In an increasingly digital-first marketplace, where does the furniture fit in?

Since its founding in 1998, nmedia has focused on providing digital solutions to help brands and retailers in the B2B sector manage product data, streamline order processing, and improve integration with e-commerce platforms. Founded by Nicolaus Gedat, the company initially aimed to leverage the internet to create more efficient services for businesses.

In 2019, nmedia, in collaboration with Messe Frankfurt and EK/servicegroup, launched Nextrade, now known as nmedia.hub. This platform supports the home & living sector by simplifying post-order processes and managing article data. nmedia’s solutions include automated data exchange, order processing, and business document management (orders, confirmations, delivery notes, invoices) via EDI/API.

One of NMedia’s primary innovations is its ability to extend the traditional trade show experience beyond the event itself. The nmedia.hub platform acts as a digital extension of fairs like Ambiente, the mega fair held in Frankfurt, Germany by Messe Frankfurt every February. 

While Ambiente remains a vital in-person gathering for the industry, nmedia’s platform provides a way for brands and retailers to maintain year-round engagement. It offers continuous access to product data, inventory, and order management, ensuring the conversation doesn’t stop when the event ends. Their online environment functions similarly to platforms like Etsy, connecting sellers and buyers, but tailored specifically for B2B services and transactions.

In our conversation with Nicolaus Gedat, Founder & Managing Director of nmedia GmbH and Philipp Ferger, Managing Director of nmedia GmbH & Vice President Messe Frankfurt, we discuss how their platform can help furniture manufacturers manage product data, automate order processing, and integrate with existing business systems.

We also explore how the company is expanding offerings for the furniture sector and how their solutions support manufacturers in streamlining operations throughout the year, beyond the traditional trade show cycle.

Nmedia origins and where they are headed

DNN: What inspired you to found NMedia and address digital transformation challenges in order and content management?

Ferger: Our Managing Partner, Nicolaus Gedat, founded nmedia in 1998 during the early days of the internet in business. His vision was to create electronic platforms that complemented exhibitions, enabling a 365 days communication and automation between exhibitors and visitors.

This idea aimed to make exhibitions more efficient and impactful by extending their influence beyond physical events and fostering continuous engagement. The goal was to harness the emerging potential of digital tools to create more connected, responsive, and scalable solutions for businesses involved in exhibitions.

DNN: How has the company’s vision evolved since its inception?

Gedat: Since its founding, nmedia’s vision has expanded from supporting exhibitions to addressing the growing complexities of digital commerce. 

Initially focused on creating year-round engagement for exhibitors and visitors, the company recognized the need to adapt to a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Today, nmedia specializes in streamlining data integration and automating processes across systems like ERP, PIM, and logistics. 

This evolution reflects its commitment to providing comprehensive solutions that enhance operational efficiency, ensure data quality, and enable businesses to meet the ever-growing demands of modern marketplaces and online shops while staying ahead in the competitive digital economy.

What makes nmedia different

DNN: What sets nmedia’s content management platform apart from other similar solutions in the market?

Ferger: nmedia’s content management platform stands out as a unique solution in the market, offering unmatched integration with leading European brands through full EDI and internet-based services. 

Unlike standard platforms that merely connect buyers and sellers, nmedia goes further by prioritizing advanced data automation.

Through nmedia.EDI or the nmedia.HUB, buyers automatically receive comprehensive product information—such as images, descriptions, and article data—seamlessly integrated into their systems. This ensures smooth functionality for e-commerce platforms, ERP systems, or even point-of-sale solutions. 

nmedia’s commitment to automation and data quality eliminates manual data handling, enabling more efficient operations for both buyers and sellers.

DNN: How do you approach customizing solutions for different client needs?

Gedat: With over 25 years of experience and deep expertise, nmedia is uniquely positioned to tailor solutions that meet diverse client requirements. 

Whether the client requires standardized data formats or highly individualized configurations, our approach is entirely driven by their specific needs and IT systems.

Our platform’s flexibility allows us to seamlessly deliver data optimized for any system—be it ERP, e-commerce platforms, PIM, or bespoke IT solutions. 

By focusing on the client’s goals and adapting to their technological environment, we ensure our solutions are both efficient and future-proof, providing seamless integration and exceptional performance.

Tech and innovation in design

DNN:  Can you describe the primary technological innovations that enable your centralized content platform?

Ferger:  The key innovation behind nmedia’s centralized content platform lies in its unparalleled flexibility and user-centric design. Unlike conventional solutions that impose rigid requirements on users, nmedia adapts to the specific needs of both sellers and buyers, allowing them to operate seamlessly within their own systems.

This adaptability is achieved through advanced integration technology that ensures compatibility with diverse IT infrastructures, whether ERP, PIM, e-commerce platforms, or custom-built systems. By prioritizing the requirements of the user rather than dictating a one-size-fits-all approach, nmedia empowers businesses to leverage their existing tools while benefiting from automated, high-quality data flow across their operations.

DNN: How do you ensure seamless integration with various ERP systems?

Gedat:  We have extensive knowledge of all major ERP systems and the expertise gained from establishing thousands of successful connections. Whether it’s connecting a new ERP system to our nmedia platform or integrating an existing one, our team is well-versed in handling a wide range of systems.

