The educational materials, technology and services provider added Advanced-Online to Follett’s campus store offerings.

Follett Corp. has acquired Advanced-Online, an e-commerce provider of branded T-shirts, jackets, mugs and more for education and corporate customers.

Follett, No. 78 in the Internet Retailer 2015 Top 500 Guide, on Monday said Texas-based Advanced-Online sells apparel, promotional material and print products to more than 150 universities directly, and more than 250 universities through other websites. Advanced-Online also sells branded merchandise services to more than 80 corporations, including Lockheed Martin and Fujitsu General America. Terms were not disclosed.

“Although you might not know our name, you have probably come into contact with an item we have branded on our production floor with one our client’s recognizable names,” Advanced-Online says on its website. “Our unique e-commerce solution allows corporations and universities to centralize ordering and control costs from anywhere.”

“Advanced-Online is a great fit for Follett because it gives us an exciting new tool to help customers build and promote their campus and athletic brands,” said Don Germano, president of Follett Higher Education Group. “Follett already provides extensive brand merchandising services at the more than 1,200 campus stores we operate.  Advanced-Online’s e-commerce and online capabilities give us even more ways we can help our campus partners connect with students, fans and alumni.”

Follett, a $2.6 billion privately held company, had an Internet Retailer-estimated $517 million in 2014 web sales. In 2013 it acquired BetterKnow Inc., an education technology platform. In July 2014, Follett introduced Follett Virtual Campus, an updated e-commerce platform using IBM technology, according to Top500Guide.com.

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