For an inside look at Compaq's strategy for success, we talked to Bob Napier, Compaq CIO, about how Compaq has prepared for the 24x7 rigors of e-commerce and how it's helping customers do the same. We're removing boundaries and creating the quintessential collaborative environment. Customers are collaborating with us and with each other. We're collaborating with partners and suppliers, even competitors. Take our ActiveAnswers information portal.
Customers come here to get technical data, new product information, even software patches.
But we've also set up chat rooms where they can share data and experiences - and get back to us with recommendations on product improvements. The High-Tech Exchange is yet another example of the new open way of doing business. Compaq is part of the founding consortium for this online marketplace that is providing streamlined access to supply chain services, including direct material purchasing, B2B auctions, information services and administration. And in this issue of inform, you can read more about how our Internet-hosted buying solution offers customers a single destination for procuring all goods and services by consolidating all of a customer's supplier extranets into a single, unified solution. That means building a solid foundation layer that is flexible enough to transition with customer requests - with Web sites that deliver 24x7 availability.