8/3/09 Workin' The Web
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, AUG. 3, 2009
CONTACT: CATHY SCHROEDER, (850) 921-5266
~Find DMS on Twitter and Facebook ~
TALLAHASSEE—Recognizing the increasing use of social media, the Department of Management Services (DMS) recently launched Facebook and Twitter pages. As DMS explores these tools, it is using the pages to share information about its state purchasing and supplier diversity divisions.
“We understand social media is an evolving communication tool, and may be a bridge to something no one has identified yet,” said DMS Secretary Linda H. South. “As one of the state’s technology leaders it is important we take advantage of this no-cost tool and integrate our customers and stakeholders with Web 2.0.”
The State Purchasing Division awards State Term Contracts and State Purchasing Agreements that account for more than $2 billion in purchases annually. The team delivers the best value in goods and services for state agencies and local governments, and is dedicated to building strong relationships with those customers and the vendor community.
“This new presence on the Internet gives us another tool with which to communicate to Florida’s taxpayers and our other customers,” said State Purchasing Director Charles Covington. “Much of our work is already Web-based so the buyers and vendors we work with are accustomed to using the Internet. We encourage them to become our friends and followers.”
Florida’s Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) is the state’s advocate for minority business enterprises (MBE). In addition to administering state certification for service-disabled veteran-, minority- and women-owned businesses, OSD helps with business development through outreach and education, and hosts the annual MatchMaker Conference and Trade Show.
“This complements our ongoing, successful automation of services,” said OSD Executive Director Torey Alston. “We look to Facebook and Twitter to help us share concise, real-time information with our customers who want it, in addition to all the other communications tools we use now.”
The agency started its Web 2.0 presence with these two divisions because of their broad outreach and delivery of value-added products and services. DMS may incorporate other divisions and services on the two sites after it assesses impact and value for customers and stakeholders.
DMS is the administrative agency for state government. Learn more at www.DMS.MyFlorida.com, or www.Twitter.com/floridaDMS and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tallahassee-FL/Florida-DMS/108641216618.
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