Category: QAD Manufacturing

For many organizations, IT budgets are under more pressure than ever. Companies are expected to modernize systems, support daily operations, improve reporting, strengthen security, and prepare for future growth, often without a major increase in resources. Because of this, it is important for leadership teams to understand not only where IT dollars are being spent, but whether those investments are supporting the right business priorities. What Is a Portfolio Review?...

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...

The Reality Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the ERP conversation. Businesses are looking at AI tools to improve reporting, automate workflows, support decision-making, and make daily operations more efficient. But as organizations begin evaluating AI capabilities, there is one detail that often gets overlooked: tokenization.  At first, tokenization can sound like a technical concept that only matters to IT teams. In reality, it can have a direct impact on your...

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 2026 Midwest User Group Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare on April 19th-21st. Below are some of the key takeaways from the speaker events. QAD's New Leadership Is Listening — And Acting on It If you attended the QAD Midwest User Group Conference this week, you heard QAD President Amit Sharma deliver one of the more substantive keynotes we've seen from QAD leadership in recent memory. Having...

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 today’s complex customer and supplier environments, deductions are inevitable. Whether tied to promotions, freight disputes, quality issues, or pricing discrepancies, businesses need a structured way to manage them without disrupting cash flow or creating reconciliation chaos. That’s where QAD AUX provides flexibility — allowing organizations to configure deduction management in a way that mirrors their real-world processes rather than forcing teams into rigid workflows. Why Deduction Management Matters In...

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...