Oak Park needed an updated solution that did not limit its capabilities of serving employees and the community.
New World Solution
New World’s Logos solution was chosen because of its flexibility and integration. Community Benefits With New World Systems Logos software, the City of Oak Park was able to implement eGovernment services.
Enhances customer service, providing citizens with access to information via the city’s website
Saves employees time, because information is easily accessible via the city’s website
Reduces the number of transactions with automatic postings
A Customer since 1995, the bedroom community of Oak Park, Michigan has relied on New World Systems' Logos Public Administration software to keep their community running easily and efficiently.
The City began their search for a new software vendor, because their previous system was outdated and very limited. There was a lot of manual work involved, as the system was not fully integrated. Oak Park's research committee chose New World as their new software solution after seeing a demonstration of the application.
"New World's software is completely integrated," said Jim Ghedotte, finance director for the City of Oak Park. "Transactions are entered once into the financial system, and they are automatically posted to the appropriate accounts. New World was also the only vendor to have developed a Cash Register interface." Information captured within the cash register is tracked in the system, reducing redundant data entry. The same can be said for payroll, which is automatically documented in the general ledger.
"Accessing information is great," said Ghedotte. "The system is robust, and I've never had to create queries in order to look up information."
The Logos software is extensive. It has allowed the City to reduce the number of transactions in the Finance Department and increased the service level they provide to the community. Oak Park has also transferred supporting documentation, such as checks, statements, invoices, etc., to an electronic format that can be attached to a particular file.
Oak Park is very excited about their progressive Internet initiatives. The City uses its web site to provide a multitude of information to constituents. With a property address you can access data such as the owner of the property, mailing address, school district, tax information, the assessed value of property and tax value.
"Currently, the information on our web site is primarily for inquiry purposes only," said John Takemoto, director of information technology. "Accounts receivable tax information for each property in Oak Park integrates into the web site from the IBM® iSeries server." Citizens can then arrange payment through the U.S. Post Office, because the City is unable to process transactions online at this point.
Next on Oak Park's agenda for their web site is to add water billing information and eventually to take payments on-line. To learn more about what the City of Oak Park is doing on their web site, please visit www.ci.oak-park.mi.us.
