Reverberations from Moogfest 2018 are still being felt long after the event’s conclusion and we couldn’t help but take the opportunity to congratulate Moog Music, Inc., a longtime client of ours at Encompass Solutions, Inc., on another successful year of bringing together musicians, engineers, and enthusiasts to celebrate the legacy of Bob Moog.

an image of the moog logo for Moogfest 2018

Moogfest 2018 in Durham, NC

Moogfest is a tribute and celebration to the legacy of Bob Moog, the creator and mastermind behind Moog synthesizers and electronic music technology.

This marks the 14th anniversary of Moogfest, which features synthesizer technology and all matter of associated gear, gadgets, and goodies. This year, there was a wealth of resources for synth enthusiasts, but Moog and other brands took things a bit further and exhibited their latest creations in guitar rigs, and electronic percussion set-ups, and there was even an analog video display to carry the atmosphere even farther. This year’s event placed special emphasis on female, non-binary, and transgender artists when forming their line-up.

The show-stopper for Moogfest 2018 was their latest, semi-modular synthesizer, the Moog Grandmother. Some of the instrument’s features include a digital, arpeggiating sequencer section, one modulation section that doubles as an oscillator to compliment the instrument’s other two oscillators in the mixer section, various utilities for patching, a classic filter section, and an envelope section. Last but not least is the spring reverb that harkens back to classic Moog units with an unmistakably haunting spatial sound.

To explore the sonic possibilities and cosmic context of Grandmother, Moog Music visited the Linear Labs studio of artist-composer Adrian Younge (Black Dynamite, Netflix’s Luke Cage) earlier in 2018. In this video, Younge gives his personal “Thesis On Sound” while incorporating Grandmother into his retro-inspired creative workflow at Linear Labs.

The event not only showcased the latest creations of musical instrument manufacturers but provided learning opportunities and hands-on workshops to craft the ultimate sound geek experience where you could build your own modular Moog synthesizer under the guidance of Moog engineers.

About Moog

Known for manufacturing premier modular synthesizers used by musicians and recording artists the world over, Moog’s impressive products are hand-made right here in our backyard. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, the brand has branched out beyond the theremin and synthesizer to deliver a superior selection of musical instruments and accessories. While the electronic music scene in North Carolina still has plenty of room to catch up with when compared to the likes of New York and San Francisco, Moog makes it a point to deliver innovative ideas that revolutionize sound as we know it. The classic appeal and creative engineering in manufacturing make the most out-of-this-world musical instruments in a region of the US known for dirt roads and back-country sensibilities.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, Epicor Platinum Partner, and Netsuite Solution Provider that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.


Encompass Solutions recently sat down with Metaphase Technologies President Kevin High to discuss the company’s current Epicor ERP implementation, manufacturing custom vision and lighting solutions, and the future of Metaphase. Here’s what Kevin had to say about his company and where he’ll be taking it with the advanced capabilities Encompass Solutions and Epicor ERP will provide.

A graphic of the Metaphase Technologies logo

Q: Can you describe what Metaphase does and what makes the company unique?

Our mission is to be the leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-performance, custom and standard machine vision LED lighting solutions. Metaphase Technologies is a custom job shop with over 7,000 active products and new ones developed every week. We have in-house resources, including engineering, manufacturing, sales, and service, all under one roof. We customize solutions to fit the end-user’s needs and provide application expertise to help determine the ideal solution.

Q: What are some everyday challenges Metaphase faces in business? Anything specific to vision systems and lighting that other manufacturers might not face?

As a company, some of the common challenges we face on a day-to-day basis include tracking all active projects, custom light specifications, and evaluation units we send to customers. Since we lack continuity of data platforms, it can also be challenging to track where we are in the sales cycle. Lastly, our products are an integral part of our customers’ applications, which means we have to continue designing around component obsolescence. Information acquisition is often a time-consuming challenge. It is challenging to be able to view our inventory levels, provide prompt responses, and have short lead times.

Q: What is your business hoping to accomplish with Epicor ERP software that you couldn’t previously?

