Training a manufacturing team on Epicor ERP is fundamentally different from training in other industries. Manufacturers operate in fast-paced, highly integrated environments where one mistake in material handling, scheduling, or data entry can disrupt the entire production cycle. For this reason, Epicor training for manufacturers must be purpose-built, precise, and closely tied to real-world shop floor execution.

This guide breaks down the unique considerations for training in manufacturing environments and outlines the key areas to focus on. Whether you are preparing for a go-live or looking to improve adoption post-implementation, this article will help you structure your Epicor training program for long-term success.

At Epicforce Tech, we specialize in helping manufacturers maximize the value of Epicor by building training programs that support productivity, efficiency, and system-wide accuracy.

Why Manufacturing Teams Need Specialized Epicor Training

While Epicor ERP offers a robust platform for manufacturing, it requires correct configuration and user discipline to perform well. General training is often insufficient because manufacturing touches multiple complex modules—many of which depend on precise data inputs and real-time decision-making.

Here are three reasons why manufacturers require tailored Epicor training:

1. Tight Integration Across Functions
   Production, planning, inventory, procurement, quality, and maintenance all interact in real time. If users in one area are not trained properly, the entire workflow can break.

2. High Dependence on Accuracy and Timing
   Manufacturing success depends on accurate BOMs, timely material issues, proper routing, and efficient scheduling. Epicor must be used precisely.

3. Shift-Based Operations and Shop Floor Constraints
   Operators and supervisors may have limited access to training time. Content must be focused, accessible, and applicable to their specific job functions.

Step 1: Identify Key User Roles in Manufacturing

To build a practical training plan, begin by mapping the Epicor modules and functions to real-world manufacturing roles.

Common Manufacturing Roles and Epicor Focus Areas:

• Production Planners: Scheduling, MRP, work order releases, capacity management

• Machine Operators: MES terminal use, job clocking, reporting scrap

• Inventory and Material Handlers: Material issue and return, inventory movements, bin management

• Quality Control: Non-conformance reports, inspections, corrective actions

• Maintenance Teams: Preventive maintenance scheduling, asset tracking

• Supervisors: Job status monitoring, labor reporting, work center load balancing

• Purchasing: Vendor orders, PO receipt processing, subcontracting

• Warehouse Teams: Transfer orders, shipments, cycle counting

Each role should receive focused training based on their daily interactions with Epicor.

Step 2: Focus on Manufacturing-Specific Epicor Modules

Epicor provides manufacturing teams with a wide range of integrated tools. However, not all modules are relevant to every company. Tailor your training to your environment, and focus on high-impact modules first.

Core Epicor Modules for Manufacturers to Prioritize:

1. Bill of Materials (BOM) and Routing

• How to structure and revise BOMs

• Understanding parent-child relationships

• Routing steps, resource groups, and labor types

2. Job Management

• Creating and releasing jobs

• Linking jobs to sales orders or forecasts

• Managing materials, labor, and subcontracting

3. Production Planning and Scheduling

• Finite vs infinite scheduling

• Understanding job start/complete dates

• Load leveling and capacity planning

4. Materials and Inventory Control

• Material issue and return transactions

• Backflushing settings and when to use them

• Lot and serial tracking

5. MES (Manufacturing Execution System)

• Recording labor and reporting production

• Scrap and rework processes

• Real-time shop floor data capture

6. Quality Assurance

• Setting up inspection plans

• Managing NCs and corrective actions

• Integrating QA into job workflows

7. MRP (Material Requirements Planning)

• Running MRP simulations

• Understanding supply and demand pegging

• Using MRP-generated suggestions

8. Maintenance Management

• Creating preventive maintenance schedules

• Logging service history and downtime

• Linking equipment to jobs

Epicforce Tech emphasizes hands-on training in these modules using your own configured system, ensuring that your team is not only trained but equipped to perform consistently and accurately.

Step 3: Use Shop-Floor-Friendly Training Approaches

Unlike office users, manufacturing personnel often do not have the luxury of multi-hour training sessions. Effective Epicor training for these teams must fit within operational constraints.

Shop-Floor-Friendly Training Tips:

• Use bite-sized sessions that focus on one transaction at a time

• Provide printed quick-reference guides with step-by-step screenshots

• Create video walkthroughs of common MES activities

• Set up sandbox environments where users can test without risk

• Train shift supervisors as internal trainers to coach their teams in real time

At Epicforce Tech, we often recommend creating a “training zone” on the shop floor equipped with a test terminal, reference materials, and a designated support contact.

Step 4: Emphasize Data Accuracy and Accountability

Manufacturing workflows rely on real-time data. Incorrect labor reporting, incomplete job closures, or skipped inspections can lead to inventory errors, customer issues, or compliance risks.

Your training program must go beyond button-clicking to emphasize:

• Why correct transaction timing matters

• How errors propagate downstream (MRP, inventory, financials)

• Which roles are responsible for key checkpoints in the process

For example, when operators forget to clock out or enter incorrect scrap quantities, planners may release jobs based on flawed data. Training should help users understand these impacts.

Step 5: Align Training with Go-Live, Upgrades, and Process Changes

Epicor training is not a one-time activity. Your team needs targeted instruction at each stage of the system lifecycle:

Pre-Go-Live

• Role-based simulations

• Parallel testing walkthroughs

• Job scenarios with real data

Post-Go-Live

• Error resolution training

• Workflow reinforcement

• Supervisor-led floor coaching

After Upgrades

• Feature change briefings

• Hands-on labs for new functionality

• Update reference documents and SOPs

Epicforce Tech offers structured training programs aligned with each phase of implementation and support, tailored to the pace and maturity of your manufacturing operations.

Step 6: Measure Training Effectiveness and Address Gaps

Once training is complete, track whether it is driving measurable improvements. Focus on metrics that reflect user adoption and operational efficiency.

Useful Metrics for Manufacturing Epicor Training:

• Number of unposted or incomplete job transactions

• Data entry error rate in MES terminals

• Job completion vs planned schedule variance

• User-generated support ticket volume

• Training quiz or checklist completion rate

Combine system data with supervisor feedback to assess where reinforcement is needed. For example, if multiple users are skipping the QA step before job closeout, revisit that section in your training materials.

Step 7: Build a Sustainable Internal Training Model

Sustained adoption requires internal ownership. Build a structure that empowers your team to maintain and grow ERP knowledge over time.

Recommended Internal Training Model:

• Assign internal ERP champions by department

• Maintain updated SOPs and quick-reference sheets

• Use your Epicor test environment for onboarding new hires

• Conduct quarterly mini-training refreshers

• Document customizations in user-focused language

Epicforce Tech helps manufacturing clients build these internal training assets so they can support their team independently beyond the initial implementation.

Final Thoughts: The Right Epicor Training Drives Real Manufacturing Impact

For manufacturers, Epicor is more than a system—it is a control tower for materials, people, and production. When your team is properly trained, they make faster decisions, produce more accurate outputs, and maintain better visibility across the supply chain.

Training must be tied to your real environment, built around your actual users, and aligned with your operational goals. That is what separates effective Epicor adoption from expensive digital shelfware.

If you are investing in Epicor and want to ensure long-term ROI, training cannot be an afterthought. It must be part of your core operational strategy.

At Epicforce Tech, we partner with manufacturers to design and deliver Epicor training programs that reduce downtime, improve accuracy, and support scalable growth.