Professional development of information technology executives in member companies is offered through technical sessions and conferences that focus on e-commerce and the furniture supply chain. This includes the development and communication of standards, as well as facilitating cooperation between the various supply chain segments.

The mission of the IT focus area is to promote best business practices and associated uses of information technology in the home furnishings industry. Specific objectives include:

• Aggressively developing, promoting and publishing standards for e-commerce.
• Defining business requirements for e-commerce and supply chain initiatives to optimize business processes.
• Evaluating supply chain initiatives and solutions jointly with retail and supplier associations.
• Promoting the use of technologies that will improve the consumer buying experience.
• Discovering, evaluating and publishing “Best IT Use” case studies.
• Developing and maintaining IT metrics for benchmarking investment, staffing and other factors for management review and use.
• Providing educational and informational sharing opportunities across AHFA as it relates to IT.

Contacts
David Purvis
Vice President of Manufacturing, Information Technology and Human Resources
American Home Furnishings Alliance
317 West High Avenue
High Point, NC 27260
336/884-5000, ext. 1036
Fax: 336/884-5303

Patricia West
Executive Assistant
336/884-5000, ext. 1000

UCC: 2005 Sunrise
Since the introduction of the 12-digit Universal Product Code more than 30 years ago, the use of the EAN.UCC System has expanded rapidly to facilitate global commerce. To meet the need for improving commerce efficiency, the Uniform Code Council Inc. set January 1, 2005 as the deadline for all U.S. and Canadian companies to be capable of scanning and processing EAN-8 and EAN-13 symbols, in addition to 12-digit U.P.C. symbols, at point-of-sale. UCC named the initiative 2005 Sunrise and provided this website with an implementation checklist and other support documents.
Go to UCC: 2005 Sunrise website >

Links >
Links to various standards-setting organizations.

MEMBERS ONLY:

INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS

Serialized Labeling of Furniture
These "Furniture Industry Conventions" were developed by a technical workgroup sponsored by AHFA's Information Technology Board of Directors in 2002.
Go to Guideline >

Inventory Management
These "Furniture Industry Conventions" were developed by a technical workgroup sponsored by AHFA's Information Technology Board of Directors in 2002.
Go to Guideline >

Bar Code Standard
The Bar Code Standard was developed through the work of AHFA's Bar Code Task Group and published in 1994. You do not have to be an AHFA member to view the 36-page standard.
Go to the Standard >

Tagging Law Manual
This digest of United States and Canadian provincial labeling laws is updated every other year by the International Sleep Products Association. It covers laws pertaining to bedding, upholstered furniture and other products, but the greatest detail is provided for mattresses. It offers a concise listing of the basic licensing, registration and labeling requirements in each jurisdiction. The online manual is a members-only resource.
Go to the Tagging Law Manual >

Non-members may purchase a printed copy of the 30-page manual for $200.
Non-members click here to order >

Documents:

IT Benchmark Surveys
2003 and 2004 e-commerce surveys conducted online. 2001 and 2003 financial surveys that explore furniture manufacturers' information technology budgets, manpower and crticial issues.
Go to the Surveys >

e-Commerce Standards Update
A 2002 update on e-commerce standards for the home furnishings industry.
Go to the update >

Educational Opportunities
Training and professional development is promoted throughout the year with seminars and technical sessions on topics ranging from corporate strategic planning to specific technical issues.

eBusiness Conference
Embassy Suites - Greensboro, NC
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Go to Presentations >

AHFA University IT Webinars
AHFA's online continuing education center offers the convenience of technical seminars and professional development programs eliminating travel expenses and reducing time spent out of the office.
Go to list of IT Webinars >

Networking: AHFA's List Server
AHFA's List Server is a convenient way to share ideas and opinions, as well as an effective means of conducting group discussions. Participants choose a topic, send their comments in an e-mail to one address, and those comments are distributed to all the other users signed up under that topic area. This creates a conversation via e-mail.
Go to List Server >

VALUE-ADDED SERVICES

Office Depot's Business Solutions
AHFA members enjoy special discounts on hundreds of office supplies and equipment needs through Office Depot's Business Solutions Division. Member pricing is based on volume discounts made possible by the number of AHFA member companies. Additional benefits include next day delivery and customized billing and ordering. To set up your Office Depot Business Solutions account, click on the link below.
Set up account >

The Office Depot account includes Tech Depot as an additional member benefit, supplying expertise and competitive pricing in technology.
Go to Tech Depot >

PC Connection
PC Connection, a national provider of information technology solutions, offers AHFA members discounts on computing products, place secure orders using a credit card and create an individual login and password from a special AHFA member area on the PC Connection website. Please contact AHFA for login information.
Go to PC Connection >

Staples Business Advantage
Save money on office suppliers with the AHFA/Staples Business Advantage program. Members can save an average of 60% off more than 4,000 items in the Staples catalog, and an average of 40% off large stock catalog items. The program also offers free delivery on orders of $25 or more.
Click here to register >

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