SAN RAMON, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Jul 12, 2010 -- Accela, Inc., the leading provider of Web-based and mobile software that makes government services available 24/7, today released the first version of its flagship Accela Automation® software that is compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Government customers purchasing Accela Automation 7.0.5 to handle online permitting, licensing, asset management, and a range of other functions will now be able to offer internal staff and members of the public even broader and more equitable access to these innovative e-government solutions.

Section 508 requires federal government agencies to provide disabled employees and members of the public with access to electronic information that is comparable to the access available to others. Federally funded projects at the state and local levels will increasingly need to demonstrate Section 508 compliance. Accela Automation and its companion Accela Citizen Access™ software have been enhanced to fully support the use of assistive technologies such as the JAWS® text-to-speech reader and text-to-Braille hardware, and to leverage browser-based tools for screen color and contrast, enabling those with sight impairments to make effective use of these products.

"For Accela, complying with Section 508 is about helping to bring effective government to more people," said Maury Blackman, Accela President and CEO. "Government workers today often serve the public from both the office and the field, while the general public increasingly expects anytime/anywhere access to government services from their home, office or mobile device. In this rapidly evolving landscape, governments at every level must make online applications and processes more accessible to everyone. Accela is fully committed to deliver Section 508-compliant products that meet the accessibility requirements of government today and in the future."

Further Advancements in Accela Automation 7.0.5
In addition to achieving 508 compliance, Accela has infused its latest product releases with numerous functional advancements for core users -- including new features designed to improve navigation, empower mobile public access, and provide both office- and field-based workers with a richer GIS mapping experience.

• Context-specific user assistance -- Accela Citizen Access software allows users to apply and pay for permits, licenses or other government services via a single online shopping cart from home or office, and even to access their permits and applications from a mobile device. New form design capabilities now allow agencies to add comments, instructional text or context-specific weblinks -- to help users at any point in the online permitting process.
• Mobile Access -- Accela Mobile Citizen Access™ 7.0.5 lets government agencies offer a mobile user experience to members of the public with smartphones, such as an iPhone or BlackBerry. Agencies can customize the capabilities and configurability they offer these users, based on their unique requirements.
• Enhanced GIS -- GIS is a centerpiece of Accela Automation and the Accela Mobile Office™ solution, which allow office- and field-based government workers to leverage geospatial data for inspections, investigations, code enforcement, urban planning, infrastructure asset management, and more. Accela has now extended geodatabase editing to field-based teams -- allowing them to dynamically add the locations and properties of their public-works and infrastructure assets on the spot, in real time. This workflow-embedded GIS capability can help teams build and maintain a highly accurate geodatabase, resulting in better asset maintenance, greater team efficiency, and reduced costs.

Availability and Pricing
Section 508-compliant Accela Automation and Accela Citizen Access are available now. Additional information on procurement and pricing options is available at www.accela.com or Email Contact.

About Accela
Accela, Inc. is the leading provider of Web-based and mobile software applications that make government services available 24/7. Accela's solutions automate licensing, permit, case, and asset management processes for local, state, and federal government agencies of all sizes. Backed by 30 years of development and implementation in more than 500 agencies worldwide, Accela software manages more types of regulatory government transactions than any other solution. Accela products and services empower agencies to increase efficiencies, reduce workload, and provide the public with more convenient access to government services. Accela is headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., with international offices in Melbourne, Australia; Abu Dhabi; and Beijing. Additional information and images can be found at http://www.accela.com/company/newsroom.asp.

Accela and Accela Automation are registered trademarks of Accela, Inc.
Accela Citizen Access, Accela Mobile Office and other Accela-branded products are trademarks of Accela, Inc. The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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CONTACT:
Paul Davis
Accela, Inc. 
925-659-3270 

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