Michael Matchett, Technology in Government Committee
The Technology in Government Committee collects interesting and useful information via the Government Technology Productivity Awards and The National Technology in Government Conference. Until recently, the information was dispersed via press releases and the website www.nte.com.au with no guarantee of reaching people who might really benefit from the knowledge.
To ensure the right people get the information, and to ensure people can exchange ideas and stay in touch across Australia, the Committee developed natKnet, the National Knowledge Network.
natKnet, a remarkably flexible tool enables users to network, share experience and knowledge, and keep up to date with product developments without having to continually access the portal. Users specify their interests and are then automatically notified of relevant information and people. Users can also add their own case studies to natKnet.
Although natKnet links people with similar interests right across Australia and the world it provides degrees of security right up to virtual private network so in house groups can also take advantage of the unique benefits of this communication medium.
Suppliers can feed natKnet to inform users of product developments, case studies, seminars etc. Users control the information they receive and are not e-swamped. Users then take appropriate action i.e. go to web sites or e-mail people of interest.
natKnet is the universal medium for electronic communities and can serve any common group industry, association or institute.