Article Number : 2344 |
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| Date | 8/27/2007 8:21:05 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2344 |
| Abstract | Atlanta—As more and more companies throughout the selling chain use business-to-business (B2B) technology, the not-for-profit Floor Covering Business to Business Associations (fcB2B) annual meeting here focused on facilitating more efficient business communications within the flooring industry in... |
| Article | Atlanta—As more and more companies throughout the selling chain use business-to-business (B2B) technology, the not-for-profit Floor Covering Business to Business Associations (fcB2B) annual meeting here focused on facilitating more efficient business communications within the flooring industry in order to promote and enhance both customer and supplier abilities to do business. This includes customer/supplier electronic transactions, as well as the promotion of leadership in ethics, standards and policy throughout the industry. Representatives of flooring mills, distributors, trade associations, dealers, contractors, buying groups and software developers attended the meeting. FcB2B co-presidents Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet, and Pamela Bowe, president of the Bowe Co., opened the two-day event with an overview of the associations activity. Having formed the organization less than a year ago, much has been accomplished in a short time. One of the meetings highlights was an announcement that fcB2B has been accepted as a member of The Accredited Standards Committees (ASC) X12. In 1979, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) chartered the group to be the standards body for the cross-industry development, maintenance and publication of electronic data exchange standards for industry formats. B2B is growing quickly in usage, Bowe explained, noting at the current pace, the trading of documents with suppliers who were the early adopter are seeing 100% increases in usage so far this year. Our administration and organization is growing stronger and more formal. Were patterning our efforts after [established standards] and not recreating the wheel. Our affiliation with ASCX12 supports the implementation and development work of our members. Standards have become a strategic tool for delivering innovation and stability, reducing costs and improving the quality of goods and services produced. Bowe said they act as a blueprint for opening new business opportunities, by reducing the time and cost needed to develop systems and services, increase market access and acceptance and reduce materials overhead. For customers, she added, standards provide a wider selection, more consistent quality, lower costs and, where applicable, improved safety and health. Bowe said, The energy at the meeting was the most intense I have ever seen among the group. The Technical Workshop, led by David Marshello of RFMS, ensured the work to be performed is clear and abundant. The general meeting could not have been more productive; everyone was involved. Pirner added, With the generous financial support and leadership of the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) and World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), this next year of development and growth is going to be nothing short of stellar. WFCA has invested over $50,000 in fcB2Bs day-to-day business manager, and the organization has received a $25,000 investment from CRI with a promise of another $25,000 when two additional groups invest in the association. The fcB2B board consists of Christopher Davis, president and CEO of WFCA, who was elected chairman; Ed Korczak, executive director/CEO of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), vice chairman, and Rick Church, executive director of the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), secretary-treasurer/CFO. Also serving on the founding board are Frank Hurd, COO of the CRI, and Steve Johnson, president, Butler-Johnson Corp., representing the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD). Were indebted to all of the associations that have supported the effort over the past five years, particularly CRI and WFCA, which have played key roles in our development, Pirner said. He acknowledged the WFCA for recruiting other associations to join the effort and for substantial legal assistance to form the new entity. WFCA wants to grow acceptance for the B2B standards, Davis said, and over a relatively brief period we have watched the adoption of this technology grow throughout the distribution chain. Interest in this topic has been facilitated by seminars, educational forums and focus groups, all designed to increase awareness of B2B technology and the benefits now available. More tools FcB2B members will soon be using an online collaboration tool, Bowe noted. We will expand our use of the Web in ways needed to support B2B and provide information about those parties using this technology. Based on input from the organizations committees, the association passed a new version management process to approve and implement changes to the documents. Participation is at an all-time high, she said. Recognizing the effectiveness of the collaborative structure of the group, new committees were formed, such as Best Practices which is an example of recognizing the need to provide information and support to assist new users as they implement B2B. Pirner added, We almost doubled in trading partners in the past 12 months, with two of the largest distributor software companies, Dancik and Gartman, both having working models of fcB2B. We gained seven additional suppliers this year using B2B, and were anticipating a huge increase of distributors and customers utilizing B2B in the next 12 months. The adoption rate and acceptance in the resale community is gaining momentum, he concluded. If you are not involved in this revolution then you will fall behind quickly. For more information on fcB2B and the B2B Standard, call 316.866.2111. |