The latest version 5.8 of Virtual Worlds Pro, the acclaimed and widely used CAD design software for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industry, has just been released featuring innovative new features and the latest catalogues from the extensive list of manufacturers including Heritage Bathrooms, Villeroy & Boch, H & R Johnson, Porcelanosa and Crosswater.

It is reported that over 80% of the UK population regularly use the internet, and for many it has become a key source of information when making purchasing decisions. In the KBB sector, viewing a retailer’s website can be the initial filter stage and basis on which a customer decides whether to visit a company’s showroom, and the new generation of CAD design software is proving to be an excellent online promotional tool for those retailers looking to demonstrate their unique design skills and offer the customer an inspiring vision.

SMART Systems, pioneers in business solutions for the kitchen and bathroom industry, and Miele, the world leader in the production of high quality domestic appliances, are pleased to announce the launch of an online contract quoting facility, which aims to provide Miele’s Project Partners with the highest level of service in the industry. The system, which utilises Cloud computing, is open to all Miele Project Partners and promises to instantly deliver increased efficiency.

Input marble worktops, textured tiles and all types of door finishes with VR Texture Interface - for even greater realism! VR Kitchen, VR Bedroom and VR Bathroom by Nexus Design Software are specifically designed to make designers and retailers more efficient and more profitable. Their latest development is the fully integrated Texture Interface (Ti) that enables VR users to input jpeg images directly from manufacturers, bringing even greater realism to designs!

Buying a new kitchen or bathroom is an important decision for consumers who are now more informed in their product choices due to increasingly available product information via media such as the internet. They may go to multiple showrooms for quotes or ideas and they will expect retailers to have a CAD program that can generate accurate, high quality and inspirational images.

Need help winning more sales, M’n’G designs easy to use, affordable and well featured SuperView25 could be for you. Their system provides quality 3Ds that can be altered interactively so your client appreciates your proposals. Quality scale plans and item lists let you know exactly what is required to complete the order.

Microcad Software has launched the latest autoclosets version 7.0. Combining the new features of autokitchen 10 with the help of the new catalogue editor (optional), users are able to manage the method of construction for the cabinets which allows control over how the panels will be assembled in order to create the carcass. This means that autokitchen will now automatically produce an accurate parts list for the construction of the cabinets.

As the UK’s largest kbb business management software provider, EQ’s portfolio progressed into the web arena after a successful launch at KBB 2010. “It isn’t all about selling online,” explains EQ Software marketing manager Neil Schofield. “Rather more about a presence and increasing showroom traffic and leads.”

Fusion by 20-20 Technologies is the market leader for kitchen and bathroom design software in the home improvement sector, providing innovative software solutions across the industry from leading manufacturers to independent retailers.

Craig Rothwell, MD of 20-20 Technologies commented: “Fusion software is designed to specifically deliver the highest quality of professional bathroom and kitchen design software.”

M’n’G designs are celebrating their Silver Jubilee year with their new CAD software aptly called SuperView 25. To the acclaimed speed and ease of use they have added outstanding versatility and a very special ‘time limited’ launch offer.

Whether you are new to CAD or considering the wisdom and cost of upgrading your existing program (any make) you can have a full program for only £ 150 x 4 monthly payments. (+ vat). And no need to trade in the old one. To qualify simply order and pay the first instalment by 14th May.

The long awaited upgrade to VR Kitchen 3D design software VR Kitchen Version9, is now available and integrates many assets designers asked for, including bow drawer packs, under mount sinks, new wood textures, gloss finished doors, no handle and longer rod handle designs, plus many others.

EQ Software has announced the 30th customer to sign up for eStore kbb website development so far.

EQ eStore provides the potential kbb retailer or manufacturer with a fully content managed system (CMS) website on any one of three levels. Entry ‘Level 1’ is a brochure website. ‘Level 2’ adds to that providing an eCommerce platform to sell non-complex furniture and appliances, with ‘Level 3’ eCommerce including enhanced furniture specification capability.

CGI has shown the industry in 2010 not only great value for money, increased media flexibility and faster time to market but moreover that CGI is here to stay and will become more amazing and produce more KBB visuals every year moving forward. Unreal Evolution Industry momentum is moving fast and as traditional photographers scramble to understand or manage the recognition of this medium, what remains clear is that within a very short timeframe traditional photographic set shoots will be reduced significantly and largely eliminated across our industry.

Seeing a realistic image of how your new kitchen or bathroom could look is certainly a persuasive sales tool and systems like Virtual Worlds from Logicom excel in this area. Imagine the power of being able to tour a simulation of that room at your leisure and in the comfort of your own home.

Autokitchen (KBB) & AutoDecco are easy to use interior design programs powered by the world’s leader in CAD technology (AutoCAD OEM). They are stand-alone programs and 100% AutoCAD compatible. Our professional version has all the tools needed for the user or manufacturer to create, maintain and update their own libraries for designing and pricing.

