ZOW 2015: Efficient processes and information flows for greater profitability

Forum IT shows smart system integration solutions

[Bad Salzuflen, November 28, 2014] Furniture today should be just as unique as its owners. In order to satisfy these consumer requirements, manufacturers are offering more and more possibilities for individualisation - with far-reaching consequences for the manufacturing process, since an increasing diversity of variants also brings about greater demands in terms of procurement, production and logistics. In order to assert itself successfully in the face of international competition, the German furniture industry requires consistent data communication extending from retail to the machine, particularly when it comes to products with many variants ", states Dr. Olaf Plümer, Director of the Association Daten Competence Center e.V. (DCC), who will be curating the IT Forum at ZOW 2015. "Customised orders can be generated from the individual electronic catalogues of the dealers, which bring about a unique manufacturing process. This work flow needs to be implemented for all sales channels with lean processes and increasingly shorter delivery periods."

The furniture sector is characterised by custom-made items with many variants in combination with complex processes and a large quantity structure. Owing to the fact that products made to specification have meanwhile become the norm, the forthcoming ZOW will be focusing on the individualisation of serially produced furniture at seven forums and special exhibition areas. Since manufacturing items swiftly and in line with individual customer requirements will become more and more important in the future, exhibitors and visitors can find out about trend-setting software solutions and data systems at the IT Forum, which can be used to increase their operational efficiency.

Such systems do not only determine whether complex processes can be mastered in a cost-effective manner but also offer considerable potential for savings in the area of order management or in warehousing.

Improved information flow
Since products requiring intensive planning necessitate a smooth exchange of information between commerce and industry, one of the focal issues addressed by curator Dr. Plümer will be the optimisation of data communication. The Integrated Data Model IDM Wohnen is currently being developed with which all companies and individuals involved in the process can gain rapid access to producer-specific data for direct application - regardless of which planning programme they work with. As a result, processes are optimised and incorrect planning is reduced, thereby leading to a decline in customer complaint levels. In addition to the safe exchange of commercial data, the IDM format, which is already in use in the kitchen furniture and upholstered furniture sectors, will also offer functional and graphic elements for the first time. "We will be presenting some initial findings to interested exhibitors and visitors at ZOW and providing them with up-to-date information on data communication," says curator Dr. Plümer, who is currently working with his Association DCC on establishing a global standard for structured data exchange.

Web-based 3D communication
More and more furniture producers now also offer their own 3D planning systems, enabling the customer to take on the role of a designer. "For this reason, I will also be taking a close look at open graphic formats at the Forum, which make 3D designs possible and offer the furniture industry quantifiable value added in the application of augmented reality", remarks Plümer. This concerns the acquisition of graphical data and representation of the furniture and the application of 3D data models in the production department or at the point of sale. Furthermore, discussions are planned with regard to the standardised data exchange procedure EDI - Electronic Data Interchange, enabling structured messages to be sent between the application systems of various institutions, as a result of which the number of different communication medium formats in logistics can be reduced.

With its clear focus on the exchange of knowledge and experience along the entire production chain, this year's ZOW will once again be offering exhibitors and trade visitors a high degree of value added - from design to production and logistics through to store presentation. The 21st edition of the international fair for suppliers to the furniture and interior design industries will be held at Bad Salzuflen Exhibition Centre from 9th to 12th February 2015.

Clarion Events can trace its roots back to 1947 and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organisers in the UK. More recently the firm has developed an international portfolio of brands and now has interests in a number of global vertical industries.

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This release was published on openPR.