This depth of experience allows us to ensure seamless integration that meets the specific requirements of each client. By leveraging our proven methodologies and deep understanding of data workflows, we can facilitate smooth data exchange and maintain high operational efficiency across diverse IT environments.

The challeneges of digital-first

DNN: What are the biggest challenges businesses face in digital order and content management that NMedia helps solve?

Ferger:  There are two major challenges that businesses commonly face in digital order and content management: the requirements of their own systems, including data formats and transfer technologies, and the growing number of suppliers and retailers they must manage. 

nmedia addresses these challenges by offering a flexible and adaptable platform that can integrate with a wide variety of systems, ensuring compatibility and seamless data exchange. Additionally, our platform helps businesses streamline their interactions with multiple suppliers and retailers, reducing complexity and improving efficiency. 

By centralizing data management and automating processes, nmedia enables businesses to effectively handle these challenges and optimize their operations.

DNN: How has the digital transformation landscape changed since you started the company?

Gedat:  The digital transformation landscape has changed dramatically since the early 2000s—it’s a completely different world now. 

Back then, businesses were primarily dealing with manual processes and a much slower pace of technological adoption. Today, automation and real-time data exchange are at the core of operations, reshaping how companies manage content and orders.

The shift towards cloud-based solutions, enhanced integration capabilities, and the rise of e-commerce platforms have drastically reduced manual work and improved efficiency. nmedia has adapted continuously to these advancements, helping businesses stay agile and competitive in an increasingly digitalized market.

Where does the furniture fit in? 

DNN:  We noticed that furniture companies seem to be underrepresented on your current platform. What are the challenges in bringing furniture brands into your centralized content management system, and what strategies are you developing to increase furniture industry participation?

Ferger:  Our background is in giftware, tableware, kitchenware, and the world of decoration—specifically around the Ambiente show. Adding a new segment like furniture at the next Ambiente, we plan to have conversations with suppliers from the furniture industry. 

We already have experience managing variants in products, so we can adapt our system to meet the specific criteria of this industry, such as diverse product types and configurations.

To increase furniture industry participation, we are developing targeted strategies that involve closer collaboration with furniture brands to understand their needs and tailor our solutions accordingly. This includes customized content management, integration with existing product data formats, and leveraging our proven automation capabilities to streamline operations for furniture companies.

Manufacturer impact

DNN: Could you share any client success stories?

Gedat:  We can showcase numerous leading brands in our industry that have seen over 50% of their orders processed through nmedia.EDI and nmedia.HUB. 

On the buyers’ side, we have connected more than 1,200 retailers and retail organizations across all channels. A notable success story is that we have become the standard in the industry for efficient and automated order management.

By centralizing data exchange and streamlining order processing, our platform has helped these brands significantly improve their operational efficiency, reduce manual handling, and enhance customer satisfaction. This widespread adoption highlights the tangible benefits of our solutions and their impact on industry standards.

DNN: How do you measure the effectiveness of your solutions for clients?

Ferger:  Each customer measures effectiveness in their own unique way. Key elements include the speed of operations and the number of employees saved through the use of nmedia services, which optimize performance.

We also track metrics such as order processing times, data accuracy, and overall operational efficiency improvements. By focusing on these key performance indicators, we can demonstrate the tangible benefits of our solutions and how they contribute to cost savings, streamlined workflows, and enhanced productivity for our clients.

Plans for the future of design trade shows (onine)

DNN: With support for over 400 brands, what are your criteria for adding new brands to the platform?

Gedat: The primary criterion for adding new brands to the platform is their desire to digitize their business processes and connect with retail partners. We also consider the relevance of these brands to our target audience.

Our goal is to provide a platform that meets the specific needs of these brands while enabling them to engage effectively with their retail partners and customers. 

By focusing on brands that are aligned with our digitalization goals and target market, we can ensure that our platform delivers value and supports meaningful growth for all stakeholders involved.

DNN: How do you see content management and digital ordering processes evolving in the next 3-5 years?

Ferger:  In the next 3-5 years, we expect content management and digital ordering processes to become even more integrated and intelligent, leveraging advanced automation and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and accuracy. 

At nmedia, we are focused on staying at the forefront of these changes by continually evolving our platform to meet the dynamic needs of businesses.

Our solutions will prioritize seamless integration with ERP, PIM, and e-commerce systems, enabling real-time data synchronization and personalized content delivery. 

We also foresee greater automation in managing product data, inventory, and order fulfillment, reducing manual intervention and improving customer satisfaction. nmedia aims to support businesses in adapting to these trends, providing scalable, future-proof solutions that enhance operational agility and help brands thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

DNN: What upcoming features or improvements are you most excited about?

Gedat:  [We’re] excited about several upcoming enhancements that will significantly improve our platform. First, we’re releasing a new administration panel designed to provide better self-service options, making it easier for clients to manage their services independently. This will streamline operations and reduce dependency on support for routine tasks.

We’re also focusing on integrating multiple new marketplaces to expand our clients’ sales channels and reach a broader audience. 

Additionally, we’re enhancing our automation capabilities to make processes easier to manage and more efficient, ensuring that data handling is smooth and orders are fulfilled quickly. These improvements are aimed at boosting flexibility, efficiency, and scalability for businesses navigating the digital landscape.

To learn more about nmedia, Messe Frankfurt and the upcoming Ambiante mega-fair, visit them online.