Atlanta, Georgia has selected Accela Automation from Accela, Inc. to streamline its planning, land development, and code compliance processes and strengthen citizen relations. The user-friendly, easily accessible system will enable city staff, residents, and local developers to conduct business via the Internet.

The four divisions within Atlanta's Planning & Community Development department will upgrade to the Web-based system from a legacy Accela product. Staff will have access to a centralized database of land-use information that will enable them to more effectively track and manage activities related to planning, design review, construction, plan approval, code compliance, and housing assistance, and which will result in less wait time for citizens and businesses.

"Atlanta joins a growing group of Accela clients who are recognizing the economic advantages of serving their citizens through Web-based solutions," said Maury Blackman, Accela president and CEO. "Our experience has shown a direct correlation between easier, faster, more accessible services to the public and economic growth and prosperity."

Additional Accela applications will enhance the functionality of Accela Automation by facilitating management of citizen requests, sharing of GIS information from a centralized database, enabling field staff to work more efficiently in conducting inspections, and providing residents with the ability to apply for and obtain permits online:

Accela Service Request provides an efficient, cost-effective solution for organizing and managing interdepartmental or citizen requests for service, complaints, or inquiries. A centralized database of this information enables agencies with real-time access to the status of any request at any time.

Accela GIS seamlessly integrates with Accela Automation to provide powerful real-time visual analysis to enhance land use, zoning, and infrastructure data. It allows creation of multiple map layers, automated map analysis, parcel and asset inventory management, direct editing of GIS data or files, and auto-distribution of information to mailing lists. It is built on the ArcIMS platform by ESRI.

Accela Wireless is a mobile government software application that allows government staff to perform their jobs from the field for inspections, code enforcement, work orders, and service requests. Optimized for Intel Centrino® Mobile Technology, Accela Wireless is compatible with PDAs, laptops, and Tablet PCs running on the Microsoft Pocket PC 2003, Windows Mobile 5, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating systems.

Accela Citizen Access provides real-time, direct access via the Internet to agency permit and land management activities. Online permit applications can be configured to allow citizens and businesses access 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, seven days a week.

About Atlanta

Atlanta covers 132 sq. miles in northwestern Georgia and is the state's capital and most populous city with approximately 500,000 residents. It is also the core city of a greater metropolitan area covering 8,376 sq. miles and home to a population of more than 5 million. Between the years of 2000 and 2006, the Atlanta metropolitan area grew by 20.5 percent, making it the fastest growing metro area in the nation. For more information, please visit http://www.atlantaga.gov/.

About Accela

Accela provides innovative, Web-based enterprise software solutions that automate land, permit, and asset management processes for local, state, and federal government agencies of all sizes. Backed by nearly 30 years of development and implementation in more than 500 agencies in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, Accela products and services empower agencies to increase efficiencies, reduce workload, and provide citizens and businesses with more convenient access to government services. Accela is located in San Ramon, Calif. Accela products can be purchased directly from the GSA Schedule Contract #GS-35F-0249R. For more information, please visit www.accela.com.