As schools face increasing pressure to do more with fewer dollars, Follett Software is focusing on integration, usability, and educator-first design.
INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero
With two decades of leadership across some of the most recognized names in education technology, including Pearson, PowerSchool, and Apex Learning, few have had a broader view of how schools manage learning and operations. Now at the helm of Follett Software, CEO Chris Porter is guiding one of education’s most trusted brands into a new chapter—one focused not just on data and resources, but on usability, integration, and giving educators back valuable time. In this conversation, he shares how Follett’s rebrand signals a renewed commitment to intuitive technology, educator-first design, and sustainable solutions for districts facing tighter budgets and rising expectations.
Will you share more about Follett Software, including the name and focus on delivering powerful, intuitive technology tools to educators worldwide and how this is different from Follett School Solutions?
Educators have long trusted Follett to support the vital work they do each day. As education evolves, so do the tools that educators need to create meaningful learning environments. With this in mind, we rebranded from Follett School Solutions to Follett Software in August 2024 to reflect a sharper focus on providing intuitive, integrated experiences that simplify the school day and amplify educator impact.
While Follett School Solutions encompassed a broad suite of services, Follett Software zeroes in on delivering powerful tools that streamline workflows, improve resource management, and foster collaboration across schools and districts. Our solutions, including the Destiny Educator Platform, help educators manage everything from library collections to classroom resources, facilities, and IT support—all through a unified experience that saves time and reduces complexity.
This shift isn’t just about a name—it’s about deepening our commitment to educators by designing technology that works the way they do. We trust educators to know what’s best for their students, and our role is to give them the clarity, time, and information to focus on what matters most: teaching and inspiring students. That’s why our platform is built to be reliable, easy to use, and adaptable to the unique needs of schools, offering scalable tools that support long-term success.
‘This shift isn’t just about a name—it’s about deepening our commitment to educators by designing technology that works the way they do.’
Follett Software remains rooted in the same values that have guided us for more than a century, but with a renewed focus on innovation, simplicity, and educator empowerment. We’re excited about what’s ahead and proud to continue partnering with schools worldwide to create better learning experiences, every day.
What problems are you solving for educators and who do you specifically serve?
We understand that educators—whether they’re teachers, librarians, administrators, or IT leaders—are juggling a lot with limited time, resources, and support. Our role is to be a trusted partner in helping them manage those challenges.
We serve a broad spectrum of K-12 professionals by offering solutions that tackle key pain points in resource management, data centralization, and operational efficiency. Whether it’s simplifying asset tracking, reducing administrative silos, or improving workflows, we’re here to ensure that educators can focus more on teaching and less on logistics.
One of the ways we stand out is by providing unified data and insights across various roles through a single, streamlined platform. This shared source of truth helps teams collaborate effectively, make quick decisions, and stay aligned—all with intuitive navigation and straightforward processes.
Ultimately, when we help teachers and staff reclaim time spent on behind-the-scenes tasks, they can devote that energy to what matters most: engaging and inspiring students.
‘When we help teachers and staff reclaim time spent on behind-the-scenes tasks, they can devote that energy to what matters most: engaging and inspiring students.’
What specific products do you offer, including any of your latest updates—Help Desk, Inventory Services, etc.?
To equip educators and administrators with solutions that address complex challenges head-on, we’ve further enhanced the comprehensive suite of services Follett is known for. Our Follett Destiny Educator Platform connects departments across K-12 schools through unified navigation, simplifying workflows and fostering collaboration district-wide. Our flagship product, Destiny Library Manager, trusted by two-thirds of North American schools, continues to lead in cataloging, circulation, and resource sharing.
Building on this foundation, we are introducing the Destiny AI Data Assistant, an AI-powered tool designed to enhance productivity across the entire Destiny Educator Platform. This conversational solution enables users across all roles to access data, generate reports, and receive actionable recommendations quickly. Designed to enhance productivity, it empowers staff to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine tasks.
