Epicor® Training with BAQs: Teaching Teams to Build Real-Time Reports Without IT
Training your team on Epicor® is one thing. Enabling them to create real-time reports without relying on IT is another. When done right, Business Activity Queries (BAQs) can empower users to extract insights independently, reduce reporting bottlenecks, and improve operational decisions.
At Epicforce Tech, we believe in training that drives autonomy. This guide will show how BAQs can be integrated into your Epicor® training program to build confidence, reduce IT overhead, and help your team make faster, data-driven decisions.
Why BAQs Matter in Epicor® Training
Business Activity Queries are one of the most powerful features in the Epicor® ERP ecosystem. They allow users to:
Pull live data from the system based on filters and conditions
Power dashboards, alerts, and SSRS reports
Enable non-technical users to retrieve and analyze information without writing code
But most organizations overlook BAQs in their training programs. As a result, end users remain dependent on IT or reporting teams for even basic queries. With focused BAQ training, this bottleneck can be eliminated.
Common Challenges Without BAQ Training
If your teams are not trained on BAQs, you may encounter these problems:
Frequent IT support requests for simple data exports
Delays in decision-making due to report wait times
Overwhelmed reporting teams
Lack of confidence in data usage
Epicor® is designed to support distributed decision-making, but it only works if end users are confident using tools like BAQs.
How to Integrate BAQs Into Epicor® Training
A targeted training program focused on BAQs should follow a staged approach:
1. Start with Role-Based Use Cases
Rather than teaching BAQ syntax upfront, lead with practical examples:
Sales reps: “Top 10 customers by order value this month”
Warehouse team: “Open inventory adjustments by bin”
Finance users: “Unposted AP invoices by due date”
Buyers: “Open POs past due by supplier”
By anchoring training in daily needs, users understand why they’re learning BAQs.
2. Build Training in Progressive Layers
A successful Epicor® BAQ training program should include:
Basic BAQ Construction: Tables, joins, filters, sorting
Calculated Fields: Creating simple formulas (e.g., profit margins)
Subqueries and Unions: Comparing datasets or merging multiple result sets
BAQ Parameters: Adding dynamic filters for dashboards
Publishing BAQs to Dashboards: Making BAQs actionable and visual
This layered model builds confidence without overwhelming learners.
3. Use Live Data in a Safe Environment
Hands-on practice is essential. Create a sandbox environment using real (but anonymized) data so users can:
Explore the data structure
Build and test their own BAQs
See the results in a controlled setting
This builds practical skill and trust in the reporting process.
4. Promote Peer-to-Peer Learning
Encourage department “BAQ Champions” to lead short weekly sessions, such as:
“5-Minute BAQ Tip” sessions on Fridays
A Slack or Teams channel for BAQ support and sharing
Monthly challenges like “Build a report your manager actually uses”
This supports a culture of continuous learning around Epicor® reporting.
Benefits of Empowering Users with BAQs
When BAQ training is integrated into your Epicor® enablement program, your organization benefits from:
Faster reporting with less IT involvement
More accurate and timely decisions
Greater data transparency
Reduced backlog for data teams
Improved user satisfaction and system adoption
Most importantly, it enables departments to solve their own problems using data.
Key Skills to Include in BAQ Training Sessions
To ensure end users become self-reliant, your training must cover:
Navigating the BAQ Designer interface
Understanding table relationships in Epicor®
Writing basic and advanced query conditions
Publishing BAQs to dashboards and reports
Securing BAQs for proper data visibility
Epicforce Tech offers training that focuses on these real-world capabilities.
Metrics That Show BAQ Training Works
Once users are trained in BAQs, you can measure impact through:
Reduction in IT support tickets related to reporting
Increase in number of user-created BAQs
Shorter turnaround times for operational decisions
Broader dashboard adoption across teams
Improved report accuracy and ownership
With the right metrics in place, it’s easy to prove the ROI of Epicor® training centered on BAQs.
Avoiding Common Mistakes in BAQ Training
To keep your BAQ training impactful, avoid these pitfalls:
Overloading users with technical detail early on
Training with outdated or incomplete sample data
Skipping the connection between BAQs and dashboards
Neglecting follow-up or refresher sessions
Assuming one-time training is enough
At Epicforce Tech, we design our programs to avoid these and ensure knowledge sticks long term.
Epicforce Tech’s Approach to BAQ-Centered Epicor® Training
We believe training should solve problems, not just teach features. That’s why our Epicor® training:
Starts with real use cases from your operations
Teaches BAQ concepts through guided projects
Builds a self-service culture of reporting
Integrates BAQs with dashboards and alerts
Measures results with clear success metrics
Whether your team is just starting or wants to take control of their reporting, we build training that delivers lasting results.
Let’s Make Your Team BAQ-Savvy
Want to empower your team to build their own reports, reduce IT dependencies, and speed up decisions?
Contact Epicforce Tech today at (888) 280-5585
Or email us at info@epicforcetech.com
Visit: epicforcetech.com/epicor-training
Let’s design a custom Epicor® training program that transforms how your teams use data.
Training your users on Epicor® BAQs is one of the highest-ROI activities your company can invest in. It unlocks speed, autonomy, and confidence—all without adding headcount.
At Epicforce Tech, we specialize in training programs that move beyond theory. Our hands-on, use-case-driven approach ensures your team can use BAQs to solve real business problems, fast.