As it is Now Local Govt Authorities and other Services are frequently overwhelmed by the ever increasing volume and complexity of Approvals applications

As it is NowLocal Govt Authorities and other Services are frequently overwhelmed by the ever increasing volume and complexity of Approvals applications.

This tidal wave of paperwork and plans, together with increasingly complex and demanding procedures and regulations require more and more resources and the approval time becomes longer.

Developers, owner builders and contractors get frustrated with these demands and delays and the approval authority is blamed for slow service, lost applications and lack of communication

Copyright Merlin Developments 2006


How big is the Problem?

The problem is huge;

The NeDA (National electronic Development Assessment) Project estimates that;

• Over $100 billion of DA’s are lodged annually in Australia

• The reduction of permit processing times for these applications could potentially result in savings of around $16 million per day.

Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) have provided the first step in providing a solution for processing building applications effectively and efficiently by scanning, storing and tracking the welter of plans and paperwork.

What is now required is a system to enable the Approval Authority to manage the complex web of tasks that need to be accomplished to complete the approval process, schedule the resources to fulfil these tasks and present the real-time status of the application to all stakeholders via the internet.

Savings will accrue due to skilled staff being deployed on more effective tasks: and improve the service provided to the public.

What is being Done?



Merlin now delivers:• Cost savings pertaining to travel, printing, queuing, and general administration.

The Approvals Process Solution

• Time savings associated with mailing, travel, data entry, local authority internal processes etc.

• Elimination of costly errors and reduction of complexities associated with inconsistent procedures and instructions, human error etc


Background & History of Merlin

The SoftwareMerlin is a customised database software package that spectacularly simplifies and speeds up the complicated process that starts with an application, right up to the approval of all related projects. Merlin does ALL of this with a high degree of technical accuracy. Merlin has a proven history.

Merlin’s track record2 years of reliable, efficient and secure performance in the Queensland Local Government Sector (Calliope Shire Council), & over 6 years in the Private Certification sector. Merlin is used as their primary approvals Application.

Merlin has been installed within Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, and is being assessed for use by Queensland Main Roads


Why Omnis Omnis Studio platform is a highly reliable

relational database. Omnis Studio provides Merlin with cross

platform functionalities. Merlin can be deployed on Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating environments.

Omnis Studio is a widely accepted platform of many organizations in Australia and around the world, i.e. Fedex, Flight Centre Australia, Reserve Bank of Australia.

More information found on www.omnis.net

Omnis Studio-Application platform used for Merlin


Facts : What Merlin can do

Electronic Document handling and management

Digital Plan stamping & imaging capabilities

Generates, completes and files fully formatted electronic permits, and enables automatic advices via emails or the internet

24/7 Job tracking for clients with Merlin Web access

Graphically analyses the Client Jobs

Simple and Friendly ‘task based’ Application Environment

Reporting Compiles weekly, monthly, annual reports for managers

Inbuilt Accounting Functionalities

Inspection Booking System

Inbuilt Email & Calender integration with MS Outlook

'To Do' List facilitates and optimises effective time management for officers involved in all stages.

Customisable to meet the complex nature of a wide variety of different organisations unique permit needs.


Electronic document handling and management

Historically 'Approval' companies have major problems in handling the volume of plans. Merlin has the best solution for your plan handling.One click 'Automatic Scanning' of plans to relevant job.Dynamically generated menus, extensive job and document search availability, and sophisticated windows as per the work needs for staff.Linking of business letters, small notes and other correspondence with clients and suppliers to each job.Auto generation of notices. 24/7 web access for client to scanned plans and documents. Client can upload plans over internet.


Plan Scanning, Handling and Storage

Approval companies have major problems of handling the plans. Merlin has the best solution for plan handling.

Merlin provides “one click” automatic scanning of plans to relevant job.

All linked plans and certificates are linked with their specific job and can be viewed or updated from Merlin.

24/7 web access for client to scanned plans and documents, and client can upload plans over internet.


