It has been a while since I've updated, but some things have happened around here that have people energized in a positive way.
Since I mentioned the awards, it's probably good to share some information about the actual product receiving them.
Mobile Ticketing is an application developed by REJIS to automate the capture and printing of citations, summons and parking tickets. Using a laptop or a desktop computer, officers or desk clerks can enter and print tickets in the field or in the office. Mobile Ticketing checks the data for validity before allowing the ticket to be printed. The tickets are printed in a legible format that mimics the layout of the Uniform Traffic Ticket. Once each ticket is approved, the data can be passed to other applications, such as REJIS’ IMDS (Integrated Metropolitan Docketing System) that is used by numerous municipal courts in the St. Louis and outstate Missouri region. The agency is also able to export the data to a file for further report generation by the user. Once the pplication is launched, the user will have access to multiple functions depending on their authorization: Ticket Search, Ticket Entry, DOR and NLETS inquiry, Hot File Check, Traffic Analysis Reporting, Field Interview Reports, and Administration.
Some of the benefits
You can produce a legible ticket in the field. The system checks the violation and other fields for validity before allowing a ticket to be saved or printed. It is manageable and customizable, allowing agencies to define additional fields not found on a standard ticket,change selected field labels, maintain valid values, and specify which fields are required or optional
It populates the entry windows with data retrieved from state agencies and integrates the Mobile Ticketing application with LEWeb (another REJIS Law Enforcement application).
Data is fully interfaced and automatically be shared with other REJIS systems, such as IMDS, which eliminates double entry of the citation information and provides a method to extract ticket information into a file format on a scheduled basis.
Best of all, this service is included in the REJIS subscription service and there are no additional costs to either the police department or court. It eliminates the logging, filing and other administrative processing of hard copies since the data is stored electronically. It does require the purchase of a mobile printer, however the efficiency and ability to issue multiple citations with a few clicks of a mouse pays for the hardware in no time.
When it rains it pours!
The recipients of the 2008 Computerworld Honors Program awards were announced at a gala ceremony in Washington DC on June 2, 2008, with 10 organizations receiving the top prizes for their use of technology to promote social, educational or economic advances. REJIS received two Laureate awards for their data center project and mobile ticketing applications. Check out the links for more details.
ComputerWorld Honors REJIS
http://www.cwhonors.org/viewCaseStudy2008.asp?NominationID=695
http://www.cwhonors.org/viewCaseStudy2008.asp?NominationID=683
REJIS has received the Redmond Developer News 2008 Innovator Award as the winning entry in the Mobile Development category for their Mobile Ticketing program.
You can read the entire story here:
http://reddevnews.com/features/article.aspx?editorialsid=2510
Since this blog is about REJIS, I thought it would be good to take a look at some of the programs that REJIS offers.
The first is a recent addition to the portfolio and has been very well received by members of the law enforcement community. It came from one department's request to get away from the paper policy manuals that had been around forever, yet still be able to meet the requirements set forth by CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies). The result was the Policy Acknowledgement SyStem or PASS.
PASS was designed to facilitate the review and acknowledgement of new and revised policies distributed by an agency. Using a web browser as the main access point, the system allows staff to review policies at their convenience from any agency authorized personal computer. In addition to providing a repository for policy information, PASS supports comprehensive tracking and reporting functions, including electronic signatures.
Some of the key features of the system are instant distribution of the most current versions of agency policies,procedures, and other correspondence are distributed instantly to all personnel via e-mail. E-mail can be also used to notify employees of directives waiting to be reviewed. Everyone is updated and current at all times. The system is accessed through a web browser from any agency computer, saving space formerly occupied by paper manuals.
Access is managed via user IDs and passwords. All access can be managed and controlled by a designated administrator to ensure document integrity. It also includes on-line policy testing to test the comprehension of employees on written policy. You can create and manage your own tests.
Users can sign off or test by entering their userID after reviewing a policy. Officers in the field can view the policies and documents from their mobile laptops. Supervisors can bulk signoff for users during initial set-up of previously acknowledged documents.
The system is also paperless so you can eliminate paper products, printing costs and physical storage space while preserving data integrity. The report function contains testing and acknowledgement reports that meet all CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) requirements and the on-demand reports allow supervisors to review who has completed policy review and testing. Documents can be also downloaded from Word and all documents can be searched by key words.
PASS is available in a client/server version and as an internet based application. PASS isn't just a law enforcement tool, it can also be used by any organization needing record of policy distribution and acknowledgement.
The first annual Gateway to Innovation event took place Wednesday April 30, 2008 at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis. REJIS was one of the St. Louis area companies receiving special recognition at the gala.
You can see more about the event here:
http://www.stlinnovate.com/
The write up for REJIS' recognition follows:
Paul Newhouse, General Manager
Eric Gorham, Director of Information Technology
Public safety entities rely on the electronic exchange of information to operate. This premise is especially important following a disaster. As the leading provider of information technology services to law enforcement and government agencies in the St. Louis region, REJIS is a mainstay in the criminal justice arena with its services ingrained in the processing of law enforcement and government activities throughout the region. Understanding the importance of having uninterrupted access, REJIS reexamined its approach to business continuity to ensure constant access to the nearly 250 government agencies it serves.
