Electronic communications systems, including Internet and intranet facilities, can be used to assist in the development and management of contracts.

There are advantages to using electronic contract management systems, for example consistency, efficiency and timeliness. These systems are useful in managing the administrative aspects of contracting and can be particularly useful in organisations that are geographically disparate. These can range from reasonably simple systems holding data about key aspects of contracts entered into including critical dates, to sophisticated proactive electronic contract management systems. These may be off-the-shelf systems or systems that are specifically designed for the acquiring entity. Developing and implementing these systems can be costly, so it is important to understand the level of functionality that may be necessary for a particular acquiring entity's requirements and the benefits likely to be realised through the use of them.

Electronic communications systems, including Internet and intranet facilities, can be used to assist in the development and management of contracts.

Electronic systems can assist in ensuring that contract managers also have access to the most recent standard contracts and forms, panel arrangements, policies, advices and contract management assistance. They can also facilitate awareness of new and emerging issues, potential risks and how to manage them. Electronic systems can also provide a contract management help desk for the provision of information and advice. The easy availability of information encourages better decision-making and improved contract management. It can also provide a forum for communication between contract managers in the entity, enabling them to be aware of other contracts being managed by the agency, to ask questions of other contract managers in the agency, and to share tips and lessons learned.

An efficient way of communication with contractors can be through secure websites. This can be particularly effective where there are multiple contractors who provide similar services, yet the services and their delivery is geographically dispersed. Websites can also be useful for providing general contracting information to contractors.

As an example, a website could have three levels of information, one open to the public, one between all of the contractors and the acquiring entity, and the third between the acquiring entity and individual contractors.

In circumstances where an entity is involved in extensive contracting activity, a cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken to assist in deciding the nature and extent that the Internet can be used to facilitate this activity.

An efficient way of communication with contractors can be through secure websites.