Digital Plan Stamping

Now it is possible to digitally stamp a number of pages of scanned plans with one click in Merlin. Saves rescanning - a big step towards paperless office.

Saves expensive plan printing and postage costs for plans to be sent to client by post. You can now send the stamped plans to client by using email out of Merlin, at no cost.


24/7 Job tracking for client with Merlin Web Access

Powerful job search on various fields for internal users

Task based time and resource management

24/7 web access for clients to view status,correspond with office staff, submit plans/documents and print status reports

Fascilitate email stamped plans, notices, inspection reports to clients on click of a button

Automated weekly status reports to clients


Task based Application Environment

'Task based' approach of handling jobs. It means Merlin divides each job into number of dynamic user defined tasks which provides the ability to schedule the due dates of each job based on tasks.

Merlin dynamically builds the menus and content of job based on tasks. Each task is then distributed to respective staff member's 'TO DO LIST' with the expected due date for this task.

Tasks are fully customisable based on the mandatory requirements in BCA.


Reporting

Merlin “Value adds” extra to its popularity by the extensive reporting facilities.Merlin has a number of Financial, Status and Tax Analysis reports which assists company staff in producing the information which is extremely useful for clients and management staff.Merlin also has added features of producing the Accounting software export files, which can be directly imported with 100% accuracy and ease.Merlin sends the 'Automatic Job Status' reports to the clients every week by email without any user intervention.


Inbuilt Accounting functions

Integrated Account Management system built in which produces invoices, statements, receipts and keeps track of client payments.Tracking component to evaluate company expenses and spending.Export file generation for well known accounting softwares(MYOB) at the end of the month, if you are already using any other accounting software in your company.Automatic Cheque printing for payments


Inspection Booking System

Inspection Booking System is the most important part of Merlin it streamlines the complex Inspection bookings.

Merlin automatically finds the site location and the inspector who works in that area based on Post Codes. This allows office staff to book the inspection in that area which eases the whole complex procedure and save hours of time.

As required Merlin prints a detailed Booking sheet which provides inspectors the details they need. Additional bookings can be automatically sent to inspectors by mobile phone SMS, out of Merlin at no extra cost.

Merlin allows building inspectors to input the inspection data from remote site by using their PDA's (Pam OS only)


To Do List

Merlin automatically allocates the tasks of each job to related staff member on basis of information added in Merlin.As required Merlin prints a detailed Booking sheet which provides inspection officers the details they need. Any intermediate bookings can be automatically sent to inspection officers by mobile phone SMS out of merlin at no extra cost.Merlin allows inspection officers to input the relevant data from remote site by using their PDA's (Palm OS only)


Electronic AdministrationEmail Notices, Permits and CorrespondenceElectronic Inspection Booking SystemsStreamline Administration TimeEnable Secure Digital StampingProvision of a Customer Interface 24/7Payment System by Electronic InterfaceElectronic Storage / Archiving SystemElectronic Customisable Permit generationAutomatic Accuracy Checking proceduresIntegrated with Microsoft Outlook TasksBroad-based Reporting FunctionalitySystem compliance with Industry Stds.

merlin Does!

Can Other Software Do;

MERLIN OTHERSFULLY INTEGRATED COMPLEX TASKS SUCH AS

?

(already!)


Summary

Merlin is a proven software for it's simplicity, strength, efficiency, and cross platform compatibility.Merlin provides all your organization's needs in one package.We will provide full support, installation, and staff training for your staff. We will work with you to integrate your existing softwares to work with Merlin.Don't let time leakage drain your organization's efficiency. Stop it with Merlin!

Let US take care of streamlining your approval procedures.


Contact Us

Merlin Developments 25 Passage Street

Cleveland, Australia, 4163. Ph: (+617) 3821 8703 Fax: (+617) 3821 8703 Email:

[email protected]

www.merlindevelopments.com.au

Copyright Merlin Developments 2006Copyright Merlin Developments 2006

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As it is Now Local Govt Authorities and other Services are frequently overwhelmed by the ever increasing volume and complexity of Approvals applications