Compliance Simplified with a Centralized Permit Management Solution

The client maintained a desktop app for several years to manage and unify all permit-related information. However, desktop apps are tied to a specific machine, which limits accessibility. This led to ever-growing problems for those using the app.

Building inspectors, frequently on the move and visiting multiple construction sites, couldn’t always be physically present at the location where the desktop app was installed. This posed a severe challenge to accessing permit-related data, often leading to non-compliance in repair work.

Even if inspectors had access to the desktop app from a construction site, they would face sudden power outages. Sometimes, they could not use the desktops as the harsh nature of construction environments would not be conducive to using the machines.

Such adversities needed to be solved to ease permit management. As a result, the client had to consider an alternate solution to desktop apps for managing permits. At this stage, they contacted Capital Numbers for a web-based solution that could eliminate their issues.

However, our work involved more than just creating a web app. We had to develop a high-level software system to unify and showcase hundreds of permits, licenses, and municipal compliance codes. Hence, a solid foundational framework had to be designed for the purpose.

Considering the project's critical requirements, we chose ASP.NET and MSSQL to develop the application backend. Thanks to these robust technologies, we could integrate different building permits, licenses, territory, municipality, and county codes into one system.

Within this framework, we incorporated obligatory rules to ensure permit thresholds are verified and never at risk of being crossed. We also built custom logic to alert users of upcoming permit expiry dates so that builders/contractors are always notified of permit renewals. Additionally, we optimized permit workflows and audit trails to track every stage, from permit creation to project completion.

We then leveraged Web APIs to automatically fetch updated permits from external systems the client was using. This unification of documents in one system allows authorities to swiftly monitor all permit statuses and regulations by accessing this single app.

Next, we used Telerik, which has an arsenal of data tables and filters, enabling authorities to extract specific permits from extensive records. We also used Crystal Reports to add drill-down options, thus catering to enhanced reporting needs for corrective actions.

Additionally, we made the solution cross-device compatible using JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. Finally, we tested the solution on all mobile devices and hosted it on MS Azure after testing if it was updating all permit-related data and thresholds as was required.

Capital Numbers’ outstanding work led to the development of a centralized permit repository, allowing regulatory bodies to view all permits and comply year-round. Here’s more on how the app benefits users: