Space Planning Moves to iPads, Tablets
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20-20 Technologies plans to launch its Icovia Tablet Edition in the fall.
Click on the image to open
20-20 Technologies plans to launch its Icovia Tablet Edition in the fall.

Influential in home interior design trends, the May 2012 KBIS kitchen and bath industry show in Chicago, had plenty of closet offerings: from functional and decorative hardware, to wood components, island countertops and closet-applicable cabinetry and full closet lines. Wellborn Cabinet showed its latest Distinctive Closets offerings, featuring Newport Sienna Thermofoil closets on the show floor.

MEDIA TABLETS
68.7 million mobile readers (iPad, Kindle Fire, Nook, etc.) sold in 2011; 106.1 million will sell in 2012, sparking tablet apps.

Wellborn also presented its mobile app for consumers. Released last fall, the Ashland, AL cabinetry makers' mobile app shows marketing literature via iPad, including portraits of home organization offerings for closets, pantry, laundry, garage, mudroom, etc. Countertop giant Wilsonart also moved its catalogs to iPad versions at KBIS, recognizing that millions of consumers have embraced tablet readers: more than 175 million Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle Fire, BN Nooks and other tablets will have been sold in 2011 and 2012.

Software firm 20-20 Technologies' KBIS booth was packed with visitors for demos of 20-20 Design Version 10 interior design and production application. The software provides realistic 3D renderings and thousands of flexible items from manufacturer catalogs, and place and track orders in real time (through LIVEorder) from multiple project sources and subcontractors.

Version 10 links design and manufacturing, along with purchasing through 20-20 LiveORDER that submits and tracks orders in real time to multiple manufacturers simultaneously

20-20 Technologies has moved continuously to bring 3D visualization earlier in the sales cycle for designers, striking a deal with Interiorvista in March for 3D visualization of room designs. "Companies in the interior design and furniture industries continually seek for better methods to engage customers earlier in the buying process and to convert these prospects into buyers," the firm says.

20-20 Technologies also has responded to the tablet reader trend, announcing in the fall its 20-20 Icovia Tablet Edition, a mobile companion application to its existing online interior space planning solution for retailers, manufacturers, interior designers and their customers. Icovia was acquired by 20-20 in 2008.

“Mobile commerce is growing exponentially. It’s being driven by consumers,” says John Thompson, 20-20 Icovia’s Sales Manager. Now offered for the iPad, Android versions will follow.

Though aimed at furniture, 20-20 Icovia already includes design for home offices — offered by many closets firms.

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