EFurn's Internet Technology and United Stationers' Logistics Provide Unique Web Capabilities for Dealers

Furniture World Magazine

Efurn.com announced the creation of its first content library, based on United Stationers' Furniture Products, for its web site offering for furniture resellers. This technology will be marketed to USSCo. office products and furniture resellers as a link from the dealer's existing web site or by creating new web sites for resellers who do not have one. "Resellers are very excited about the program and believe that it will be instrumental in helping expand their market and reduce their costs in selling office furniture," commented Steve Odden, Vice President of Furniture for United Stationers. "The combination of three factors – the breadth of value oriented product available from USSCo., the unique selection capabilities provided by eFurn, and the speed of delivery and logistics provided by USSCo. – will provide the basis needed to make furniture sales successful on the Internet." EFurn.com, LLC is an Internet ASP (Applications Service Provider), providing Internet technology for furniture resellers to use as part of their own web site offerings. With corporate offices in Centennial, CO, eFurn.com has extensive development experience in computer graphics and CAD applications. EFurn's programming team previously developed the Giza, graphics applications software that is used by over 4000 office furniture dealers and 115 manufacturers worldwide. "This selection and configuration technology could help redefine what a furniture transaction is, making it easier for both the dealer and the user to identify and select the products desired," said Al Hart, Vice President of Technology for eFurn.com. "We anticipate more content libraries and improvements to the functionality over the next year." EFurn.com implements dealer websites using two basic products: EF-Wizard and EF-Planner. EF-Wizard, the selection and configuration engine, utilizes 3D symbol libraries to present choices to the user in groupings, rather than one item at a time. During the selection and configuration process, the user is able to view 3D images of the complete furniture grouping. Selecting furniture in customizable groups is much faster than selecting furniture one item at a time. EF-Planner, the room planner, is an online capability that allows users to sketch their office layout, place the furniture groupings within the layout, and view the entire project in 3D. Both EF-Wizard and EF-Planner provide downloadable CAD files which either the dealer or end user can import into CAD systems, such as AutoCAD or Giza. United Stationers Inc. is North America's largest distributor of business products to resellers. Through its integrated computer-based distribution system, it makes more than 35,000 items available to 20,000 resellers within 24 hours of order placement through 39 regional distribution centers, 21 Lagasse distribution centers that serve the janitorial and sanitation industry and six Azerty distribution centers that serve computer supply resellers. For more information on the eFurn.com ASP Products for Office Furniture Web Sites, contact: Bill Jacobsen 303-447-0669