QAD SRM transforms global procurement by boosting savings and collaboration amid market volatility

QAD’s Supplier Relationship Management platform is enabling companies like KION, Convotherm, and EVN to achieve significant cost savings and process efficiencies through strategic implementation, expert support, and innovative sourcing strategies in a volatile global market.

In the current unpredictable global business climate, procurement leaders are increasingly challenged to reduce sourcing costs amid rising inflation, geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and talent sho...

rtages. Addressing these complexities requires more than just technological tools; it demands a strategic approach, ongoing support, and adoption of best practices. QAD’s Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) solution exemplifies this integrated approach, driving measurable efficiencies and cost savings for companies like KION Group AG, Convotherm, and EVN.

The philosophy behind QAD’s Customer Success team is pivotal to these outcomes. As a Senior Customer Success Manager at QAD explains, the role involves guiding clients through their SRM journey—not only at implementation but throughout optimization. This includes helping customers design tailored digital sourcing strategies, configuring supplier performance tracking, and resolving integration challenges. The team’s commitment goes beyond standard customer service, positioning itself as a strategic partner and advocate to ensure client feedback shapes the evolving QAD SRM platform.

KION Group AG’s procurement transformation stands out as a flagship example of QAD SRM’s impact. Once burdened by fragmented procurement processes spread across global regions, KION embarked on a journey of process standardization and digital integration. The results have been significant: a 90% gain in Request for Quote (RFQ) process efficiency, liberating buyers from time-consuming manual tasks and enabling them to focus on strategic activities such as supplier negotiation and collaboration. Further, KION achieved a notable 32% cost reduction through QAD’s Auctions solution, enhancing competitive sourcing and supplier engagement. Integration with KION’s ERP system has streamlined data flow and approvals, while a centralised platform has improved supplier satisfaction by consolidating interactions, data updates, and communications into a seamless experience.

Such success stories underline an essential truth: implementing an SRM solution requires more than software deployment. It involves a clear rollout strategy starting with pilot programs, designating internal champions to lead change, maintaining transparent communication across stakeholders, and adhering closely to implementation plans. These best practices help companies navigate the complexities of transformation, enabling them to reap the full benefits of digital procurement tools.

Industry research supports these practical outcomes, illustrating broader benefits from digital procurement solutions. A 2023 McKinsey report cited by QAD highlights typical procurement cost reductions of 20-25% and process efficiency increases of around 50% through digitization and improved collaboration. These improvements are often contingent on active management commitment and the alignment of internal teams with transformation objectives.

Moreover, QAD SRM’s growing recognition in procurement circles validates its role in advancing supply chain resilience and cost-efficiency. The solution was recently named to the SpendMatters™ ’50 Providers to Know’ list, noted for its effectiveness in lowering costs of goods sold, minimizing procurement costs, and mitigating supply risks. Its real-time communication capabilities facilitate proactive risk management and replace cumbersome manual procurement processes with streamlined automation tailored for manufacturers.

Beyond KION, firms like Convotherm and EVN have also leveraged QAD SRM to build stronger supplier collaborations and optimize sourcing workflows. Features such as supplier discovery, performance tracking, automated sourcing tasks, and enhanced data management provide comprehensive support across the procurement lifecycle, helping companies respond swiftly to market changes while maintaining control over costs and supplier relationships.

In summary, QAD’s approach to Supplier Relationship Management underscores the critical balance between technology, strategy, and customer-centric support. As procurement functions navigate increasingly volatile environments, QAD SRM offers a robust platform coupled with expert guidance to drive sourcing cost reductions, operational efficiencies, and improved supplier partnerships—proving that smarter sourcing is as much about people and processes as it is about software.

Source: Noah Wire Services