Our expectations in working with Epicor are to learn efficiency in a custom job-shop environment, from top to bottom. What we are looking for is a more streamlined integration from start to finish. When our Sales Managers are in the field, we want them to be able to deliver quick and accurate information to the customers. Our goal with our next software implementation is to have a consistency of data across all departments, including BOM accuracy, to ultimately improve quality and lead times, as well as, efficiency in tracking process flows from start to finish.

Q: How are you taking advantage of the strengths and benefits of production located in North America vs. production overseas?

Being a manufacturing company in North America is beneficial for both Metaphase and our domestic customers. Our Sales team maintains a healthy relationship with customers in the USA because of the accessibility and ease of communication. Our time-to-delivery is also decreased since we are not waiting on parts manufactured internationally. 

Q: At what point did you know you would need to implement an ERP solution for your business?

In 2014, we knew that we had to implement ERP software just to keep up with in-house processes, it was becoming resource intensive to find answers; paper trail audits are very resource intensive and could take days to track down information on a product shipped in previous years. Metaphase has been through the implementation of software that didn’t appropriately fit the needs of our unique company. In December 2017, we knew we wanted to start looking and exploring different ERP options because our current ERP system is inadequate to handle the custom job-shop flow our company has. We needed a better solution.

Q: Can you describe your ERP selection process?

We began our search by interviewing multiple vendors and identifying certain requirements. We evaluated live demonstrations of the software and eventually narrowed it down to two software companies. Proposals of the implementation process, as well as the financials, followed the second demonstration of the software systems. An internal discussion was needed to evaluate the risks and rewards of each and we were able to make a decision.

Q: What key component(s) of Epicor got you interested?

Epicor had not been a software we were looking into originally but a chance meeting with Sonia, President of Encompass Solutions, at the A3 convention had put them on our radar. A good repour and quality customer care from the President had been reassuring and important to us.

Q: What are some of your apprehensions regarding the implementation of a new ERP system and how did Encompass allay those apprehensions and give your company the confidence to bring us on?

There will always be uncertainties about implementing a new ERP system since there is always a chance the system will not meet our expectations. Some apprehensions we have include cost and resource allocation, not being able to complete implementation within the projected time frame, and also the transfer of data from our current ERP into Epicor. The quality of training and technical support is also a concern that we, along with many other companies, have going into an ERP implementation. Despite the apprehensions we have, Encompass has been guiding us through the process up to this point. The face-to-face communication with Sonia and Lynn has given us the confidence that they are willing to work with us throughout any issues that may occur during the implementation. The live demonstration of the software by Jeff was smooth and displayed his knowledge of the product well. The detailed proposal documentation that included the implementation process and timeline set expectations for not only Epicor/Encompass but also Metaphase. The level of detail in the documentation made us more confident that Encompass has the experience to run a smooth implementation/ERP transition.

Q: What do you expect will improve as a result of implementation?

After the Epicor implementation, we expect that our process flows within our organization will improve. The user-friendly interface will allow for more timely and accurate information to flow through the system. Being able to help the Sales team save time with easy CRM management and mobile capabilities, we expect them to have more time to do more selling!

Q: What do your employees think about the transition?

We notified our employees about our decision to move forward with Epicor and apprehension was expected. A majority of them are concerned about having a repeat of our previous ERP implementation and how many committed resources will be needed to make this work. But there is also some excitement about the possibilities this software system has and what it can do for us.

About Metaphase Technologies

For more than two decades, Metaphase Technologies has been developing products that advance “The Quality of Light” through the engineering and manufacture of uniform diffuse high brightness and ultra brightness LED illuminators. Metaphase’s illuminators are specially designed for applications in machine vision, military, and specialty lighting. Metaphase boasts expertise in engineering flexible lighting solutions for ease of integration into vision systems design. The company’s LED illuminators are currently utilized in thousands of applications throughout the world, including vision-guided robotics, automation systems, line scan inspection units, and many others across the machine vision industry.

As the first to standardize built-in constant current drivers, Metaphase continues to synergize cutting-edge machine vision LED lighting & control technologies to simplify innovation and increase customer return on investment.

 

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider, Suite Success Partner, and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.


