Retail Alliance, Inc. & RATEX Business Solutions, Inc. An overview of the synergistic partnership between the companies and their clients… By Larry G. Daniels

RA & RBS Relationship… The RA organization exists to assist independent college and university bookstores to leverage collective member interests. RA programs often leverage system integrations between clients and vendor partners. RA is the parent/owner but RBS remains stand-alone and leading provider of independent store systems. RBS values and welcomes all clients regardless of their choice of affiliation with the RA.

RA/RBS Leadership & Structure… RA/RBS leadership/permanent board of directors: Rich McDaniel, CSP – President/Chair; Cornell Univ. Pam Mills, CSP – Vice-Chair University of Colorado – Boulder Bill Simpson – Secretary/Treasurer University of Connecticut John Turk, CSP – Director University of California – San Diego Roger Reynolds, CSP – Director; Brigham Young Univ. RA membership includes ~forty-four independent college stores participating on voluntary basis. Staffing to provide support of operations and client needs of both RBS and the RA.

Retail Alliance’s Stance… RA core priorities remain committed to the supporting the mission of independent options for stores. Independent Stores Vendor Programs VisualRATEX Capabilities Peer-To- Peer Interaction Core Priorities

Retail Alliance’s Stance… RA remains focused on core member programs and peer-to-peer cooperative member efforts. Growing existing hallmark partnership programs Follett Higher Education Group Millennium Partnership, Ingram Book Company, and NACSCORP programs.

Retail Alliance’s Stance… The addition of new partnership programs - Baker & Taylor/J.A. Majors and Kudzu Remainder Books. Increased opportunities for member metrics and best practice application through peer-to-peer meetings and vendor feedback summits.

Retail Alliance’s Stance… RA entrenched as, and plans to remain, active and participative owner of RBS committed to provide ongoing support of RBS and its mission. RA has, and continues to, invest substantially to enhance the future capabilities and success of client product and service offerings.

Retail Alliance’s Changes… Updates on staffing changes occurring since 2004 RUG Conference - since October RA operations and program development by yours truly. RBS management and product development thru addition of Jere Warner in Philadelphia office. Other new faces onboard.

Retail Alliance, Inc. & RATEX Business Solutions, Inc. Watch for new information coming soon to the RA/RBS Web sites: