it e-mart
v2: Improving Your Online Shopping Experience
By
Jeff Erlichman
it e-mart v2 consists of updated hardware and robust
e-commerce software to provide a streamlined shopping process.
Regardless of dollar value, all commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)
software, desktops, notebook computers and video teleconferencing
equipment are to be purchased through CHESS.
The May 4, 2009 memo from Dean Popps, Acting Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, cemented CHESS as the
Army’s primary source for buying commercial IT.
As a result, PD CHESS, anticipating an increase in business, has
upgraded its web site, from the it e-mart to it e-mart v2.
Help desk support has been expanded and processes streamlined allowing
for automated waivers to be sent to customers who cannot fulfill
mission requirements through CHESS contracts.
At the same time, CHESS is also drafting instructions to make the user
experience as simple as possible. CHESS officials said the
website will include frequently asked questions (FAQs) with responses
that clarify instances when no waiver is required. Examples
will include contracts for items the Army has assigned to other program
offices, such as mobile phones and ancillary non-computing items like
cables.
it e-mart v2
CHESS has been working with industry leaders on the new it e-mart, the
home of the Army’s e-commerce site for commercial IT
hardware, software and services.
“it e-mart v2 consists of updated hardware and robust
e-commerce software to provide a streamlined shopping process that is
easy to navigate, thus allowing customers to quickly locate and compare
products and services from multiple vendors, create shopping carts and
place orders,” according to officials.
it e-mart v2 will also consist of innovative features improving the
online shopping experience. One of these features will be a
site map, a “navigation aid which allows a customer to
quickly choose an area of the website with one click of the
mouse,” according to CHESS leaders.
Additional enhancements will allow for self-service and Oracle License
Transfer functions. Self-service allows a customer to ask a question
and receive a list of answers based on relevancy. If the question is
not answered, it will be routed to an expert for the answer. The Oracle
License Transfer will allow customers to easily transfer unused Oracle
licenses to another organizations thus saving the Army from purchasing
another license.
Software Exchange
Another new feature according to CHESS is the software
exchange where customers can swap software.
For example a customer who no longer has a requirement for particular
software can post the information on the CHESS it e-mart v2 and another
customer can pick-up the license for the cost of maintenance only.
Software licenses on the software exchange have transferability rights
included.
At the same time, CHESS is continuing to work with the DOD ESI joint
program and the federal SmartBUY program to award and manage software
contracts and agreements to supporting the federal government. Future
ESI requirements include addressing a net-centric license model which
will enable organizations within and outside DOD to share information
without licensing constraints.
Experience it e-mart v2
The CHESS customer online experience allows order tracking and
follow-up through the website; and provides for quick posting of the
latest contract modifications on new, leading edge technology.
With the CHESS it e-mart v2 customers can order IT products and
services, request quotes from vendors and search across contracts right
from their computer via the internet.
To date it e-mart v2 has been very successful according to CHESS
officials. Within the four weeks of coming online there have been 5,570
new registrations bringing the total of current registered customers to
576,417. There have also been 7,773 requests for quotes submitted and
27,290 distinct logins within the first four weeks.
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1Source: CHESS; as of June 8, 2009