Based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Hatch® is a leading provider of classroom technology solutions for the early childhood market throughout the United States. Hatch creates scientifically researched products, including the interactive whiteboard-based TeachSmart Learning System that was first launched in 2008.
The TeachSmart Learning System contains over 1,100 playful and purposeful skill development activities that support early learning objectives. As a SMART authorized reseller, Hatch sells complete solutions, including SMART Board interactive whiteboards and SMART Notebook collaborative learning software. If customers already have SMART products in their classrooms Hatch products are available as add-on bundles.
In the 2009–2010 school year, Hatch conducted an efficacy study assessing the impact of the TeachSmart Learning System on literacy and math outcomes in pre-kindergarten classrooms. Results from the study show that pre-kindergarten children using the TeachSmart Learning System made significant gains in literacy and math.
Ginny Norton, Hatch’s president, explains that while their primary market is preschool, their products also sell extremely well in special education and kindergarten intervention programs.
Norton says, “We chose to develop content specifically for SMART products because they’re the Cadillac! We pride ourselves on being the best, and we wanted to make sure that we were aligning ourselves with the best.”
Hatch is an Elite Accredited Member of the SMART Ecosystem Network (SEN). With a number of new products in development, Hatch plans to launch at least two new products in 2011 that are integrated with SMART solutions.
Hatch has been developing software and content that integrate with SMART products for a number of years, so when the SEN was developed, Norton says that development work became much easier. “Now we have more assistance when we encounter any development challenges. It’s better now because we have a direct connection.
“We’re one of the only distributors selling to our market niche, so we’re looking for ways to make the most of SMART’s marketing engine to help us reach this audience in a bigger way. Thanks to the ecosystem, our relationship with SMART is building and we’re starting to see opportunities more clearly,” says Norton.
Recently, Hatch conducted presentations in SMART’s booth at the Macworld 2011 conference, and when Hatch has attended industry trade shows in the past, they have invited SMART to participate. “Our relationship is accelerating because of the ecosystem and the type of engagement that they have in what we are doing, which is beneficial for us,” says Norton.