Leading upholstery manufacturer Alan White and FurnshNet have completed the EDI conversion that was mandated by Federated Department Stores (FDS) for all vendors doing business with Macy’s branded stores. Thanks to FurnishNet’s “Any-to-Any” exchange that eliminates complicated, expensive multiple mapping processes and EDI VAN networks, the conversion process was relatively simple and fast.

FDS announced their strategic decision to centralize their Home Store Operations across their five divisions that carry the Macy’s nameplate early in 2004. This new division will purchase merchandise and market all home-related categories for the five Macy’s-branded stores, which includes Macy’s East, Macy’s West, Rich’s/ Lazarus/Goldsmiths–Macy’s, Bon-Macy’s, and Burdines-Macy’s.

FurnishNet’s Transaction Management service uses the Internet for exchanging over 300 transaction types including purchase orders, purchase order acknowledge- ments, advance ship notices, and invoices. The FurnishNet solution integrates e-mail, web applications, electronic data interchange (EDI), and XML into a unique "Any-to-Any" exchange. FurnishNet is able to translate data files into appropriate formats for the electronic flow of information between trading partners of any size, running on any corporate system. Because the FurnishNet service is able to transfer data without the use of a VAN, the need for expensive EDI mapping software as well as a traditional EDI VAN network are eliminated, thereby reducing expenses and simplifying connectivity.

Over 640 of the nation’s leading retailers and manufacturers are using FurnishNet’s electronic document exchange solution to streamline their supply chains. For more information, please call 1-800-854-2263, Ext. 2525, or visit www.furnishnet.com and take the Self-Guided Tour.