QAD is first software provider to join Odette

QAD’s role in developing lean supply chain systems for the automotive sector has resulted in Odette inviting the ERP developer into its inner sanctum. It’s the first software company to join the European non-profit automotive industry organisation, which hopes that QAD’s success with technology and standards will help advance initiatives in Europe. “We anticipate QAD will provide the technological insight and industry experience that will help Odette further its work to improve automotive supply chain function,” says John Canvin, managing director, Odette. “With QAD’s help, we also hope to encourage the software industry to develop solutions that support Odette standards.” QAD has a significant presence in the automotive industry worldwide including in Europe, and is actively involved in industry initiatives around advanced manufacturing, like the joint Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and Odette global Collaborative Managed Inventory Minimum and Maximum business process work group. QAD also serves on the associations’ joint global Materials Management Operations Guidelines and Logistics Evaluation (MMOG/LE) Key Performance Indicator work group. In North America, QAD has helped pioneer the AIAG Inventory Visibility and Interoperability standard for inventory information exchange, including development of protocols and contribution of open source code for free download by AIAG members. QAD also has incorporated support into its products for standards such as Odette and AIAG’s MMOG/LE guidelines, making it easier for suppliers to assess compliance. More than 4,000 European automotive companies benefit from Odette’s work on protocols and best practices in operations, logistics, engineering and B2B communications.