It’s been said that the only thing worse than drinking a warm beverage is watching someone else drink a cold one. This doesn’t have to be a fate you’ll taste any longer thanks to an exciting new twist in beverage packaging technology.

On-Demand Chilled Beverage Packaging Technology

The new technology Chill-Can presents improves the manufacturing ability of such options, making it a viable option for beverage manufacturers. Using liquefied CO2 as the coolant in this Heat Exchange Unit (HEU), this two-piece twist mechanism makes the simple chilling of beverages while on the go a reality. In total, it takes about 80 seconds for the activated product to cool the beverage kept inside its housing. The device can even be shaped for specific applications, be it 8oz, 12oz, 16oz, or any other style of beverage can.

The device itself weighs about 150g grams and will lower the affected beverage’s temperature by around 30 degrees. Makers of the Chill-Can, The Joseph Co., currently hold 31 patents that pertain to the unique technology, its manufacturing process, and the HEU coatings.

The Chill-Can currently costs consumers an additional $1.50 on top of the cost of the associated beverage, a price point the market has quickly responded to and, according to Joseph, retailers “couldn’t keep them on the shelf.”

Going Beyond Beverage Packaging Technology And Manufacturing

The Chill Can beverage packaging technology has enjoyed resounding approval from consumers since its debut, but many look forward to applications that benefit humanity beyond quenching thirst on a hot day.

The medical field stands to benefit greatly from this mobile chilling technology. Organs being transported from donors to recipients are an obvious application, but fragile medicines and lab samples that need to be kept cool while in transit are other applications that will likely benefit from this technology as it develops.

The full Packaging Digest article on the Chill-Can and an interview with, the chairman/CEO of The Joseph Co. Intl and West Coast Chill, Mitchell Joseph, can be found here.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Platinum Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.


AI and Robotics

With discrete and batch process manufacturers already taking full advantage of advancements in robotics and machine vision technology to improve operations, winemakers and agricultural industries are increasingly leveraging AI and Robotics to improve processes in the vineyard. Coupled with modern ERP systems, these manufacturers are better equipped to weather disruption and establish their foothold in a competitive marketplace.

Manufacturing, packaging, and production are already quite familiar with automation, vision systems, and collaborative robotics. Now, the more traditionally manual and complex areas of agriculture are beginning to feel the influence of these powerful technologies.

Automation In Agriculture

For example, Researchers at the Agriculture and Biological Engineering Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are making big pushes for robotics and automation proliferation in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The group has outlined its vision for the influx of robots, machine vision, and AI on three levels. Initially, robots will utilize machine vision technology to survey and collect data that provide insight into a variety of environmental factors. A follow-up with more specialized robots will prepare and maintain sites, performing field operations such as weeding, picking, and pruning. Once a suitable location has been established and the land prepared for operations, third-generation robots and autonomous systems will emerge to automate the complete process from seeding to packing. The vision may still be years from coming to fruition, but examples of second-generation robots are already in the works. Take the California wine industry for example, where robots and irrigation technology are working in tandem to make more efficient use of watering practices in the drought-stricken state.

A Robot Workforce Uprooting Global Wine Industries

The vineyard might be one of the last places people imagine the latest advancements in technology are being utilized. However, the applications of machine vision, AI, and robots are disrupting the winemaking industry to such an extent that the benefits of their incorporation are too great to ignore.

Take California’s wine country for example. In a state with one of the most sizable wine industries in the world, while at the same time plagued with drought, innovators have answered the call with Robot-Assisted Precision Irrigation Delivery (RAPID). RAPID uses precision monitoring technology to deliver water through specialized emitters attached to irrigation lines laid throughout a vineyard.

The project was funded with a $1 million grant from the Department of Agriculture and headed by UC Merced professor Stefano Carpin. The unmanned ground vehicle, equipped with GPS can map routes throughout vineyards.  Relying on drone and satellite images, the vehicle will have a continuous view of weather conditions in real time. Additionally, the robot will utilize a “grasping hand” to turn the water emitters in such a way that increases or decreases the flow of water. This system improves on the current irrigation setup considerably, since the irrigation watering systems currently in use deliver a constant flow of water across the entire system. With the more efficient use of water in the drought-stricken region, RAPID can improve vineyard yield, reduce waste, and even customize the watering process dependent on a vineyard’s variety of grapes. Carpin hopes to have a fully functional test system available by 2020.

