QAD Inc. was founded in 1979 by Pamela Lopker in Santa Barbara, California. The company initially developed proprietary software applications geared towards manufacturing companies, establishing a strong foothold in the manufacturing software industry. QAD’s early product, MFG/PRO, released in 1984, was among the first to support closed-loop Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) and operate on open systems, adhering to APICS principles. This positioned QAD as a pioneer in ERP solutions specifically tailored for manufacturing.

Over the years, QAD evolved its offerings to embrace cloud technology, launching multi-tenant configurations like the Supply Visualization tool (later called Supplier Portal) in 2003. This allowed manufacturers and their suppliers to collaborate efficiently on inventory, scheduling, purchase orders, and shipment information. Continuing its cloud strategy, QAD launched QAD On Demand (now QAD Cloud ERP) in 2011, further solidifying its presence in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for manufacturing enterprises.

QAD’s customer base spans over 100 countries, with significant penetration in automotive, food and beverage, life sciences, and high-tech industries. The company provides a comprehensive suite of enterprise software including ERP, digital commerce, supplier relationship management, digital supply chain planning, global trade and transportation execution, enterprise quality management, and workforce connectivity solutions.

In 2021, QAD was acquired by the private equity firm Thoma Bravo in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2 billion, marking a new chapter in its corporate structure. Despite ownership changes, QAD maintains its focus on delivering next-generation manufacturing and supply chain solutions optimized for cloud deployment.

Overall, QAD Inc. is recognized for its deep industry expertise, commitment to lean manufacturing principles, and its ability to provide integrated cloud-based enterprise software solutions designed to meet the complex needs of global manufacturing enterprises.