Many hundreds of KBB Retailers throughout the UK have been registering to use the phenomenally successful KBBConnect® since the official launch at KBB 2010 in Birmingham last year. The current functionality of this online system encompasses Quoting and Ordering, which is, and will always remain, FREE to use by the KBB retailer. There is now no need to invest in expensive software licences, high spec hardware systems and ongoing maintenance fees!

It goes without saying that excellent sales skills are one of the keys to the success of any KBB Business……..but ignore efficiency at one’s peril!

With today’s economic climate, KBB Businesses need to deliver more with less and over the last twenty five years, the IT industry has provided the means with which to help achieve this with the evolution of CAD , manufacturing solutions and specialist business management systems. These do though come at a price to both purchase and maintain and possibly the need for upgraded hardware.

KBBConnect® has announced that they have recently approved the 1,000th registration to use their unique KBB Online Quoting and Ordering System. This milestone was achieved by Moment Kitchens of Bedford.

CGI has shown the industry in 2010 not only great value for money, increased media flexibility and faster time to market but moreover that CGI is here to stay and will become more amazing and produce more KBB visuals every year moving forward. Unreal Evolution Industry momentum is moving fast and as traditional photographers scramble to understand or manage the recognition of this medium, what remains clear is that within a very short timeframe traditional photographic set shoots will be reduced significantly and largely eliminated across our industry.

M’n’G designs latest version is due for imminent release – with even more features, better graphics and easier to use, SuperView25 is a winner!

There are a range of very affordable packages from just £799 for a kitchen or bathroom design system with no recurring charges!

Linked to the industries leading business management solution, EQ Software’s latest innovation eStore gives retailers the opportunity to expand their business onto the web. More importantly they have the chance to sell their products and services in an ecommerce store that is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and with integration to EQ’s industry leading business management solution ensuring that their products are synchronised, they can be confident that their websites are always current.

Since the launch of the market-leading design software for the bathroom industry earlier this year, Fusion has gone from strength to strength with an ever-increasing number of major manufacturers on board to make it an irresistible design package for the retailer.

Microcad Software is an AutoCAD® OEM developer specialists in easy-to- use interior design programs to provide designers with the ultimate tools for unlimited flexibility, simplicity, and freedom of design.

Powered by AutoCAD® engine, which by far the world’s leader CAD technology, it is used by over twenty million people and is now a days the standard format in the CAD industry.

Leading software design specialist for the KBB sector, ArtiCAD, announces that its i-Choose interactive sales presentation tool, has been granted a patent in the UK. Registration for the rest of the world is in progress.

The economic climate has taken its toll on many businesses, and the Bathroom and Kitchen sector is not without its victims. But if we are to survive then we have to cut our cloth accordingly and cherish every opportunity of business as it comes.

One of the biggest challenges facing KBB manufacturers is the constant need to provide their retailers with up to date information regarding their products. This is normally with reference to price changes, products becoming obsolete and new ranges introduced. Traditionally, this has been conveyed through the medium of a catalogue! However, the financial cost for this exercise is astronomical, is very inefficient and the environmental impact is verging on the criminal.

The launch of KBBConnect™ at KBB2010 in March was a huge success and in the intervening two months, over 800 KBB retailers have registered to use this highly innovative Web based quoting and ordering system.

Nexus Snapshot is a new rendering tool from Nexus Design Software which enables you to render your VR product designs to produce photorealistic output.

Logicom extends its comprehensive Bathroom and Kitchen capabilities in Virtual Worlds with a new generic Bedrooms module. A specific catalogue for Daval Bedrooms is also already available. New “connection points” technology makes it really simple to fashion the internal layouts of drawer and shelf units. In kitchens, new curved models for units and worktop segments are available – for standard and in-frame designs. In Bathrooms and Tiling there are new catalogues from Merlyn, Showerlux, BC Sanitan, Jacuzzi, Carron Baths, Burgbad, and Porcelanosa. Updates are underway for Matki, Dansani, Aqata and many others plus a new generic Tile and Flooring catalogue with thousands of new tiles and ready-made templates.

This year has already seen some big changes at EQ Software, with a new name and image, new premises, celebrating their ten year anniversary, releasing version 10 of their market leading business management system and most significantly the launch of their new web solutions for the KBB industry eStore.

Award-winning software provider, ArtiCAD Ltd, is different because everything we do – every product or service innovation is designed to help you sell. Our leading KBB design software brands include ArtiCAD-Pro, ArtiCAD-Lite, BathCAD-Pro, BathCAD-Lite, ArtiCAD i-Design and i-Choose. Each is delivered by a knowledgeable and friendly team with years of KBB experience.

20-20 Technologies has launched a new version of kitchen and bathroom design software, packed with new features and enhancements to make the CAD process simpler and even more effective.

2020 Fusion launched the latest version of its Fusion CAD software at KBB 2010. Version 17 encompasses new features that customers’ have been requesting to make the product even more user-friendly.

Autokitchen 9 gives users the best tools to visualise, develop and communicate your ideas for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and interiors, increasing your design productivity and enhancing your creativity.