Pruning With Precision Machine Vision Systems

Wall-Ye V.I.N is France’s answer to one of the most labor-intensive components of running a vineyard, vine maintenance. Pruning, de-suckering, and clipping fruitless shoots, to be more precise. Understanding which vines need to be pruned and to what extent is considered a sacred charge in many winemaking circles. Nevertheless, tremendous advancements are being made to automate these laborious and time-consuming tasks. The creation of Burgundy-based inventor Christophe Millot, Wall-Ye V.I.N. has even the most scrupulous winemakers nodding in approval as the economic value the robot presents is undeniable. Take for instance the human component of pruning. It takes somewhere near three years to fully train a pruner to man the vines, whereas Wall-Ye V.I.N. promises to be ready to prune in a fraction of the time. Still, the robot will not be capable of taking on all the associated tasks its human counterparts are responsible for and instead take on a collaborative role within the industry.

Meanwhile, across the globe, California-based Vision Robotics is hard at work creating a system considerably larger than Wall-Ye V.I.N. to tackle pruning tasks. Canterbury University’s Australia campus is developing a similar pruning robot as well. All three projects have a common imaging system that feeds into an AI that is focused on 3D modeling to determine which vines are cut.

Robotics Helping Harvest

Once the cluster-heavy vines are ready for harvest, machine vision, AI and robotics come into play in a big way. Identifying which grapes are going to produce the best wine is an arduous task made easy with the incorporation of modern technology. Take for instance the robots in place at the Hall Vineyards in Napa Valley, California. Once grape clusters have been harvested, the robots on location are fed the clusters to identify which cut and which do not. Taking more than 10,000 photos a second, the robot is capable of analyzing each photograph virtually instantly.

The operator inputs what parameters the robot uses to identify what is acceptable and what is not. All acceptable specimens proceed to a “good fruit” bin at the end of a conveyor, while the rejected fruit is blasted off the line with a precision burst of air. This is just one way that robots improve the efficiency of vineyard operations and enable winemakers to create even more satisfying beverages.

Another example emerges in the EU project, VineRobot, which uses color cameras, Infrared thermography, and GPS techniques to obtain agronomical and physiological data from the vineyard in real-time. By combining all the necessary data to conclude, VineRobot can alert operators and other staff of nutrient deficiencies in plants and ready for harvest fruits based on pigmentation. Throughout the process, Vine Robot is creating a complete representation of the vineyard’s crop quality as a result of the data gleaned from its sophisticated vision sensors and systems.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm specializing in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers and Distributors. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.


Epicor Insights 2018

Attending Epicor Insights 2018? Explore what’s ahead and start to plan your schedules for:

  • Technical Insight―Learn how to reduce costs and increase ROI
  • Practical Insight―Attend labs with Epicor technical staff demonstrating practical software solutions
  • Peer Insight―Network with fellow professionals, discuss common challenges and share solutions while enjoying all that Nashville has to offer
  • Expert Insight―Hear from Epicor executives regarding what lies ahead and schedule meetings with Epicor experts
  • Education ROI―Extended education sessions offer a deep dive into the business software you’re using today

You can view the full agenda here, including extended education sessions and hands-on labs. The events begin next week and we couldn’t be more excited!

Join Encompass For A Customer Appreciation Event At Epicor Insights 2018

We are looking forward to seeing you all at Insights. This is a great chance for all of our customers to both meet each other and exchange war stories, but also for you to get a chance for some face-time with your Encompass team ― this year there will be representation at both an Executive and Operations level, as well as the account management team ― Sonia and Dave both look forward to meeting new customers and spending time with those of you who have done business with Encompass for years.

Our team will be available throughout the event for meetings to discuss how we might support your organization in those endeavors. After a long day of training please join us for food and drink while surrounded by natural splendor beneath a soaring glass atrium in the Delta Pavilion Gazebo!

