Value Now: Engage QAD Global Services for Your Upgrade Project and Receive a Free Two-Week Upgrade Assessment

The decision to upgrade your enterprise software is an important one. For many manufacturers, a technology investment decision enables them to keep their IT infrastructure and enterprise applications aligned with strategic business goals, as well as take advantage of new business functionality and optimize business operations. Notwithstanding, the decision to upgrade requires some upfront time and effort prior to budgeting for the upgrade itself. An enterprise upgrade requires analysis, justification and buy-in often performed by key resources previously dedicated to other priority projects. QAD Global Services can provide an expert view of what it will take to upgrade your QAD Enterprise Applications. We provide accurate justification information to present to decision makers in your company including a realistic cost estimate and schedule and an estimated return on investment (ROI) analysis.

Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions puts QAD Global Services to the Test
Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC (www.atlascopco.com) manufactures and markets a wide range of drilling equipment. In 2005, Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions made a strategic decision to upgrade from QAD MFG/PRO 8.5 to QAD MFG/PRO eB2.1 with a single domain architecture, in order to reduce hardware costs and software customizations and take advantage of new software capabilities. This upgrade was facilitated by QAD Global Services who worked closely with Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions to plan and perform the upgrade with minimal disruption to their business operations.

"We knew that we needed to upgrade our system, but the idea of jumping several versions at once and implementing across such a vast network of users was overwhelming. We relied heavily on QAD Global Services to help us develop a project plan that was achievable and would help us optimize our business processes," said Mark van Tassell, IT/IS application services manager, Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions.

With the help of QAD Global Services, Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions decided to upgrade the entire system and remove much of the system customization. Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions was also able to adopt lean manufacturing principles throughout its supply chain, leading to a decrease in operational costs and a streamlining of its manufacturing operations.

Says Mark van Tassell, "We were able to eliminate nearly 300 customizations that were running on the old system as well as move up several versions in one weekend thanks to the in-depth product knowledge and industry expertise of QAD Global Services."

QAD Global Services worked closely with the Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions team to help design, develop, test and deploy the system based on Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions' business and technical requirements. Key activities during the project lifecycle included:

• Assessment of the current use QAD MFG/PRO 8.5
• System audit to review data accuracy
• System performance tests
• Analysis of existing customer code and modifications
• Evaluation of integrated applications being used
• Assessment of training requirements
• Quality assurance
• Hardware analysis
• Infrastructure analysis
• Detailed project schedule

With the upgrade plan in place and after executing several test cycles, Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions migrated to QAD MFG/PRO eB2.1, in one conversion effort. Key processes such as order-to-cash and procure-to-pay were improved through the upgrade process, allowing Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions to take full advantage of the rich functionality inherent in QAD Enterprise Applications.

"QAD Global Services was excited for the opportunity to help Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions upgrade their current QAD solution. By developing a plan that would take the project from start to finish, QAD Global Services was able to reduce customizations, decrease their operational costs and deliver a seamless upgrade," said Duane Kotsen, vice president, QAD Global Services. "The team executed a direct upgrade path from QAD MFG/PRO 8.5 to QAD MFG/PRO eB2.1 over a weekend - with no issues. QAD consultants delivered training and developed work aids as well to help Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions take full advantage of their QAD investment."

QAD's New Upgrade Program Provides Value Now
Deferring an upgrade can be costly to your business, as you experience steadily rising expenditures to support obsolete hardware, databases, operating systems and applications. Ensuring compliance with demanding FDA regulations and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements means more maintenance and risk with older applications. Consequently, upgrading your enterprise applications can reduce your exposure to rising costs and risks and enable you to remain competitive and improve your bottom line.

QAD Global Services can help you gain quick insight into your current operations, business processes and customizations and provide the facts you need to make an informed decision about upgrading your QAD applications and infrastructure.

The QAD Upgrade Assessment Offering provides a two week cost-effective review of your current QAD applications, technical infrastructure and strategic initiatives and maps those to new value opportunities that can be gained through an upgrade. With minimal investment, you receive a full analysis and set of recommendations that will illustrate how you can take advantage of new capabilities, reduce customizations and decrease IT operating costs. You will be well-positioned to gain the sponsorship and approvals needed to move forward with a feasible plan.

QAD charges a fixed fee for this two week engagement; however, if you decide to engage QAD Global Services for an upgrade project within six months from the completion of the Upgrade Assessment, QAD will refund you up to the full amount charged for the assessment. This worthwhile investment may well be free if you decide to use QAD Global Services for your upgrade project.**

No other service partner can offer the unique skills and knowledge that will help your business fully leverage new QAD functionality and perform at optimal levels-with minimal disruption to your current operations. QAD Global Services has a solid track record with years of functional and technical upgrade experience to help minimize your risk and stay agile in your business.

For more information, download the QAD Upgrade Assessment Services Offering Data Sheet or email QAD Global Services at services@qad.com

** Prices differ in regions. This offer is dependent on the total dollar size of the upgrade consulting services engagement. Contact your sales representative to learn more.