Press Release - Submit-a-Plan Welcomes New Authorities

			Press Release Date: 14th December 2007 Enabling Electronic Submit-a-Plan Applications Submit-a-Plan Welcomes New Authorities Resolution is pleased to announce that four new Local Authorities have recently signed up to enable the electronic receipt of applications from the Submit-a-Plan National Building Control Portal. The move from a postal only listing on the portal to enabling electronic submissions continues to support the move towards electronic working. Average monthly applications made on the Submit-a-Plan Portal for 2007 are up by a massive 482% compared to 2006. Newly signed authorities are: Bridgend County Borough Council Coventry City Council North Shropshire District Council WarringtonBorough Council The move to electronic application receipt shows the Local Authorities forward thinking and commitment in providing a modern service that competes with approved inspectors. The LABC Submit-a-Plan Portal The Submit-a-Plan portal is unique to the LABC and provides a single location for both the general public and professional users to complete their Building Control applications online. Applicants simply have to complete the intuitive forms ready for electronic submission or posting to their intended Local Authority. Applicants can also track the progress of electronically submitted applications using the online management system. Added Customer Service Benefits: Standardised National Forms For Faster Completion Applications Instantly Available To Local Authority After Submission* Online Application History Online Application Progress Tracking Fast Document Upload No Printing Or Postage Required Enables Submissions At Any Time And Location Helps Applicants Reduce Their Carbon Footprint Online and Installed Solutions Available To suit differing requirements Resolution offers two main solutions to enable Local Authorities to receive electronic applications from the Submit-a-Plan Portal, these are SNAP! and DataSpace for Submit-a-Plan. Both solutions provide full viewing, measuring and printing of all electronic applications received. SNAP! - The Simple Online Option SNAP! is a new web hosted option that has proved to be a real success. SNAP! provides everything needed for a Local Authority to become a fully signed up member of the Submit-a-Plan National Portal. “Our Building Control Team were keen to help build on the national coverage of the LABCSubmit-a-Plan Portal and SNAP! proved to be the ideal low cost solution. When we receive an electronic application we are notified by e-mail and then simply download it for use in our corporate system. The benefits to our customers are tremendous and really mark us out from the services approved inspectors can provide. North Shropshire is the most improved District Council in the country and our work with Resolution helps us to further enhance services to our customers and partners.” Peter Armitage, Head of Building Control, North Shropshire District Council SNAP! includes all the tools required to process an application, enabling Local Authorities to view, measure, print and download applications all through a web browser. The solution requires no inhouse software installation or the provision of servers. “SNAP! was chosen because it provides a simple web based solution that enables us to offer a modern electronic application service to our customers through the LABC Submit-a-Plan Portal. We liked the fact that there is no software to install and that applications can be viewed and measured online and then downloaded. We currently use Resolution’s ‘My Virtual Mail Room’ daily scanning service for paper applications and have been delighted with the service. We will shortly be having all our scanned and electronic application delivered to Coventry through Submit-a-Plan.” Steve Davies, Building Control Manager, Coventry City Council The solution also provides a far more cost effective solution than an inhouse developed system, where even creating a specification can cost far more than buying the complete off the shelf SNAP! package. SNAP! Key Features & Benefits Full Submit-a-Plan Membership Starting Point for Online Applications Web Based Low Cost Solution No Installation Required Download Applications Integrated Multi Format Viewer Measurement and Area Tools Works With ‘My Virtual Mail Room’ Daily Scanning Service DataSpace for Submit-a-Plan – The Installed Option DataSpace for Submit-a-Plan is the locally installed option that is setup at Local Authorities. Like SNAP! the solution enables Local Authorities to view, measure and print applications but also features enhanced viewing and markup tools for more detailed drawing interrogation. “As a forward thinking Authority, we are always looking at ways we can increase the services we can provide our customers. We decided to offer electronic submissions through the Submit-a-Plan Portal as we were already setup for receiving postal applications so it was a natural step forward. We decided on installing DataSpace for Submit-a-Plan at Warrington as it provided all the tools to enable use to view and manage electronic applications.” *Ray Parker, Building Control Manager, Warrington Borough Council* DataSpace for Submit-a-Plan is available with a wide range of optional modules which includes back office integration, scanning module and remote working. The system can be used in multiple departments in addition to Building Control which includes Planning, Environment or any other department where document storage and viewing is required. DataSpace For Submit-a-Plan Features & Benefits Full Submit-a-Plan Membership Locally Installed At Local Authority Integrated Multi Format Viewer Enhanced Markup, Measurement and Area Tools Back Office Integration Wide Range of Optional Modules Multi Department Works With ‘My Virtual Mail Room’ Daily Scanning Service To request further information on enabling electronic Building control submissions click here. *Latest version required.