End-to-end solution improves code compliance, streamlines government approval processes
SAN RAMON, Calif., July 20, 2011 – Accela, Inc., the leading provider of web- and cloud-based software applications for e-government, today introduced Electronic Document Review, a fully integrated plan and document review feature within the company’s enterprise Accela Automation® software. While Accela Automation currently provides a complete solution for streamlining critical regulatory functions, such as permitting and licensing, the new functionality further enhances Accela Automation’s value as an end-to-end review and management system for the various types of regulatory documents – such as plans, architectural drawings, licenses, and more – which are required for project applications and renewals.
Electronic Document Review allows government staff to incorporate document review and markups directly into the existing Accela Automation processes that automate, organize, and track reviews. The feature also provides access to documents when and where users need them across their agency teams. This end-to-end management of electronic documents can boost compliance with local regulations and codes, while also shortening project cycles to the benefit of residents, businesses, and regional economies.
Electronic Document Review’s tight integration with Adobe Acrobat X Pro provides easy review and markup of documents in industry-standard PDF format. The new feature also supports current EDMS connectors to third-party document management solutions, greatly facilitating inter-team collaboration by making documents – and their comments and markups – available for review to all agency and public users. This capability accelerates document transfer and handling while also protecting the accuracy and integrity of edited documents.
“Regulatory projects of all kinds have grown increasingly complex for governments to manage, as they often require input and approvals from multiple departments and from staff levels within each department,” said Darrell Lewis, Vice President of Product Management at Accela. “Effective document review solutions must empower all parties in the process: government regulators, field-based inspectors, and the public. Electronic Document Review was designed with these challenges and objectives in mind.”
Additional benefits of Electronic Document Review include:
• Document Tracking and Assignments allows users to save documents—such as building plans, architectural drawings, or business licenses—within the Accela Automation enterprise environment. Teams may also track their documents every step of the way, or assign new tasks or deadlines using Accela Automation’s powerful workflow.
• Integration with International Code Council (ICC) eCodes, the world’s primary source of regulatory design and construction compliance standards, enables users to access eCodes—in addition to other state or local codes—directly from Accela Automation. Electronic Document Review even allows copying and pasting from the ICC eCodes directory to the review documents within Accela Automation to further streamline the review and approval process while improving accuracy.
• Document Uploads and Comment/Markup Review supports submission of multiple documents via Accela Automation or Accela Citizen Access™, Accela’s public-facing solution for online application, payment, and tracking. Industry professionals may review their marked-up documents from their home or office and provide any required re-submissions. Government inspectors or other field-based staff can use the Accela Mobile Office™ solution to view approved documents in real-time wherever they are working.
Accela Automation’s existing document management, workflow, and task assignment capabilities empower departments to flexibly prioritize, process and issue unlimited types of permits based on their unique regulations, requirements, and internal procedures. These features have been enhanced in the latest version of Accela Automation to further optimize the Electronic Document Review user experience.
Electronic Document Review augments the investment of existing Accela Automation customers without any additional licensing costs. The new feature is now available for users of Accela Automation version 7.1 or above. Information on procurement options may be obtained by contacting Accela’s Customer Resource Center at 888.722.2352, ext. 5. Further details and a demonstration video can be found at: www.accela.com/products/electronic_document_review.asp.