Managing inspections is a core responsibility for planning and building departments across state and local governments. However, paper trails and disconnected systems hinder productivity for many municipalities. Agencies are expected to operate with transparency, efficiency, and adaptability. The Accela Civic Platform’s inspection management solution offers paper-based agencies a chance at digital transformation. Accela delivers powerful real-time tracking across planning, permitting, and building inspections for public officials and external stakeholders.
From back-office administrators to field inspectors and the citizens they serve, every stakeholder benefits from Accela’s modern, mobile, and cloud-based platform. Mobile and cloud technologies drive inspections management, helping agencies modernize workflows and enhance transparency.
Inspection Tracking Starts in the Back Office
Inspection management doesn’t begin in the field. It starts in the office, where staff need fast, reliable access to inspection records, applications, and historical data. Accela makes this process intuitive. With global and advanced search tools, users can quickly locate inspection records using filters or saved searches. Whether tracking the timeline of a specific permit or pulling up an entire inspection history for a property, back-office personnel benefit from easy-to-navigate interfaces and robust reporting tools.
Custom dashboards and real-time metrics offer more than just a snapshot—they provide actionable insights. By streamlining how data is organized and shared, Accela ensures that no inspection gets lost in the shuffle. Because the entire system is built with automation in mind, routine tasks like generating notifications, flagging applications, or triggering approvals can happen with minimal user intervention.
Accela’s centralized, automated environment reduces human error and makes it easier to maintain compliance with internal processes and external regulatory requirements. Ultimately, Accela empowers agencies to process more applications with fewer bottlenecks, saving time and money in the long run.
Empowering Inspectors with Field-Ready Tools
One of the standout features of Accela’s Inspection Management solution is its mobile application. Designed for iOS, Android, and Windows devices, the Accela Mobile app equips inspectors with everything they need to perform tasks in the field—without ever needing to return to the office.
Inspectors can use their tablets or smartphones to pull up inspection assignments, access site details, view permit documents, and even markup digital plans. Interactive maps enhance navigation, so users can plot inspections spatially and optimize their routes. Inspectors can cover more ground in less time and reduce missed inspections caused by logistical challenges.
The mobile application’s on-the-go update functionality means that inspectors can record comments, upload photos, and generate inspection reports directly from the job site. Users can eliminate manual data entry delays and improve the accuracy and timeliness of inspection records. Even without internet access, the app stores updated information locally and syncs with the cloud once reconnected to the internet, ensuring continuity and reliability.
Real-Time Inspections Tracking: The Benefits Multiply
Real-time tracking integrated with inspection workflows has a domino effect on the entire service delivery ecosystem. Stakeholders at every level—field inspectors, administrators, developers, and even citizens—gain improved visibility into the status of inspections.
For agencies, this transparency means fewer calls requesting updates and fewer miscommunications between departments. Real-time updates facilitate seamless collaboration when field data syncs directly with back-office systems. If an inspector fails a site due to code violations, the platform can trigger automatic workflows to schedule re-inspections or notify other departments.
Transparency improves when citizens and developers can log in to a public portal to check inspection statuses, upload required documents, or make payments—all from their own devices. Additionally, administrators can access real-time reports to monitor productivity, spot delays, or adjust staffing to meet demand.
At a higher level, the ability to review performance metrics and generate analytics means that agency leaders can make data-driven decisions, identify trends, and improve policy development. Whether it’s reducing permit turnaround time or increasing compliance with safety codes, real-time tracking equips agencies with the data they need to deliver measurable outcomes.
Supporting Planning and Building Departments
Accela’s impact stretches beyond inspections. The platform’s building and planning modules provide agencies with a configurable, integrated platform that supports a full range of development-related functions.
For planning teams, staff can manage the entire development lifecycle—from land use and zoning requests to plan reviews and approvals. With built-in automation, the system ensures that workflows align with agency policies and that permit data flows seamlessly into inspections and compliance systems. Electronic plan reviews, GIS mapping integration, and conditional document requirements allow agencies to digitize and streamline planning processes without sacrificing flexibility or control.
For building departments, Accela automates the entire permitting process, making it faster and easier for both staff and applicants. Online portals eliminate the need for in-person visits, allowing citizens and developers to submit applications, pay fees, and monitor statuses at any time. Reviewers benefit from centralized access to zoning and code references while inspectors leverage mobile tools to complete fieldwork with precision.
The integration across planning and building functions ensures that data entered once flows through the system without duplication, cutting down on errors and delays. In essence, Accela provides a connected environment that reflects how development projects happen in the real world—complex, multi-phased, and involving many stakeholders.
A major Midwestern city with one of the region’s largest Building and Zoning Services departments transformed its operations using Accela. By modernizing its permitting, zoning, and inspection workflows, the department achieved faster project approvals, improved coordination with developers, and greater transparency for residents. Click the button below to download a copy of the case study, and learn how a comprehensive digital solution can drive measurable improvements in government efficiency and public service.
The results speak for themselves. In fact, building and planning departments that implement Accela’s digital platform have reported cutting permit processing times by as much as 50%. This infographic highlights how streamlined workflows, mobile inspections, and automated task management reduce delays and help agencies deliver services faster—benefiting both staff and the communities they serve.
How 3SG Plus Delivers Accela Implementation and Support Success
Implementing a solution as powerful as Accela requires more than just installation—it demands strategy, planning, and long-term support. That’s where 3SG Plus comes in. As an authorized Accela reseller and integrator, 3SG Plus is trusted by government agencies across the country to deploy and support digital transformation initiatives that deliver results.
We help clients design Accela environments that meet their specific business needs—from inspection management to licensing, permitting, and planning. Whether starting from a clean slate or upgrading a legacy system, we tailor the Accela platform to align with each agency’s workflows, compliance requirements, and citizen engagement goals.
Our deployment process includes detailed assessments, platform configuration, third-party system integration, and rigorous testing. We connect Accela with GIS databases, payment gateways, and CRM applications to create a connected ecosystem that streamlines your operations.
However, the value of 3SG Plus doesn’t stop at go-live. We offer comprehensive post-deployment services including managed services, platform upgrades, user training, and system optimization. Our team ensures that your investment in Accela continues to evolve alongside your agency’s growth and the changing needs of your community.
The Future of Inspections is Digital—and It’s Here
As local governments strive to modernize, the need for digital inspection management will only continue to grow. The combination of real-time tracking, mobile functionality, and automation makes Accela a standout solution for planning and building departments.
With Accela, agencies can do more with less—process more permits, conduct more inspections, and provide better service to citizens. And with 3SG Plus by your side, you gain a trusted partner with the experience, technology, and dedication to help you unlock the full value of your Accela investment.