Higher Education Solutions

Higher Education

Staples Advantage® can customize a program to meet the unique needs of your college or university, while also lowering costs. Supported by a dedicated team of experts who understand your institution’s specific requirements, you’ll receive specialized attention, world-class customer service and a program designed to meet your objectives.

 

    • With Staples Advantage, your institution will receive the following:

      • Proactive account and program management that provides a single point of contact and a consultative approach to designing and managing a program tailored for you
      • Cost-reduction strategies that help you achieve lowest total delivered cost and year-over-year program savings
      • Cooperative purchasing opportunities that allow you to participate in one of our many higher education publicly bid contracts for greater volume savings
      • Industry-leading customer service team of dedicated, highly trained experts who provide world-class service and support
      • Easy and efficient online ordering through our proprietary Web sites and the expertise to connect with your third-party platforms or proprietary systems 
      • Our retail purchasing program, which allows your staff to receive your preferred customer pricing on last-minute supplies and services at our more than 1,500 U.S. retail stores
      • Stability and dependability from a trusted supplier with the financial strength to offer consistent, sustainable value over the long term
      • A supplier who believes in corporate responsibility, which can be seen in our environmental products, recycling services, diversity programs, and commitment to charitable giving

       

    • Providing fast and FREE delivery is just a small part of what we do. With Staples Advantage, you also get a level of customized support that is unmatched in the industry. From your dedicated Account Manager to your customer service representatives, you’ll get a full team committed to delivering your institution the best possible service and savings.

      Account Management

      It’s our goal to make every experience with us easy. That’s why your Account Manager is your single point of contact for all your program and service needs, streamlining the process for simpler, faster results. Your Account Manager will provide consultative support to help you maximize savings and ensure that your program always meets your established goals and objectives. It’s no wonder that our customers point to their Account Manager as the number-one reason they choose to do business with Staples.

       

      Our Account Managers:

      • Are not responsible for new customer acquisition, enabling them to be 100% focused on improving existing customer programs
      • Have an average tenure of 10 years with Staples
      • Receive extensive training on customer service, product information and problem resolution
      • Are dedicated to creating the most cost-effective program for our customers and proactively recommend additional cost-saving opportunities
      • Work with you to grow compliance to your program so you can achieve the most savings 

      Customer Service

      “One and done.” That’s our mission when it comes to customer service. Providing knowledgeable and consistent support for your end users, our customer service team is empowered to provide resolution on first contact. Staples Advantage® Call Centers have been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for providing “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience” for eight years in a row. For J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Certified Call Center ProgramSM information, visit www.jdpower.com.

       

      eCommerce

      Control and efficiency are key to making the most of your budget. Staples Advantage can help you customize an online purchasing solution that will help you control costs, streamline ordering, increase program compliance, and minimize time spent on procurement.

       

      Our Web sites offer instant access to a vast array of products for your institution, with features that make ordering easy and give you maximum control over spend.

       

      Web site features include:

       

      • Easy search and navigation
      • Order tracking, status and proof of delivery
      • Saved shopping lists for frequently ordered items
      • An ink and toner finder to help you match the right products to your machines
      • Online returns to save you time

      Retail Stores

      There are always times when you need something now. That’s why we have our Retail Purchasing Program, a convenient same-day purchasing solution through our network of more than 1,500 Staples® U.S. stores. By registering your institution’s corporate procurement card, you’ll be able to take advantage of preferred customer pricing for office supplies and a full range of copy & print services.

       

      You’ll gain a powerful tool for allowing your end users to get what they need, when they need it, without going outside your established office supply program.

    • Our extensive network adds up to savings for your institution. Staples Advantage® is the vendor of a portfolio of national contracts that can address the specific needs of a higher education institution and help you save.

      NJPA (National Joint Powers Alliance®)

      NJPA (National Joint Powers Alliance)

      The National Joint Powers Alliance® (NJPA) is a municipal contracting agency and member-owned cooperative whose mission is to reduce the cost of purchased goods by leveraging the members’ combined purchasing power. Members can purchase products through their NJPA contracts, saving valuable time, staff resources and money. And Staples Advantage is NJPA's exclusive provider of office and classroom supplies and furniture solutions.

