulting Services organization, Epicor makes implementing enterprise applications simpler by providing a single-stop solution for all customer needs. In addition to Epicors own professional services consultants, we partner with many Value-Added Resellers (VARs). VARs are certified on Epicor products and even offer specialized implementation services for geographic markets or specific sub-vertical markets.

Implementation Support
To help you achieve successful, live operation as quickly and as productively as possible, Epicors consulting services team employs an integrated consulting approach consisting of several fundamental principles. TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE The basis of our consulting success is a robust knowledge base concerning not only our products and how they function, but also how you can utilize them most effectively to maximize the return on your investment. Our consulting organization is staffed with technical professionals certified in a variety of technologies, and applications experts who have backgrounds in the industries we serve. Consultants work with you to analyze your needs, design the system, explain the functional and technical details of system processes, troubleshoot implementation issues, and concurrently, transfer our extensive knowledge to you. CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS Epicors Professional Services organization has unmatched experience in implementing solutions that span customer relationship management, supplier relationship management, distribution, financial accounting, and enterprise services automation. The organization boasts a proven track record with thousands of successful implementations around the world. Because Epicor is a leading enterprise application provider in the midmarket offering its own easy-to-implement, cost-effective solutions; Epicors Professional Services organization can deliver tangible business results faster and more efficiently. PROVEN IMPLEMENTATION METHODOLOGY Our Signature Methodology is based on years of field experience implementing our products in thousands of organizations and provides a compilation of approaches, instructions, techniques, templates and sample deliverables to facilitate implementation projects. The methodology acknowledges the architecture, technology, and personnel requirements for a successful implementation. It also recognizes the requirements for success and increases the chances of quickly and painlessly reaching implementation goals and objectives. It is also highly customizable to each customers specific requirements, timetables, and resources. Signature is about managing the partnership we have with our clients, to deliver successful implementations. It allows Epicor to provide consistent, client-focused implementations.

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As a highly structured, proven implementation methodology, Signature guides you and your company through a four-step process, from an in-depth analysis of your business requirements, all the way to the hand over, quickly enabling your company to begin using your Epicor solution in its day-to-day operations. For more information on Signature, contact your Epicor consultant. UPGRADE SERVICES Epicor Consulting offers complete upgrade services. By enlisting services from the consulting team, you will have access to the experiences of many upgrades. For example, when upgrading from Platinum SQL 4.2a version to subsequent versions of Epicor Enterprise, the Epicor consulting team can help you understand the extensive new features and functionality and assist you in both the technical aspects and the business process aspects. You will be provided with a set of consulting and training services to guide you along the fastest migration path in order to maximize the value of your upgrade. ROI OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM Epicor Consulting has developed an exciting new program to provide our customers with post go-live support services: This program is the eServices ROI Optimization Program. The main objective of the ROI Optimization Program is to ensure that your business systems remain highly optimized and fully leveraged. As with most business software, customers typically use only a partial amount of the available functionality initially. Epicor Service Consultants can help you maximize the return on your current system investment and implement additional features that you might not be aware of. The intention of the program is to share best practices across our customer base and to ensure your business is getting everything possible out of your Epicor investment. INTEGRATION SERVICES Leveraging the Internet is not just about putting a catalog on a Web site. The Internet can fundamentally change the way a company does business, uses systems, and communicates with its customers, suppliers and partners. Epicor has been helping its customers connect their businesses to the Internet for years, and it understands the impact of it on our customers businesses. As a result, Epicor has established a specialized Consulting Services team that is focused on implementing e-commerce solutions. Epicors Integration Services team has the experience to implement Epicor e-commerce systems, from electronic storefronts to supply chain integration to customer portals. Epicor consultants are experienced with protocols, security, virtual private networks, XML schema standards, Microsoft Site Server, Microsoft IIS, HTML, DHTML, ASPs, Scripting, Microsoft DNA and a host of other technologies necessary to link up to the Internet. More importantly, Integration Services understands all aspects of Epicors customers businesses so the team knows how to tie ecommerce systems with sales, marketing, finance, distribution and manufacturing systems to eenable an entire business not just a Web site.

Global Presence
Our consulting resources are deployed regionally to effectively deliver services when and where you need them. Regional consulting offices are based in our America, EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.

Product Education
Epicors Product Education department has been extremely successful in transferring our years of experience to you, our customers. Our continuously updated, hands-on, interactive classes impart a deep level of understanding of the functionality of the system. Our experienced, knowledgeable instructors equip you to make the best implementation and configuration decisions for your business. Real-life exercises and examples enable you to apply classroom concepts to precisely meet your companys individual needs and unleash the power of your

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Epicor solution. Our ever-growing eLearning series of courses allow you to take many classes from the comfort of your own office. These courses cover topics such as new product information, technical reviews, advanced features, product overviews, and more. If you have a large number of individuals to train, you may wish to schedule on-site education to avoid travel costs. This allows us to focus on those issues critical to your business, and allows you to train a larger number of people.

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User Groups
Overview
For Epicor solutions, user groups have been organized throughout the world. These user groups are completely organized and managed by Epicor customers, provide an objective forum for networking as well as feedback to Epicor, and provide opportunities for our customers to share experiences and ideas with each other and with the Epicor product marketing and product management teams. The feedback from these groups positively influences our products, our partner relationships and our services.

USER GROUP LEADERSHIP COUNCILS There are two Epicor User Group Leadership Councils (EUGLC), one for Enterprise and one for Vantage, along with subcommittees for specific topics or projects. The purpose of the leadership council is to represent the customer base and assist Epicor in being responsive to its customers needs. The council has the opportunity to influence product development plans and customer support procedures to ensure that both our software products and our services meet our customer needs. The User Group Leadership Council submits a prioritized list of issues and product enhancement requests to product management. Epicor then reviews these requests with the EUGLC in the form of a product summit. Product Summits consists of members of the EUGLC, key customers, and representatives from Epicor product management, product marketing and technical support teams. The agreed upon software fixes and enhancements are incorporated into the next product release. It is important to note that Epicor will continue to address issues reported by individual customers directly to technical support. However, the User Group Leadership Council also has the opportunity to actively participate in Epicors release planning and prioritization process. PRODUCT LIAISONS
Each Epicor product line has a Product Liaison. The Product Liaisons help administer list servers, work with Product Development on customer surveys, and organize the SIG (Special Interest Groups) for each discipline within their product lines. For a listing of all Product Liaisons and SIG Leaders, please visit www.epicorusers.org.

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