DBI panel finds Qmatic unsuitable for many functions; permit-tracking upgrade moves toward user testing

At the Nov. 21, 2012 meeting the Building Inspection Commission received two technology updates: the Permerton Project Tracking System (including Sala Citizen Access) is advancing toward user acceptance testing, and an internal review concluded the Qmatic queuing system is not suitable for many DBI workflows.

Hema Nikanti of DBI reported that analysis has begun on the Permerton Project Tracking System and the Sala Citizen Access web portal; the department has identified user-acceptance testing leads and said UAT will start in January. "Analysis has begun on the Sala Citizen Access, which is actually a web portal," Nikanti told commissioners and said a kickoff meeting with commission representatives is scheduled to define advisory-group makeup and agendas.

On Qmatic, DBI staff said they formed a BPR/EPOC committee that reviewed the system and concluded it does not meet DBI’s needs for plan check and cashier operations, which are more complex than single-floor operations like the DMV. Commission members said their original goal in adopting a queuing system was to create a fair, transparent intake for first-time customers and homeowners; staff acknowledged the concern and discussed measures such as having a building inspector at intake, improved spreadsheets for tracking clipboards, and training to ensure consistent plan-check decisions.

Commissioners asked staff to bring a process for formally decommissioning Qmatic back to the Commission and to explore whether the city could reassign or sell the asset. Deputy directors also suggested outreach to other city departments to determine if there is demand for the system.

DBI also reported progress on ancillary technology efforts including email delivery for certain applications, cashiering-system configuration testing, and server-room design drawings that are ready for permits and construction.