Industry leaders merge to accelerate delivery of supply chain solutions for the home furnishings industry

SAN DIEGO, CA - FurnishNet, a provider of Internet-based supply chain solutions for the home furnishings industry, today announced that it has acquired Hfxchange, an established presence in the B2B space. The two companies are joining forces to accelerate the delivery of web-based applications designed to automate processes and enhance communications between retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers. Operating under the FurnishNet name, the combined companies provide solutions that address the industry's core business needs, including tools for parts management, collaborative purchase order exception handling, and shipment tracking.

"From the beginning, FurnishNet has been a company that is dedicated to developing practical solutions built on solid technology," said Jim Henderson, President and CEO of GERS Retail Systems, FurnishNet's parent company. "We have been focused on creating an industrial-strength solution for the home furnishings industry, and are enhancing that solution by integrating several unique applications developed by Hfxchange. As a result, we are now able to deliver more comprehensive and proven solutions in a much shorter time frame to help the industry streamline operations and increase profitability."

As the two companies join forces to develop a broader solutions suite for the industry, current customers of FurnishNet and Hfxchange can continue to use existing web-based applications. By merging their development resources and technology, Hfxchange and FurnishNet will speed time to market with an extended product offering that includes web-based solutions such as order status and electronic catalog publishing.

"As a result of the acquisition, we now have additional development resources and the support infrastructure that will sustain us in delivering more robust solutions for the home furnishings industry," said Eric Wensley, Founder of Hfxchange. "We're proud to be working as part of the FurnishNet team to provide a common place where the entire industry can come together to conduct business electronically, work together to drive out inefficiency, and advance service levels for our customers."

The combined customer base includes several prominent Top 100 Retailers with connections to more than 200 leading manufacturers.

About Hfxchange
Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Hfxchange was established as a total electronic commerce solutions provider targeted to the unique needs of the home furnishings industry. Hfxchange is a business to business exchange that enables small and mid-market buyers and suppliers to electronically transact business with traditional buyers via the Internet.

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.