wfn.org | TechShop saves church groups $4.5 million in 2001, exec says

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

April 5, 2002 News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{143}

By Nancye Willis*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodist Communications' TechShop saved
organizations that bought Microsoft software through the agency a collective
$4.5 million over retail prices in 2001.

The biggest share of the savings came through sales of the top two products,
Microsoft Office 2000 Premium and Microsoft Office 2000 Professional, at
about $1.2 million each, according to Linda Saunders, TechShop manager.

TechShop, a 24-hour-a-day online store, began its relationship with
Microsoft Corp. in September 2000 to provide church entities a less
expensive way to buy software. Since then, the store has added partnership
agreements and now offers Apple and Dell products to the denomination at
reduced prices.

Apple products are available to local churches, annual conferences, boards,
agencies, schools, colleges, hospitals, universities and other
church-related ministries, as well as to their employees. Dell products are
available to all United Methodist individuals and United Methodist-related
organizations.

TechShop's Apple and Dell stores carry third-party software and items made
by other companies, such as LCD projectors, digital cameras, scanners,
printers and other computer peripheral equipment. The partnerships and the
negotiated pricing expand agency efforts to create a churchwide
communications system, Saunders said.

Although she expects Microsoft to remain the mainstay of the effort for a
while, Saunders said more partnerships are in the works. "Within the next
few weeks, we will add Hewlett-Packard and other products through a
third-party vendor. We have also signed an agreement with Great Plains to
offer its Small Business Manager software."

Saunders has begun conversations with Adobe, not only to establish a
partnership agreement but also to help start a nonprofit program for the
industry giant.

More information about partnerships, available products and procedures is
available by writing to techshop@umcom.org or by calling toll-free (866)
521-1179. Orders can be placed online 24 hours a day at
www.umcom.org/techshop. 
# # #
*Willis is a staff member of United Methodist Communications' Public
Information Offic

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org