Epicor delivers on-demand sales tax management service with its Enterprise Business Software suites

Epicor Software Corporation, a leading provider of enterprise business software solutions to the midmarket and divisions of Global 1000 companies, has announced general availability of its new sales tax management service, Epicor Tax Connect, powered by Avalara AvaTax. 

A Web services-based sales tax automation solution, Tax Connect is a full-service sales tax solution that customers can deploy in an on-demand environment, integrated to their on-premise enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.

Available on-demand and integrated to Epicor Enterprise and Epicor CRS Retail suites, Tax Connect eliminates the tedious work and complexity of calculating, collecting, reporting on and remitting taxes in multiple jurisdictions.  The subscription-based pricing also brings greater affordability to midmarket companies.

According to a recent report from Gartner, SaaS should be adopted first in a modular-focused, incremental approach (likely in departmental initiatives), rather than in extensive enterprise-wide end-to-end processes.  Moreover, large organisations automating cross-departmental business flows should consider SaaS solutions for specific functional tasks and to plug into established on-premise environments.[1][1]
 

Three Flavors of Tax Connect to Suit Your Business

Epicor Tax Connect is available in three unique offerings: Tax Connect Standard, Tax Connect Pro and Tax Connect Returns.  Tax Connect Standard provides built-in integration to the AvaTax service along with configuration of nexus and simple tax rules; Tax Connect Pro adds built-in taxability rules for all jurisdictions where special rules apply for taxation of specific products and services (over 85,000 built-in rules); and, Tax Connect Returns provides for the automated generation of jurisdiction-ready returns.

The software performs USPS CASS-certified address validation, sales tax jurisdiction determination, and rate calculation with no change to existing workflow.  Fully detailed reports are easily created, and returns are simply populated and generated.

Although the transactional tax functions that Tax Connect performs are virtually invisible, the online dashboard management console provides a complete view of the sales tax configuration, from state nexus to taxability rules to tax reports.  From there, Tax Connect simply gets the sales tax function done automaticallyfrom rate research and maintenance to reporting and returnsinvisibly, instantly, and accurately.

Tax Connect uses the latest industry standards in security, networking and data technologies including XML and Web services to provide cover for the US and Canada and interacts with CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) for exact jurisdiction boundaries.  The system updates automatically to reflect the most current taxation statutes and tax rates.

With this on-demand service, our customers are able to improve productivity by eliminating outdated, manual methods of sales tax compliance, said Scott Hays, director of product marketing for Epicor.  Epicor Tax Connect streamlines sales tax compliance processes, enabling our customers to better leverage their accounting resources and minimise the risk of costly tax audits.

Availability and Pricing

Epicor Tax Connect is available now with Epicor Enterprise and Epicor CRS Retail suites the Tax Connect Standard edition is available with Epicor Enterprise only.  Annual subscription pricing (1-3 year contracts) is based on the number of accounts receivable invoices processed and the number of tax returns filed.  Future integrations are planned for Epicors Vantage and Vista manufacturing suites.
 

About Epicor Software Corporation

Epicor, named one of FORTUNE magazines 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in 2006, is a global leader dedicated to providing integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM) and professional services automation (PSA) software solutions to midmarket companies and divisions of the Global 1000.  Founded in 1984, Epicor serves over 20,000 customers in more than 140 countries, providing solutions in over 30 languages.  Employing innovative service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web services technology, Epicor delivers end-to-end, industry-specific solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality and services that enable companies to drive increased efficiency, improve performance and build competitive advantage.  Epicor solutions provide the scalability and flexibility to meet today's business challenges, while empowering enterprises for even greater success tomorrow.  Epicor offers a comprehensive range of services with its solutions, providing a single point of accountability to promote rapid return on investment and low total cost of ownership.  Epicors worldwide headquarters are located in Irvine, California with offices and affiliates around the world.