Objectives and State of the Art Furniture Industry Networking Database
	http://www.find-furniture.net
	Final Report : executive summary Pdf version

This Project employs a technology resulting from the combination of a complex database containing a wide range of information on European Furniture Manufacturers, a Bulletin Board System (BBS), where Manufacturers may submit their enquiries, and an e-mailing list managed by the database itself. The system will be available to provide answers on subjects concerning their business needs and opportunities, strategic planning for the company, and the impact of external social changes on the Furniture Industry.

The answers that Manufacturers will receive will be a combination of information retrieved from the database and answers that come directly from other Manufacturers.

Manufacturers will be able to access this system through a process of self-registration, which will automatically insert a Manufacturer's details in the database upon completion of a registration form. A paper information campaign will be executed to inform the manufacturers of the service and to give them an access code.

The project will operate on three levels:

• On the first level, the user will have the possibility to submit a query on subcontracting and offers and demands for various products.
• The second level will provide an arena where Manufacturers can forward their questions on issues vital to their needs.
• The third level will provide the participants with up-to-date information on the current economic situation through a continually updated database containing the current details on the situation of the participating companies.

The Objectives of the FIND Project are:

• To provide the European Furniture Industry with a cost effective and adaptable network, which benefits from existing technology while creating added value.
• Allow companies the possibility to search by various criteria such as, company, size, type of production and geographical location, so as to access one or more companies.
• To aid companies in making contact with their regional manufacturers association and also access at a European level.
• To allow direct contact with companies on a general or selective basis.
• To create an instrument that will enhance communication between manufacturers in order to promote business, exchange of information and cooperation.
• To provide an online question and answer service for manufacturers (the system will be designed in such a way as to provide the best possible answers. It will also deal with multi-lingual issues).
• This tool will be created in a user-friendly manner and will be of great interest to the Furniture industry.
• The graphics will provide a simplified search engine and it will become a communication and working tool that Manufacturers will use on a daily basis.
• To create a base upon which to begin electronic commerce activity.
• To encourage SMEs to take advantage and employ facilities offered by the Information Society at a European level.
• To connect the European Furniture Industry to the umbrella organization and to other sectors.
• To help companies to achieve sustainable development

The project will be based on a Microsoft Access database tailored on the specification of the project. The BBS system and the e-mailing list will be connected to the database. A Delphi programme will translate the database in HTML language. Manufacturers will input their data via pre-designed HTML form connected with the database itself.

A detailed specification for each of the three levels will be built up using the input From Manufacturers. This data will be used to develop the database and it will be available to the Commission in the site plan. The tasks will be implemented after the identification of the Manufacturers. A detailed business plan will also be available after the identification and the detailed specification phases.

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