Previously, Hardware Resources sold primarily to custom cabinet makers. However, around 2018, the company began targeting more kitchen cabinet dealers as part of its growth strategy and quickly recognized the challenges that this presented.

“The feedback that we were getting was that kitchen cabinet dealers tend to buy whatever organizer comes with the cabinet as standard. It meant they didn’t have to worry about pinch points because they knew the organizer would work with, and fit, the cabinet. So, what we were hearing was that many kitchen cabinet dealers wouldn’t use our organizers because they weren’t part of a cabinet system.”  - Megan Rushing, Chief Marketing and Product Officer, Hardware Resources.

At the same time, the company began receiving more requests from customers to add products to Design Flex (formerly 2020) and so the company made the decision to partner with Cyncly.

Design Flex is Cyncly’s industry-leading, cloud-powered kitchen and bath design software, packed with features that make it quick and easy for dealers to design kitchens and baths. This provided the perfect solution for Hardware Resources because it gave its customers the opportunity to see how its organizers would work with different cabinets. Ultimately, it allowed dealers to ‘try before they buy’ and gave them the opportunity to expand their offering.

“Having our organizers in Design Flex allows kitchen cabinet dealers to drop an organizer into a cabinet and see instantly how it all fits. It doesn’t solve the problem of dealers being able to buy a complete cabinet system that already has an organizer, but it does solve the problem of them being able to see what fits what cabinet. It really helped us get over that hurdle with some dealers.” - Megan Rushing

It also meant that customers that were using Design Flex only had to create one quote for their clients, which simplified the quoting and ordering process for dealers. Since 2018, Hardware Resources’ relationship with Cyncly has evolved and the company now has all its product catalogs on Design Flex.

“We started with organizers and we found the value there. I was very impressed by the number of catalog downloads we were getting so we now have lots of products in Design Flex.” - Megan Rushing

Cyncly updates and optimizes the software regularly as customer requirements change.

Stronger relationships and sales with existing dealers: Nearly half of Hardware Resources’ dealers use Design Flex, which meant adding its products to the software was a natural step. “Our survey of dealers in 2025 showed that nearly half were using Design Flex. Having our products in the Design Flex catalogs makes it easier for designers and dealers to specify, visualize, quote, and ultimately purchase Hardware Resources products. It streamlines their process and keeps our products integrated from design through ordering, which supports our goal of being easy to do business with.” - Megan Rushing

• Helped to onboard new dealers: “Being on Design Flex definitely helps us onboard new dealers. People say to me, ‘if you’re on Design Flex, I can use you more’. So, I have direct experience of customers becoming more interested in Hardware Resources once they know our products are on Design Flex.” - Megan Rushing
• Easier product launches: “Design Flex makes it much easier to introduce new products. In some categories, particularly cabinetry and closets, it’s absolutely critical because we have so many kitchen cabinet dealers that use the program to design and quote.” - Megan Rushing
• Fewer dealer errors: “Design Flex has helped dealers to reduce errors because they can design more intelligently and see which products fit which cabinet. They can then show their customers to make sure it’s what they want and within their budget.” - Megan Rushing
• Enhanced customer satisfaction: “Dealers that use Cyncly software are reporting higher levels of customer satisfaction and that’s important to Hardware Resources.” - Megan Rushing
• Supports growth: “The Cyncly team is always really responsive and works closely with us to figure out how we can grow with Cyncly and capture more market share.” - Megan Rushing

Hardware Resources’ relationship with Cyncly is continuing to evolve and the company is currently in the process of launching its products on Spaces Flex, Cyncly’s cloud-based, AI-powered design platform, which it anticipates will be a real benefit for customers as well as end consumers.