Application Questions

This section contains information that is of interest to those who are considering implementation of the FIDX or supporting those who are implementing it. Information about how the FIDX will be used and managed in the future is contained in this section. This section also discusses adoption of the FIDX by individuals and organizations.

Q. Why would already established companies/marketplaces want to agree to an industry-driven e-standard when they have already built their architecture?

A. Potential eBusiness gains can best be realized by utilizing a globally accepted eStandard. One set of globally accepted XML-based standard allows companies to quickly link to new partners and minimize the cost and effort of maintaining multiple types of interactions. By adopting the FIDX Standards, Home and Office furnishings Industry companies and Marketplaces will position themselves for long-term success. For those organizations that have already implemented XML-based solutions, a transition to the FIDX Standards should enable them to increase the speed and efficiency by which they integrate additional trading partners, some of whom will have likely adopted the FIDX Standards.

Q. How are these FIDX Standards going to apply to privately/publicly held exchanges that may seek to do business in our industry?

A. The FIDX Standards will be available to the entire Home and Office furnishings Industry, and will have unrestricted access and require no licensing. Although others cannot be forced to use the FIDX Standards, the adoption of FIDX Standards will reduce the cost of implementation for all players and enable eBusiness gains to be more fully realized and are, therefore, very attractive to exchanges. As it stands now, all the companies known to be working on exchanges are involved in the FIDX efforts anyway.

Q. How will companies currently not involved in the project receive the idea of a global XML standard?

A. FIDX is actively educating and requesting endorsement for the FIDX Standards from the top Home and Office Furnishings companies, Marketplaces, and service providers globally. It is hoped that the FIDX Standards will be welcomed as the groundwork, or foundation, for future eBusiness initiatives within the industry.

Q. What controls will be put in place to prevent the participating companies from driving their solution and not listening to the needs of other Home and Office furnishings Industry companies?

A. The FIDX Standards development team realized that if a restricted standard is developed, it will not be adopted by the industry and will therefore be unsuccessful. FIDX strives to maintain its independent integrity by maintaining an open membership. The Board of Directors will be made formed from legitimate associations that can best represent a true cross-section of the industry. FIDX, who ratifies and performs further development, will be responsible for managing FIDX Standards. FIDX will solicit involvement from all industry players to ensure the relevance and acceptance of the standard.

Q. Won't the FIDX Standards become out of date?

A. After initial development, the FIDX responsibility for the support, maintenance, and future development of the standard. FIDX, via membership and endorsement from the industry, is committed to supporting and enhancing the FIDX Standards so that they continue to support the needs of the home furnishings Industry.

Q. Has any testing been done to ensure the validity of the FIDX Standards?

A. While the standards are being developed, careful testing to assure compliance with the UCC and other guidelines set down by FIDX. We hope to be able to provide proof-of-concept documents via the FIDX website as future development continues. It should be noted that several companies involved in the development of the FIDX Standards have already begun work on implementing those standards into their business systems. At that point there is an obvious desire to protect proprietary information and any competitive advantage possible. However, as these companies integrate the standards into their business there will be increasing incentive to produce documents that are pragmatic and workable.

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