In a significant move poised to transform the manufacturing ERP landscape, QAD Inc. and Boomi have announced a strategic alliance aimed at streamlining integration processes for smart manufacturing. This partnership combines QAD’s manufacturing expertise with Boomi’s integration platform to deliver faster, more efficient, and intelligent connectivity across manufacturing operations.
“In manufacturing, speed is a competitive advantage. This partnership is about collapsing the time between decision and action,” said Sanjay Brahmawar, CEO of QAD. “By combining Boomi’s best-in-class integration platform with QAD’s deep manufacturing expertise and Champion AI-driven insights, we’re helping manufacturers simplify complexity and accelerate performance – starting on day one.”
The partnership reflects a broader trend across the ERP landscape: shifting from monolithic software deployments toward agile, composable ecosystems. For manufacturing companies navigating supply chain shocks, labor shortages, and rising customer expectations, integration is no longer a backend concern—it’s a front-line enabler of resilience and innovation.
The alliance introduces several key features:
- Pre-built Integrations: Standardized connections between QAD, QAD Redzone, and third-party systems reduce implementation time and complexity. These integrations span common manufacturing use cases including shop floor automation, quality control, logistics, inventory, and CRM systems.
- Embedded Boomi Connectors: These enable plug-and-play connectivity across the manufacturing stack, facilitating seamless data flow across legacy systems and cloud-native applications alike. This includes out-of-the-box support for EDI, IoT platforms, warehouse management systems, and more.
- AI-Powered Process Insights: Leveraging QAD’s Champion AI platform, integration workflows are optimized using machine learning models that provide real-time feedback on process efficiency, cost anomalies, and performance trends.
Steve Lucas, CEO of Boomi, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership: “At Boomi, we exist to make the complex simple – and this partnership brings that mission to life. Together with QAD, we’re fusing intelligent automation with deep manufacturing know-how. The result: faster transformation, smarter operations, and real-time insights that fuel innovation across the factory floor and beyond.”
Early feedback from manufacturing leaders has been encouraging. A North American automotive supplier piloting the integrated QAD-Boomi platform saw deployment timelines cut by 40%, with early gains in order traceability and supplier collaboration. Meanwhile, a European medical device manufacturer reported a 25% reduction in manual integration maintenance and a significant boost in quality assurance cycle times.
This collaboration aims to eliminate traditional integration challenges in manufacturing, such as data silos, redundant workflows, and fragile custom code. By focusing on low-code extensibility and a unified integration layer, QAD and Boomi are setting a new standard for how manufacturers can digitize without being bogged down by complexity.
What this means for ERP Insiders
Embrace pre-built integrations for rapid deployment. The alliance’s introduction of standardized, pre-built integrations allows for quicker ERP implementations. By reducing the need for custom coding and complex configurations, manufacturing enterprises can accelerate their digital transformation journeys, leading to faster time-to-value and improved operational efficiency. ERP leaders should pressure-test their current architecture and identify areas where plug-and-play integration could reduce overhead or shrink project timelines.
Leverage AI-driven insights for process optimization. Integrating QAD’s Champion AI with Boomi’s platform provides actionable insights into manufacturing processes. ERP leaders can utilize these insights to identify bottlenecks, predict maintenance needs, and optimize workflows, resulting in enhanced productivity and reduced downtime. These capabilities are particularly valuable for companies managing complex global operations where visibility and speed can make or break competitiveness.
Utilize plug-and-play connectivity for scalability. The embedded Boomi connectors within QAD software offer scalable solutions for growing manufacturing operations. This plug-and-play connectivity ensures that as businesses expand or adapt to new technologies, their ERP systems can seamlessly integrate additional applications and services without significant overhauls. In an environment where mergers, supplier changes, and product launches are frequent, this kind of agility is no longer optional—it’s essential.
