QAD SV Empowers Manufacturers to Collaborate on Inventory Management, Reduce Costs Across the Supply Chain

Business Wire, May 21, 2001

Business Editors

CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2001

Tier One Auto Supplier Uses QAD Supply Visualization (SV) Software

to Quickly Profit from Vendor Managed Inventory

QAD (Nasdaq: QADI), a leading provider of applications for global manufacturing enterprises and their private exchanges, today announced the immediate availability of QAD Supply Visualization (SV), an easy to install, hosted application, accessed via the new QAD MFGx.net manufacturing exchange, that delivers real-time visibility of inventory.

As a result, manufacturers using QAD applications can quickly and cost-effectively conduct collaborative inventory management with their suppliers to reduce inventory and other costs across the supply chain.

GHSP, a designer and manufacturer of mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies for auto makers such as Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda and Toyota, recently selected QAD's new solution and is already reaping the benefits.

Bob Matz, director of materials for GHSP said, "QAD SV is the tool we have been looking for to move us forward in the refinement of our supply chain management process. Suppliers are now able to have access to our inventory and requirements on a real-time basis to assist us in managing our replenishment needs. The solution allows them the visibility needed to be proactive in a cost-effective manner by providing immediate access to our requirements, which keeps our production flowing smoothly. Response from our supply base has been extremely positive."

To begin using QAD SV, manufacturers can simply visit the QAD MFGx.net exchange and download Poller software that updates the system every 15 minutes by copying data from QAD MFG/PRO and loading that data up to QAD SV. Since the Poller code module is pre-integrated with all recent versions of QAD enterprise applications, implementation is quick and painless.

Once the Poller is installed and running at a manufacturing site, it extracts inventory information from the QAD MFG/PRO database and sends it securely over the Internet for storage on the QAD MFGx.net exchange. After suppliers are selectively allowed access to information by the manufacturer, they can immediately begin to manage inventory levels more intelligently and cost-effectively for the benefit of their manufacturing partners.

IBM partner Upright Systems will host the centralized QAD MFGx.net manufacturing exchange for QAD SV. "As part of our initiative to provide complete solutions that enable more collaborative relationships and exchanges between manufacturers and their suppliers, we are pleased to partner with QAD to put the power of IBM e-server technology and the backbone of UUNET behind QAD SV," said David Pinckard, CEO of Upright Systems.

"Collaboration between manufacturers and their suppliers has never been so easy," said Pam Lopker, president of QAD. "This is just one example of how QAD applications are delivering immediate cost-savings and other benefits through e-business functionality that is easy to access for our 5,000-plus licensed customer sites."

The core of QAD SV is a screen that summarizes the total relationship between a manufacturer and supplier. Using it, suppliers see inventory levels for the items they provide, per location, including minimum and maximum levels that manufacturers have negotiated with them. Item quantities that are below minimum appear in red and quantities above the maximum are shown in blue. Items may be sorted based on their importance, usage averages can be tracked, and links allow the viewer to drill to review shipment history, cumulative inventory levels, and much more.

Priced on a monthly, subscription basis that varies depending upon the number of items the system monitors, QAD SV is only the first of several new Internet-based solutions that QAD will be making available through the hosted QAD MFGx.net exchange. Through this exchange, QAD will leverage the speed-to-benefit and convenience of the applications service provider (ASP) model to make many other QAD e-business applications available to its customers.

About GHSP

GHSP is a Tier One designer and manufacturer of mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies for the automotive industry. Our present product is floor mounted, cable actuated, transmission shifter mechanisms, for both automatic and manual transmissions. We have been designing and producing these products since 1967 and presently have more than 60 percent of the North American market. For more information about GHSP, telephone 1 616/842-5500 or visit the GHSP web site at http://www.ghsp.com.

About Upright Systems

Upright Systems provides application infrastructure services that enable software publishers (ISVs) and resellers to offer hosted application services. Founded in 1999 and building on proprietary technology developed and refined with the benefit of years of experience, Upright Systems is strategically positioned to capitalize on the huge opportunities presented by the emerging ASP market. For more information on Upright Systems, go to http://www.uprightsystems.com.