Storrs, CT, February 15, 2002 –To enable college stores to dramatically cut time and expense from their business processes, the Retail Alliance, Inc. (RA), a not-for-profit organization of independent college and university stores, and Ingram Book Company, one of the largest tradebook wholesalers within the college store industry, continue to collaborate on groundbreaking electronic data interface (EDI) capabilities patterned after those used by leading retailers in the general marketplace.

The EDI capabilities have been incorporated into RATEX, the comprehensive retail management system owned by RA subsidiary RATEX Business Solutions, Inc. (RBS) and used by many of the largest and most successful college and university stores in the country, including Cornell University, the University of Connecticut, and the University of California, San Diego.

RATEX Version 7.6 users can now retrieve electronic sales catalogs, systematically receive advance shipment notices from Ingram Book Company, streamline product delivery directly from the shipping carton to the sales floor, and automatically reconcile electronic invoices with product receiving records.

"We’re very excited to be partnering with the Retail Alliance to provide our college store customers with these revolutionary business capabilities," stated Joann Spyker, Vice President of Field Sales for Ingram Book Company. "Ingram is known for providing innovative solutions for booksellers worldwide, and no one knows the college store business better than the Retail Alliance. Together, we can offer college stores operational conveniences and competitive advantages they’ve never had before."

An additional benefit is the Ingram Prime-Source agreement that allows participating RA members the opportunity to realize significantly improved order fill rates and competitive discount of trade book titles. RATEX system users derive the additional benefit of integrated process improvements and the associated savings via the enhanced EDI capabilities integrated between Ingram and RBS.

"Helping college and university stores succeed is the primary mission of the Retail Alliance, and the strategic partnership between Ingram Book Company and the Retail Alliance represents a major step in that direction," stated Richard W. McDaniel, President and Chairman of the Retail Alliance and Associate Vice President of Campus and Business Services at Cornell University. "By creating channel linkages with outstanding organizations like Ingram and implementing the necessary technological capabilities into RATEX, we’re empowering RATEX users to conduct their business faster, more efficiently, and more profitably."

Retail Alliance, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization of independent college and university stores founded in 2000 with approximately 40 member stores. Based in Storrs, Connecticut, the Alliance works to enhance the ability of college and university stores to compete by sharing best business practices and developing business-to-business opportunities that deliver cost savings and efficiencies.

Ingram Book Group is a leading wholesaler of trade books, spoken audio, and magazines. Its operating units include Ingram Book Company, Ingram Periodicals Inc., Ingram International Inc., Ingram Library Services Inc., Spring Arbor Distributors Inc., Tennessee Book Company, Ingram Fulfillment Services Inc., and Ingram Customer Systems Inc.

RATEX Business Solutions, Inc. (RBS) of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, is a leading independent provider of technology and management consulting services to college and university stores. Owned by the Retail Alliance, RBS is dedicated to aligning technology with smart business to help collegiate retailers succeed. In addition to RATEX, the industry’s most comprehensive retail management system, RBS provides an array of business consulting services and training programs to college stores.

For more information about the Retail Alliance-Ingram strategic partnership, contact Larry G. Daniels at (800) 417-2839, ext. 4128.