Accela is working with Intel on its "Digital Communities" initiative, which helps cities like Cleveland use wireless technology and innovative applications to expand and improve services for businesses and citizens.
"Bringing multiple departments under a common database, providing citizen access to government services, and empowering inspectors with tools to access information in the field, will significantly impact the city's ability to improve permit and inspection turnaround time," stated Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell.
Cleveland-based ATTEVO LLC, an Accela-certified partner, managed the implementation and deployment of Accela Automation at the city. The application provides a centralized database for all participating city departments, allowing over 400 employees to be interconnected and operate more efficiently.
The deployment of the Accela Wireless application facilitates direct, real-time access to Cleveland's database from mobile devices in the field. Over 100 inspectors using the system are now able to shift daily tasks from the office to the field using portable devices (e.g., laptops, PDAs, etc.) that allow them to remotely access permit-related data. While in the field, inspectors input their inspection results and the information is uploaded to the city's database in real-time via wireless hotspots. The application also offers an offline mode that can be used when wireless coverage is unavailable; updates are saved to the inspector's mobile device and uploaded to the agency database once a connection is reestablished or when the inspector returns to the office.
Additional business solutions at the city will include:
GIS integration -- Accela GIS will allow city employees to have direct access to view geographic representations of all land-use and zoning information associated with a permit when fully implemented in 2006. Built on the ArcIMS platform by ESRI, Accela GIS seamlessly integrates with Accela Automation to provide automated map analysis.
Citizen access -- The city's citizen access portal will provide real-time, direct access via the Internet to the city's permit and land management activities. Citizens and businesses will be able to apply and pay for permits, schedule inspections, check the status of a permit or inspection, or print an approved permit directly from the Internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
