Bridging the Skills Gap with ERP and AI – How Epicor Kinetic and Prism AI Empower the Workforce

Manufacturers today face an unprecedented skills gap that threatens productivity, quality, and operational efficiency. According to LNS Research, manufacturers report a 75% reduction in average worker tenure, leading to increased churn and the loss of institutional knowledge. Even more concerning, 84% of manufacturers state that the loss of experienced personnel has negatively impacted operational performance, and 86% are investing in knowledge management to mitigate these effects.

Although workforce turnover is nothing new, the challenge has intensified as new employees demand modern training experiences and access to real-time information. Traditional onboarding and job-shadowing practices are no longer effective in a world where workers expect instant access to knowledge, automation, and AI-driven insights.

This is where modern ERP and AI-driven solutions come in. Solutions like Epicor Kinetic and Epicor Prism provide manufacturers with the digital tools to capture, retain, and transfer knowledge, helping ensure that every worker—new or experienced—has the information they need, when they need it.

A Personal Story: The Cost of Poor Knowledge Access

I remember working in a plastic injection molding plant during the summers when I was younger. My job was to mix and prepare resin compounds, but there was a big problem—all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were stored in an engineering office, not on the shop floor.

I often had to guess the formula instead of making the long walk to retrieve the SOP, leading to mistakes that resulted in wasted materials and scrapped components. I later realized that this wasn’t just a small inconvenience—it was an operational flaw that could have been avoided with digitized knowledge management and real-time access to information.

Today, manufacturers don’t have to struggle with these same challenges. Epicor Kinetic and Prism AI provide structured, real-time, and AI-driven access to critical knowledge, empowering workers to make the right decisions without guessing.

How Epicor Kinetic Closes the Skills Gap

Epicor Kinetic ERP acts as the central knowledge hub for manufacturers, helping ensure that data, processes, and training materials are easily accessible.

Key Capabilities:

• Centralized Knowledge Management – Stores and organizes SOPs, training materials, and operational data in one system, giving employees instant access.
• Real-Time Performance Monitoring – Tracks worker skills, competency, and operational insights, allowing managers to proactively identify gaps and training needs.
• Built-In Workflow Automation – Reduces repetitive manual tasks, freeing up workers to focus on value-added activities and improving efficiency.
• Standardized Processes – Establishes consistent operating procedures across multiple plants and departments, reducing errors and ensuring compliance.
• AI-Powered Insights with Prism AI – Helps manufacturers analyze worker performance data, identify knowledge gaps, and recommend proactive training programs before knowledge is lost.

By integrating AI and automation, Epicor Kinetic doesn’t just store information—it actively enhances workforce learning and decision-making.

The Role of AI in Workforce Enablement: Epicor Prism AI

One of the biggest challenges in bridging the skills gap is providing workers with the right information at the right time.

This is where Epicor Prism AI comes in. AI-driven systems are transforming workforce training, knowledge transfer, and decision-making in manufacturing.

How Prism AI Enhances Workforce Efficiency:

• AI-Driven Knowledge Capture – Automatically collects, categorizes, and structures best practices, troubleshooting guides, and expert knowledge, so that nothing is lost when experienced workers retire.
• Intelligent Search and Recommendations – Workers no longer have to sift through manuals—AI surfaces relevant information instantly, whether it’s an SOP, a troubleshooting guide, or a best practice.
• Real-Time Assistance – Helps workers troubleshoot on the spot by providing AI-generated recommendations based on real-time data and historical insights.

With Epicor Prism, manufacturers can move beyond static training materials and create a dynamic learning environment where AI continuously enhances workforce knowledge.

Beyond Training: Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning

Bridging the skills gap isn’t just about one-time training—it’s about creating a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Key Strategies for Success:

• Empower workers with AI-driven knowledge access—Make it easy for employees to find the right information, exactly when they need it.
• Standardize and digitize knowledge management—Help ensure that training materials, SOPs, and best practices are centralized and accessible in real-time through Epicor Kinetic.
• Use AI to improve workforce agility—Epicor Prism AI provides adaptive learning, helping employees stay up to speed with changing processes and new technologies.
• Automate repetitive tasks—Free up valuable time by automating administrative processes, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work.

The Future of Manufacturing: AI, ERP, and Connected Knowledge Management

To effectively bridge the skills gap, manufacturers must move beyond manual training and tribal knowledge. The next generation of manufacturing will be driven by data, AI, and connected workforce solutions.

Why Manufacturers Need to Act Now:

• Workforce turnover is accelerating—Manufacturers can’t afford to lose knowledge with every employee departure.
• AI-driven learning is the future—Companies leveraging AI-based workforce enablement will outperform competitors still relying on static training methods.
• Automation is critical for efficiency—Standardizing training, workflows, and process control ensures consistency across global operations.
• Employees expect modern tools—The next generation of workers won’t settle for outdated, paper-based processes.

Epicor is at the forefront of this transformation, delivering solutions that empower manufacturers to not only retain knowledge but enhance workforce productivity, reduce errors, and future-proof operations.

Key Takeaways:

• Epicor Kinetic centralizes knowledge and automates workflows to reduce errors and improve efficiency.
• Prism provides AI-driven workforce intelligence, providing real-time employee support.

The time to act is now. With Epicor’s AI-driven ERP and workforce enablement solutions, manufacturers can close the skills gap while building a smarter, safer, and more efficient future.

Andrew Robling

Epicor Principal Product Marketing Manager

Andrew Robling is a Principal Product Marketing Manager at Epicor, where he leads the development of innovative solutions for the manufacturing industry. Andrew was educated at Princeton University and is based in Georgetown, Ontario.

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