Drawing from years of experience in software solution sales and marketing, I can conclude that most new business trends usually start from the financial industry; in case of web service, it follows the same trend. Financial industry was the first to invest heavily in perfecting web service because it considers customer service and customer satisfaction to be mission-critical and it has deep pockets for costly investments on risky ventures. However, IT infrastructure in the public sector (government, non-profit org, public services) has evolved passively with a desperate necessity rather than proactive development as its IT infrastructure management strategy with “why fix it if it’s not broken?” mentality. The Korean public sector is a prime example of this “superficial” IT infra management and its ineffectiveness. This problem is the natural result of rigidity in budget management under the conservative political environment and insufficiency in innovation. However, even though public sector is harshly criticized, it plays a key role and has huge implications in the overall market. As IT industry increasingly develops, public sector will create more important and everlasting trend, closely relating itself with people’s lifestyle than any other industry. There is ‘Three Second Rule’ in web service industry. If the web pages take more than three seconds to load, viewers will abandon it for another faster, more user-friendly site, and the site will not only fail in achieving customer satisfaction but potentially lose those customers as well. Most sensitive sectors to follow this rule are internet banking, e-shopping mall and portal sites. Jennifer has features to combat this type of problem. Jennifer is programmed to send alarming red graphic signal if service response time is longer than 3-8 seconds. Currently, public sector is the only industry free from the Three Second Rule. For example, some public sites have shown infinite loading time with “Under Construction” or “Display Error” Messages. Why does such problem occur? When we look at the public companies’ websites, we can find answer easily. First, public sector websites favors colorful and flashy and design-centered interface. Second, it does not focus on website performance during the developing process, but only about design and attractiveness of the site since the sites are built by subcontractors. Lastly, it avoids creativity and just imitates an existing site of similar public organization. In this regard, public sector does not provide satisfactory web service to its customers.

Fortunately, public sector started to recognize that website performance management is not an option but an essential part of website development. Many public companies started to think outside of the box to find alternative solutions to the problem. Actually, Jennifersoft has been asked diagnose performance management problems for public companies since the second half of last year. The increase in sales of Jennifer in public sector is overtaking that of financial sector since the second half of last year. Why is Jennifer receiving such positive response from the public sector? Since 2005, reputation of Jennifer APM solution has been spreading widely among Korean developer/administrator groups. Decision makers have become more aware of Jennifer, considering Jennifer as a must need solution to their web service performance problem as Jennifer impresses decision makers during the test trial process. Calls from the public sector have begun.

Then, what is the most appropriate way to deliver Jennifer to public Sector? Until recently, public sector’s buying criteria for APM solution was mainly the price because of limited budget, rather than focusing on product quality. This makes the situation worse like applying cheap paint on faultily constructed building. Therefore, public companies need to purchase appropriate and high-quality products preferably during initial stage of website development. Public sectors have started changing their bad habits. Public sector is asking developers about performance management and has started collecting related information. It also allocate budget effectively based on the middle and long term perspective if they want to purchase appropriate product. Furthermore, public organizations analyze market status and various market leading products and implement BMT (Benchmark test) to have right insight. Such high interests are showed well among attendees at Jennifer education seminar. Various APM approaching method is adjusted according to the characteristics of the public sectors. Following this trend, main enemy will be performance barriers. Now, Jennifer already received GS certification and finalized procurement registration to meet the needs of public sector.

Sun Ho Kim