El Paso, Texas announced the selection of Accela Automation of Accela for streamlining its zoning, permitting, licensing and inspection processes for improving its quality of service to its citizens. The Internet services provided will be user-friendly and accessible so that businesses concerning life, health and welfare of public can be conducted efficiently and effectively.

Accela specializes in innovative, Web-based enterprise software solutions which can automate land, permit, and asset management processes for local, state, and federal government agencies of all sizes.

El Paso will be upgrading to Accela Automation’s Web technology to enable staff in city departments to get information form a centralized database for managing processes for present and long-range planning, development, building and housing safety. The new system will be used by the departments of Environmental Services, Development Services, Health, Police, Fire, and the City Manager’s Office.

"The city is dedicated to streamlining and enhancing the services we provide to the community, and Accela’s solution will enable us to make a significant step forward in meeting this goal," said Environmental Services Director Ellen Smyth.

"This project aligns with the City Council’s strategic policies to bring multiple departments under one system and increase our ability to offer more online services that make an important and recognizable impact for our citizens," added Smyth.

Accela applications will augment the functionality of Accela Automation by managing citizen requests and sharing of GIS information from a centralized database. This enables field staff to conduct inspections easily and precisely so that residents can apply and get permits online.

Accela GIS integrates seamlessly with Accela Automation for the provision of real-time visual analysis for enhancing land use, zoning and infrastructure data. Multiple map layers can be created besides allowing automated map analysis, parcel and asset inventory management, direct editing of GIS data and auto-distribution of information to mailing lists. The Accela GIS is built on ArcIMS platform byESRI.

Accela Wireless, a mobile government software application allows staff in government offices to perform their jobs for inspections, code enforcement, work orders and service requests from the field itself. This is most suitable forIntel Centrino Mobile Technology besides being compatible with PDAs, laptops and Tablet PCs running on Microsoft Pocket PC 2003, Windows Mobile 5, Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems.

Accela Citizen Access offers real-time direct access for agency permits and land management activities through the Internet. Online permit applications are configured so that citizens and businesses can access for applying and paying for permits, scheduling inspections, checking the status of a permit besides printing an approved permit from the internet anytime.

"We welcome El Paso to a growing list of Accela clients who are upgrading their systems to Accela Automation," said Maury Blackman, Accela president and CEO. "The City realizes the significant and far-reaching impact of utilizing Web-based technology to integrate agencies, improve staff efficiencies, and deliver high standards of customer service."