Avondale, Arizona has selected Accela Automation from Accela, Inc. to streamline processes in its Development Services department and support creation of a "one stop shop" that will make it easy for citizens and the local development community to conduct business with the city via the Internet.

Development Services will utilize the more user-friendly, easily accessible system in its Building, Planning, and Engineering divisions to track and manage processes related to permitting, inspections, occupancy clearance, building code administration, planning, zoning, and development and civil plan review. Accela Automation will enable staff across those divisions to access and share land use information from a centralized database and deliver more responsive and accurate service to the public.

Over the last decade, housing starts in Avondale have grown 700 percent, making it one of the fastest growing communities in the state and the nation.

"With responsibility for all services related to land use planning, development, and regulation, we realized the need to put the best technology available to work for us," said Kevin Hinderleider, Avondale IT director. "Accela Automation holds the key to being able to meet our internal objectives and the expectations of our customers."

Additional Accela applications will enhance the functionality of Accela Automation to facilitate sharing of GIS information from a centralized database, enable field staff to work more efficiently in conducting inspections, and provide residents with the ability to apply for and obtain permits online:

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.

"Avondale is to be congratulated for its foresight in realizing the significant and far-reaching impact of utilizing Web-based technology to improve staff efficiencies and deliver high standards of customer service," said Maury Blackman, Accela's president and CEO. "We welcome the city as a new client and look forward to providing the very best in products and services to help meet its objectives."

About Avondale

Avondale covers 54 square miles near the heart of the Phoenix-Metropolitan area in southwest Arizona. It is home to a population of approximately 75,000, which is expected to reach 123,000 by the year 2020. Avondale enjoys the national spotlight as host of NASCAR racing at its Phoenix International Raceway. For more information, please visit www.ci.avondale.az.us.

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.