Automating Product Lifecycle Management: A Smarter Approach

Project Overview

Managing a product's lifecycle efficiently is crucial for maintaining inventory accuracy, optimizing stock levels, and making informed business decisions. Our client required a comprehensive product lifecycle workflow to determine whether products should be flagged for phase-out, discontinuation, or substitution based on a variety of factors. These factors included:

• Physical stock levels

• Allocated stock and forward/back orders

• Inventory across multiple warehouses

• Availability of potential replacement products

To streamline this complex decision-making process, we developed a series of automated routines that applied predefined logic and performed scheduled checks. By leveraging Epicor P21 APIs, our solution ensured that product statuses were updated automatically, reducing manual effort and improving overall inventory management.

How the Automated Workflow Works (Simplified Explanation)

1. Data Collection & Monitoring

   • The system continuously monitors inventory levels, stock movements, and orders across multiple locations.

   • It collects real-time data from Epicor Prophet 21 to assess product lifecycle status.

2. Automated Decision-Making

   • Predefined business rules determine whether a product should be phased out, discontinued, or substituted.

   • These rules consider factors like stock levels, demand trends, and available replacements.

3. Status Updates & Alerts

   • If a product meets the criteria for discontinuation or substitution, its status is updated automatically in Epicor P21.

   • Automated alerts and notifications inform relevant teams about necessary actions.

4. Scheduled Checks & Ongoing Adjustments

   • The system runs scheduled checks to ensure data accuracy and timely updates.

   • Adjustments can be made dynamically based on new data trends or changing business needs.

Benefits of an Automated Approach

Automating product lifecycle management offers several key advantages:

• Eliminates Human Error – Ensures updates are always based on real-time, accurate data.

• Boosts Efficiency – Frees up employees from manual data checks and product status updates.

• Enhances Inventory Accuracy – Reduces stock discrepancies across multiple locations.

• Provides Real-Time Insights – Offers visibility into product statuses for better decision-making.

• Ensures Consistency & Reliability – Prevents outdated product information from affecting sales, order fulfillment, or customer satisfaction.

How QuayTech Can Help

At QuayTech, we specialize in designing and implementing intelligent automation solutions tailored to complex business processes. Our deep expertise in Epicor P21 integrations, automation, and data transformation enables us to develop seamless, scalable workflows that optimize your product lifecycle management.

We take the time to understand your unique business challenges, delivering solutions that not only improve operational efficiency but also drive smarter decision-making. Whether you need custom automation, data integration, or workflow optimization, we’re here to help you future-proof your operations.

Technology Stack

Our solution was built using:

• Epicor Prophet 21 – Core ERP system for managing inventory and product data.

• Epicor Automation Studio (Workato) – Automating data workflows and integrations.

• Custom SQL Scripts – Managing business logic and database operations.

Final Thoughts

By automating product lifecycle management, businesses can reduce manual workload, improve inventory accuracy, and enhance overall efficiency. If you’re looking for a trusted technology partner to streamline and optimize your product lifecycle workflows, QuayTech is the perfect choice.

Let’s build a smarter, more efficient future together!