While there remains a level of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and its long-tem effect on the economy, one thing has become clear: now is the time for the furniture industry to embrace technology and digitalisation and reap the benefits it has to offer.
“It’s no longer a question of if companies need to integrate intelligent technology into their business, it’s when,” begins Martina Schwarz, international sales and marketing manager at CAD+T Consulting GmbH. “People have seen first hand how important it is for businesses to be prepared and how technology has a huge part to play in their ongoing success. We’ve seen a huge surge of interest from companies keen to invest in cloud-based software, as they begin to restructure their processes and create a practical online structure that could combat the effects of future outbreaks.”
Martina continues: “The industry’s mentality has changed. Site visits are becoming a thing of the past for many customers and remote working is here to stay. Our cloud-based software can be accessed anywhere in the world using something as simple as a mobile device. You still get the same functionality you’d expect when using a powerful desktop computer but its considerably more flexible, a fraction of the price you’d pay for the latest CAD hardware and it’s continually updated.”
It’s also extremely flexible and is designed around you. Martina says, “In the last 12-months, consumer’s changing buying habits have changed which means many of our customers have had to diversify. With our bespoke software offering, it doesn’t matter if you change your product range or target audience multiple times. As long as you can identify the product in your design, our software works exactly the same way. Customers have the ability to change their manufacturing methods in a matter of days to stay ahead.”
Above: Cabinet Configurator
Below: Planning module professional
Training has also been adapted to suit the current climate, with CAD+T moving away from direct training to focus on its online offering. Sessions can be fully customised and include up to five people, allowing a small team to take part in the same training programme remotely.
Martina adds: “We pride ourselves on being able to create customised software solutions – it’s what we do and it’s what we’re good at. During this time of uncertainty, the power of digitalisation has come into its own and our experience in this field has allowed us to help our customers overcome a wide range of challenges and introduce even more businesses to our innovative software solutions. We’re proud to represent the furniture design and manufacturing industry and pleased to see the market bouncing back so quickly.”
