The key has been a Web-enabled document management system anchored by Ascent Capture. The system has enabled genealogists and real estate title companies to search for and view any of the millions of federal land deeds and land patents that have been scanned using Ascent Capture. Most people are blown away by the whole process. The site also drew praise from Vice President Al Gore. Gegen's background is title management and his operators are mostly land adjudicators who fulfilled title records in the Public Records Room.
None are computer technology experts.
Gegen says he considered a microfilm-based solution but he discovered that quality was difficult to control and it didn't help customers find what they were looking for without understanding land recording jargon. The SAIC team evaluated several other capture products but recommended Ascent Capture for its flexibility and low cost. The site received 20 million hits during its first year of operation. About 85 percent are genealogy researchers. The rest work for title companies.