What’s Changing?
Epicor is making a big shift by discontinuing on-premises hosting for Prophet 21 and embracing the Epicor Cloud for future innovations.
Here are the key milestones you should be aware of:
Final Prophet 21 On-Premises 2028.1 Release
Prophet 21 version 2028.1 is scheduled for release in May 2028. This will be the last on-premises version to receive new features, compliance updates, and enhancements.
Active Support Period
From May 2028 through June 30, 2029, on-premises Prophet 21 2028.1 customers will receive Active Support, which includes:
- Security updates
- Critical patches
- Compliance and regulatory updates
- Access to the EpicCare knowledge base
- Technical support for reported issues
Sustaining Support Phase
Starting July 1, 2029, on-premises installations move to Sustaining Support. Under this model, there will be no new releases, security updates, critical patches, or compliance and regulatory updates.
Who This Affects
All on-premises, private datacenter, and self-hosted Prophet 21 customers are affected. This includes perpetual license holders and those hosted by third-party providers.
If your P21 system is not hosted directly by Epicor in the Epicor Cloud, you are considered on-premises.
What It Means for Distributors
This change reflects a broader industry shift to cloud-only ERP models. Just about every new Prophet 21 customers now deploy on the Epicor Cloud.
Your On-Premises System Will Still Work
This is not a forced shutdown or system termination.
Quite the contrary, in fact, Conveyance Solutions supports several clients who are on P21 versions well over 5 years old.
Your Prophet 21 on-premises installation will continue to function after 2028. The difference is that it will stop receiving new features, and your support options will become progressively more limited.
What You Keep
- Your system continues to run
- Access to the EpicCare knowledge base remains available
- Limited technical support continues during Sustaining Support
What You Lose Over Time
- No new features or enhancements after May 2028
- No security, compliance, or critical patch updates after June 2029
- No access to new AI-powered tools like Epicor Prism, which are cloud-only
Regulatory and Compliance Risks
For distributors with operations in regulated environments or international markets, staying on an unsupported system creates risk. Tax compliance, accounting regulations, and reporting requirements change over time.
Epicor highlights the key differences between on-premises and cloud deployments:
| On-Premises | Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Limited to physical location unless secure remote access is set up. | Access from anywhere with internet; supports remote work and collaboration. |
| Scalability | Scaling requires costly hardware purchases and installation. | Scale resources up or down based on changing business needs and seasonality. |
| Upfront Costs | High initial costs for hardware and ongoing maintenance expenses. | Subscription model reduces upfront costs; maintenance handled by provider. |
| Security | Requires in-house expertise; higher risk of ransomware attacks. | Best-in-class security and compliance provided by Epicor and leading cloud provider Microsoft Azure. |
| Updates | IT team must handle manual updates and maintenance. | Regular updates and features deployed by Epicor Cloud Operations and controlled by you. |
| Disaster Recovery | Requires internal setup and management of recovery solutions. | Disaster recovery minimizes downtime and data loss. |
Why P21 Cloud Hosting Makes Sense
Epicor’s roadmap makes clear that cloud is the long‑term direction for Prophet 21, for both small and large distributors. The real decision now is timing and approach: when you move to the Epicor Cloud and what the migration process looks like for your current level of customizations and integrations.
Migration Process
For most distributors with limited customizations or API integrations, the Prophet 21 cloud migration process is straightforward. You provide a full database backup, Epicor restores it in the cloud, and you typically gain access to a test environment with your data within a couple of weeks.
Complexity increases when customizations or integrations are not Epicor Cloud compatible, such as custom SQL triggers or tools that write directly to the database. Those pieces need to be refactored using cloud‑compatible options like APIs and supported extensibility tools, which is where our team supports planning and execution.
Cost Structure
The migration fee is comparable to purchasing a small server and is a one-time expense. Once in the cloud, you move to a subscription model with automatic upgrades included.
Existing on-premises contracts now carry higher price increases, and Epicor no longer sells on-premises Prophet 21 except for specific regulated industries such as aerospace and defense.
What You Gain
- Automatic upgrades to the most recent Prophet 21 version
- Access to new cloud-only features, including Epicor Prism AI for purchasing, supplier communication, and decision support
- Modern web client experience that now outperforms the classic desktop interface
- No server hardware purchases, patching, or backup management
What You Give Up
- Overall control goes away – For example, tweaking server settings, permissions, or installing additional software
- Direct write access to the SQL database and admin access to the servers
- Deep customization flexibility that relies on direct database changes
For distributors that aren’t heavily customized or integrated, losing direct access to the database often means less operational hassle, not more.
Your team will still have the ability to read the data, but they won’t be able to make direct updates that could risk causing issues with the system.
Planning Your Next Steps with Prophet 21
If you’re a distributor using Prophet 21 on-prem, you’ve got a decision to make: stay with your current setup or transition to the Epicor Cloud.
Conveyance Solutions is here to assist you in assessing your Prophet 21 environment, documenting any customizations and integrations, and crafting migration roadmaps that align with your operations and timelines.
Curious about what Epicor’s timeline means for your business? Or maybe you need a reliable partner to guide you through the process? Reach out to one of our Prophet 21 experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions with the Prophet 21 On-Prem Phase Out
Will my Prophet 21 system stop working after May 2028?
No. Your on-premises system will continue to function. The May 2028 release marks the final version to receive new features, bug patches, and updates. Your system will keep running, but it will not evolve with new functionality.
What happens if I stay on-premises after June 2029?
After June 30, 2029, your system enters Sustaining Support. You will no longer receive security updates, critical patches, or compliance and regulatory updates. The system will work, but support will be limited to existing issues documented in the knowledge base.
Can I still buy new on-premises Prophet 21 licenses?
Epicor no longer sells new on-premises Prophet 21. New contracts are entirely focused on the Epicor Cloud.
How much does it cost to migrate to the Epicor Cloud?
Migration fees vary by environment size and complexity, but for smaller distributors, the cost is typically comparable to purchasing a small server.
What happens to my customizations if I move to the cloud?
Epicor has been adding extensibility features to the cloud platform to support common customizations. The gap between cloud and on-premises customization capabilities is closing. For distributors with limited or no customizations, this difference is usually not a barrier.
Will cloud performance be slower than my on-premises setup?
Performance depends on your specific configuration, network infrastructure, and how your environment is set up. Cloud performance is not inherently faster or slower than on-premises, but modern cloud infrastructure often matches or exceeds local server performance for most workflows.
Can I migrate to the cloud later, or do I need to move before 2028?
You can migrate at any time. The May 2028 deadline marks the final on-premises feature release, not a forced migration cutoff. However, migrating before June 2029 ensures you continue receiving security and compliance updates during the Active Support phase.
What is Epicor’s Ascend with Epicor migration program?
Ascend with Epicor is a structured migration program that provides methodology, business planning support, AI-powered readiness assessments, and expert consulting to streamline the cloud transition. The program is designed to reduce project complexity, minimize disruption, and support a smooth migration experience.
If I stay on-premises, can I still get support?
Yes, but the level of support changes over time. Active Support runs through June 30, 2029, and includes security updates and critical patches. After that, Sustaining Support provides access to the knowledge base and limited technical support for previously documented issues, but no new updates or patches.
Do I need to move to the cloud to access AI features like Prism?Yes. Epicor Prism and other AI-powered features are available only in the Epicor Cloud.
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