​​Technology in the office furniture industry remains a complex, often misunderstood landscape. While we seamlessly navigate smart homes and voice assistants in our personal lives, many professionals step back decades when entering their workplace technology ecosystem.

Kari Anderson, founder of UX&Kari and the Techbox Collective, brings clarity to this digital divide. With over three decades of experience transitioning from commercial interior designer to UX specialist, she bridges the gap between users and technology in an industry where systems typically don't communicate.

The fundamental challenge isn't a lack of technology but rather disconnected solutions. Consider a single chair design journey: it begins in an architectural firm using Revit, gets recreated by a dealership using furniture-specific software like CET, then enters yet another system at the manufacturer. Each transition risks data loss and duplication of effort – inefficiencies the industry can no longer afford.

Through initiatives like The Data Collective, industry leaders are establishing desperately needed standards so data can flow seamlessly across platforms. Kari emphasizes the importance of having a "source of truth" – typically an ERP system that contains comprehensive product information – feeding consistent data to all touchpoints.

As AI increasingly shapes our industry, Kari offers practical wisdom: don't run from technology but don't overwhelm yourself either. Start with small daily challenges, focus on tools that directly benefit your business today, and consider adding a dedicated technology specialist to your team – an investment that quickly pays dividends through increased efficiency.

Whether you're a manufacturer struggling with data management or a dealer navigating software integration, this conversation provides valuable insights for making technology work for you rather than against you.

In this episode: