Eastern National will improve operational efficiencies and streamline processes after a comprehensive review and assessment by Columbus Consulting
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Oct. 23, 2018 – Columbus Consulting International, a leading retail consulting firm, announced today that it has worked in partnership with Eastern National to assess the company’s retail operations, including systems, processes and people, and create an IT roadmap to help the retailer execute on a three-year strategic plan. Eastern National is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit cooperating association supporting the interpretive, educational and scientific programs and services of the National Park Service and other public trust partners.
In addition to creating the IT roadmap, a key focus area of the engagement was evaluating Point-of-Sale (POS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, as the retailer is on a deadline to implement a new solution across its 310 stores and various eCommerce sites by 2021. Because stores are located within National Parks, visitors arrive in busloads or come-and-go in large groups, requiring quicker processing at the register.
“Columbus Consulting is well-known for its work in the retail industry, and for good reason,” said Megan Shelley, Chief Operating Officer, Eastern National. “They quickly understood our unique business model and suggested solutions that were achievable for our current organizational capacity. The research/gap analysis phase was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Working with Columbus to select and prepare for implementation of a new POS and ERP system will be a critical element of Eastern National’s strategic priorities and a main area of focus for us in 2019.”
The next step, as outlined in the roadmap created by Columbus Consulting, is for Eastern National to begin the POS and ERP vendor selection process and implement the “quick wins” that were identified during the project to improve operational efficiencies and streamline processes.
“With its mixture of physical, online and wholesale operations, Eastern National is not a typical retailer,” said Gary Hull, partner, Columbus Consulting. “At Columbus, we understand that the most important considerations when undertaking a transformational project such as this are to work within the company’s organizational bandwidth for change and any resource constraints, while ensuring preservation of the retailer’s key differentiators. By working with an outside consulting firm who understands these needs, Eastern National will be able to successfully address challenges in a cost-efficient and timely manner.”
About Eastern National
Eastern National is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit cooperating association, supporting the interpretive, educational, and scientific programs and services of the National Park Service and our other public trust partners. Founded in 1947 by a small group of National Park Service rangers, Eastern National’s vision is to serve as a shared-resource educational retailer for America’s special historical, cultural, and natural places. Our “sharing philosophy” provides all parks – regardless of size or revenue – that we support with the same benefits of having a retail and educational partner.
About Columbus Consulting International
Founded in 2001, Columbus Consulting comprises a team of highly experienced specialists in retail systems and processes. We combine pragmatism, innovation and years of experience to deliver services ranging from strategic insight to tactical project delivery. Our experience stems from holding executive responsibility in retail, and from successfully managing some of the most challenging projects in the industry. To learn more, visit www.columbusconsulting.com.
Media Contact
Adrienne Newcomb
Ketner Group Communications (for Columbus Consulting)
adrienne@ketnergroup.com
512-794-8876
