Client Challenge

While the textbook program at Cistercian Preparatory School provided convenience to parents, the staff was struggling to carry the burdens of on-site textbook management. According to Tim Parker, a teacher and the Textbook Coordinator, "We needed to simplify things for ourselves, without a terrible increase in inconvenience to the parents." The staff in the small business office was expending valuable time generating textbook invoices for its 350 students. In addition, as the Textbook Coordinator, Tim was managing book orders from 30 publishers and carting the sorted book piles to each classroom – all while balancing the responsibilities of teaching and managing the facilities. Beyond manpower requirements, the school was allocating much-needed space to store excess inventory, and was taking the financial risk of being left with non-refundable inventory when teachers or publishers switched to updated editions.

Solution

The solution to the challenges faced by Cistercian Preparatory School was found through an online bookstore program offered by MBS Direct. By moving to an online bookstore, Cistercian has eliminated the textbook headaches for the staff and is now able to offer parents the convenience of online ordering and at-home delivery. The business office staff no longer has to worry about textbook billing; the Textbook Coordinator can focus on more important aspects of his job; and the school isn't forced to commit cash and space to textbook inventory. While the school enjoys no longer being in the textbook business, they have continued to remain a customer of MBS Direct because of the service. As Tim notes, "The whole set-up is geared towards providing good customer service," which is why he recommends MBS Direct "without hesitation."

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