SGT STAR: Immediate Success for the US Army

At a technology conference in 2004, the U.S. Army learned of a unique virtual self-service technology developed by Spokane, Wash.-based Next IT Corporation. For the U.S. Army, the Internet has become a crucial tool in their recruitment efforts. Their 17-to-24 year old target audience grew up using the web, making it the medium of choice for information gathering and communication. Seeking to improve its online presence, the U.S. Army adopted Next IT’s ActiveAgent technology recognizing its unlimited potential.

In August of 2006, SGT STAR, an interactive virtual guide, debuted on www.GoArmy.com. Just as Next IT promised, the U.S. Army has already begun to see the benefits of using the ActiveAgent technology. Through early October, GoArmy.com has experienced the following results:

Next Steps

Convinced by initial results, the U.S. Army has determined SGT STAR a vital communication channel on their website. Eager to build upon this increasingly successful technology, the U.S. Army will implement the following enhancements to SGT STAR in 2007:

• Integrate with GoArmy.com’s existing log-in functionality so that SGT STAR remembers returning site visitors, allowing for a more personalized question-and-answer user experience
• Add next generation spell-check functionality that can recognize misspellings and IM shorthand to accommodate and communicate with a broader range of visitors
• Continue enhancements to SGT STAR’s reporting features and integration with GoArmy.com’s existing web site reporting tools
• Pre-populate forms with user profile information to expedite data entry and to avoid losing entered data when the browser’s “back” button is used