ITAA Adds Panel to Boost ASPs and Government

By Jennifer Freer, Staff Writer


JUNE 23 ? The Information Technology Association of America has added a Government Markets Subcommittee to its organization to help educate and drive interest in the application service providers market for the global government sector.


Along with education, the subcommittee's goal will be to assist in developing programs and services, such as a buyer's guide and directory, monitor cultural, legal and funding obstacles, and promote ASPs in the government arena.


Dan Wiener, president of Astron Communications Group and a former Unisys executive, will serve as chairman. Arlington, Va.-based ITAA, an association that provides public policy and networking to promote the growth of the IT industry, created the ASP Government Markets Subcommittee in response to demand from government and industry officials.


"ASPs in the federal sector have unique challenges not found in the commercial sector," said George Molaski, chief information officer at the Department of Transportation.


For example, ITAA spokesman Nathan Ridnouer said the issue of security regarding government information on the Internet was a concern for many.


The ITAA sees the subcommittee as a way to help educate the government to see that ASPs are a solution in moving to an electronic world. Starting with smaller applications, such as e-mail, may be a good way to test the ASP model, Ridnouer said.