Epicor Kinetic’s Answer to SQL Bottlenecks

The ability to quickly analyse and act on data has become a cornerstone of success in today’s fast-paced, data-driven business environment. To address this critical need, Epicor Kinetic introduces its latest innovation: the SQL to BAQ Generator. This powerful tool empowers businesses to extract deeper insights from their data while simplifying and streamlining reporting processes.

But what challenges does this enhancement solve, and how does it redefine productivity and decision-making for organisations striving to stay competitive? Let’s explore how Epicor Kinetic is reshaping data analytics and operational efficiency.

Solving Common SQL Challenges with BAQs

Many businesses rely on SQL queries for custom reporting and data analysis, but these often come with significant limitations:

• IT Dependency: SQL queries require technical expertise, leading to delays when non-technical users need timely access to data.
• Complex Maintenance: As business requirements evolve, SQL scripts become increasingly difficult to manage and scale.
• Disconnected Processes: SQL-based reporting tools often operate outside the ERP system, creating fragmented workflows and data silos.

The SQL to BAQ Generator resolves these issues by converting SQL queries into Business Activity Queries (BAQs)—now a native Epicor Kinetic feature. BAQs offer a more user-friendly interface, eliminate reliance on external tools, and are seamlessly integrated into the ERP system. This enhancement democratises data access, making it easier for teams to generate actionable insights without IT reliance.

Removing Bottlenecks and Streamlining Workflows

The SQL to BAQ Generator directly addresses critical bottlenecks that hinder efficiency:

• Reducing IT Overload: Non-technical users can manage their reporting needs independently, freeing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Faster Insights: Simplified query conversion accelerates access to critical data, enabling quicker, data-driven decision-making.
• Seamless Integration: Consolidating SQL-derived queries into the ERP system ensures cohesive workflows and eliminates inefficiencies caused by disconnected reporting tools.

This streamlined approach allows businesses to focus on improving processes, responding to market demands, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Customisable Analytics for Every Business Need

One of the most significant advantages of BAQs is their flexibility. Unlike static SQL queries, BAQs can be customised to address specific business needs, enabling users to create tailored analytics and reports. Whether it’s combining datasets for a comprehensive view of operations or designing visualisations that highlight critical metrics, BAQs give businesses unparalleled control over their data.

For instance, a manufacturing company can use BAQs to monitor production cycle times and identify inefficiencies, while a retail business might leverage them to track product performance across multiple locations. The ease of customisation ensures that every team has access to the insights most relevant to their goals.

Future-Proofing with Epicor Kinetic

In addition to solving today’s challenges, the SQL to BAQ Generator prepares businesses for the future of data analytics. As technologies like AI, IoT, and machine learning become integral to operations, having a scalable, integrated system like BAQs ensures businesses can adapt seamlessly.

For example:

• AI Integration: BAQs can serve as the foundation for predictive analytics, helping businesses forecast trends and optimise decision-making.
• IoT Connectivity: As more devices become connected, BAQs can process real-time data from IoT systems, providing actionable insights into operational performance.
• Dynamic Reporting: The flexibility of BAQs allows businesses to quickly adjust their analytics to incorporate new data sources or metrics as they evolve.

By enabling this adaptability, Epicor Kinetic ensures that businesses can remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Driving Business Optimisation and Productivity

This enhancement doesn’t just address technical challenges—it transforms how businesses operate by enabling:

• Enhanced Collaboration: Teams can easily share insights and collaborate on reports, fostering a data-driven culture.
• Scalable Processes: As businesses grow, maintaining and updating BAQs is far easier than managing complex SQL libraries.

With these capabilities, Epicor Kinetic’s SQL to BAQ Generator enables businesses to redirect their focus from managing data to driving growth and innovation.

Business Insights in Action

The real power of the SQL to BAQ Generator lies in its ability to transform raw data into actionable insights. With BAQs, businesses can focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly impact success:

• Sales Trends: Analyse real-time sales data to identify patterns, forecast demand, and optimise inventory and production strategies.
• Inventory Levels: Track stock movement and monitor inventory in real-time to avoid overstock or stockouts, ensuring a lean and cost-efficient supply chain.
• Productivity Metrics: Measure operational efficiency by tracking KPIs such as output per hour, downtime, and resource utilisation, enabling managers to quickly address bottlenecks and improve performance.

These insights empower decision-makers to take proactive steps to optimise processes, reduce costs, and seize growth opportunities.

Staying Ahead with Epicor Kinetic

The SQL to BAQ Generator is more than a tool—it’s a transformative solution for businesses striving to excel in today’s fast-paced, data-driven environment. By harnessing this native Epicor Kinetic functionality, organisations can streamline processes, foster greater collaboration, and achieve unprecedented levels of productivity.

What sets Epicor Kinetic apart is its ability to address universal challenges faced by ERP users:

Simplifying Query Management: The SQL to BAQ Generator bridges the gap between technical and non-technical users, empowering teams to create and manage queries without IT intervention.

Native Integration: Unlike external tools that fragment workflows, BAQs are fully embedded within Epicor Kinetic, ensuring seamless data access and reporting.

Future-Proofing Capabilities: As businesses evolve and adopt new technologies like AI and IoT, Epicor Kinetic provides a scalable foundation for integrating advanced analytics and predictive modelling.

This innovative approach positions Epicor Kinetic as a leader in empowering businesses to harness the full potential of their data. By simplifying complex processes and embedding advanced functionality directly into the ERP system, Epicor Kinetic enables organisations to focus less on managing data and more on driving growth and innovation.

As Epicor continues to innovate, the question isn’t whether businesses should adopt these enhancements, but how quickly they can start leveraging tools like the SQL to BAQ Generator to gain a competitive edge.

The SQL to BAQ Generator is included as a core enhancement in the latest Kinetic release (2024.2) and is accessible exclusively through the browser version of the BAQ Editor. Explore more innovative features, capabilities, and core enhancements introduced in this release here.

Ready to take your analytics to the next level? Contact us for a personalised demo of how the SQL to BAQ Generator can revolutionise your reporting processes.

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