A fully integrated plan and document review feature has been added to Accela’s e-government Automation software for streamlining critical regulatory functions, such as permitting and licensing.

The new functionality provides an end-to-end review and management system for the various types of regulatory documents -- such as plans, architectural drawings, licenses, and more -- which are required for project applications and renewals.

Electronic Document Review allows government staff to incorporate document review and markups directly into the existing Accela Automation processes that automate, organise, and track reviews. The feature also provides access to documents when and where users need them across their agency teams.

This end-to-end management of electronic documents can boost compliance with local regulations and codes, while also shortening project cycles to the benefit of residents, businesses, and regional economies.

Electronic Document Review's tight integration with Adobe Acrobat X Pro provides for review and markup of documents in PDF format. The new feature also supports current EDMS connectors to third-party document management solutions, facilitating inter-team collaboration by making documents -- and their comments and markups -- available for review to all agency and public users.

This capability accelerates document transfer and handling while also protecting the accuracy and integrity of edited documents.

"Regulatory projects of all kinds have grown increasingly complex for governments to manage, as they often require input and approvals from multiple departments and from staff levels within each department," said Darrell Lewis, Vice President of Product Management at Accela.

"Effective document review solutions must empower all parties in the process: government regulators, field-based inspectors, and the public. Electronic Document Review was designed with these challenges and objectives in mind."

Additional benefits of Electronic Document Review include:

Document Tracking and Assignments allows users to save documents--such as building plans, architectural drawings, or business licenses -- within the Accela Automation enterprise environment. Teams may also track their documents every step of the way, or assign new tasks or deadlines using Accela Automation's powerful workflow.

Integration with International Code Council (ICC) eCodes, the world's primary source of regulatory design and construction compliance standards, enables users to access eCodes -- in addition to other state or local codes -- directly from Accela Automation. Electronic Document Review allows copying and pasting from the ICC eCodes directory to the review documents within Accela Automation to further streamline the review and approval process while improving accuracy.

Document Uploads and Comment/Markup Review supports submission of multiple documents via Accela Automation or Accela Citizen Access, Accela's public-facing solution for online application, payment, and tracking. Industry professionals may review their marked-up documents from their home or office and provide any required re-submissions. Government inspectors or other field-based staff can use the Accela Mobile Office solution to view approved documents in real-time wherever they are working.

The new feature  Electronic Document Review feature is available for users of Accela Automation version 7.1 or above  without any additional licensing costs.

Accela’s Melbourne office can be contacted on Tel: (03)  9618 3333.