National 4-H Council Partners With MethodFactory to Launch New Online Store
Sarasota, FL (September, 2010) – National 4-H Council, the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA, launched its online eCommerce website this month under its National 4-H Supply Service (eCommerce and catalog) division. Sarasota-based MethodFactory developed the site, www.4-Hmall.org, with Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 and MethodFactory’s own commerce enhancement tools, to meet the growing needs of the organization and its members.
Prior to engaging MethodFactory, the 4-H Mall website used a custom commerce system that no longer met its needs. The site lacked agility and modern functionality, and the graphic design did not represent its contemporary image. Timing and other important considerations for implementing a new solution helped drive the initiative and the selection of a technology partner. Council had recently invested in a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system and needed a solution that could be integrated. The National 4-H Supply Service also had an impending mass mailing of its annual catalog just a few months away. It needed a new eCommerce website to be up and fully functioning to support and supplement catalog sales by the time the catalog was delivered. In order to meet its critical timeline, goals and budget, Council would need to find a technology partner who knew eCommerce inside and out and who had ERP integration experience.
National 4-H Council partnered with MethodFactory based on its extensive experience with Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 and ERP integration, as well as its out-of-the-box commerce extension tools to enhance Microsoft’s customer, product catalog, and marketing management. Considering Council’s tight timeframe and budget, it was determined that MethodFactory’s B2C Storefront Accelerator would be the perfect fit for accomplishing Council’s eCommerce goals.
MethodFactory redesigned the site graphically with a clean, logical, and contemporary look - utilizing the latest in CSS interface design, and providing the flexibility to change the aesthetics of the site as it evolves. The new site was architected with a modern category browse, guided navigation, and search functionality, as well as a streamlined check-out process and a membership management area. MethodFactory implemented Sitefinity Content Management System and integrated with Council’s ERP system, streamlining the business and creating a user-friendly environment on the front end as well as the back end.
“MethodFactory delivered a quick-time-to-market, no-nonsense eCommerce solution that gave us extensive phase-1 functionality and extensibility to add additional features as our needs evolve,” said Kirk James, Director of Information Technology at National 4-H Council. “Our return on investment considerations included benefits derived from significant increases in sales, staff efficiency, and customer/member satisfaction and loyalty.”
About National 4-H Council
National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters, which is located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA, and which is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Its programs are implemented by the 109 land grant colleges and universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their local Extension offices and are further supported by 514,000 dedicated adult volunteers around the nation who help to put youth on a path towards successful careers. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org.
About National 4-H Supply Service
Since 1924, the National 4-H Supply Service has supported 4-H activities and programs. As the only authorized agent for all items bearing the 4-H name and emblem, the 4-H Supply Service distributes the 4-H Source Book to more than 300,000 households each year. Additionally, the online 4-H Mall allows for direct and efficient online ordering.
The National 4-H Supply Service also distributes educational resources including the nationally-juried experiential learning 4-H youth development curricula recommended for use in all states, counties and territories. For more information go to www.4-HMall.org.