World's Leading Manufacturers Assemble to Explore Collaborative Commerce and Lean Supply Chain Management with Industry Leader QAD



Eleventh annual QAD Global User Conference underscores critical need to leverage collaborative manufacturing processes to drive manufacturing excellence and build competitive advantages.


Carpinteria, CA—May 6, 2002—QAD (Nasdaq: QADI), a leading provider of collaborative commerce applications for manufacturers, will host more than 1,000 attendees from global manufacturers in the automotive, consumer packaged goods, high-tech electronics, food & beverage, medical, and specialized industrial manufacturing markets at its 11th annual Explore User Conference in Long Beach, Calif., May 5 - 8, 2002.

The conference will be highlighted by an address and interactive Q&A session with Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric. Attendees will also hear Carol Ptak, global solutions segment executive of IBM, and Todd Buchholz, author of Market Shock, share insights on manufacturing and the market, in addition to success stories from international customers, and presentations from QAD and its partners on manufacturing strategies.

"This year's conference provides a forum for global manufacturers, media and analysts to learn how some companies are using QAD solutions to drive their capacity for growth and to consider the importance of making collaborative commerce and lean supply chain management an integral part of competitive manufacturing strategies," commented Pam Lopker, QAD president and founder.

Sponsored by IBM, Sun Microsystems, Eagle Consulting, Deloitte & Touche, and Progress Software, Explore 2002 is designed to highlight customer successes, and to provide a valuable opportunity to gather information about industry trends, learn about technology innovations from QAD and its partners, and participate in training sessions and live demonstrations of QAD solutions. The Partners Expo will feature demonstrations and exhibits.

QAD has fielded a record number of requests from customers wishing to present their success stories during Explore 2002. The following are among those scheduled to present:

  • Airfoil – ATI Business Re-engineering and eB Upgrade Project
  • Arthrex – A Case Study in MFG/PRO Customization and Warehouse Automation
  • Dakota Growers Pasta Company – EDI Ecommerce Module Moves Pasta!
  • Firmenich – The Smell of Success with QAD eQ
  • GHSP – Looking for a Low Cost, Easy-to-install, Quick ROI Solution
  • GYRUS ENT – SSM: ISB+RMA+RTS_MO's+CAR+CIR+…FDA
  • Irvine Scientific – Implementing Quality Systems in an FDA Regulated Environment
  • Johnson Controls –Rapid Deployment at JCI: 39 Facilities in 24 Months
  • Kumi North America – Rapid Honda Certification at KMA
  • Philips Electronics – Can MFG/PRO Continue To Fit A Changing Global Company Concept?
  • Schlumberger – MFG/PRO eB Global Rollout With Integrated Factory Optimization
  • Schlumberger – The Power of Coupling Business Intelligence/OLAP Solutions and QAD MFG/PRO
  • Spalding – Keeping Your Eye On The Ball: Another Successful MFG/PRO Implementation
  • Stein Industries – Visual Expert: Real-time Configuration of Complex Industrial Products
  • US Borax – Top Ten Tips: MFG/PRO Global Upgrade at Borax

"We believe Explore 2002 offers a well-rounded blend of information, product news, and training sessions for our customers," said Mike Lodato, chief marketing officer at QAD. "We are excited to host so many global leaders, and look forward to sharing the conference findings upon its conclusion."

For complete information on the Explore User Conference visit http://explore.qad.com

About QAD
QAD delivers value through collaborative commerce for manufacturers, empowering enterprises to integrate diverse business processes and increase profitability. Manufacturers of automotive, food and beverage, consumer, electronics, industrial and medical products use QAD applications at more than 5,300 licensed sites in more than 80 countries and in as many as 26 languages. For more information about QAD, telephone +1 805 684 6614, or visit the QAD web site at: www.qad.com. To receive any of QAD's press releases via facsimile, contact +1 800 356 0747, or outside the U.S. contact +1 213 253 5647.

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"QAD" and "MFG/PRO" are registered trademarks of QAD Inc. All other products or company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to Investors: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, evolving demand for the company's software products and products that operate with the company's products, the publication of opinions by industry analysts about the company, its products and technology, the entry of new competitors and their technological advances, delays in localizing the company's products for new markets, delays in sales as a result of lengthy sales cycles; changes in operating expenses, pricing, timing of new product releases, the method of product distribution or product mix; and general economic factors. In addition, revenue and earnings in the enterprise resource planning (ERP), e-business and collaborative commerce software industries are subject to fluctuations and the growth rates recently experienced by the company do not necessarily represent future operating results. Investors should not use any one quarter's results as a benchmark for future growth. For a more detailed description of the risk factors associated with the company and the industries in which they operate, please refer to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2001.

For additional information, contact:

Maureen Sullivan
QAD Public Relations
+1 805 566 6066
msq@qad.com








Tracey Rosen
Manning, Selvage & Lee
+1 323 866 6092
tracey.rosen@msltech.com