RECEPTION RVSP 

 


Encompass Solutions’ strategic partner Bezlio has added further enhancements to its mobile dashboard and user interface capabilities within ERP software. The latest feature comes in the form of streamlined and intuitive customer service portals that enhance the overall experience when it comes to providing documentation and service to clients at all hours. An effective ERP solution, with the latest in customer-focused tools, can help differentiate your business from competitors and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

ERP Integrated Self-Service Portals

Customers want access to their essential documents, invoices, and purchase orders, and not just during office hours. Customer portals have fast become a crucial component of the customer experience. As a result, their availability has risen to the top of expected features in any business environment. And why shouldn’t they be?

Bezlio has delivered an attractive and seamlessly integrated answer to customer demand with a customer service portal that can be easily incorporated into an existing EPR system and accessed via desktop or mobile device. Within the ERP integrated self-service portals, customers can:

  • Open orders
  • Review order history
  • Track orders
  • Review shipping records
  • Access inventory in real-time
  • Access invoices

These powerful capabilities are the new normal when it comes to the customers’ experience and businesses must keep up to satisfy an increasingly discerning audience of current and prospective clients. However, reading and displaying data is just the beginning.

An Open Channel Of Communication

Now more than ever, Customers want an open channel of communication available for when questions are asked and answers are needed, on-the-fly. Two-way communication within the customer portal ensures that your customers are empowered to write data and complete transactions directly to your source application. Cut out the complication of modern e-commerce systems and let your customers place orders on their time with the Order Entry functionality of Bezlio’s customer self-service portal.

Security Is Key

As with all digital information exchanges, security is of the utmost importance. Bezlio’s approach ensures you never synchronize a single byte to the cloud, and receive the benefit of top-level encryption and security measures to protect your business and your associated data.

ERP-Integrated Customer Self-Service Portals

The Gauntlet of Bezlio Security Measures Keeping Your Data Safe.

How To Implement The Bezlio Self-Service Center

So, you know you need a functional ERP integrated self-service portal, but don’t know where to begin with integration. Fortunately, the process is made simple and enterprises will only need to follow a few simple steps before they are up and running with this powerful integration from Bezlio.

Initially, the data agent from Bezlio will need to be installed inside of an enterprise’s firewall, be it through Bezlio, a partner, or an ambitious enterprise with a crack IT squad. The agent will be configured to communicate with the sources of data within the enterprise ERP, which can be assigned permissions based on the data to be shared. After that, queries to pull the data are linked up with Bezlio. These can be existing queries or built from scratch to fit a particular purpose within your enterprise. Once the backend is set up, templates and custom HTML/CSS/JavaScript can be utilized to create an attractive interface on the customer-facing end. Once things are set up, all that’s left is to bring your customers into the fold and show them the new and powerful tools at their fingertips. The benefits of more satisfied customers and enhanced ROI are now yours to enjoy.

About Bezlio

Bezlio is a US-based company with 15 years of experience in customizing and optimizing ERP (enterprise resource management) systems and manipulating data. Specializing in mobile, cloud-based integrations, Bezlio offers many supplemental tool integrations for existing Epicor systems, such as mobile crystal reports, Amazon Seller integration, Salesforce + ERP, tableau write-back, and the recently added self-service customer portals.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm specializing in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers and Distributors. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.


With the many concepts of Industry 5.0 already lending fantastic possibilities to manufacturing industries across the board, the disruption potential of its components in the world of beverage manufacturing is nothing short of groundbreaking. Beer, Wine, and Spirits are some of the most complex and subjective tastes being explored among discerning palates the world over. Here’s how AI and mass personalization are bringing a personal touch to these industries.

A Mass Personalization App For Your Tastebuds: Gastrograph

The beverage aisles of convenience stores, groceries, and big-box stores offer the illusion of diversity, with dozens, if not hundreds, of drinks available for purchase. However, these beverages have undergone massive amounts of testing and QA to market them to the widest audience possible. The overarching “cast the widest net” philosophy of food and beverage manufacturers has left a sour taste in the mouths of many consumers. CEO of NYC-based Analytic Flavor Systems, Jason Cohen, offered as much in an interview with The New Food Economy, “My take is that pretty much all the food and beverage products on the market today are awful,” he explains. “There are no products engineered for me.” And Cohen is right. Manufacturers have formulated snacks and drinks for decades with the right amount of salt, sugar, and fat to hit the proverbial “sweet spot” for consumers. What Cohen’s start-up aims to do is enable consumers to find the foods that fit their ideal flavor profile. How does he plan to do so? Artificial Intelligence and mass personalization.

