FIDX Approves E-Commerce Standards For Furniture Industry

Furniture World Magazine

Following months of discussions and development, the Furniture Industry Data Exchange committee has approved e-commerce standards for the furniture industry, and a few manufacturers and retailers are now testing the standards. Any manufacturer or retailer ready to adopt the new standards can go to the FIDX web site, www.fidx.org, and download the standards for their own use. "Adoption of these new standards is a significant step for the furniture industry," said Ames Flynn, vice president and chief information officer at Thomasville Furniture Inds., one of the manufacturers that has adopted the standards and is starting to test them with dealers. Flynn also is first vice president of the Information Technology Division of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and has worked on the FIDX steering committee. "With the standards in place, manufacturers and retailers no longer need to reinvent the wheel every time they connect with a new trading partner," Flynn said. "Previously, there was too much room for variations. The new FIDX XML formats are comprehensive standards that should significantly reduce those variations. And they have the breadth to handle the complexities and nuances of our products. They also are flexible and follow a less rigid structure, which should greatly streamline the process of e-commerce in the furniture industry." Ron Martell, chairman of the FIDX steering committee and president of Micro*D, added that the new standards will improve the ease of implementation and reduce costs for all parties involved, especially retail systems providers. FIDX is a neutral industry group promoting standards of data exchange. FIDX members are committed to making the exchange of information faster, easier and less expensive. The work of FIDX is open to all interested members of the community active in furthering the development and implementation of e-business standards.