Epicor BPM vs. Customizations: When to Automate and When to Code

Epicor BPM vs. Customizations: When to Automate and When to Code

Blog Article

In the world of ERP implementation, two solutions often appear when tailoring workflows: Epicor® BPM (Business Process Management) and custom code development. Both are powerful, but using them in the wrong context can lead to increased complexity, maintenance nightmares, or performance issues.

At Epicforce Tech, we help businesses across industries understand when it’s best to automate using Epicor® BPM and when it’s more strategic to develop custom code. This blog breaks it down for you — based on real-world use cases, technical boundaries, and long-term ERP sustainability.

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What Is Epicor® BPM?

Epicor® BPM allows you to automate business logic without writing custom code. It’s a built-in configuration toolset that lets you:

• Trigger alerts or validations

• Modify business rules

• Create workflow logic

• Control user interaction in real time

BPMs are lightweight, fast to deploy, and easy to maintain if configured correctly.

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What Are Epicor® Customizations?

Customizations involve writing C# code or developing new modules to extend Epicor® beyond its native capabilities. These are often used when:

• Business logic is too complex for BPM

• Integration with third-party systems is required

• User interfaces need to be tailored

• Advanced automation isn’t supported by standard tools

Custom coding provides maximum flexibility but also comes with risks like upgrade incompatibility or higher maintenance.

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Epicor® BPM vs. Customizations: Key Differences

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When to Use Epicor® BPM (Automate)

Use Epicor® BPM when your requirement fits into the following categories:

1. Data Validation and Business Rules

• Ensure specific fields are completed before saving

• Prevent invalid combinations (e.g., PO cannot exceed budget)

• Enforce business policies

2. Field Updates or Auto-Fill Logic

• Automatically update a field based on another field’s value

• Populate default values at record creation

3. Alerts and Notifications

• Send email to the finance team when an invoice exceeds a threshold

• Alert a manager on a rejected approval

4. Approval Workflows

• Trigger status changes or approval routing based on user roles or conditions

5. Light Automation

• Create triggers when specific events occur

• Adjust record values based on form behavior

Epicforce Tech Tip: Always start by assessing if BPM can achieve the goal without code — it’s easier to maintain and faster to deploy.

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When to Use Custom Code (Customize)

Sometimes, BPM won’t cut it. You’ll need to code when:

1. Complex Business Processes

• Multi-step logic that involves looping, branching, or multiple systems

• Business logic tied to external datasets or calculations

2. External System Integrations

• Real-time API calls to shipping, CRM, or tax systems

• Event-driven interactions with third-party tools

3. Custom User Interfaces

• Dashboards that require advanced filtering

• Mobile-friendly UI elements or form-based workflows

4. Large-Scale Data Handling

• Custom batch jobs that need performance optimization

• Reports requiring heavy backend calculations

5. Extending Core Epicor® Modules

• Developing new features within the Epicor® framework

• Replacing or extending functionality beyond base capabilities

Epicforce Tech Insight: Customization is powerful — but only if documented, version-controlled, and validated during every Epicor® upgrade cycle.

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Performance and Upgrade Considerations

BPMs:

• Lightweight, but too many poorly written BPMs can slow down your environment.

• Generally safe across versions, unless fields or methods change.

Custom Code:

• Can be optimized for performance, but needs developer expertise.

• Must be reviewed after every Epicor® upgrade to ensure compatibility.

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Security and Compliance Perspective

• BPMs are easier to audit. You can review triggers and actions inside Epicor® itself.

• Customizations may require code review for compliance (especially in finance, pharma, etc.)

Epicforce Tech helps you stay compliant by documenting workflows and custom logic — ensuring your audit trail is always intact.

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Epicforce Tech’s Approach: Strategy First, Code Second

At Epicforce Tech, we don’t jump into coding right away.

Our Epicor® consultants follow a structured decision-making approach:

✅ Step 1: Process Discovery

Understand your workflow and goals.

✅ Step 2: Feasibility Check

Can it be done using Epicor® BPM?

✅ Step 3: Performance Impact Assessment

How will this logic behave under load?

✅ Step 4: Build + Test

Configure BPM or develop custom code — depending on scope.

✅ Step 5: Documentation + Training

Ensure your team knows what’s built and how to use it.

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Real-World Scenario: BPM vs. Custom Code

Scenario:

A manufacturer wants to alert sales when inventory of key products drops below safety stock — and also send a reorder request to the supplier.

Epicor® BPM Use:

• Alert sales team via email when inventory is low

• Add notes to order screens

Epicor® Custom Code:

• Automatically create a PO suggestion and send via EDI

• Pull vendor-specific terms from third-party database

Conclusion:
BPM can handle alerts and in-app messaging.
Custom code is needed for external communication and PO logic.

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Final Thought: Don’t Overbuild — Optimize

Epicor® gives you choices. The best solution isn’t always more code — it’s smarter architecture.

At Epicforce Tech, we help you find the balance. Whether it's training your internal team on BPMs, building performance-driven custom modules, or supporting your ERP upgrades — we do it with clarity and care.

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Let’s Build What Works — Together

Thinking of building a new workflow in Epicor®?
Not sure if it needs automation or customization?

Let the experts at Epicforce Tech guide you.

???? Call us: (888) 280-5585
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???? Visit our BPM Services Page

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