MicroD expanding technology services
Offers more complete services
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 16, 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Software supplier MicroD, known for its electronic catalogs, has a new leader who is expanding the company’s technology to encompass the selection, selling and ordering of furniture by consumers in stores.
The 12-year-old company is headed by President Manoj Nigam, who has more than 18 years of technology experience, much of it in the furniture industry. The founder of Exim Technologies, which merged with MicroD in 2003, Nigam succeeds Mary and Ron Martell, now semi-retired but who hold the positions of chairman and CEO, respectively.“There is a change in direction,” said Nigam. “No longer are MicroD and Exim seen as separate companies. We’re now the company that provides soup-to-nuts connectivity that starts with the digital catalog from manufacturers, provides it to the retailer and consumer, and brings back the purchase order and acknowledgements after validating it in the manufacturer’s system.”Nigam’s background includes a stint as vice president of integration services for HomePoint Corp., which connected retailers and manufacturers. As HomePoint dwindled, Nigam launched Exim to provide low-cost technology to companies that could not afford technological staffs and high IT overhead.Integrating MicroD’s long-established PreVue catalog software with Exim’s Internet B2B capabilities led to the launching of Full Circle, a software package that previewed at the Las Vegas furniture market in July.
Full Circle allows consumers to view on computer screens in stores the various options and combinations offered by case goods and upholstery manufacturers, get pricing information, send the order via the Internet to the manufacturer, and get confirmation of the purchase — all in one operation.MicroD also launched its EasyPlan Pro room planner software, which allows consumers to design rooms on-screen using their own room dimensions and standardized industry templates that match their old furniture with possible new purchases.The company has a facility in Hickory, N.C., for data services, sales and technical services, and recently moved its headquarters to Charlotte. Software development and data input is done in the Czech Republic and India, an effort started a decade ago.MicroD anticipates 20% to 25% annual growth, Nigam said, adding, “It’s not gigantic. It’s not like how the dot.com companies used to grow. But on the other hand, it’s not something where we’re staying status quo.”
The company will continue developing products in its current niche and focus on a furniture clientele that already includes a platinum list of manufacturers, he said.
“We want to focus on what we do best,” Nigam said, although the company’s software could fit related industries like rugs.
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MicroD expanding technology services
Nov 27, 2005
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