Industry-standard solution from New Home Technologies will lead to more efficient options marketing for builders and manufacturers and increased satisfaction for new home buyers
AUSTIN, Texas – February 15, 2005 – The building industry’s leading homebuilders and product manufacturers today announced the launch of Envision, the industry-owned options management solution. Developed by New Home Technologies, a joint venture subsidiary of Builder Homesite, Inc., Envision is a fully integrated options management platform designed to help the homebuilding industry manage the often complex process of marketing options for new homes. Created for the entire building industry, Envision includes specific tools for manufacturers, builders, and homebuyers.
“The strength of Envision goes well beyond the technology that is being released today,” said Melissa Morman, Chief Operating Officer for Builder Homesite and New Home Technologies. “The driving force behind Envision has been that in order to create the best product for the industry, the industry leaders themselves need to conceive and design it. The real power of this product is the group of leading homebuilders and manufacturers who have collaborated on a solution that truly works for everybody involved in the options management process.”
By leveraging the power of the industry consortium, and addressing all aspects of the options management and design process – from data management, to design education, to option selection – Envision will be the first truly scaleable options management system. The four Envision modules help overcome the traditional barriers to effective options marketing, including complex data management and integration issues, and the limitations of selling options in physical design centers. Envision allows homebuyers to go online and use a simple, visual tool to select options for their new home – saving time and frustration and as a result increasing customer satisfaction.
“For years we have been challenged with the task of defining and explaining ‘options’ to our buyers,” said Heather Humphrey, Chief Information Officer for David Weekley Homes. “The huge value to the Envision project is our new ability to tap into the manufacturer’s collateral on line and on demand. Our customers will have the visuals and information they need to get a clear picture of what products they are able to put into their home.”
Home product manufacturers have been entering product data into Envision’s Product Manager for several months through XML feeds or an online interface. They can include descriptions, features, styles, multimedia presentations and even product manuals and warranties giving them a unique and targeted way to gain exposure for their products among homebuyers. Participating manufacturers include: Georgia-Pacific, Hearth & Home Technologies, Honeywell, Kohler, Masco, Overhead Door, Owens Corning, Progress Lighting, Square D, Therma-Tru, Weyerhaeuser, Whirlpool Corporation, York International. In addition there are hundreds of ‘Envision-enabled’ manufacturer participants coming on board to support the launching Builders.
“Envision has demonstrated the ability to meet a number of needs with a streamlined process, ” said Jim Decker, vice president of brand management for Progress Lighting. “Our homebuilders rely on us as lighting experts. Envision provides a way to not only share product information with our builders, but help educate their customers with lighting techniques and product knowledge, allowing them to make more informed decisions in less time.”
To prepare for the launch, builders have been feeding options data for their new home communities and then using Envision Options Manager to link this data with information about specific products. Builders can organize options according to their organizational structure and business needs, and then create options packages and rules for communities.
As new home buyers take on the task of choosing options for their new home they will enjoy a customized experience within a builder branded website that is “powered by Envision”. Ten early adopter builders from the consortium have already committed 50,000 homes to be a part of the program and they will begin their initial roll out in various markets this spring Participating builders include: Beazer Homes, Capital Pacific Holdings, David Weekley Homes, KB Home, Lennar Corporation, McGuyer Homebuilders, Morrison Homes, Standard Pacific Homes, Toll Brothers, and Village Homes.
About Builder Homesite and New Home Technologies
Builder Homesite, Inc., a consortium of 35 of the nation’s largest homebuilders, is today’s leading marketing and technology solutions provider for the home building industry. Its growing range of products and services are revolutionizing the way homes are marketed on the Internet. In 2002, Builder Homesite launched its first product, NewHomeSource.com, a consumer website offering the Internet’s most comprehensive information and selection of new homes. In 2004, Builder Homesite formed New Home Technologies, a subsidiary consortium of new homebuilders and product manufacturers, to create an integrated and standardized online new home design options management portal. Today Builder Homesite is continuing to extend its Internet technology expertise into new industries. For more information, go to www.newhometechnologies.com.
Press Contact
- Eleanor Bowman
(512) 413-5278
ebowman@relaxrunfastoptimize.rchshop.hol.es