Info management may cost $1.3B

A market research firm predicts federal agencies will spend almost $1.3 billion on knowledge management by fiscal 2008.

Federal agencies are already spending $820 million on knowledge management, which is a way of organizing information so people know what's available and where to find it. It includes database search technology, collaboration suites, Internet chat functions and traditional library products.

Knowledge management is becoming more popular in the federal government, particularly because of homeland security information sharing, said a new study from market researcher Input. In addition, the report said state and justice agencies will also be spending more money in that area.

Like many market research firms, Input produces reports to help companies sell to government agencies and businesses.

"Homeland security initiatives and the systems consolidation goals laid out by [the Office of Management and Budget] present significant challenges for agencies to integrate disparate data sources and create unified information architectures," said Payton Smith, manager of federal market analysis at Input.