BEIJING - Markor International Home Furnishings Co., says it selected an IBM (NYSE: IBM) MobileFirst for iOS app, empowering its sales associates with iPhones or iPads to place orders, demo products and show 3D images of custom furniture. Markor says analytics will give sales associates the ability to make personalized recommendations such as complementary pieces or fabric patterns personalized to a customer's unique taste and preferences.
A high-end furniture and home brand in China, Markor Furnishings manufactures for Ralph Lauren, and sells Ethan Allen furniture in CHina. It says the new IBM system records buyer preferences and captures purchase details. That data can, in turn, be analyzed to classify customers' historical buying behaviors - improving product recommendations - as well as to guide Markor on the design of new products and pricing."Markor Furnishings has always been committed to helping customers in China artfully create their perfect home," said Richard Feng, Chairman & CEO of Markor Investment Group Co., Ltd. "With the help of Apple and IBM, we will use analytics to provide our customers more personalized, efficient and high-quality service ideally suited to their unique tastes and preferences, ultimately realizing our strategy to provide customers a transformed, seamless shopping experience in the store and beyond."
The new IBM MobileFirst for iOS app will specifically address the requirements of lifestyle and home furnishing retailers.
"What we're delivering for Markor aims directly at the new quest of business -- smart technologies that unlock new value at the intersection of big data and individual engagement," said Nancy Thomas, Managing Partner of IBM Global Business Services, Greater China Group. "The home furnishing industry is in the perfect position to capitalize on this opportunity." Built exclusively for iPhone and iPad, IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps are delivered in a secure environment, embedded with analytics and linked to core enterprise processes, including manufacturing.
Markor International acquired Schnadig Furniture in the U.S. in 2009. In 2011, production of Schnadig International's licensed Ralph Lauren upholstered furniture line moved from China to North Carolina, where Key City Furniture of Wilkesboro, NC, produces Ralph Lauren chairs, sofas and love seats.
Markor entered into the furniture manufacturing industry since 1994, with years of rapid growth, company has become one of China's largest furniture manufacturers and exports nearly 200 million each year to six continents including North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, Africa, and sales spreading over the United States, Canada, Europe,
Japan, Australia and other countries and regions. Company has established a multi-level, all-round international marketing network, formed two furniture manufacturing bases in Xinjiang and Tianjin and ten furniture manufacturing plants, plus two timber Processing and Logistics centers in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. In 2004, the company's wholly owned subsidiary of Markor International Furniture (Tianjin) Manufacturing Co., Ltd. won the anti-dumping lawsuit from the United States, and was the only one "Zero Duty Rate" company nationwide.
The company successfully purchased the brand and the related assets of Schnadig Corporation, a prestigious company which is engaged in product design, supply and distribution of upholstery and case goods furniture in USA on Jan. 6th,2009. This acquisition marks a critical step taken in the direction toward transforming the Company's business into an Intelligent Business Model.
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