QAD Recognized as a Major Player in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide AI-Enabled Direct Spend 2026 Vendor Assessment

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--QAD | Redzone, the company behind the world’s number one platform for manufacturers, today announced that QAD has been recognized as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide AI-Enabled Direct Spend 2026 Vendor Assessment (#US54900426, September 2026).

QAD SRM is a supplier relationship management solution built for manufacturers that is compatible with any ERP. It supports strategic direct materials sourcing, where decisions are made years ahead of production: manufacturers often select technology partners for a new model two to three years before it launches, negotiating pricing, Incoterms and commercial terms along the way. QAD SRM gives sourcing teams configurable RFQ templates and scoring so they can run those events their way, without developer involvement, and build the supplier relationships that carry through to production.

“Manufacturers have moved past asking whether AI belongs in direct sourcing. They want to know how it helps them decide faster and with more confidence,” said Amit Sharma, President, Manufacturing ERP at QAD | Redzone. “QAD SRM was built around the realities of direct materials, where a supplier choice can lock in terms for years, and we believe IDC MarketScape’s recognition reflects that depth. By layering ChampionAI onto that foundation, we’re helping sourcing teams turn supplier information into decisions and action, which is exactly what we mean by a System of Action.”

IDC MarketScape’s evaluation of 11 vendors examined market trends, competitive dynamics, new capabilities, and the impact of AI on direct spend.

The report notes, “[QAD] SRM is ERP agnostic and can also be used in conjunction with other ERP solutions such as Oracle or SAP. The recent acquisition of Kavida.ai and AWS/Bedrock- based Champion AI platform represent a clear, if early-stage, bet on agentic AI layered onto this sourcing-centric core.”

To learn how manufacturers are already using QAD SRM to modernize procurement and strengthen supplier collaboration, visit the QAD Blog.

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About QAD | Redzone

QAD | Redzone helps manufacturers connect people, processes and technology into a System of Action. Its Manufacturing Intelligence vision brings together deep manufacturing expertise, operational context and agentic AI to help manufacturers turn information into decisions and action. Across QAD Adaptive ERP, Redzone Connected Workforce, Supply Chain and ChampionAI, QAD | Redzone helps customers strengthen productivity, resilience and growth. Learn more at www.qad.com and find us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.