Rite Aid prescribes knowledge distribution
By distributing information through its intranet to every field associate in every store, national drugstore chain Rite Aid expects to better serve its customers and quickly absorb current business trends.
Rite Aid, one of the biggest nationwide retail and drugstores, has the fourth largest business satellite communication network in the U.S., which supports over 4,000 stores and 20,000 computers, cash registers and electronic devices. "We were seeking a technology that would allow quick and effective intranet communications to every field associate in every store," said Martin Grass, Rite Aid chairman and CEO.
Using BackWeb's Polite Server and InfoCenter server with Gilat Satelite Networks' Skysurfer satellite receiver, Rite Aid will share with its branch stores recent product information, training guidelines, software and multimedia applications, and corporate information like benefits changes and policy and procedure updates. By distributing product and corporate information, Rite Aid will strengthen the impact of new product announcements and promotions, increase customer service, and tighten communications with its branch offices and field employees.
"By keeping Rite Aid employees informed about current merchandising and marketing programs, Rite Aid will better serve its customers," said Kent Whiting, Rite Aid's Senior VP/IS. "Moreover, by effectively communicating with store associates, Rite Aid will be more flexible in taking advantage of current business trends."