10/28/2003

Action Technologies, a provider of business process management (BPM) software, says the initial deployment of its ActionWorks suite for the Shelby County Commission “has already generated significant benefits” for the Memphis-area regional government. Shelby, the largest county in Tennessee, purchased ActionWorks through system integrator CIMS Inc., which is providing analysis, development, hardware, software, and user training. Like many local governments, Shelby County found that its paper-intensive system of managing local affairs made it difficult for commissioners and the public to track items such as zoning, contracts, resolutions, and ordinances. The result was an inefficient and slow process that frustrated county employees and citizens. The commission wanted to better serve its constituents and selected CIMS Inc. to provide ActionWorks business process management software, combined with OnBase document management software, to enable commissioners and county employees to track items in process and shorten the time required to address important issues, Action Tech explains.

The ActionWorks suite “provides the tools that reduce the time and cost of white-collar business processes by 40-60% - and generate typical returns of more than 300% - by managing the flow of decisions, information and accountability,” the vendor asserts.

Grace Hutchinson, Executive of the Shelby County Commission, said, “We needed new technology to speed up important county business and provide local businesses with the fast service they expect and deserve. Our goal is to make Shelby County government as efficient and effective as possible for the great companies that do business here.”

"We have been working with Shelby County for more than four years, and find the county to be one of the most progressive and committed local governments in the country when it comes to using technology to serve their constituents," said Ron Casto, President of CIMS Inc. "The commission’s dedication to solving business problems and increasing productivity of county employees through the use of technology proves they are efficient managers of the county resources, and is just one reason why this part of Tennessee continues to attract successful companies with national and global reputations."

Jack Arnold, Senior Vice President of Sales for Action Technologies, said, “Government is a market segment that stands to reap enormous benefits from our technology. By automating and streamlining processes - ranging from routing documents to the elected officials to publicly posting new ordinances - we are generating real savings of both time and money for Shelby County.”