Eclipse ERP

Eclipse ERP
Company type	Software
Industry	Enterprise resource planning software, Accounting software
Founded	1990
Founder	Clark Yennie, Michael E. London, David Berger, Steven Grundt, Richard Montegna
Products	ERP software for wholesale distributors, including order fulfillment, inventory management, purchasing, sales, financial accounting
Parent	Epicor

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Eclipse ERP, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 2025

Eclipse ERP is an accounting software designed for real-time transaction processing, supporting functions such as order fulfillment, inventory management, purchasing, sales, and financial accounting. It primarily caters to wholesale distributors within the Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, and PVF sectors, although it is applicable across diverse industries. Formerly identified as Intuit Eclipse DMS, Activant Eclipse, and Eclipse Distribution Management System, this solution offers distribution firms tailored ERP functionalities.

The system’s backend utilizes a UniVerse NoSQL database developed by Rocket U2, providing a powerful foundation for managing distribution-related data processes.

History

Prior to the introduction of Eclipse ERP in 1990, distributors in the North-East region depended on SHIMS (Supply House Information Management System) created by Ultimate Data Systems. Eclipse Inc. began developing Eclipse ERP in 1990 with founders Clark Yennie, Michael E. London, David Berger, Steven Grundt, and Richard Montegna. In 2002, Intuit acquired Eclipse Inc. for $88 million.

On August 17, 2007, Activant purchased Eclipse ERP for $100.5 million in cash. Subsequently, on April 5, 2011, Apax Partners combined Epicor and Activant, resulting in Epicor becoming the proprietor of Eclipse ERP. This merger was intended to bolster their competitive stance against leading ERP providers such as SAP and Oracle. Throughout these transitions, Eclipse ERP has been marketed under multiple brand names within this evolving corporate framework.

User interface

Users connect to the Eclipse server through the Eterm terminal emulator or the Java-based Solar Eclipse client application. The Solar Eclipse interface was first launched with version 8.0 in May 2004 and later enhanced in version 9.0 released in May 2015 to improve usability and features.

Usage scenarios

Eclipse ERP is designed for distribution enterprises, often affiliated with trade associations, that operate multiple locations and employ hundreds of staff members. It accommodates outside sales representatives, inside sales teams, distribution center tasks such as order picking and shipping, as well as accounting departments handling general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, and credit management. Marketing and purchasing workflows are also integrated within the system. Pricing for the software depends on the number of concurrent users and additional modules selected.

Featured packages

The software supports multi-location businesses with built-in emailing and faxing capabilities through VsiFax integration, customer call queue management, and optional modules including employee time tracking, RF warehouse operations, Digital Imaging, and Proof of Delivery with Signature Capture. Its Pricing Engine allows dynamic pricing adjustments based on customer categories, product classifications, quantity discounts, and future effective dates. User permissions are controlled via Authorization Keys to ensure secure access. Warehouse queues streamline tasks like order picking, inter-branch transfers, and vendor purchase order receiving. Financial data is accessible in real-time through income statements and balance sheets displays. The Sales Order Management module facilitates customer payments both onsite and remotely. Mass Load functionality enables bulk updates to database records efficiently. Integration with third-party solutions extends core system capabilities. Navigation menus can be customized to optimize workflows for specific users or departments. Accounting features encompass receivables, payables, and cash flow management; Inventory Management monitors stock quantities, locations, transaction history, and demand forecasting; Purchasing and Transfers are guided by system recommendations derived from past data trends and predictive analysis.

Community

Epicor organizes the annual Epicor Insights event, which provides opportunities for networking as well as comprehensive product training, featuring dedicated sessions focused on Eclipse.

References