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 Date:1/24/2008 AHMA |
| News Release AHMA Spearheading Industry Technology Initiative Schaumburg, Illinois, January 24, 2008 Recognizing the need to bring industry trading partners together to improve the efficiency of the entire supply chain, The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) led the formation of a Hardlines Extended Attribute workgroup at the end of 2006. Since another industry was going through a similar effort, that workgroup morphed into the Hardlines and Electronics Extended Attribute Initiative (HEAI). The goal of HEAI is for manufacturers to be able to send data through one standard method rather than proprietary solutions, making the entire data sync process much easier for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers alike. To accomplish this, data definitions go through a process to become standards, which must first be defined before the validated data can be carried in the network. The whole benefit of data synchronization is the ability to send data only one way no matter who it is being sent to. While figuring out the blueprint for success is daunting, the group is making progress. Donna Liotta, AHMAs manager for business applications, recently became the first person from any industry association to be trained on the Global Standards Management Process (GSMP). The GSMP is the pre-eminent worldwide collaborative forum where GS1 standards are built and maintained. Since it was created in 2002, the GSMP has been the engine that powers the entire GS1 system of standards. The GSMP brings together users from all industries and from everywhere in the world to identify needs for standards, gather business requirements, document best practices, obtain consensus on solutions, and then develop and implement the resulting supply chain standards. Donnas training now enables her to follow along with GSMP and facilitate the development of standards in various categories specifically for the hardware/home improvement industry, said Timothy S. Farrell, AHMAs president and chief executive officer, which helps move the process forward to benefit the entire industry. Attributes have already been developed for the first category and are out for e-ballot. This step is the period in which companies have the opportunity to vote for or against the standards. Additional product lines will be worked on by Global Product Code (GPC). This will facilitate identification of like attributes where a more scalable solution will be crafted. The HEAI is working under the Business Requirements Group for GDSNthe Global Data Standards Network. Any manufacturer in the hardlines industry can participate in the process, which is critical to the ongoing progress to standardize data synchronization in the hardware/home improvement industry. About the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) is a globally focused trade association of manufacturers, or providers, of hardware, home improvement, lawn and garden, paint and decorating and related products, as well as manufacturers representatives agencies and trade publications. AHMA offers many valuable member and industry programs, services and activities including the AHMA Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), AHMA Strategic Sourcing, AHMA Low Cost Country Sourcing and related supply chain / strategic sourcing training programs, AHMA Manufacturers Showcases, AHMA University, AHMA Executive Conference and Annual Membership Meeting held in conjunction with International Hardware Week®, AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum®, AHMA / USA International Pavilions, Government Relations Programs, Member Benefit Vendor Programs, Member Cost Reduction Programs, AHMA Hardware Industry Relief Effort (HIRE), and the AHMA / Habitat for Humanity Partnership. |
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