REJIS' 30-year-old data center was located on the lower level of a general purpose office building. As such, it was not built to withstand major manmade or natural disasters, nor was the design conducive to an efficient operation of today’s technical environment. To address these issues, the Board of Directors hired Arcturis to help plan a solution. The conclusion was the construction of a new data center adjacent to the existing office building. The Board approved the plan and REJIS embarked on the largest endeavor in its history.
After securing funding, construction began in July 2006 and completed in May 2007. Built next door to the current headquarters, the new facility was designed to be highly secure and resistant to manmade and natural disasters. The facility expanded the original data center's size to 8,000 square foot and boasts many redundant features. Besides having sufficient space for growth, REJIS now offers hosting services to the government sector and a business continuity center for use by agencies in the event their regular work space becomes unavailable.
Technology played a crucial role in the design and construction of the new facility. It incorporated C|Smart (www.c-smart.com) which aids in directing cable installation and distribution, accurately generates panel schedules, and assists in managing inventory. A 24" raised floor was installed that increased the cooling plenum and made cable management easier. The floor pedestals and tiles are bolted to the concrete base below to create a common grounded network, and several viewing floor tiles were incorporated for ease of inspection. Fire detection systems are present throughout the center.
Finally, bandwidth, redundant communication, and overall security of the facility were greatly improved. Communication redundancy was accomplished by having dual entrances for primary communications and dual power provided by multiple CPCs (Computer Power Centers). Other features include:
• Isolating the data center from headquarters with restricted access to data center
• Securing storage rooms
• Installing IP-based cameras throughout facility and campus
• Using high security door hardware and locks
• Incorporating badge readers with two or three factor identification
• Including entry traps and interlocked doors
• Eliminating exterior windows
• Protecting exterior equipment by heavy grating, such as the generator and all HVAC systems
• Securing the perimeter by 8' and 10' foot fencing and bollards
Funding was the largest impediment. The REJIS Board approved the project with three stipulations. The building must be self-sustaining (client fees could not be increased), clients must reap benefits from the new data center, and additional business must be obtained to repay the construction loan.
Two important outside funding sources were acquired to assist with capital expenditures. First, the State of Missouri signed a service agreement as the first customer of the new data center. Second, a $50,000 grant was obtained to enhance security.
When the bids were opened, the total cost was well over budget. With the help of the general contractor, BSI Constructors, we were able to find economies to meet the design goals and the budget. REJIS staff also did many non-construction tasks internally to reduce costs. One example was planning and executing the move to the new center with internal resources. By the end of the project, costs were nearly $355,000 under budget.
Located in a historic area with two associations who review building requests, the General Manager and the architect began meeting with the groups early in the process to solicit their ideas. After several iterations, the design met the associations’ guidelines and secured unanimous endorsement. The letter praised the process noting, “We wish all developers were as willing to involve us and listen to our ideas as REJIS”.
Limiting disruption of critical services was another obstacle. It was inevitable that moving the data center would require the disruption of critical services to our clients. Through detailed planning, identification of critical components, trial runs and company-wide ownership, the move of all critical services was accomplished in only 118 minutes.
The success of the Data Center construction required intense planning and effort from all departments and employees. The project team encouraged organizational support by holding group meetings, asking for input, and distributing weekly status reports and pictures. Once the building was accessible, tours were provided to staff so progress could be seen firsthand. Ultimately ownership in the project became company-wide and all members were empowered and believed in the success. Staff volunteered to be involved firsthand in REJIS’ largest endeavor ever. In the end, we met all the project objectives: • On time and under budget • Minimal interruption of critical public safety services• Satisfied neighborhood associations• Improved services
The whole list of companies receiving recognition is at:
http://www.stlinnovate.com/recognition/examples
This blog is all about the Regional Justice Information Service (REJIS) located in St. Louis, MO. 
Since this is an introduction, I'll introduce you to REJIS.
REJIS is a local government agency created to “serve the public interest through delivering quality,cost-effective technology services to the justice community and to government and quasi-government agencies.” REJIS’ primary focus is to provide record management services to law enforcement, courts, and corrections agencies at the local, state and federal levels. This includes interfaces to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s MULES system, the Nat ional Crime Information Center (NCIC), and the NLETS network. REJIS was founded in 1975 under a cooperative agreement between St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis. Our customers are primarily concentrated in the metropolitan St. Louis and southwestern Illinois areas.
On behalf of their client agencies REJIS also provides fee-based services to other governmental agencies and the private sector. Members of The Missouri Bar Association use a service called MoBar Net, members of the private security community may use a service called PS Net and other governmental agencies can use a service called GA Net.
REJIS has approximately 140 employees located at three sites. Most of the staff and equipment is
based at the REJIS building, in the Central West End of St. Louis.
REJIS is a full service IT organization, hosting data center services, developing and publishing law enforcement and government applications, testing and training and offering a full range of support services. Future posts will focus on more of these services in depth.