Fort Washington, PA, February 22, 2002 – RATEX Business Solutions, Inc. (RBS), a leading independent provider of technology and management services to college stores, and the Follett Higher Education Group, the nation’s foremost college textbook wholesaler, announced today a joint marketing agreement involving system solutions for independently managed college stores.

RBS’ RATEX is the industry’s most comprehensive retail management technology solution, integrating all store operations, including EDI, inventory management, retail accounting, and point-of-sale. It is the preferred system for medium and large stores, those managing multiple locations, and those with sophisticated technology requirements. Cornell University, University of Connecticut, University of Colorado-Boulder, Brigham Young University, and the University of California, San Diego, are among the college stores successfully running their businesses with RATEX.

Through this new joint marketing agreement, Follett and RBS will promote the RATEX solution to the independently managed bookstores serving higher education at favorable terms should they commit to a prime-source agreement with Follett.

"In order to be the Total Service Provider for all college stores, Follett must have affiliates that meet and exceed the technology and application requirements beyond text management, web applications, and buyback. We believe RATEX is the best solution available today for stores that require a comprehensive, multi-faceted system," said Britt Hinton, Follett Higher Education Group Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations.

"RATEX is a proven solution with a 20-year history of powering many of the industry’s most prestigious college stores," stated Lawrence G. Daniels, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of RBS. "Follett’s endorsement of RATEX for its independently managed store customers will build upon RATEX’s solid track record of success and viability in the college store marketplace."

According to Daniels, all RATEX customers can potentially realize significant savings through a year-old "Millennium Partnership" program between Follett and the Retail Alliance, the not-for-profit organization of independent college and university stores that owns RBS. The Millennium Partnership program provides RA members and Follett customers with business benefits that enhance used book availability and business profitability.

Retail Alliance President and Chairman Richard W. McDaniel, who is Associate Vice President of Campus and Business Services at Cornell University, pointed to the Millennium Partnership and the new joint marketing agreement between RBS and Follett as prime examples of the Retail Alliance’s mission. "Our aim is to leverage the market power of large and influential independent colleges stores through strategic ‘win-win’ partnerships with industry leaders like Follett Higher Education Group," stated McDaniel. "That’s how we’ll succeed in helping college stores maximize their purchasing power, profitability, and ability to compete in a global marketplace."

RATEX Business Solutions, Inc. (RBS) provides powerful technology and business management services to the college store industry and is owned by Retail Alliance Inc., a not-for-profit organization of independent college and university stores. In addition to RATEX, the industry’s most comprehensive retail management system, RBS provides an array of business consulting services and training programs to independently managed college stores.

Follett Corporation is a worldwide leader in providing educational products and services. The Follett Higher Education Group is the foremost supplier of used books in North America. Follett also serves more than 4 million students and over 300,000 faculty through its 680 stores in the United States and Canada. In recognition of its more than 79 years of service to the National Association of College Stores, Follett will receive an award at the Association’s upcoming CAMEX 2002 conference, a premier collegiate retailing industry event.

For more information about the RBS-Follett joint marketing agreement or Millennium Partnership program, contact Larry G. Daniels at (800) 417-2839, ext. 4128.