MicroD Expands B2B Web Services for Manufacturers with FurnishWEB Acquisition

Furniture World News Desk on 8/9/2013

MicroD Incorporated and Internet Databases Corporation announced that MicroD has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Internet Databases, developer and marketer of the popular FurnishWEB business-to-business (B2B) portal technology. The cloud-based customer service and collaboration solution enables home furnishings manufacturers to electronically share product information and manage orders with retail dealers and sales representatives. The addition of FurnishWEB will extend MicroD’s range of ecommerce and web solutions for both manufacturers and retailers to provide a one source solution for customers.

“Home furnishings companies are quickly recognizing the importance of the internet to their success and sustainability,” noted MicroD President and CEO Manoj Nigam. “Today’s manufacturers must provide the accessibility, visibility, and accuracy needed to conduct business at the speed of the internet. The acquisition of FurnishWEB uniquely positions MicroD to streamline the home furnishings value chain as a single source provider and furthers our overall strategy of delivering the most comprehensive web platform and services for the industry.”

FurnishWEB is a hosted extranet solution that provides dealers and reps with secure access to their manufacturers’ product images and information (specifications, pricing, etc.), stock and planned availability, order status, and other sales tools and analyses. Moreover, the FurnishWEB system allows dealers and reps to place orders online which are driven by real-time sales analytics. Coupled with its interactive product catalogs, comprehensive web solutions, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and other existing technologies and services, MicroD will now offer a unique opportunity for manufacturers to provide unparalled customer service to their dealers, all while streamlining their internal processes.

According to Barry Welch, Founder of Internet Databases and Developer of FurnishWEB,“Over the past decade, I have gained a great deal of respect for MicroD’s dedication to the industry. We foresee tremendous synergies resulting with the addition of FurnishWEB to their impressive product range. As a part of the MicroD team, I am looking forward to offering expanded services to FurnishWEB customers, while continuing to support and grow FurnishWEB.”

The FurnishWEB staff will join the MicroD team to continue to support customers. Mr. Welch will be part of the MicroD senior management team. Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the privately-held companies.

About Internet Databases Corporation: Founded in 1999, Internet Databases began as a developer of websites and dealer portals for leading furniture companies. This work led to the launch of FurnishWEB in 2006 with Bassett Mirror Company and Intercon Furniture. Today, the dealer and sales rep portal hosts several furniture manufacturers’ extranet sites including, Bradington Young (a division of Hooker Furniture), Intercon Furniture, Pulaski Furniture, Schnadig International, and other industry leaders.

FurnishWEB enables manufacturers to share information with their retail and design customers, sales reps, and staff over a secure website and features a comprehensive online order, inventory, shipping, and tracking system. The data generated by all of these interactions provide actionable information to manufacturers, sales reps and retailers to facilitate data-driven merchandising and buying decisions. FurnishWEB covers the entire home furnishing industry including case goods, bedroom, dining room, home office, entertainment, mirrors, art, accessories, youth bedroom, and baby furniture.

About MicroD Inc.: More than 85% of the top 100 furniture retailers and brands trust MicroD’s online solutions. Select customers include Ashley, Bassett , Drexel Heritage, Ethan Allen, Kittles,Henredon, Klaussner, Lane and Lexington among others. Nearly 2,500 solu¬tions are in use by furniture retailers, suppliers and manufacturers throughout United States and Europe. More than 650 manufacturers are connected through Exim Com¬merce to exchange close to 100,000 EDI documents each day with leading retailers such as Kittles, Bassett Retail Stores, Mathis Brothers, Sleep Country Canada, Ameri¬can Furniture Warehouse etc.