Emerald Systems, which had been providing technical and Internet programming services to St. Louis County for some time, was brought into a meeting to discuss their options. Emerald recommended using data warehousing with Internet query capability. The JUV E NET system consists of a database on Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, Microsoft Visual Basic applications that detect the presence of data at the client site, an Internet query and delivery program, and an Internet management program addressing such issues as security and administration. In brief, the system's file-detection component automatically uploads data from the three disparate databases into a data warehouse. Police and probation officers now have complete real-time access to arrest, probation, and violation records anywhere they have Internet access, including at home and in the office.
Officers can even check on the availability of space at the detention center during arrest.
When a police officer stops a juvenile, an instant check can be made across five counties. Probation officers also are kept in the loop through JUV E NET and a corresponding e-mail. Microsoft Products for Easy Integration Microsoft's database, Web, and application products provide a seamless and fully integrated set of business programs that allow scalability in high growth environments and seamless integration for the ultimate in functionality, performance, and reliability. Today, the JUV E NET program is linked to the CSTS, ARC's Detention Center system, and the Duluth Police Department's NCIC system. Microsoft Visual Basic and HTML were used to detect and auto-upload data from these systems in either an exported .txt file or Microsoft Access .mdb file format.