News/Press Releases		Features		Event Calendar

PA e-Comm News FEBRUARY 15

Basically Useless Information – What was the first novel written with a typewriter? (Answer later).

Now that most Enron employees are on the unemployment line, they have no compulsion about selling Enron mementos and paraphernalia on the eBay online auction site. Most say it is not just about money, it is more about ridding oneself of all memories of the organization. Last week, there were more than 1,400 Enron items for sale on eBay, mostly trinkets like Christmas tree ornaments decorated with Enron's logo and Enron golf balls. Lots of sellers peddled "never-opened" Code of Ethics manuals, coffee mugs and even a set of Enron termination papers. 

Systems, which rely heavily on passwords being remembered by shoppers, do not go far enough in providing adequate security and are cumbersome for the fast-growing contingent of older Web users. Almost 10% of all calls and e-mails to customer service units are regarding forgotten passwords or usernames. A recent study by Jupiter reported that online shoppers are willing to register with Web sites and provide personal information but are still nervous about security. In fact, 80% said they would be open to additional authentication measures to make online purchases more secure. According to Jupiter, the most logical approach is to use an authentication card that is familiar to consumers and available both on- and offline. 50% of consumers told Jupiter they would be willing to use a personal identification number (PIN), such as those used to access ATM machines, and 32% said they would be willing to type in a portable password created by their credit card company. 

Open Solutions and Netkey recently announced an alliance to develop an Internet banking delivery system for use with self-service kiosks, which would move customers away from expensive teller-based transactions, because the kiosks will offer a level of service beyond the capabilities of ATM machines. We will wait and see how much value these kiosks present over traditional banking and ATM machines. 

Research and experience have shown that search engine companies cannot live by banner ads alone but must find other techniques to make money and differentiate themselves from the competition. Some sites need to forget the theory of trying to be all things to all users and target specific businesses. A recent example of this new philosophy is the purchase of startup search engine site Teoma by Ask Jeeves Web Properties. 

A Gartner study reported that that 80% of online consumers have heard of person-to-person online payment services such as PayPal; 33% of online consumers polled trust it, 27% use it, and 8% plan to use it in future. 

Travelocity.com has announced an agreement with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to offer Disney theme park tickets and on-site hotel reservations. Travelocity Vacations will sell Walt Disney World Resort vacations in the first quarter of 2002 and will phase in Disneyland Resort packages in California later in the year. 

Disney's own vacation site does not include flights, so Travelocity adds that important element. Travelocity will offer land-only and air-inclusive vacation packages for all on-site Walt Disney World Resort hotels. 

ANSWER: Tom Sawyer.

TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a listing of recently published technology procurement opportunities with various governmental entities. We hope our readers take the opportunity to investigate these postings and increase their business. 

USAF - Air Mobility Command
43rd CONS
T -- Visual Information Services
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AMC/43CONS/F31601-02-R-0005/listing.html

GSA - Federal Supply Service 
Services Acquisition Center (FCX)
BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICES
Notification Regarding FCXB-F5-980003-N 01 http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/FSS/FCX/FCXB-F5-980003-N/listing.html

GSA - Federal Supply Service (FSS)
Services Acquisition Center (FCX)
GOVERNMENT-WIDE AUDITING SERVICES AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Notification Regarding FCXB-BH-000003-N 01 http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/FSS/FCX/FCXB-BH-000003-N/listing.html

DOT - Maritime Administration (MARAD)
MAR-380
D -- Information Technology (IT) Support Services - Recompete Amendment 01 http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOT/MARAD/HQOA/DTMA1R01003---/listing.html

NASA - Langley Research Center
Office of Procurement
A--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AEROSPACE - RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE Modification 01 http://www.eps.gov/spg/NASA/LaRC/OPDC20220/NRA-02-LARC-01/listing.html

ASC - Aeronautical Systems Center
D --Fiber Optic and Cable Infrastructure Support
Modification 02 http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ASC/F33601-01-R-0054/listing.html

VA - VA Roseburg Healthcare System
Department of Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System
R -- Coding Education and Record Assessment Services Solicitation 01, Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/VA/VARHS/DVARHS/653-22-02/listing.html

HHS - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration Acquisition and Grants Group D -- Common Working File Maintenance and Redesign Services CWF Background Information 05 01 http://www.eps.gov/spg/HHS/HCFA/AGG/CMS-02-0002/listing.html

EPA - Office of Acquisition Management
EPA/Ohio
R--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Modification 03 http://www.eps.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/OH/PR-CI-01-12565/listing.html

DISA - Acquisition Directorate
DITCO-Scott
D--INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/DISA/D4AD/DITCO/VARIOUS-13-Feb-2002/listing.html

USN - Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego
70 -- WEBLOGIC SOFTWARE
Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/USN/SPAWAR/SPAWARSYSCEN_San_Diego/N66001-02-Q-3260/listing.html

USN - Naval Sea Systems Command
NUWC Division Newport
R -- Develop & Maintain Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals Amendment 05 http://www.eps.gov/spg/USN/NAVSEA/N66604/N66604-02-R-0789/listing.html

DOI - U. S. Geological Survey
Temporary DOI Interface
D -- Database Management/Geologic Services
Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOI/USGS/TEMP/02CRQQ0078/listing.html

NEWS & NOTES is a service of the PA e-Commerce Association. Please forward this e-mail to anyone else who might be interested in the content or in learning more about the Association. Remember to visit our website @  www.paecomm.org or call 717-238-9366.

Newsletter Archives