FurnishNet Signs Leading RetailersCompany targets $1 billion in electronic bedding transactions within one year

Furniture World Magazine

FurnishNet announced that Sleepy’s and Slumberland, both ranked among the nation’s Top 100 Retailers by Furniture/Today, have selected FurnishNet to handle electronic transaction exchange with their suppliers. With combined sales of more than $475 million last year, the retailers will use FurnishNet to electronically transmit purchase orders, purchase order acknowledgements, advance ship notices, and invoices. The agreement signals FurnishNet’s advance into the retail bedding market, and supports the company as it targets $1 billion in electronic transactions for bedding products within the next 12 months. Sleepy’s, a specialty retailer with more than 250 locations throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, chose FurnishNet to get fast, accurate information from its vendors. "We were looking for a way to share data with our manufacturers, but EDI used old technology, cost too much money, and required too much human interaction to keep it running," said Don Rowley, CIO of Sleepy's. "FurnishNet offers us a very efficient, seamless way to manage transactions without any staff needed to manage the process." Chris Reff, IT Manager for Slumberland, agrees that FurnishNet’s technology will provide a more cost-effective alternative to traditional EDI solutions. "With FurnishNet, we can bring manufacturers online faster and more efficiently than if we staffed it ourselves," he said. "The best part about FurnishNet is that it allows manufacturers from any technology platform to trade with us." Opened in 1967 as a specialty mattress retailer, Slumberland now operates as a full line furniture retailer with 71 stores throughout the Midwest. FurnishNet is focused on all segments of the home furnishings industry, and currently handles more than 9,000 transactions each week for its retail partners and more than 130 connected manufacturers. With the signing of Sleepy’s and Slumberland, FurnishNet now has close to 10 percent of the $4 billion specialty bedding market. "By adding Sleepy’s and Slumberland to our growing list of retail partners, we have validated our ability to deliver significant value to the bedding industry," said Ron Sellers, FurnishNet’s Vice President of Sales. "We believe that in the next 12 months, FurnishNet will reach the $1 billion transaction mark for bedding products. We look forward to working with retailers and vendors of all categories as we enable the industry to process transactions more quickly, accurately, and effectively to increase turns and positively impact the bottom line." FurnishNet’s solution for Transaction Management speeds the accurate transmission of purchase orders, purchase order acknowledgements, advance ship notices, and invoices. By integrating electronic data interchange (EDI), email, and faxed-based processes into a unique "Any-to-Any" exchange, FurnishNet translates the information into the appropriate format for the immediate electronic flow of information between business partners, significantly reducing the costs associated with traditional EDI solutions. To learn more about Transaction Management solutions now available through FurnishNet, contact Ron Sellers at (800) 854-2263, ext. 2525 or visit www.furnishnet.com. 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 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 or e-mail mleer@furnishnet.com