In conjunction with our brand update, we’ve also added several innovative products to our portfolio. The Destiny District Classroom Library Manager accelerates the organization and management of classroom libraries, ensuring equitable access to learning materials district-wide. Meanwhile, the Facility Suite, powered by MasterLibrary technology, improves facility scheduling and streamlines maintenance operations. Another product we’re particularly excited about is the Destiny Fundraising Manager, which helps districts build comprehensive learning environments by simplifying the organization and tracking of fundraising activities.
Additionally, we’re rolling out the Destiny Help Desk, a centralized ticketing system integrated into Destiny Resource Manager. This system consolidates IT support and resource management into a single interface, enabling districts to manage the entire lifecycle of devices efficiently—from deployment to retirement. Together, all of our tools are designed to integrate seamlessly, providing educators with a cohesive experience that simplifies their workflows, saves time, and enhances collaboration across roles. These innovations reaffirm our commitment to delivering intuitive, AI-driven solutions that drive operational excellence and support student success.
How have you seen that districts are navigating the end of ESSER funds and other dramatic budgetary challenges?
It’s been impressive to see district leaders take a proactive, strategic approach to managing the financial gap left by the conclusion of ESSER funding. Many are focusing on long-term sustainability by investing in technology that offers both immediate operational efficiency and long-term cost savings. Forward-thinking districts are standardizing their technology ecosystems to simplify adoption, reduce maintenance costs, and streamline workflows across departments.
We’re committed to helping districts do more with less by offering scalable, easy-to-use solutions that minimize time-to-deployment and eliminate the complexities of managing multiple platforms. Our unified navigation and single sign-on capabilities across the Destiny Educator Platform ensure seamless integration and faster adoption, reducing the strain on IT teams while improving the overall user experience.
By consolidating critical functions like resource management, IT support, and reporting into one cohesive platform, districts can reduce redundancy, save on licensing costs, and allocate more resources toward instructional priorities.
By listening to educators and investing in continuous improvement, we’re staying true to our mission—helping schools work smarter, not harder, so that educators can do what they do best: ignite a lifelong love of learning.
Your company has a longstanding reputation as a trusted partner in education, and it’s clear your team is deeply committed to that mission. Can you share more about your company culture and how fostering a supportive, collaborative environment contributes to delivering exceptional outcomes for educators?
We believe that empowering educators begins with empowering our own people. By nurturing growth, setting high expectations, and offering support and resources, we help our team members reach their full potential. Collaboration plays a huge role here—when we break down silos, embrace diverse perspectives, and work together authentically, we create better solutions and deliver stronger results for our customers.
‘We believe that empowering educators begins with empowering our own people.’
Our values also center on fostering kindness, respect, and integrity in all our interactions—both internally and with our customers. We’ve found that when people feel respected and included, they bring their best ideas forward. This culture of openness fuels innovation and continuous improvement, which is essential in an industry that’s always evolving.
Ultimately, by creating an environment where our people thrive, we’re able to deliver solutions that truly meet the needs of educators, helping them do more with less and drive better outcomes for students. It’s a win-win—we grow as a company, and our customers see the benefits in their classrooms and schools.
What are you most hopeful about with the future of K-12 education?
We have a deep respect for educators—they’re the smartest people in the room, and they know what’s best for their students. They understand the unique needs of each learner, continuously adapting to create engaging, supportive environments where students can thrive. Our role is simple but critical: we’re here to give them the time, space, and clarity to focus on teaching by removing obstacles and simplifying the day-to-day work that can get in the way.
We’re incredibly optimistic about the future of K-12 education, especially as schools embrace technology that enhances—not complicates—the learning experience. The right tools, designed with safety, transparency, and reliability in mind, can help educators make faster, more informed decisions, foster collaboration, and create more personalized learning opportunities for students. With advanced solutions that are easy to use, scalable, and secure, we can empower educators to focus on what they do best: nurturing a love of learning and preparing students for an ever-changing world.
The future holds tremendous potential as districts adopt integrated platforms that connect people, processes, and resources. Follett Software is excited to continue playing a role in simplifying educational workflows, enabling educators to focus on what matters most: inspiring and educating the next generation.
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Victor Rivero is the Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest. Write to: victor@edtechdigest.com
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Original Article Published at Edtech Digest
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