LANSING, MI, Jan. 29, 2013 – Accela, Inc., the leading provider of web-, mobile-, and cloud-based software exclusively for government, announced today that the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, will replace its existing Permits Plus client-server technology with Accela Automation® web-based, enterprise system to integrate Construction, Code Enforcement, Licensing, and Case Management – and ultimately to improve service delivery to the State’s 9.8 million residents.

The Bureau of Construction Codes in this Great Lakes state is responsible for the administration of laws relating to building, boiler, electrical, elevator, mechanical systems, and plumbing. The Bureau issues permits and licenses, manages licensure examinations, provides inspections and plan review services, investigates complaints against licensees, and registers inspectors. Accela Automation enterprise system will provide a single gateway for the Bureau to fulfill its legally mandated role and for local inspectors, contractors, licensees, and homeowners to conduct their business with the State more productively.

Accela Land Management™ will manage Michigan building permit activities from initiation to close. Mirroring existing business processes, the solution will provide staff with the exact business information and workflow needed to perform their individual job functions. Land Management will also handle all types of regulatory activities, from one-time processes such as residential construction permitting to annually renewable activities such as elevator certificates. Accela Automation will be supplemented by Electronic Document Review, which integrates the industry standard, Adobe Acrobat X Pro, to offer comprehensive project analysis and management for multiple types of documents – including plans, architectural drawings, and licenses.

By providing the highest level of configurability and flexibility to meet standard licensing needs, Accela Licensing and Case Management™ will streamline the issuance, tracking, and enforcement of all construction-related professional licenses by the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes. The Bureau will also be able to easily create new case types and business rules associated with unique regulations, statutory requirements, and internal procedures.

Accela Citizen Access™ will extend Accela Automation’s offerings throughout the State of Michigan by enabling citizens, contractors, and other business professionals access to government services 24/7. Citizen Access will allow citizens to submit and view the results of service requests, apply for and check the status of permits, upload photographs, view system-generated alerts and notifications, and access government reports. Accela GIS™ will integrate a map interface with Accela Automation to visualize government data geographically by leveraging the State’s existing Esri ArcGIS for Server and Microsoft Bing Maps.

Accela Mobile Office™ will connect field personnel – including inspectors and investigators – to enterprise data that can be captured, stored, updated, manipulated, analyzed, and displayed for real-time code enforcement activities, thereby expediting turnaround service by the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes for the benefit of citizens.

“Accela is delighted that the State of Michigan has upgraded to Accela Automation from Permits Plus for Construction, Code Enforcement, Licensing, and Case Management,” said Maury Blackman, Accela CEO and President. “Having valued our relationship as Michigan’s technology partner since 1999, Accela looks forward to continuing to assist the State in its move toward greater government productivity and citizen engagement.”