Sep 10
2009
10 Things Every Local Government Should Know about SaaS – Part 3: Why SaaS for Community Development processes?
Part 3: Why Web-Based SaaS for Community Development processes (Permits, Code Enforcement, and Planning)? Why Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a fit for community development processes such as planning, building permits and inspections, and code enforcement.
The community development department of a city, county or town has the key role of ensuring the community is livable, competitive and sustainable. This department manages planning applications, zoning, building permits, inspections, code enforcement and related services. Staff make recommendations to city managers, mayors and elected officials to ensure that all interests in the community are served.
The amount of work for the department staff can be overwhelming. Most local governments use software to manage their workflow efficiently and give their citizens better service while avoiding the need for more staff. Community development software comes in various forms: from highly customizable in-house systems, to simple desktop software, to web-based software. (see examples of local government innovators)
Web-based software, also known as Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloud computing, is increasing being adopted by local governments. These advantages are often cited by community development departments that use SaaS software:
- Affordable monthly subscription per user and no capital cost. The subscription basis of SaaS allows managers to add or decrease users depending upon the workload. If a new building development increases work-load and staff numbers, new subscriptions can be purchased for a fixed period.
- Less demand for in-house IT resources. The SaaS supplier provides the implementation, training and support as part of the monthly subscription and no additional servers are required.
- Information is easily shared across the departments and teams. All users can check on the status from any department, schedule inspections or public hearing events within the SaaS system.
- SaaS software integrates with other systems such as GIS and financial.
- SaaS software can be accessed from the office or remotely in the field with a laptop computer and Internet connection. Building inspectors and code enforcement officers can print out permits or notices in the field.
- Improved reliability of data back-up and recovery. SaaS information is stored and protected at multiple high security locations.
- Improved reporting capabilities which can be configured for local requirements.
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