Homebuilders and Manufacturers Launch Options Mana
Austin, TX, February 15—-Some of 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. It includes specific tools for manufacturers, builders, and homebuyers.
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.
