Epicor Kinetic Dashboards for Production, Finance, and Inventory

10/09/25

Data is not just a byproduct in modern manufacturing; it is a strategic asset. In today’s manufacturing environment, data is more than a byproduct, it is a competitive advantage. Epicor Kinetic ERP equips organizations with powerful tools to harness that data, and two of the most impactful are Business Activity Queries (BAQs) and Dashboards. When used strategically, these tools can drive smarter decisions across production, finance, and inventory, turning raw numbers into real-time insights.

BAQs are Epicor’s native query builder, allowing users to extract and manipulate data across modules without needing deep SQL expertise. They are the foundation for dashboards, reports, alerts, and even integrations with external analytics platforms.

For manufacturers, BAQs can surface critical metrics like job efficiency, material shortages, or margin erosion, before they become operational issues. A well-crafted BAQ can flag jobs exceeding labor thresholds, identify parts with low turnover, or highlight customers with aging receivables. The flexibility to join tables, apply filters, and create calculated fields means users can tailor insights to their exact needs.

But BAQs are not just technical tools, they are strategic levers. When aligned with business goals, they help teams monitor KPIs, uncover trends, and respond proactively to changing conditions.

Dashboards take BAQ results and present them in a visual, interactive format. They are ideal for role-based visibility, giving production managers, finance leaders, and inventory planners the information they need when they need it.

A production dashboard might show job status by work center, scrap rates by shift, or OEE trends over time. Finance teams can monitor budget vs. actuals, profitability by product line, or AR aging with risk indicators. Inventory dashboards can highlight dead stock, supplier delivery performance, or real-time stock levels across locations.

The key is relevance. Dashboards should be designed around user roles and decision points—not just data availability. Conditional formatting, drill-down capabilities, and embedded actions (via Application Studio) elevate dashboards from passive reports to active management tools.

Here are some strategic tips for building meaningful analytics:

  • Start with the business question. What decision are you trying to support? Let that guide your BAQ logic and dashboard layout.
  • Keep dashboards lean and focused. Avoid clutter—highlight exceptions, trends, and actionable metrics.
  • Use subqueries and calculated fields. These add depth and nuance, especially for layered logic like forecasting or performance comparisons.
  • Embed dashboards in workflows. Place them in menus, home screens, or even mobile views to ensure adoption.

As an Epicor Platinum Elite Partner, 2W Tech brings deep expertise in ERP optimization and data strategy. We help manufacturers design BAQs that align with operational goals, build dashboards that drive action, and integrate Epicor data with platforms like Power BI for advanced visualization.

Our team understands the nuances of manufacturing, from job costing and inventory turns to compliance and vendor performance. Whether you are launching a new dashboard initiative or refining existing analytics, we deliver solutions that are technically sound, strategically aligned, and tailored to your business.

In a fast-moving manufacturing environment, the ability to see clearly, and act quickly, is everything. BAQs and dashboards in Epicor Kinetic are not just reporting tools; they are engines of insight. When built with intention and aligned with strategy, they empower teams to make smarter decisions, faster.

Ready to elevate your analytics game? Let us build something powerful. Give us a call today.

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