EPICOR Strengths: a flexible, automated engine driving the posting of transactions in the system
The architecture of the posting engine in the EPICOR Kinetic ERP is entirely open. Businesses using non-standard analytical dimensions can customize operating rules to their specific requirements.
Let us begin by explaining what a posting engine is. It is an accounting engine responsible for automated postings in an ERP system. Everything in such a system, or at least most events, is reflected in the accounting transactions. These are allocated to the individual accounts defined in the company’s chart of accounts. The posting engine, acting by defined rules, brings together all the information about transactions, analyzes them, and transfers them in an automated fashion, without the need for any intervention by an operator, to the designated accounts.
By default, the posting engine works according to the tried and tested rules (posting rules) provided by the system. However, since organizations can use different analytical dimensions, sometimes the accounting engines may or should be modified to work according to these other rules.
In the case of EPICOR Kinetic ERP, the posting engine has such an open architecture that virtually any modification of the posting rules is possible. Of course, as mentioned above, the system comes with a default set of rules. This does not imply that they are generic or simplistic. Still, they are the most common ones that suit most organizations or the most analytical dimensions.
However, should a client have non-standard requirements, there is no problem in satisfying their needs in this respect. From the perspective of the company implementing the system, the modification to the posting rules is relatively convenient and, at the same time, safe for the customer.
On the one hand, changes are made using a high-level coding environment, meaning new rules are assembled from out-of-the-box building blocks. No particular programming skills are needed for this. As a result, changes can even be made by the client’s subject matter staff.
Any changes that are made trigger automatic versioning of the engine, allowing changes with unforeseen effects to be easily rolled back. Previous versions of the engine are retained and stored in backups. This means returning to an old, working, and proven version is always possible.
However, due to the importance of the engine for the entire system and the problems caused by potential mistakes, it is recommended that only the most advanced users modify the posting rules on their own. In other cases, delegating this task to an experienced partner, such as Mindbox, is better.
Returning to the posting rules, the modifications that can be made are extensive. It is not only possible to use all the elements of the system but also to create customized functions. The easiest way to illustrate this is with a specific example. As mentioned earlier, the modifications relate to the analytical dimensions that exist and are used in an organization.
The customer market for our products can be broken down into groups, for example, by sales volume, customer type or market area. In this case, we also want to be able to analyze sales from this perspective. This is why the relevant analytical dimensions are built. As a default rule, all sales go into a sales order account. Every sales invoice is posted there. However, the system will also show us information about sales volumes in individual geographical areas or to customers of a specific size.
Furthermore, analytical dimensions can be dynamic. They will be linked to specific objects defined in the system. For example, there may be a dimension of production orders (jobs). When an authorized employee sets up such an order in the system, a corresponding analytical dimension is created in the accounting module. All operations related to the job go into this dimension. This allows accounting to use these dimensions to account for production in more detail.
Another dynamic dimension can consist of projects. There is a Projects module in EPICOR Kinetic ERP. Each project set up there creates a dimension in accounting. This is where all the related information will go.
If your company uses custom analytical dimensions or plans to do so, EPICOR Kinetic ERP will be the perfect solution. Mindbox experts will be more than happy to advise you on what can be implemented and how to implement the planned modifications to the posting rules.
ANY QUESTIONS?
LET'S TALK!
We will answer all your questions!
Related posts:
EPICOR Strengths: a flexible, automated engine driving the posting of transactions in the system
We won the Epicor Rising Star 2023 award
EPICOR Strengths: easy integration with banking systems
Epicor Kinetic Configurator is a multifunctional tool for organizing processes