QAD Adaptive ERP vs SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud
Side-by-side comparison of QAD Adaptive ERP and SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
QAD Adaptive ERP vs SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud at a Glance
| Criteria | QAD Adaptive ERP | SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Automotive, life sciences, and CPG manufacturers | Mid-market and standardised enterprises wanting fast time-to-value |
| Starting Price | $90/user/mo | $180/user/mo |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-user |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Company Size | 251-1000, 1001-5000, 5000+ | 251-1000, 1001-5000 |
| Implementation | 5–10 months | 3–6 months |
| Typical Cost | $150K–$600K | $150K–$600K |
Module Comparison
| Module | QAD Adaptive ERP | SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Supply Chain | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| CRM | ★ Basic | ★★ Moderate |
| HR & Payroll | ★ Basic | ★ Basic |
| Project Management | ★ Basic | ★★ Moderate |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Procurement | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Warehouse Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Ecommerce | — N/A | ★ Basic |
| Business Intelligence | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Quality Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Field Service | — N/A | — N/A |
| Asset Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
Pros & Cons
QAD Adaptive ERP
Pros
- +Deep automotive and life sciences industry templates
- +Built-in EDI and supply chain collaboration tools
- +Strong quality management with compliance traceability
- +Cloud-native on AWS with rapid provisioning
Cons
- -CRM and HR are basic — third-party needed
- -No ecommerce or field service modules
- -Smaller partner ecosystem than Tier 1 vendors
- -Less flexibility for non-manufacturing use cases
SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud
Pros
- +Lowest TCO in the S/4HANA family — no infrastructure or upgrade projects
- +Quarterly automatic updates keep you on the latest features
- +Rapid 3–6 month implementations via Fit-to-Standard
- +Standardised best-practice processes reduce complexity
Cons
- -Limited customisation — no custom ABAP; extensibility via BTP only
- -Not suited for complex manufacturing or engineer-to-order
- -Mandatory quarterly upgrades cannot be delayed
- -Multi-tenant environment limits data residency control
When to Choose QAD Adaptive ERP
- You need an ERP best suited for automotive, life sciences, and cpg manufacturers
- Your company has 251-1000 or 1001-5000 or 5000+ employees
- You operate in Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage
- You prefer cloud deployment
- Your budget aligns with $90/user/mo starting price
When to Choose SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud
- You need an ERP best suited for mid-market and standardised enterprises wanting fast time-to-value
- Your company has 251-1000 or 1001-5000 employees
- You operate in Professional Services, Wholesale & Distribution, Retail
- You prefer cloud deployment
- Your budget aligns with $180/user/mo starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Is QAD Adaptive ERP better than SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?
It depends on your business needs. QAD Adaptive ERP is best for automotive, life sciences, and cpg manufacturers, while SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud is best for mid-market and standardised enterprises wanting fast time-to-value. QAD Adaptive ERP starts at $90/user/mo and SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud starts at $180/user/mo.
How does QAD Adaptive ERP pricing compare to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?
QAD Adaptive ERP uses a per-user pricing model starting at $90/user/mo, while SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud uses a per-user model starting at $180/user/mo. QAD Adaptive ERP typical total cost is $150K–$600K vs $150K–$600K for SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud.
Which is better for automotive: QAD Adaptive ERP or SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?
Both vendors serve automotive companies. QAD Adaptive ERP is typically chosen by 251-1000, 1001-5000, 5000+ employee organizations, while SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud targets 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
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