Every day, we see value-added resellers of Paragon Furniture use very robust, Web enabled software to level the playing field. Providers like Powered by OI have developed Web enabled software, enabling small to mid-sized furniture dealers, devoid of their own proprietary applications, to execute project management like the biggest commercial furniture dealers in the world. Turn-key, project management dealers like Contrax Furnishings have invested significantly in their own Web-based planning and procurement tools to serve as portals for both vendors and end-users.
Specifically, smaller to mid-sized furniture dealers now have a cost effective enterprise platform to manage a customer’s use of space, specification of FF&E, proposal creation, order to vendor, and delivery and installation methods. As operating efficiencies are achieved, margins are improved and more value is delivered to the end-user.
From the supplier perspective, Web enabled software allows us to quickly add and/or update product information in SIF format to virtually all users simultaneously. Too, changes in pricing to resellers can be dynamic. Preloaded software serves as a Trojan Horse for many suppliers …delivering their product inside the walls of many resellers who otherwise may have no awareness.
The race is on to see which Web based tool(s) will become the standard for furniture planning. For all of us in the trade, the question isn’t if Web centric processes offer extraordinary advantages to end-user, dealer, and vendor. The question is: which FF&E management product and service will deliver the greatest value.
