InformationWeek

April 12, 1999

Better Integration

QAD's MFG/PRO 9 allows easier access to legacy apps

By Tom Stein

Related links:

ERP Integration

Web Applications Servers Give Green Light To ERP

Software Resource Center

idmarket enterprise resource planning vendor QAD Inc. this week will unveil the latest version of its enterprise software suite, MFG/PRO 9.0. The release features newly developed integration capabilities for better connecting the software to other legacy and third-party applications. MFG/PRO 9.0 also includes a Web-based user interface and a set of E-business applications for communicating with customers and suppliers over the Internet.

The new integration framework is called QAD/Connects. Analysts agree that it is important for ERP vendors to provide open, out-of-the-box interfaces--but they add that QAD may be a little late with this feature compared with its competitors. "Their interface structure is something they should have fixed a long time ago," says Josh Greenbaum, a principal at Enterprise Applications Consulting.

The new user interface is all Java and runs on both Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers. With the product's dynamic URL linking, QAD says its customers can connect MFG/PRO 9.0 software to business data, such as logistics and credit validation services, from other Web sites. A company, for instance, can link release 9.0 to the Federal Express Web site to track shipments and check delivery status.

An E-business suite of applications is also available with release MFG/PRO 9.0, including an Internet self-service knowledge base for help-desk and field-service engineers. QAD says it has also agreed to resell two electronic-commerce applications--Trading Partner Transactions and StoreFront--from Integrated Systems and Services Group.

With Trading Partner Transactions, QAD customers can give their trading partners secure self-service access over the Internet for placing orders, monitoring order status, and checking inventory levels of frequently used products.

StoreFront, meanwhile, is an E-commerce Web store that provides a complete set of electronic-commerce services. These include online customer authorization, order placement and payment, automated calculations of tax and shipping charges, and order tracking.

MFG/PRO 9.0 is available immediately. Pricing is $4,300 per concurrent user and $2,150 per named user.