In the world of ERP software, names matter. They set expectations. They tell you what a tool is supposed to do.

Over the last decade as a partner, we’ve watched Epicor’s web solution evolve from Epicor Customer Connect to Epicor Commerce Connect (ECC), and finally to just Epicor Commerce (EC).

If you look under the hood, the engine hasn’t radically changed its purpose. It is still a robust integration between your back-office ERP and the web. But while the product has stayed consistent, the branding has drifted, and in our opinion, it has drifted away from the feature that provides the single biggest ROI for manufacturers: The Customer Portal.

“Commerce” Implies Retail. Manufacturing Needs Service.

The problem with the name “Epicor Commerce” is that it immediately draws images of B2C retail: complex storefronts, SEO campaigns, and abandoning shopping carts. It suggests that the goal is solely to acquire new sales. This is easy to dismiss for a distributor that knows all their current customers by name or a manufacturer that create a niche, highly specialised components.

But for the vast majority of Epicor users – manufacturers, distributors, and B2B suppliers – the goal isn’t just to sell more; it’s to sell better.

The real power of this platform isn’t the “shop”; it’s the Self-Service Portal. It’s the ability for an existing client to log in and do their job without calling yours.

The Feature That Actually Moves the Needle

We implement these systems every day. And while a nice-looking catalog is great, the features that actually get Epicor customers excited are the ones that save their staff hours of administrative work:

1. “Where is my order?” – Shipment Tracking:
   Instead of a customer calling your sales desk to ask for a tracking number, they log in and click a link.
2. “How much do I owe you?” – Invoice History:
   The ability to view, print, and pay open invoices online drastically reduces Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
3. “I need the usual.” – Quick Re-Order:
   B2B buyers don’t browse; they replenish. The ability to reorder from history with accurate, customer specific pricing is a productivity tool, not a shopping experience.

Don’t Let the Name Fool You

The product itself – whether you call it ECC or EC – is still fully capable of delivering these critical B2B functions. The Magento engine behind it is powerful enough to handle complex manufacturing logic.

But the current branding does a disservice to the software. By labeling it “Commerce,” we risk ignoring the most valuable aspect of the tool. We risk focusing too much on the showroom (the storefront) and not enough on the factory floor (the account dashboard).

The Yoma Approach

When we speak to Epicor users, we often find ourselves explaining that “Epicor Commerce” is about more than just a shopping cart. It is a Customer Relationship Tool.

We know that for a manufacturer, a website that looks like Amazon but doesn’t show accurate stock levels is useless. But a simple, accurate portal that lets a customer download a cert or pay a bill? That is invaluable.

So, call it Commerce if you must. But remember that its true value lies in how it Connects you to your Customers.

Take a look at our case studies using Epicor Commerce here or get more info on integrated ecommerce solutions for Epicor here or get in touch to find out more.