It doesn’t stop at the taste, either. Moisture level, texture, gaminess, and a host of other characteristics fall under designations in the Analytic Flavor Systems Gastrograph app, a categorization spectrum that takes into account 24 different touchpoints with varying levels of intensity. Submenus under each characteristic allow for even further analysis. A sample Flavor Analysis of Dogfish Head’s 120-minute IPA was mapped in The New Food Economy’s article highlighting the app and larger topic of AI and mass personalization in beverage manufacturing.

AI and Mass Personalization helps Beverage Manufacturing

A flavor analysis of a craft beer, Dogfish Head’s 120-minute IPA, mapped using the Gastrograph app.

The personalized flavor profiling concept emerged during Cohen’s studies in Information Sciences and Technology. Cohen didn’t finish his graduate degree but instead opted to pursue his project with Analytic Flavor Systems and Gastrograph App. Now touted as the first artificial intelligence platform to understand human sensory perception. Some of the biggest names in the beverage are leveraging Cohen’s services. While it remains to be seen how strongly one can lean on the findings of the Gastrograph AI, the happening could signal a new era of consumer profiling practices where food and beverage makers will make this sensory profiling a compulsory part of research when developing new products.

Craft Beverage Makers Make Impact Among US Manufacturers

Among the 10 fastest growing industries in the US is the beverage manufacturing industry ranks third, which only highlights the importance of innovation in the fields of gastronomy and manufacturing. Beverage manufacturing ranks just below Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction and the highest-ranking Support Activities for Mining. The three experienced 44.9%, 17.1%, and 17.1% growth in sales, from first to third ranking. This designation for beverages included everything from breweries to water and soft drinks. Sageworks analyst Libby Bierman offered comment following the recently released report “If you think about the rise in microbreweries and taprooms, it may not be that surprising to see these manufacturers nearing the top of the list.” The report itself relies on cooperative data gleaned from financial statements from private companies, like accounting firms, banks, and credit unions.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.


Epicor Insights 2018 Guest Keynote Speaker

We are pleased to announce that legendary NFL quarterback, Peyton Manning, will be joining us as the Epicor Insights 2018 guest keynote speaker.

An image of NFL quarterback, Peyton Manning, as the Epicor Insights 2018 guest keynote speaker

(Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning, the NFL’s only five-time Most Valuable Player and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection, has earned his place among the greatest quarterbacks in league history as a leader in nearly every statistical passing category. During the 2015/2016 season, Manning led the Denver Broncos to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, making him the first starting quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different teams.

Manning has continued his efforts off the field and was honored as the recipient of the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award and the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2005, the Bart Starr Award in 2015, and the Lincoln Medal in 2017.

Manning serves as a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet and The Pat Summit Foundation Advisory Board. He and his wife, Ashley, established the PeyBack Foundation in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for children at risk. The payback Foundation has provided more than $13 million of impact to at-risk youth through its grants and programs since its inception.

Register today so you can secure your spot for Peyton Manning’s keynote!

Join Encompass For A Customer Appreciation Event At Insights 2018

We are looking forward to seeing you all at Insights.  the good news doesn’t end with the announcement of the Epicor Insights 2018 guest keynote speaker, either. This is a great chance for all of our customers to both meet each other, and exchange war stories, but also for you to get a chance for some face-time with your Encompass team – this year there will be representation at both an Executive and Operations level, as well as the account management team – Sonia and Dave both look forward to meeting new customers and spending time with those of you who have done business with Encompass for years.

Our team will be available throughout the event for meetings to discuss how we might support your organization in those endeavors. After a long day of training please join us for food and drink while surrounded by natural splendor beneath a soaring glass atrium in the Delta Pavilion Gazebo, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM!

