Breaking e-commerce barriers

Telecoms regulator Oftel and the Office of Fair Trading are to launch an investigation into the barriers standing in the way of the development of e-commerce. The decision falls into line with the Government's determination to see the UK emerge as Europe's leader in online business.

A report, due in March, will look at what can be done to encourage companies to take greater advantage of new market and technology opportunities.

E-commerce principles are just beginning to find their way into FM practice. A few suppliers, notably stationery, furniture and travel, are so far leading the way.
"All suppliers, manufacturers and service providers should be using the technology that already exists," says Ernst & Young senior FM Mick Dalton. "And facilities managers should adopt it to open up new ideas that could lead to better service for their internal customers."

In an unfortunate piece of timing, the e-commerce cause has been set back slightly by news that Argos has received hundreds of orders for a colour television that was inadvertently priced at just £3 on its website. Whether the company is bound to honour these orders remains to be seen.

Elliott Chase