CountZero++;
The other alternatives I've seen put forth (basically, install ActiveTCL and use Expect) run afoul of what looks like a critical bureaucratic constraint: installing more scripting interpreters is a non-starter.
I hope running PPM and installing ActiveState's instantiation of IO::React is permitted in your setting.
FWIW, IO::React is "PASSED" across the board according to ActiveState, and is at the current CPAN rev (1.03). If you can do the PPM install and the module's capabilities are up to snuff, this may be the best answer.