      For more information, visit staplesadvantage.com/njpa

      WAICU (Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities)

      WAICU (Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities)

      The Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) is an organization of the 20 independent (or private) institutions of higher learning in Wisconsin. WAICU was created to obtain better pricing and services for functions supporting members’ administrative needs. In a competitive bid process Staples was selected for WAICU's Office supply program.  Independent College associations in other states may consider participation in this competitive program. 

      For more information, visit staplesadvantage.com/WAICU

       

    • From classroom supplies to eco-conscious furniture, technology solutions to on-demand printing, Staples Advantage can help you manage all of your needs from one trusted source. Save time. Simplify.

      Specialized product and services for higher education include:

      Facility Solutions

      The smarter way to keep your school clean and efficient. Staples Advantage is the one source solution for all your custodial supplies.

      • Paper products and dispensers
      • Receptacles and liners
      • Mops, brooms and brushes
      • Teacher’s lounge and breakroom supplies
      • Soaps and hand sanitizers
      • Sustainable Earth by Staples™ eco-conscious cleaning supplies

      Learn more

      Business Interiors by StaplesSM

      Business Interiors by Staples can help design and deliver furniture for all areas of your university, including:

      • Faculty and staff desks
      • Furniture for classrooms, common areas, cafés, libraries and
        media rooms
      • Storage
      • Eco-conscious furniture solutions

      Learn more

      Print Solutions

      Staples® Print Solutions is the recognized leader in providing the print programs that support your specific recruiting, orientation, human resources, administration and operations, fund-raising, and extracurricular and alumni efforts.

      Staples Print Solutions provides print and print-related services, including:

      • Courseworks –– supplemental textbooks
      • Syllabus –– semester requirements for each class
      • Athletic departments –– schedules, media guides and posters
      • Publications –– assorted printed and copied materials
      • Alumni relations –– events, notices and postcards

      Learn more

      Technology Solutions

      Institutions must stay ahead of the game in order to remain relevant and effective within the constantly evolving world of technology. Staples Advantage offers customized solutions for all your technology needs.

      Our products and services include:

      • Electronic white boards (smart boards)
      • Presentation equipment
      • Audio/visual technology

      Learn more

      Promotional Products

      From decal stickers for alumni mailings to drawstring bags for admissions events, Staples offers custom promotional products that are sure to get your name out there. With access to thousands of exciting products, we’ll create the perfect promotional item for your campus on time and on budget.

      Learn more

    • The University

      Tufts University

      Founded in 1852, Tufts University is recognized among the premier universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence as it transforms students into leaders of a wide range of professions. Recognized for its breadth of research, Tufts has extensive and highly regarded liberal arts, sciences, and engineering programs that draw outstanding students from around the world. Tufts employs 3,500 people, and educates 8,500 students from more than 100 countries.

      The Challenge

      From Admissions to Financial Aid to Alumni Affairs, almost every aspect of a university relies on documents. Tufts was seeking ways to reduce operation costs, create simplified application and order entry processes, and improve student services. According to Contract Administrator Kelly Sullivan, more than 170 print providers were involved 24 months ago. Each department was operating independently and the number of suppliers was unmanageable. With expenditures in excess of $5 million in print, Tufts also realized it was not getting the best pricing based on the volume of print that it was procuring.

      The Solution

      The University knew that there was no single supplier that could do everything. As it reviewed the supplier base, it identified six categories of print procurement from corporate identity (business cards and letterhead) to small jobs, and complex high-end offset work, including annual reports and books. The University sent out an RFI to all 170 vendors. That resulted in an RFP being forwarded to 72 companies, and the number of total suppliers was ultimately reduced to 10 organizations. Within the supplier’s specified category, these organizations offer efficient operations and expertise to deliver the highest levels of quality, turnaround time, and service at the best price to the University. The selection was so effective that 90% of all spending is channeled through the 10 selected print service providers. Staples participates in the network and provides corporate identity materials, as well as digital printing. According to Kelly Sullivan, "The online tool for business cards, stationery, and letterhead is great. When someone orders business cards, they’re on their desk in four days or less. Users like the online access to a partner."

      Customer Quote

      "Our departments have worked with Staples for a long time. They deliver our office supplies and know the University community. Pricing is good and they deliver a quality product."

       

      Kelly Sullivan
      Contract Administrator
      Tufts University