On March 19, 2013 New Orleans launched the newest product from the Davenport Group, the LAMA Customer Relationship Management(CRM) system. Dubbed the One Stop Shop App by city officials, the CRM represents a significant expansion in functionality within the LAMA Product Suite. When the Davenport Group created LAMA Server, they designed it as a desktop application to take advantage of each client computer’s processing power. The program has the capabilities to run complex queries and process large quantities of GIS data. While these features put LAMA Server in its own class among Enterprise Government Software solutions, they also confined the program to the desktop.
Now the public can use the CRM interface to apply for and manage their permits, licenses, and planning projects from anywhere. They can also report violations and research other registered projects that may be in their area. The City posted a press release detailing the upgrade. “The opening of the One Stop Shop is exciting and meaningful to bringing new economic development to our city,” said Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, City Council Vice President. “As a former businesswoman, I’ve asked for this since the day I arrived in office in May of 1990.”
LAMA’s expansion to the web can be summed up as three major improvements:
Convenience: Citizens can now apply for city services from anywhere.
Efficiency: The website’s automatic processing drastically cuts down on the amount of citizens who come into the office to submit applications. No more waiting in long lines for city services.
Transparancy: Through the CRM, citizens can do their own research on any registered acitvity within the city. The processes for each service are also strictly enforced, so citizens can’t shop between departments for approval.
The opening of the One Stop Shop is a huge step forward for the city, as it makes the permitting and licensing process both more efficient and transparent,” said District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer. “The One Stop Shop will save city residents time and make it easier for them to obtain the permits and licenses they need.” Feedback from city officials and citizens has been overwhelmingly positive. And in a short time, New Orleans has transformed itself into an industry leader in technology and customer service.
“I am excited to see New Orleans take on such drastic internal changes to fit the needs of the public. This project will be a win/win for the public and City officials,” said Rod Miller, President and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance. With the addition of the CRM, the LAMA software suite has all of the tools necessary to maintain a modern, developing city.