Epicor Classic vs. Kinetic: Key Differences and Tips for a Smooth Transition

For many long-time Epicor users, the Classic interface is more than just a familiar look. It is a workflow you built muscle memory around, where you knew exactly where to click, what to expect, and how to move quickly through the system.

As Epicor continues to modernize, Classic screens are being retired. If you have only worked in Kinetic, this transition may not affect your day-to-day experience. But for users who have spent years in Classic, the shift can feel like stepping into a new workspace where everything is still “there,” just organized differently.

The good news is that Kinetic is not simply a visual update. It introduces practical enhancements that improve usability, flexibility, and efficiency, especially when it comes to personalization and navigation. The learning curve is real, but for most users, it is shorter than expected once they understand how Kinetic is designed to be used.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of common tasks and what changes when moving from Classic to Kinetic.

Task	Classic	Kinetic
Hide a tab or field you never use	Typically requires a customization created by a technical resource.	Use Personalization from the overflow menu in the upper-right of the screen to: • Reorder or hide/unhide cards (previously tabs) • Enable/disable cards or fields using toggles • Choose whether cards load collapsed or expanded
Add or hide fields in a grid	Use Tools > Personalization, which clears the screen. Then open Collection, locate the field, and hide/unhide it. You often need to reopen your record to confirm you selected the correct field, especially when field names are similar or hard to locate.	Use Personalize Columns from the grid overflow menu in the upper-right of the grid to: • Search for a field name or browse the full list • Enable/disable fields quickly • Add fields easily (new fields typically appear at the end by default)
Change the order of columns in a grid	Drag columns across the screen. This can take multiple attempts depending on grid width and layout. Deploying layout changes for multiple users often requires additional effort and is not always straightforward.	Use Personalize Columns in the grid overflow menu, then drag fields up or down using the handle icon next to the field name. To apply changes for multiple users, personalizations can be merged into a layer for broader deployment.
Find a field in a screen	Most experienced users relied on memory, which worked well until working in unfamiliar screens or less frequently used areas.	Use Field Search in the navigation pane to locate fields more quickly. This is especially useful when learning new screens or working in areas you do not use often.
Finding screens	Navigation often depended on knowing menu paths. Without search tools, it could be difficult to locate screens in unfamiliar environments or older versions.	Use the menu search (via the “waffle” menu) to quickly locate screens without needing to remember the full menu path.

Beyond Navigation: Operational Features Worth Exploring

The differences above focus mainly on usability and navigation, but Kinetic also introduces tools that can make a real impact from an operational perspective. Here are a few examples that many users find valuable once they start working in the Kinetic interface consistently:

• Time Phase Inquiry

  A powerful tool for reviewing planning data and adjusting parameters more efficiently. It can also support targeted actions such as running part-specific suggestions or reviewing time-phased demand and supply trends.

• Part Quantity Tracker

  Helps users quickly view inventory by warehouse and bin, improving visibility when researching availability, shortages, or discrepancies.

• Improved flexibility during planning and purchasing workflows

  Kinetic supports modernized workflows that can help reduce bottlenecks, including improved visibility into planning activities and better usability for teams managing purchasing and supply chain execution.

These are only a few examples, but they highlight an important point: the Kinetic transition is not just about how screens look. It is about improving how quickly users can find information, adapt screens to their needs, and execute tasks with fewer steps.

Quick Tips to Adjust Faster in Kinetic

If you are transitioning from Classic to Kinetic, the fastest way to get comfortable is to focus on small improvements that impact your daily work right away. These quick tips can help you build confidence quickly and reduce time spent searching, clicking, and navigating.

1. Personalize your most-used screens first

   Start with the screens you open every day. Even small changes like hiding unused cards or fields can make the interface feel cleaner and easier to work in.

   
   

2. Use Field Search when you are learning a screen

   If you are not sure where a field is located, Field Search can save time and eliminate unnecessary clicking. It is especially helpful for screens you do not use frequently.

   
   

3. Clean up your grids by hiding columns you never use

   Grids can quickly become overwhelming. Use Personalize Columns to hide non-essential fields and keep only what supports your role and workflow.

   
   

4. Reorder columns to match how you actually work

   Move the most important columns closer to the left so they are visible immediately. This is a simple change that can make reviewing data faster and more consistent.

   
   

5. Get comfortable with the overflow menus

   Many of Kinetic’s best tools are located in the overflow menus on screens and within grids. Once you know where to find personalization and column controls, the interface becomes much more efficient.

Final Thoughts

Classic screens served Epicor users well for many years, and the experience many teams built in that interface should not be underestimated. But as organizations shift fully into Kinetic, the benefits become clearer with hands-on use.

Kinetic is designed to be more user-driven, with personalization tools that allow individuals and teams to create cleaner screens, streamline grids, and work in a way that better matches their role.

If you are transitioning from Classic, expect a short adjustment period, but also expect to gain flexibility and usability that Classic simply was not built to support.