The Four‑Day Roadmap to Smarter, More Agile Operations
Manufacturers are entering a defining moment. Cloud adoption is accelerating, AI is reshaping workflows, and operational resilience is no longer optional. Epicor’s 2026 Manufacturing Virtual Summit held August 3–6, is expected to deliver a clear, practical roadmap for leaders preparing their organizations for the next wave of digital transformation. With four days of expert‑led sessions, the summit focuses on the capabilities manufacturers must build now to stay competitive through 2027 and beyond.
2026 Manufacturing Virtual Summit | Epicor
Day 1 — The Future of Manufacturing
August 3, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 PM EDT Audience: Executives, operations leaders, technical teams
The opening session will set the tone: manufacturing is shifting toward cloud technology, artificial intelligence, automation, and real‑time data visibility. Epicor will outline their forward‑looking technology roadmap, highlighting emerging AI capabilities and the transition toward more intelligent, outcome‑driven ERP systems.
Three themes dominate the day:
- Epicor’s vision for AI‑enabled manufacturing including new autonomous capabilities and deeper workflow intelligence.
- Real‑world transformation stories, proof points showing measurable gains in agility, throughput, and decision‑making.
- Strategic cloud migration frameworks, practical guidance for evaluating and planning a move away from legacy on‑premises systems.
The message Epicor wants to deliver is clear: modernization is no longer a multi‑year aspiration, it is an urgent operational priority.
Day 2 — Data & Decision‑Making
August 4, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 PM EDT Audience: Executives, finance, operations, IT teams
Disconnected data and manual workflows continue to slow down midmarket manufacturers. Day 2 focuses on turning operational data into a competitive advantage.
Key topics:
- Grow BI tips & tricks, how to unlock actionable insights directly inside Epicor Kinetic.
- Automated document control, centralizing storage and streamlining AP workflows to eliminate bottlenecks.
- Modern B2B/EDI integration, moving beyond traditional EDI with unified, cloud‑native platforms.
- FP&A enhancements, new capabilities that strengthen forecasting, budgeting, and financial decision‑making.
These sessions are trying to reinforce a core truth: manufacturers do not need more data, they need better visibility, faster access, and smarter tools to interpret it.
Day 3 — Supply Chain & Production Optimization
August 5, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 PM EDT Audience: Production managers, supply chain leaders, logistics teams
Demand volatility, rising inventory costs, and service responsiveness continue to challenge manufacturers. Day 3 will focus on building a connected operational foundation that spans the entire value chain.
Topics highlighted will include:
- Shop floor execution improvements, tools to increase throughput, reduce downtime, and improve OEE.
- Field service optimization, connecting service operations with production and inventory for seamless execution.
- Inventory and supply chain resilience, strategies for balancing cost, responsiveness, and risk in unpredictable markets.
This session is intended to emphasize that agility, not cost‑cutting, is the new margin‑protection strategy.
Day 4 — Smart Manufacturing & Workforce Enablement
August 6, 2026 | Workforce‑focused sessions
The final day will be centered on the human side of digital transformation. As AI and automation reshape manufacturing roles, organizations must equip their teams with modern tools and connected workflows.
Topics include:
- AI‑driven operations, practical use cases for embedded intelligence across production, finance, and supply chain.
- Connected workforce platforms, tools that unify communication, training, and task execution.
- Continuous improvement strategies, frameworks for sustaining gains long after implementation.
Technology alone does not transform a plant, people do. Empowering the workforce is essential to unlocking the full value of modernization.
Why This Summit Matters for Midmarket Manufacturers
Across all four days, there was one theme Epicor seems to focus on consistently: manufacturers must modernize their digital foundation to stay competitive. Cloud ERP, AI‑driven insights, connected data, and integrated supply chain systems are no longer future initiatives, they are present‑day requirements.
The summit provides a clear blueprint for organizations planning 2026–2027 initiatives:
- Move to cloud sooner rather than later.
- Build a unified data strategy.
- Strengthen supply chain resilience.
- Equip teams with intelligent, connected tools.
- Prepare for embedded AI across every workflow.
How 2W Tech Helps Manufacturers Act on These Insights
Modernizing a manufacturing business requires more than technology, it requires a partner who understands the operational realities behind it. 2W Tech works with manufacturers every day who are navigating aging infrastructure, fragmented data, and rising customer expectations. Our team helps organizations implement Epicor ERP solutions, modern cloud architectures, advanced reporting, and integrated supply chain systems that align with real‑world workflows. We bring certified Epicor expertise, deep manufacturing knowledge, and a modernization methodology designed to reduce risk, accelerate adoption, and deliver measurable ROI. Whether you are starting with analytics, cloud migration, EDI cleanup, or a full ERP transformation, 2W Tech provides the strategy, execution, and long‑term support needed to build these capabilities with confidence.
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