Although automation products are part of the office's stock in trade, automation has not been a focus in-house. We are using e-commerce now with the IT Solutions Shop. The IT Solutions Shop, a Web purchase and ordering system for FTS programs, came online in November 1997. Suda wants to add back-end functions such as tracking and relationship management in its second generation. He said he thinks technology can help keep employees happy as well as productive, and he will encourage broader use of flexible schedules and telecommuting among his employees.
Resistance comes more from the workers than from their managers.
They say, 'If I'm working at home, I'm not seen or heard. Reverse auctions could be another tool to help IT Solutions operate more efficiently. The auctions, usually online, let qualified vendors bid in real time to drive prices down. They can produce low prices as well as generate data about purchase and cost trends. Gathering and evaluating the online data will give the government leverage in purchasing, plus help his office anticipate customer needs, he said.