Article Number : 1724 |
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| Date | 2/5/2007 9:40:31 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1724 |
| Abstract | LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 2, 2007 – A cooperative effort between computer programmers in the flooring industry has produced the Flooring Software Data Exchange (FSDE) Standard... |
| Article | LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 2, 2007 – A cooperative effort between computer programmers in the flooring industry has produced the Flooring Software Data Exchange (FSDE) Standard. The goal of the FSDE is to provide seamless connectivity between flooring professionals’ various software systems in a reliable and easy-to-use manner. The FSDE Standard will incorporate not only business management and accounting software but also, among others, schedulers, estimators, and cutting machines. With the FSDE’s implementation, for the first time users of flooring-related applications will be able to easily exchange data between these software programs regardless of who created it. The implications of the FSDE are significant for both end users and programmers. “The FSDE Standard will be the flooring software version of the Industrial Revolution,” says Massoud Shirazian, one of the projects key developers and president and CEO of FloorEstimator software. “It will create a simple and effective information highway between flooring applications while giving the freedom of choice to the end users. This ‘customer centric’ approach is a first big step from the leading flooring software companies dedicating their efforts to make the flooring industry more efficient. The flooring professional can finally put together a solution that works for them.” For end users, the FSDE provides greater freedom in choosing software. Currently, most flooring businesses use software programs created by separate companies. Often this means that if users are able to find a file format that is compatible with two programs, they must typically export the information to a file and then find the saved file in the receiving application and import it. By using software compliant with the FSDE Standard, business owners can choose the best programs for their specific needs and know that information can be transferred easily between the programs; they are not bound to a specific software vendor due to compatibility issues. “The future of software is compatible software modules,” says Mike Myhre, president of WinSched Software Corp and one of the programmers who helped with the FSDE. “Imagine a world where different email clients or web browsers each had their own proprietary format and could only communicate with users using the same programs. The power of the internet and the way we interact with other businesses would not be the powerful tool we have today. Any software developers that don't embrace the FSDE standard will be left behind as users migrate to software with more flexibility.” The FSDE Standard is different than the B2B Standard that has recently been implemented. B2B refers to the transfer of product-related information between two separate companies, i.e. a manufacturer and a retailer exchanging pricing agreements, P.O.’s, and invoicing. The FSDE refers to the exchange of internal customer and job information between different software programs normally used within the same company. The FSDE data exchanged typically has to do with the processing of customer proposals and orders. “The business owner really wins big with this,” says Chad Ogden, CEO of QFloors and one of the primary programmers involved in the FSDE’s development. “The FSDE Standard allows each company’s software to be compatible with a wider range of products. It cuts development time because programmers only have to write the software one time and then the program is automatically compatible with other company’s software.” For instance, for a single transaction a flooring retailer may use four different software applications provided by different vendors: an estimator, a scheduler, business management software, and an automated cutting machine. Since these programs are not from the same vendor, they most likely are not capable of understanding or exchanging each other’s data. The user usually intervenes manually, taking information from each of these programs to complete the transaction. On the other hand, if these programs are compliant with the FSDE Standard, users can quickly and efficiently complete their transactions, without all of the manual effort, and thus save time and money. The FSDE Standard is inclusive to any flooring software company that would like to join. In order to achieve the FSDE Standard’s goal of simple and seamless interaction, participating vendors’ software must meet the following requirements: · Any set up and configuration must be automatic on the user’s end, without requiring complicated procedures. This is both to ensure ease-of-use and reliability. · The transactions themselves should be quick and easy, without substantial user intervention. · The end user will not be forced into purchasing new software. Older software can easily become FSDE compliant, with a few minor changes. If the software vendor is unwilling to become compliant, users can still continue doing their business in the traditional manner, while surrounding themselves with newer software applications that do support the standard. The non-compliant software will not be part of the automated solution. For more information about the Flooring Software Data Exchange Standard, email info@fsdstandard.com or visit www.fsdestandard.com and select “Software Vendors” for additional contact information. |