QAD Accelerates Path to Learning, Networking and Discovery for Global Manufacturers at QAD Explore 2013

First Looks at Innovation Alongside QAD Enthusiasts and World-class Training Offer Attendees Maximum Education Experience

QAD Invites Manufacturers and Partners to Save-the-Date for QAD Explore Event in San Antonio, May 6-9, 2013 at the Marriott Rivercenter

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--QAD Inc. (NASDAQ:QADA) (NASDAQ:QADB) a leading provider of enterprise software and services for global manufacturers, today announced plans for hosting its annual customer conference, QAD Explore 2013 in San Antonio, Texas, May 6-9, 2013, at the Marriott Rivercenter. QAD Explore is the conference designed exclusively for global manufacturers. Attendees will gain insight into leading-edge strategies for manufacturers, while benefiting from learning and networking opportunities alongside peer companies. Additionally QAD Explore affords an opportunity to discover the latest capabilities offered by QAD to users of QAD Enterprise Applications.

“Explore is the best opportunity of the year to be in one place with the QAD Community”

This year’s agenda offers first looks at new capabilities in QAD Enterprise Applications 2013 – QAD core Enterprise Resource Planning suite that delivers full-strength ERP available in a blended deployment of QAD On Demand, a public cloud solution and QAD On Premise. Other sneak technology peaks will include advances in mobile applications, Business Process Management (BPM), Analytics, and many other new developments in QAD Enterprise Applications.

Maximum Learning Opportunity All In One Place

At QAD Explore, attendees will network, discover and envision world-class solutions for today’s current manufacturing challenges and opportunities. QAD founder and president Pam Lopker and QAD technology experts will demo QAD 2013 Enterprise Applications designed to help customers become more effective enterprises, operating at peak performance and aligned with strategic goals. The agenda is designed to maximize educational opportunities for customers and partners to go deep into the details of product features, technologies, trouble-shooting and best practices.

QAD global manufacturing customers specializing in automotive, consumer products, electronics, food and beverage, industrial and life sciences products will have the opportunity to discuss manufacturing trends and brief each other on best practices related to their respective industries. The expanded training format is designed to maximize learning, networking and discovery—all in one place and all with the friendly signature sense of QAD thriving community.

“Explore is the best opportunity of the year to be in one place with the QAD Community,” said Pam Lopker. “I’m especially excited to engage with our customers to learn and share more about the latest trends in manufacturing. I look forward to discussing QAD On Demand, our cloud ERP solution, and how QAD is harnessing mobile computing for customer advantage. Plus we’re looking forward to presenting the next release of QAD Enterprise Applications designed to help our customers become even more effective enterprises, operating at peak efficiency and aligned with strategic goals.”

With expanded hands-on training opportunities at Explore 2013, the event offers attendees exceptional opportunities to take back new skills and solutions for greater effectiveness. Additionally, Explore will offer APICS continuing education credits for those who are APICS Certified.

San Antonio promises to be a great location for Explore 2013, offering world-class dining and attractions, built on a rich history and unique culture. With hundreds of daily flights to international locations, and a thriving downtown, San Antonio will not disappoint.

QAD will announce the Explore 2013 Customer Conference agenda and open online registration in December 2012.

About QAD

QAD is a leading provider of enterprise applications for global manufacturing companies specializing in automotive, consumer products, electronics, food and beverage, industrial and life sciences products. QAD applications provide critical functionality for managing manufacturing resources and operations within and beyond the enterprise, enabling global manufacturers to collaborate with their customers, suppliers and partners to make and deliver the right product, at the right cost and at the right time. For more information about QAD, telephone [phone], or visit the QAD web site at www.qad.com.

"QAD" is a registered trademark of QAD Inc. All other products or company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to Investors: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “could”, “will likely result”, “estimates”, “intends”, “may”, “projects”, “should”, and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the company’s current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and future conditions. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, evolving demand for the company's software products and products that operate with the company's products; the company's ability to sustain license and service demand; the company's ability to leverage changes in technology; the company's ability to sustain customer renewal rates at current levels; the publication of opinions by industry and financial analysts about the company, its products and technology; the reliability of estimates of transaction and integration costs and benefits; the entry of new competitors or new offerings by existing competitors and the associated announcement of new products and technological advances by them; delays in localizing the company's products for new or existing markets; the ability to recruit and retain key personnel; delays in sales as a result of lengthy sales cycles; changes in operating expenses, pricing, timing of new product releases, the method of product distribution or product mix; timely and effective integration of newly acquired businesses; general economic conditions; exchange rate fluctuations; and, the global political environment. In addition, revenue and earnings in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software industry are subject to fluctuations. Software license revenue, in particular, is subject to variability with a significant proportion of revenue earned in the last month of each quarter. Given the high margins associated with license revenue, modest fluctuations can have a substantial impact on net income. Investors should not use any one quarter's results as a benchmark for future performance. For a more detailed description of the risk factors associated with the company and the industries in which it operates, please refer to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2012 ended January 31, 2012, and in particular, the section entitled “Risk Factors” therein, and in other periodic reports the company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.