Data Synchronization Initiative Headlines PMI'S Third Information Technology Forum
For Immediate Release
August 28, 2003
Contact: Barbara C. Higgens, Executive Director (847) 884-9764
Schaumburg, Ill. — Thirty PMI members from 13 plumbing manufacturers converged on Schaumburg, Ill., July 29-30 for PMI's third Information Technology (I.T.) Forum, where the hardlines industry initiative to synchronize data took center stage.
The July forum reflected the plumbing industry's movement beyond simple information exchange and into proactive identification and management, according to PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens. "We've moved out of the 'surface' learning phase, and we're delving into strategic thinking and process implementation in which we as an industry can best prepare to meet our technological needs," she said.
The forum's first day focused on the initiative by hardlines retailers to synchronize data and utilize a common format for presenting products. Presentations on data synchronization were made by Mark Healy, senior director of merchandising operations at Home Depot; Matt Deeter, vice president of merchanidising operations at Lowe's; Greg Lenard, director of inventory control at ACE Hardware Corp.; and Kristen Mascenik, account representative for UCCnet. The presenters announced a deadline of Jan. 1, 2004, by which any company that does business with them will have to follow their vision of data synchronization.
UCCnet says its services enable suppliers and their retail partners to reduce costly administrative errors in invoice pricing, purchase orders, product delivery and scanning accuracy. In addition, companies can increase the speed of getting new products to market and facilitate continuous exchange of changes to existing item information. Synchronized data in a standard format also provides a solid foundation for realizing the true cost savings value of more advanced electronic commerce tools such as scan-based trading and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR(R)).
PMI expressed its support of UCCnet and the initiative to synchronize data. "In view of the tight deadlines for compliance, we're doing all we can to facilitate the process," said Ms. Higgens. "We've already had a follow up conference call and more seminars are planned."
Following the hardlines industry presentation and discussion, Dan Feely and Michael Alonzi of Transforming Solutions Inc. (TSI) led a discussion on the pros and cons of adopting a uniform standard, followed by a presentation by Eugene Park of Intrust I.T. on XML language. The second day of the forum involved discussions of how to enhance the use and effectiveness of company websites. Eric Lord of Project36 discussed ways to enhance the value to websites, how to build traffic and staying power on websites and how to use websites to survey customers.
PMI is scheduling follow-up forums on adopting UCCnet and using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The association has hosted I.T. forums since 2000 to equip I.T. and marketing personnel with information and tools needed to navigate the changing landscape of the Internet, e-commerce and other technological issues.
The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute is the voluntary, not-for-profit trade association of manufacturers of plumbing products. Member companies of PMI produce a substantial quantity of the nation's plumbing products. For more information on PMI or its semiannual meetings, contact the Institute at 1340 Remington Road, Suite A, Schaumburg, Ill., 60173; or via phone (847) 884-9PMI (9764), facsimile (847) 884-9775, or website www.pmihome.org.
Editor's Note: Photographs and quotes from workshop attendees are available upon request