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Platinum Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.


Epicor’s annual meeting, Insights, of Epicor customers, partners, and employees is right around the corner! Taking place May 21 – 24 in Nashville, TN at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Insights 2018 will bring together 3,000 attendees from around the world to learn, network, and celebrate together. The event is hosted by the Epicor Users Group and Epicor Corporation. Encompass Solutions will also be holding our annual customer appreciation reception.

The Benefits of Attending Epicor Insights 2018

Here’s what you can expect to get out of your attendance at Insights 2018:

  • Classes – Dozens of 60-90 minute classes are held that are interactive, headed by subject matter experts, and allow questions.
  • Hands-On Labs – The labs are more detailed and hands-on with lab exercises to enter into Epicor and view the results. Two people share a computer to perform the exercises.
  • Extended Education Sessions – These unique classes are held the Saturday and Sunday before the conference. The sessions are far more in-depth than the labs held during the conference. Each session costs an additional $260 per attendee. The benefits they offer include smaller class sizes and product-specific training with access to technical experts in each instance.
  • Solutions Pavilion – An on-site installation where Epicor and the Epicor Alliance partners demo solutions that extend the Epicor application. This is an opportunity to meet face-to-face with personnel to answer your business and technical questions.
  • Latest Epicor Version – Take advantage of witnessing the latest version of Epicor 10 firsthand. If you’re running an older or legacy version of Epicor, this is the best opportunity to see what tools you’re missing out on.
  • Solutions – Calculating the cost of independent research vs. getting real-time solutions at the conference is made easy and, in the case your team decides to implement, it can be enacted immediately.
  • Discount – Your company receives a significant discount if you register four or more employees for the event.
  • One-on-One Meetings – Opportunity to schedule One-on-One meetings with Epicor executives and subject matter experts who normally charge by the hour.

In addition, Insights is an excellent networking opportunity.  Attendees each receive a color-coded lanyard according to the specific Epicor product used. This allows attendees to quickly identify others running the same products.  This is an excellent opportunity for to you will identify attendees running the same version of the software as your company and allow you to discuss issues that your company is having.

Epicor ERP solutions are designed to address the essential functions of all enterprises, small to large.

Are you interested in attending Epicor Insights 2018?

Here are some tips and suggestions to address in a justification letter to present to management when seeking approval to attend:

  • Compile a list of specific session topics, speakers, and other attendees that can speak directly to challenges your company is currently facing.
  • Compare the cost of outside or on-site consultants versus the conference fee. Your meetings with subject matter experts and class time are included in the overall attendance price!
  • Explain your networking strategy with other Epicor customers and experts and link this to company areas of interest, specific projects, or implementations.

Additional talking points to justify your attendance can include:

  • A Focus on user efficiency and education, as well as cost savings, is provided by interactive lab sessions with Epicor product experts.
  • Details regarding how you will implement at least one performance change based on what you’ll learn at the conference
  • Documenting or highlighting specific savings associated with past attendance from a colleague or you personally.
  • Form execution teams after the event, distribute the information, act on it, and follow up.
  • A plan to train others and deliver a presentation to co-workers based on what you learned at Insights.
  • The networking components of attendance and professional contacts that you can consult long after the conference ends.
  • Detailed calculation of the cost of your independent research vs. getting real-time solutions at the conference.
  • An outlined schedule of one-on-one meetings with Epicor executives, senior managers, and product experts during the  20-minute meeting sessions is provided in a special briefing room format.

Encompass Solutions Customer Appreciation Mingle

If you plan to attend Insights 2018 and wish to join us for the Encompass Customer Appreciation Mingle on Wednesday, May 23 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Opryland Delta Pavilion Gazebo, you can RSVP below. We hope to see you there!

About Epicor

Epicor aims to provide the most powerful ERP capabilities alongside accessibility to innovate how ERP is used, deployed, and managed by businesses. According to the company, this goes beyond reinventing interfaces and focuses more on the relationship between ERP systems and people. By removing the barriers standing between business and information, Epicor minimizes the steps taken to gain actionable insights and drive growth.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Platinum Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.