Clarity Consulting Helps Follett Higher Education Group Redefine Retail Experience With CourseTracks(TM)
Solution provides real-time data, reduces costs, and improves inventory management while delivering A+ consumer experience
Clarity Consulting Inc. today announced the full deployment of the new CourseTracks(TM) course materials management
system for Follett Higher Education Group, part of Follett Corporation -- the country's largest provider of educational tools and services and the
industry's pmier wholesale book distributor.
CourseTracks is a unique solution that redefines the bookstore experience from the inside out: delivering cost savings and improved productivity while
simultaneously enhancing the consumer experience at more than 800 college bookstores operated by the Follett Higher Education Group.
Working with Follett's business and technology teams, Clarity built CourseTracks to support a diverse range of new and existing bookstore
management functions including inventory tracking, ordering, and receiving, in-store book buyback, and data and system connectivity. Leveraging Microsoft
technologies including Visual Studio .NET, SQL Server, Crystal Reports and a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), Course Tracks' framework and
infrastructure integrates seamlessly with Follett's existing platforms to create a centralized information system connecting Follett's stores and Home
Office.
"Follett is singularly focused on helping our customers realize the full potential of higher education, and leveraging cutting-edge technology is a
critical part of the equation," said Doug Thompson, Sr. Vice psident, Information Technology, Follett Higher Education Group. "Working with Clarity
Consulting, we've been able to create solutions I am confident will drive business and brand benefits as well as core productivity and cost savings.
Collaborating with Clarity on CourseTracks has been a phenomenal experience. Their process and professionalism has allowed us to consider and, where
appropriate, redefine the bookstore experience."
In-store, CourseTracks uses a SmartClient model to help employees track and synchronize data such as campus course offerings and associated textbook
needs, textbook inventory levels, purchase orders, receiving information, and student buyback transactions. The system automates many functions, which
gives employees more time to spend on the sales floor focusing on customer service. In addition, the in-store application features a more intuitive,
icon-based user interface that helps reduce training time for new employees.
At the home office, CourseTracks provides greater visibility and control. The customized store-to-office architecture allows Follett to maintain
"perpetual inventory mode" -- processing up to 2.8 million records on an average day and providing up-to-the-minute information on which books are
in-stock or out, where they're located, and what's "hot" vs. not. All of which helps improve management efficiency, pricing, and trending insight,
which in turn saves time and money.
And for Follett's customers -- pdominantly college students -- the CourseTracks solution makes it easier to find what they're looking for,
faster.
"Clarity believes there is a huge opportunity for retailers to not only improve operations but differentiate their brand through smart technology,"
said Don Peterson, Principal, Clarity Consulting. "Savvy partners like Follett have recognized this early and we're thrilled to have supported them
in the creation of CourseTracks. We believe CourseTracks is a great example of the value of custom software as a practical and strategic business tool."
About Clarity Consulting Inc.
Clarity Consulting Inc. designs, develops, and implements custom software solutions to help clients achieve their unique visions and drive business
results. Clarity's versatile and talented consulting teams specialize in experience design, application development, business intelligence, legacy
integration and e-commerce websites for a range of clients, from retail and manufacturing industries to financial institutions. Clarity Consulting Inc.
is based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. For more information about our company, our people, and our solutions, please visit www.claritycon.com.
About Follett Higher Education Group
Follett Higher Education Group of Oak Brook, IL, is the leading provider of bookstore services and the foremost supplier of used books in North
America. Follett services four million students and over 375,000 faculty through more than 800 stores. Follett also services more than 1,600
independent campus stores with its wholesale services, and has the most visited e-commerce collegiate Web site, efollett.com, that provides services
and products through a network of more than 900 campus stores. For additional information about Follett, please visit www.fheg.follett.com.