Epicor announces availability of iScala 2.3 SR3

Epicor Software Corporation, provider of enterprise business software solutions for the midmarket and divisions of Global 1000 companies, has announced the next release of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, Epicor iScala. Designed for improved controllability, scalability and usability, Epicor iScala 2.3 SR3 features enhanced mobility functionality as well as three brand new modules for Project and Contract Revenue Recognition, Advanced Credit Control, and a Business Transaction Control Engine to improve business processes. The release is intended for businesses that want to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the economic recovery.  

"Epicor iScala has always been one of the top ERP systems of choice for global companies because it helps them keep costs low while enabling them to comply with local regulations wherever they are located," said Matt Muldoon, vice president, product marketing for Epicor. "Through new features such as grid-based sales order entry, integration to Epicor Mobile Field Service, box handling and packaging, and event-based invoicing in Contract Management, this powerful new release helps businesses become more efficient. This results in their being able to streamline their processes and fulfill growing demand as the economy recovers."

Global market leader WD-40 has been using Epicor iScala since 1999 and the company is planning to upgrade to the latest version within the next couple of months. "We have already evaluated iScala 2.3 SR3 and we are looking forward to the performance improvements, the new functionality, and support for the latestversion of Microsoft SQL," said Jonathan McCoy, IT manager for WD-40. "Our sales team is particularly excited about the new grid-based order entry screens because they will make it easier and faster for them to enter orders helping us increase efficiencies throughout the company. Other features that we will benefit from straight away are the improvements in the credit check processes, and the settlement discount localisation for Spain."

Swedish-based HMS Networks is a world leading supplier of communication technology for automation equipment. The company has been using Epicor iScala solutions since the late 1990s and it has performed an evaluation of iScala 2.3 SR3. "We are delighted to see that a number of features from our wish-list have been incorporated in this release," said Anders Trhagen, IT manager for HMS. "We are particularly interested in the improvements in serial number handling, the way we can enhance emails that are sent directly to customers, and the extended possibilities with user definable fields that will allow us to add more information such as delivery or batch details, onto documents in line with our business processes. Additionally, the improved functionality in Service Connect will make it easier for us to split orders, something that is quite challenging at the moment."

"We have been testing the latest release of Epicor iScala and have found it to contain value-added functionality for nearly every user in every industry," said Daina Ziraka, managing director for viaPro, an Epicor partner in Latvia. "The two main challenges our customers face today is the need for improved efficiencies and being able to use technology as an innovation driver. With the latest release, Epicor iScala delivers on both aspects. The integration with Epicor Mobile Field Service gives customers extended mobility functionality as a standard option, benefittingcompanies today who use mobile technology as a driver for improved customerservice. The decision support enhancements and the continual support for ever-changing local regulations will help businesses not only keep up with changing legislation, but  also give them tools to control operations and create further efficiencies throughout their business cycles."

Ziraka continued, "Additionally, a special bonus for manufacturing companies is that they will receive immediate value from the disassembly and repair processes, allowing unified processes across production units and eliminating the complexity ofhandling production functions across multiple iScala instances."

Brand New Functionality
The Revenue Recognition module is specifically built for customers that use Contract and Project Management modules, and it is designed to determine the conditions under which revenues and expenses are recognised. Advanced Credit Control introduces several enhancements to the iScala credit control capabilities. It supports the introduction of a new set of features that allows organizations to define acredit authorisation/approval matrix consisting of up to 10 user-defined credit limit overrides. Each credit limit override is matched to a specific user permission. The credit overrides allow authorized users to release credit-stopped order lines for delivery.

The Business Transaction Control Engine (BTCE) sees the introduction of a new feature set that allows customers to control specific business transactions or business events for the sales, purchase and service management processes. For example, extended support for advanced License Control (LC) will allow companies to control what, when, why, how much, from/to whom specific products or raw materials can orcannot be purchased or sold.

Muldoon concluded, "The latest Epicor iScala release continues to give global businesses powerful support in areas such as disassembly and repair manufacturing processes, as well as extensive country specific functionality. The latest release also offers expanded transaction capacity for higher volumes, printing from snap search, and pre-packaged content for Epicor enterprise performance management (EPM) to help our customers run leading edge businesses."