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 and Operations
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.
