Fascination with intranets has led vendors to develop imaging applications that run on the open network. By Tod Newcombe Eastern Region Editor W hen Bill Gates wanted to build a landing pad for his helicopter on property he owned near a lake shore in suburban Seattle, he had to file permit papers with Washington state's Department of Ecology. Despite his status as the country's richest businessman, the billionaire's request for a permit was denied, and he built his helipad on higher ground.
Users can also view document images with their browsers.
Anyone with a browser and clearance can use it. The system is a no-brainer. Since the late 1980s, states and localities have invested in document imaging technology to reduce labor and storage costs associated with paper processing, improve access to the information on documents and improve workflow. But costs have remained high. Today, the Internet is changing the equation governments use to decide who can use imaging or if an agency should even have an imaging application.