Q&A

How does PermitCity save your City money?

1. PermitCity has lower acquisition, installation and maintenance costs.
   Our fee structure for PermitCity, Enterprise Edition, is simple and our product is priced to provide the services you need without a major impact on your budget. We offer PermitCity, LT. Version, a fully-hosted software for building modules, to jurisdictions with less than 10,000 population for only $500 per month. Other modules such as Planning or Engineering are also available for comparable pricing.
   
   
2. PermitCity is a self-contained system not requiring additional licensing fees.
   Most software requires additional licenses for the underlying database, or charges an additional fee for each user. PermitCity charges one fee irrespective of the number of users.
   
   
3. PermitCity improves efficiency.
   The intuitive design of the software will enable your staff to use this software with minimal training.
   
   
4. Your customers will do some of the work your staff used to do.
   Your customers can enter most of the required information for each transaction, saving a tremendous amount of staff time. In fact, getting a business license, a permit for simple home repair, and renewing licenses will be as easy as buying a ticket on-line.
   
   
5. Each application processed and each permit issued will save you money.
   Our software’s intuitive process allows your staff to process an application at least 50% faster with much greater precision. This is because our software is designed around your work flow and information. Some current permitting software takes up to 45 minutes to calculate the proper fees alone. Permit City’s totally integrated software calculates all non-discretionary fees, thus removing human error and saving time and frustration. At the very conservative staffing rate of $30 hourly with time savings of 50%, your city’s savings will be equal to the number of permits times $15, or $15,000 per 1,000 permits. You can do the calculation.
   
   
6. Your managers save time with powerful project management.
   Allows your management to assign projects based on available staff and workload, monitor the progress of projects and conformance to deadlines, and provide productivity reports, activity reports and project specific reports effortlessly. The project management module will inform your customers automatically on the progress of their projects. This powerful notification system can reduce staff time in handling telephone calls, and provides an indisputable record of the progress of a specific project. As the City Manager, you can log in in two steps, enter a project address and immediately learn the history and status of that project.
   
   
7. Your Information Systems staff no longer has to worry about timely upgrades, software crashes, data leaking, plus all other routine software management tasks.
   PermitCity’s well-designed database takes most of the “pain” out of the system. Creating a screen to collect new information and updating fee structures can be achieved in a few simple steps requiring no computer programming skill. PermitCity is a superbly flexible system which empowers city staff to use the software to their full advantage.
   
   
8. Save by letting staff access information from the field.
   No more driving back to the office to get information. PermitCity allows your staff to get information from wherever they are: all they need is access to the internet. A wireless PDA, laptop or PC tablet provides that connection in most areas. We can also provide PDA modules.
   
   

Is PermitCity equipped to provide all city permitting?
Yes, Planning, Engineering, Building, Public Works, Fire, Code Enforcement, and Business Licensing; you may choose any or all of the modules. Use PermitCity to issue building permits, or manage and issue permits for encroachment, subdivisions, entitlements, grading, fire and hazmat. Notify the neighbors with seamless GIS integration. Notify interested parties with simple steps. Planning staff will enjoy using this software to issue entitlement permits and conditional use permits since they can update the information as needed. Business licenses, pet licenses, special event licenses can all be handled here, easily. The Fire Department can issue permits as needed.

Does PermitCity work with my existing system?
Yes, PermitCity can be integrated with your existing system so long as your existing system is an open database and access permission is provided. We have been able to convert difficult databases. The desired solution is to use one system for the entire operation to reduce redundancy. PermitCity can provide full functionality of your existing system.

Does PermitCity work with my finance and payroll systems and GIS?
Absolutely. Any open database that is defined in compliance with acceptable standards will work with PermitCity. PermitCity was designed to work with all other open databases.

How safe is the internet module?
Very safe. Security is one of the major features of our software. We utilize the latest technology to deliver a fully secure system.

Can you host the software or must we set up a server?
Either option is available. We can host the software or we can deliver a self-contained box with the required software. Put it on the city network and you are ready to go. There is no installation at each station: all that is needed is a network or Internet connection.
How long does it takes to get us up and running?
30 to 60 days, depending on the level of customization you desire and the availability of your staff to define the features you wish. This is a guaranteed feature.

What reports are available?
Many existing reports are an integral part of the installation package. If you prefer, we can provide additional reports at a minimal charge. In addition, the system is designed so you can easily use available software, such as Crystal Report, to write your own reports.

Can I get a report on a project without training?
Reports indicating events in a project, reviewing timetables or the processing of code enforcement cases are readily available. You do not have to learn new software. Just enter the address or case name or project name and get an up-to-date report. Or, to check workload and project traffic, choose an operational unit, enter a starting and ending date and get a summary report. Click on any particular case and get a more detailed report.

Can the City Council get an up-to-date response on the status of a case, project or referral?
Our workflow module allows your policy makers to retrieve information you define.

Can customers submit drawings and documents for projects?
Absolutely. Any document including but not limited to pictures, word processing files, CAD files and PDF files can be attached to an application and/or case or project. The data can then be opened at any time to be reviewed, acted upon or archived.

Does PermitSoft interact with a voice recognition system?
Yes, voice recognition is part of the system.

Is the product guaranteed?
Yes. If this product does not meet your needs, you do not pay.

Can I arrange a PermitCity demonstration at my location?
Simply call us at 415/425-9228 or e-mail info@permitsoft.com and we will answer your questions and, at your convenience, schedule your city for an on-site demonstration.