'Doing Business' on the Internet is Doing Very Well

by Tom Johnson

	A number of reports released late last month indicate that retail usage on the Internet is way up over last year. In fact, researching products and services is now the third most popular use of the Internet, a new Harris Poll shows. Forty-one percent of adults surveyed in
December said they went online ‘Often’ or ‘Very Often’ to research products and services. eBay sales were up 60% in 2003 to $24 billion. Online retail sales grew 35% for the week ending January 18 to $1.153 billion from $857 million a year ago. Net sales for drugstore.com were up 27% in 2003 over 2002. While the Internet retail revolution is flexing its muscles, business use of the Internet for internal management practices is increasing. Dunkin Donuts reportedly saved $2 million in two months by switching from paper-based systems to a Web-based system that connects individual shops with company headquarters. Savings come in the elimination of paper forms, the time it takes to fill out and send these forms and the reduction of data-entry errors. What does this news mean for state eGovernment Web sites? It means that users will respond to the convenience and time-savings offered through the site IF the data is displayed in a way that is easy to use and explore, and IF the web site availability is properly and sufficiently promoted. This is exactly what the KellySolutions.com concept is all about. Here are just a few examples: KRSNetwork provides KellySolutions.com/STATE Web sites that display information on regulated products and multiple licensing programs, plus online renewals, to state departments of agriculture AT NO CHARGE to the state. KRSNetwork Mobile Solutions take existing paper-based field inspection, complaint investigation, and surveillance and monitoring forms and put them on handheld PDAs and tablet PCs to connect field personnel with their respective offices electronically. These solutions are typically made available to states through an attractive lease program. The KRSNetwork MarketPlace enhances state commodity marketing programs and provides a cost-effective way for all agricultural producers to promote their products or services on the Internet to a world-wide audience. KRSNetwork can complete the Internet utilization package with our Kelly State Administrative Management System (Ksams) that, like Dunkin Donuts above, will switch your existing paper-based system to a Web-based system that will produce the dramatic cost-saving benefits you’re looking for. The regulated community is ready. The public is ready. KRSNetwork proven technology solutions are ready.