Newton, Mass.—Nestled in the College of Technology and Computer Science, within the hallowed halls of East Carolina University, and amidst the Industrial Distribution and Logistics Program, is a laboratory—the first of its kind, but likely not the last. Originally designed as a safety lab for another program, the space was transformed into the ultimate learning tool for students in the school's distribution program: a practical, working distribution branch simulator, complete with, among other areas, a warehouse space, manager's office, sales areas and shipping and receiving dock.

"The safety lab never materialized, and I was offered the space for our own course work," said Murray Korn, visiting lecturer, and one of the program's first instructors, at ECU, located in Greenville, N.C. "I had thought to put together a prototype distributorship branch, with all the typical areas found in a branch, including the counter space, warehouse, manager's office, etc. It would be a great way to support the teachings in class, and give the students some real, hands-on experience in the business of the branch."

Students take on responsibilities within the lab, role playing as a salesperson, branch manager, or shipping supervisor, creating an actual working distributorship from which to learn. Students will begin working in the lab this fall.

The 4,000-square-foot laboratory, housed within the college's new $66-million building, has all the equipment necessary to run a distributorship, including forklifts and cranes, computer systems, sales departments and, in the near future, real product to move.

For the computer system though, Korn and his department shopped around for the best system for their distributorship, as most distributors do. Having spent some time talking with most of the options, they decided on Activant to handle their needs.

According to Korn, Activant was excited and intrigued to participate in the program. The company donated the software and the servers needed, and continues to provide support.

"This is an industrial distribution program specific to learning, education and to the business," said Gregory Crofton, segment manager of wholesale trade at Activant. "The school is providing the background, theory and mechanics of the trade, and setting up a distribution branch within a university is unique."

Activant also has local hardware engineers close by, should the school have the need, treating it the same as any other distributorship using their software.

"We've got a hundred students getting trained on this software, and therefore giving them a realistic sense of the industry," said Crofton.

In the past seven years, the industrial distribution major has grown by leaps and bounds at ECU, increasing from nine students its first year to 184 students today. The four-year program is among the fastest growing in the country, and expects to continue to grow larger, thanks to its lab.

"There have been three graduating classes so far," said Korn. "We've had a 100 percent placement for our graduates, and have a steady stream of distribution companies coming back in December and May (when classes graduate) to hire students."

The curriculum consists of 16 core courses in industrial distribution and logistics, including: Industrial Distributor, an in-depth study into the functions and services of electrical distributors and electrical manufacturers; Introduction to Logistics, a course on the control and flow of materials from raw materials to the customer; Warehousing and Materials Handling; Distributor Sales, following the role of the distributor salesperson; Supply Chain Logistics, a course that evaluates the supply chain and its effects in logistics; Global Logistics, an evaluation of the impact of global and third-party logistics; and Distribution Research, a course for all industrial distribution and logistics seniors. Other concentrations and courses are being added, including two new areas in branch and industrial sales, and purchasing and inventory management.

"One new course in distribution branch resources will make even better use of the lab," says Korn. "Our goal is to produce a great product—the students—that have all the academics necessary for a career in distribution, but also all the practical experience in real-life applications to take them one step further. This, of course, makes them much more attractive to the industry."

Built in to the curriculum also is a minor in business, says Korn, giving the students even more of a rounded education, and a more comprehensive knowledge of the distributorship as a business.