Leading Canadian manufacturer looks to FurnishNet to leverage existing EDI systems for electronic data exchange with its retail customers

SAN DIEGO, CA -FurnishNet today announced that Palliser, Canada's leading home furnishings manufacturer, has signed a Rapid Adoption Agreement with the supply chain solutions provider. The Rapid Adoption Program is designed to help EDI-enabled manufacturers capitalize on their technology investments by facilitating electronic data exchange with their trading partners, regardless of the corporate system used by the retailer. Through this program, FurnishNet will work with Palliser to identify priority retailers with whom they would like to establish system-to-system integration. By encouraging those retailers to get connected via FurnishNet, Palliser will leverage existing EDI infrastructures and link to key trading partners to reduce paperwork, eliminate errors, and ensure more accurate, timely delivery of product to its retail customers.

"We are always looking for ways to do business electronically with our retail customers," said Nick DeStefano, Senior Business Analyst/Project Leader for Palliser. "FurnishNet provides an easy way for retailers who can't afford EDI to get on board with electronic data exchange."

Palliser began working with FurnishNet when two of its retail customers, Jordan's and El Dorado Furniture, began sending purchase orders through FurnishNet, which translated the documents into the appropriate format for Palliser's corporate system. Palliser immediately recognized that in addition to receiving orders electronically through FurnishNet, they could also use their existing EDI infrastructure to send acknowledgements, invoices, and advance ship notices to connected retailers. FurnishNet was so effective in reducing manual operations for the manufacturer that Palliser has identified more than 20 retailers, representing a variety of systems throughout the United States and Canada, for FurnishNet's Rapid Adoption Program. These retailers will immediately benefit from exchanging core business documents electronically, which also helps their trading partners.

"The process of automating these functions saves us from having to send and receive faxed orders, which cuts down on paperwork and reduces errors," added DeStefano. "With FurnishNet, orders are sent directly into our system, which allows us to get the order into the manufacturing cycle earlier and leads to more accurate, timely scheduling of product. This also helps our retailers to get the product sooner, which leads to better service for the end consumer."

"Many manufacturers have invested a tremendous amount in EDI, yet very few retailers have embraced that technology," said Ron Sellers, FurnishNet's Vice President of Sales. "Our Rapid Adoption Program enables manufacturers to make the most of their technology investments by providing direct integration with their trading partners' existing systems. For retailers, we're offering a solution that will get them online quickly and efficiently. Since we're a completely outsourced solution, we handle all the installation, configuration, and maintenance for the retailers, leading to faster transaction processing and reduced expense for all trading partners."

FurnishNet's solution for Transaction Management speeds the accurate transmission of purchase orders, purchase order acknowledgements, advance ship notices, and invoices. By integrating e-mail, web applications, electronic data interchange (EDI), XML, and faxed-based processes into a unique "Any-to-Any" exchange, FurnishNet is able to translate the information into the appropriate format for the immediate electronic flow of information between business partners of any size, running on any corporate system.

About Palliser
Palliser is Canada's leading home furnishings manufacturer. A family-owned company with head offices in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Palliser employs 5,100 persons in facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, and Indonesia.

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 parts management and transaction management solutions that streamline processes, eliminate waste, enhance operations, and improve consumer satisfaction. Leveraging GERS Retail Systems' 28 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.