FurnishNet Announces Initial Rollout of Exchange: Premier Membership Offered To Retailers Seeking Solutions For Key Trade Areas

Furniture World Magazine

FurnishNet, a provider of Internet-based supply chain solutions for the home furnishings industry, today announced the initial rollout of its solution for Transaction Management, along with new initiatives for web-based order status and alert notification, and electronic product catalog publishing. Through these solutions, FurnishNet will address specific industry challenges by automating core business transactions and communications between retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. The recently released Transaction Management solution speeds the accurate transmission of purchase orders, purchase order acknowledgements, advance shipping notices and invoices. With an industry-wide messaging and connectivity feature, FurnishNet integrates electronic data interchange (EDI), email, and faxed-based processes. Featuring a unique "Map Once - Use Anywhere" design, this module supports immediate electronic flow of information on a machine to machine connection with other business partners on FurnishNet, and significantly reduces the costs associated with traditional EDI solutions. It also allows retailers and manufacturers to automate document transfers with a broader range of business partners thereby lowering costs, reducing manual errors, and shortening cycle times with a greater impact to their overall bottom line. Moving beyond basic electronic data exchange, FurnishNet’s release strategy offers easy-to-use, web-based solutions with complete integration and implementation services. As a special inducement, FurnishNet will offer premier membership incentives to retailers and manufacturers for its Transaction Management solution through June 30, 2001. "We’ve invested a tremendous amount of resources in studying the industry’s needs," said Jim Henderson, President & CEO of GERS Retail Systems, parent company of FurnishNet. "Now, we’re poised to address those challenges and deliver solutions that will have a profound impact on the industry by reducing manual errors, optimizing supply chain efficiency, and delivering superior customer service." In June, FurnishNet will release plans for solutions that will further enhance the ability for business partners to work together electronically. Currently under development, FurnishNet’s solutions for web-based order inquiry and alert notification will answer where a purchase order is in the cycle, including electronic notification of status changes such as "shipped" or "in transit." With its "one-stop, one-click order status," FurnishNet is planning a solution that will reduce phone calls, phone charges, and time spent researching order status. By electronically publishing status information, this solution is being designed to decrease call center requirements for manufacturers, and empower retailers to better service consumers quickly and efficiently. FurnishNet will deliver these benefits by giving manufacturers the ability to electronically load purchase order status into the exchange. FurnishNet is also developing tools that will enable business partners to view order status with flexible search parameters. FurnishNet is also planning a solution for electronic catalog publishing and change notification that will deliver "one-stop catalog access" for business partners. This solution is expected to reduce errors associated with configurable merchandise transactions and thereby, reduce returns, cancellations and mis-shipments. Additionally, FurnishNet will provide retailers and manufacturers with an opportunity to expand sales on the retail floor by enabling immediate access to item catalogs, options, and availability. An electronic change notification feature for product discontinuation will present a solution to the classic retailing problem of selling an item that’s no longer available. By enabling users to better manage configurable items with an electronic product catalog, FurnishNet will create a solution that will help business partners save time and reduce errors on special order merchandise. Additional details will be announced this June. A pilot program with manufacturers is underway. To learn more about premier membership incentives for retailers and manufacturers available through June 30, 2001, contact Ron Sellers at 858.731.2525. About FurnishNet FurnishNet, a wholly owned subsidiary of GERS, provides Internet-based supply chain solutions for retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers in the home furnishings industry. FurnishNet offerings include solutions for transaction management, order status, and product catalogs that streamline processes, eliminate waste, enhance operations, and improve consumer satisfaction. Leveraging GERS Retail Systems’ 27 years of experience in the home furnishings industry, FurnishNet is well positioned to offer solutions tailored to the business needs of the trade. For more information, visit www.furnishnet.com.