Computerized Pen Brings Bottom Line Savings

When Provo City officials looked at the city's main revenue streams in December, they found what spokesperson Helen Anderson calls "a pleasant surprise."  Public safety revenue--money from traffic tickets and justice court fees--exceeded projections by $163,327, or 22 percent, due in part to an intuitive pen.

Anderson said a number of recent changes could explain the higher than expected result.  For one, the city's four parking cadets are now deployed with a digital pen and paper, and a cell phone that utilizes vCitePlus, an Internet based real-time software citation platform engineered in Sandy, UT, by Velosum, Inc.

"The Velosum system has helped us be more streamlined in our collections," states Anderson.  "It's saved the city money, and it's more convenient for the public.  On average, 45 percent, or about 615 tickets per month, are paid online.  Last month, it was 51 percent.  That significantly reduces the number of staff we need to process those payments.  Our collection rate is now at 83 percent, up from 67 percent before we started using Velosum."  

Prior to Velosum, Provo was using an electronic handheld citation system. Velosum's vCitePlus advanced the program considerably as vCitePlus is an A-Z web-based solution.  With this system, officers can write a parking citation, accumulate photographic and GPS evidence, and then transmit that handwritten ticket directly to the city web-site in real time.  In addition to issuance, vCitePlus includes an on-line payment portal, on-line appeals, administration, adjudication, cashiering, and reporting.

This means that motorists who receive a parking citation can go immediately on-line, review the citation and its photographic evidence, make an electronic appeal, or just pay the full citation amount.  The vCitePlus pen is largely credited for a 48 percent increase in credit card payments as well as assisting in the entire process.

"vCitePlus has allowed the parking officers to be more efficient and has provided the City of Provo with its unexpected increase," says Michael Critchfield, Velosum Vice President for Sales and Marketing.  Critchfield says the number of citations is up 29 percent per officer compared to a year ago and more issued citations mean more collectable revenue.   "We can take a lot of credit for the uptick, absolutely" says Critchfield.

To validate his assumptions and look for other efficiencies, Critchfield enlisted Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR). USTAR will also as assist in finding additional vertical markets for his technology. USTAR Technical Outreach Associate Director Ryan Angus is directing the effort. "Working with Michael and his team to quantify the data as well as find new niches for his product is hand in glove," said Angus. ‘The product is suited to any organization that tracks information in a consistent way."  

Critchfield adds, "We can improve systems immensely for anyone using conventional paper and pen writing that data in real-time to the web where it can be applied to databases and used to improve business."

"Velosum is already exploring several markets and will look to USTAR for assistance as we explore and enter those markets. USTAR will be able to give us introductions, a leg up, and extra eyes and ears where we didn't have them before," says Critchfield. "They are an invaluable resource and partner."

Today, the vCitePlus pen is utilized by seven police forces across the nation and with the help of USTAR, it is expected Velosum will expand to new markets worldwide, even in a down economy. "We see this, particularly with the help of USTAR, as bringing a solution to companies that will get them through tough economic times.  This is just what CEOs and CFOs need to make sure they are on track and able at all levels," said Critchfield. "And we couldn't be more ready."

Ready and able to improve bottom lines and efficiencies, all with the stroke of a remarkable pen.

ABOUT VELOSUM INC.  
Velosum is a leading provider of digital acquisition and Internet-based on-demand portal technologies based out of Sandy, Utah.  Velosum solutions enable organizations to "write paper to the web!"  Their software allows management and real-time integration of handwritten data to other databases and Internet sites.   Velosum launched its first vCitePlus application in December of 2007 and now has eight public safety customers across the United States.  Velosum has also launched vTrialsPlus, a clinical trials monitoring tool, using the Velosum digital portal technologies. Velosum licenses digital pattern from Anoto. For more information, go to www.velosum.com.

ABOUT USTAR
The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah's "knowledge economy" and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the State Legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area involves funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across the State to promote science, innovation, and commercialization activities. For more information, go to www.innovationutah.com.