Contents
1. Staubach's Channel 12 Connects
2. Works.com's E-commerce Solution

1. Staubach's Channel 12 Connects... At some point in the (not too distant) future, corporate real estate directors will require extranet connectivity to their service provider... The latest national firm to provide such a hookup is The Staubach Company. According to Theresa Ward, Director of New Technology & E-commerce, Staubach recently launched the first phase of its intranet/extranet for tracking on-going projects and internal communications. "It is called Channel 12 (Roger was # 12). Clients (like Qwest, AutoNation) can login to Channel 12 and see all of their current projects, as well as download reports, market surveys, etc. ... Our goal is to create a true on-line community for clients, employees, prospects, etc. that continues to grow, change and adapt to their needs."

Among national firms, Staubach joins CRESA Partners, NAI and Studley in featuring extranet connectivity. I am not aware of CB Richard Ellis, Cushman & Wakefield, Grubb & Ellis, Insignia/ESG or Jones Lang Lasalle currently offering widespread extranet connectivity. But they've all got to be thinking about it. Am I wrong? ... The investment in software, hardware and personnel to launch an extranet on a national scale is formidable. And the learning and implementation curve is very challenging. That's why it's important to start something, even if it's a small pilot program. Nothing is more valuable than experience on the web. ... Update me on your progress, and I'll write more in a future Dispatch.

2. Works.com's E-commerce Solution... Continuing the theme of connectivity, check out works.com for a great example of an e-commerce service. Works.com provides "direct access to wholesalers and manufacturers of office and technology products and manages your company's purchases online." Notice, you don't just buy products, but rather works.com "manages" your purchasing. Here's what the site provides: "online purchase requesting and ordering, approvals, order tracking, online returns, reporting and 'custom cabinets.'" According to the ZDNet AnchorDesk (July 13), works.com offers 20,000 office products at "15 to 20 percent off bricks and mortar prices" with a flat fee of $1.50 per order.

Have you heard of the expression "weblication," which refers to the delivery of a business application through a web browser? Weblications (like works.com) are hot because they enable collaboration between independent businesses and spread the cost of applications development. Examples include online calendars, scheduling and project management services. ... As you develop your own Internet strategies, you'll want to explore offering weblications (like lease management services) and consuming weblications (like managing your office supplies). In other words, how can you take advantage of the net to do what you do best?

Question... If your firm manage properties, what web services have you used to save time and money? Send e-mail to me . I'll report in a future Dispatch. Thank you!

--Peter