Epicor Moves ERP Strategy to Cloud-First Model

Epicor, the global enterprise resource planning (ERP) software provider, has set a clear timeline to phase out new on-premises releases for several of its core ERP products as it moves all future innovation exclusively to its cloud platform. The change reflects a broad industry trend of ERP vendors prioritizing cloud deployment over traditional on-premises installations.

Under the new plan, Epicor will deliver final on-premises feature releases for Epicor Kinetic, Epicor Prophet 21, and Epicor BisTrack, with support remaining in various stages through the end of the decade. After the final releases, all major engineering and product enhancements will be built for the Epicor Cloud, giving customers access to the company’s latest capabilities without needing to maintain their own infrastructure.

Sunset Schedule for Core ERP Platforms

Epicor has communicated detailed schedules concerning the last on-premises versions of its primary ERP software, together with later support schemes:

 

Kinetic

• The last on-premise release is anticipated in January 2028
• Hesk, the full support (Active Support) is guaranteed until December 31, 2029
• The limited support (Sustaining Support) is to start on January 1, 2030

 

Prophet 21

• The release cycle for the on-prem version will end in May 2028
• The period of Active Support will run up to June 30, 2029
• From July 1, 2029, the Limited Support will apply

 

BisTrack (Web Browser & API)

• The last version available on-premises is set for release in July 2028
• Active Support will be provided until June 30, 2029
• Sustaining Support will begin from July 1, 2029

 

BisTrack Desktop

• The final on-prem release will be in December 2026
• Active Support will last until December 31, 2028
• Sustaining Support will start on January 1, 2029

 

The proposed timeline will allow for the organizations to plan and carry out the migration while still receiving support and security updates during and after the transition.

Why Epicor Is Fully Embracing Cloud ERP

Epicor's rationale for the switch is the overall direction in the industry of cloud-native solutions. The cloud deployment implies that innovations like AI, continuous feature updates, and improved infrastructure management will be delivered quicker. According to analysts, the switch is not just about the software’s physical location; it is also a sign of a dramatic shift in the operations of the suppliers who will no longer differentiate between cloud and on-premise users but rather concentrate on one delivery model.

The vendor emphasizes that under the cloud model, companies will not have to worry anymore about managing their own servers, databases, or upgrading cycles. Besides, it also brings faster access to the new features for the ERP customers – the main industry ERP AI agent and contemporary standard tools are among these – and no downtime and hassle that are sometimes a part of the traditional on-premises upgrades.

Challenges and Considerations for Customers

The transition to the cloud, notwithstanding all its advantages, remains a complex procedure that necessitates meticulous planning and sometimes even hard operational decisions, especially for institutions that are subject to strict policies or handle sensitive data. Such customers may need to invest in compliance, governance, and even hybrid or sovereign cloud setups exclusively to meet the data residency or security requirements. The transition also alters the position of operational risks, which now transfer from the internal IT team to the cloud providers and the respective service-level agreements (SLAs).

The firm will make the migration of customers to Epicor Cloud its top priority, and at the same time, it will begin to phase out its on-site development and support activities.