The Next BIG THING in Office Interiors
2000-09-01 06:00:00 -0600

"Mother of Invention"

A teetering tower of dog-eared catalogs is often the beginning of every design project. "In the process of working in the interior design industry, one cannot help but notice how fragmented it is," says Stacey Tiveron, founder and Chief Executive Officer, TODL.com, CLearwater, FL.

Internet to the rescue! The design community has brought the research and specification process on-line, saving time and money.

On-line databases are creating centralized locations where facilities and design professionals can perform project research and speed the purchasing process. "The faster the (professional) can find products for his/her project, the faster the projects will go, the more that can be done," says Tiveron. Internet resources can supplement design libraries with the most up-to-date information and facilitate creative presentations.

An array of websites provides new opportunities for alliances among facilities managers, manufacturers, dealers and buyers. "Our desire is not to create channel conflicts," says Tiveron. "Our purpose is to help all sides of the industry. We figure if we help all sides, they will all profit and be more efficient."