Category: QAD Distribution

The Signs By the middle of the year, most organizations have a much clearer picture of what's working and what's not. For manufacturers running QAD, this is also a natural checkpoint to evaluate whether system setup, master data, planning parameters, reporting, and integrations still support current business priorities. Production targets have either been met or missed. Inventory levels are trending in a particular direction. Customer demand patterns have emerged. Leadership...

For many manufacturers, QAD becomes deeply embedded into daily operations. From production reporting and inventory transactions to purchasing, shipping, EDI, and financial close, QAD often serves as the operational backbone of the business. However, even well-implemented QAD environments can become less effective over time. As organizations grow, acquire new facilities, change supply chain models, introduce automation, or expand customer requirements, the processes originally designed during implementation may no longer align...

The Role of Internal Controls in QAD Finance Processes Strong internal controls are no longer optional. As organizations face increasing regulatory scrutiny, tighter audit requirements, and growing cybersecurity and fraud risks, having effective internal controls embedded into daily operations is essential. The right controls not only protect the business—but also improve accuracy, accountability, and confidence across the organization.  Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems play a critical role in enforcing internal...

The Misdiagnosis: Blaming the Engine Instead of the Inputs A common frustration is when MRP output doesn’t match reality. This can show up as shortages on the floor, excess inventory in the warehouse, constant rescheduling and immediate reaction is often to blame the planning engine. Organizations assume the logic is flawed, outdated, or incapable of handling real-world complexity. In practice, MRP is doing exactly what it was designed to do:...

In manufacturing, the plan always looks clean on paper. Demand forecasts align neatly with capacity. Lead times behave as expected. Inventory levels stay within target. Then reality intervenes. A supplier misses a shipment. A machine goes down. A customer changes an order. Production falls behind. The gap between what was planned and what actually happens is the execution gap, and it is one of the biggest operational challenges manufacturers face....

Selecting a QAD implementation partner is one of the most important decisions organizations make during an ERP transformation. While many firms highlight certifications, team size, or global reach, these metrics alone do not necessarily translate into a successful implementation. Companies evaluating partners should look deeper, focusing on practical experience, proven methodologies, and the ability to support long-term operational success. Certifications Are the Starting Point, Not the Outcome While certifications demonstrate...

When in the home stretch of an implementation, the go-live can seem like the finish line, when it is really the starting gun.  More often than not, the first 90 days after go-live determine whether the organization locks in value or slips into prolonged disruption. As leaders, our mandates are clear. We need to stabilize operations fast, protect customer service, and establish disciplined habits that turn our QAD system into...

Strengthening Journal Entry Controls in QAD: How Sarbanes-Oxley Shaped Today’s Approval Workflows When the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was enacted in 2002, finance organizations across the U.S. were pushed into a new era of internal control scrutiny. Designed to restore trust after high-profile corporate accounting scandals, SOX introduced sweeping requirements for financial transparency, accountability, and auditability. For CFOs, Controllers, and accounting teams, this translated into stronger controls around the creation, approval,...

With the release of QAD's new AUX 2024 and O3 version, many of our clients are in the process of or seriously contemplating upgrading their current QAD version. While the tools and processes to assist in the upgrade have improved and continue to improve, we do not believe there is an "Easy Button" yet available to push and if not taken seriously, the upgrade process can be time-consuming and fraught...

The QAD Transform Americas Conference, held from November 4 to 6, 2024, at Chicago's Fairmont Millennium Park Hotel, brought together manufacturing and supply chain leaders from across the Americas. This event provided a platform for industry professionals to engage in thought leadership, networking, and education, focusing on the necessity of transformation in today's dynamic business environment. It was QAD’s first conference in the USA since the COVID-19 pandemic.     ...