Tech Upgrades Improve Service for Permitting Customers

For a permitting office, fewer calls are usually a good thing. A 60 percent drop? Even better. But in Orange County, Fla., fewer calls are just one measure of something bigger.

At the center of the county’s operation is Fast Track, an in-house, customer-facing platform that is the digital front end to the county’s underlying permitting system, AMANDA, which lets customers interact with their information through a modern web-based experience.

The county has recently been adding tools to that platform to make it easier for contractors and residents to handle routine tasks — from scheduling appointments to uploading licensing documents to making payments without logging in.

Read full story here: AI Helped Orange County, Fla., Halve Permitting Calls

Orange County, FL— Orange County is expanding its digital permitting services with new technology designed to make the process faster, easier, and more convenient for Development Services customers.

The latest enhancement is FastQ, a new appointment scheduling system developed in-house by Orange County Development Services. FastQ simplifies how customers connect with permitting staff, making it easier to schedule appointments and access services.

FastQ allows customers to schedule informational appointments in person, by phone, or through online video conferencing, depending on the service requested. When making an appointment, customers can also provide a permit number, property address, or a description of their question, allowing staff to prepare in advance and provide more efficient service. The new system also offers greater scheduling flexibility, integrates directly with the County’s existing software, and replaces a third-party vendor platform.

“Our goal is to put the customer first and make the permitting process as accessible, efficient, and user-friendly as possible,” said Alan C. Plante, manager of the Orange County Division of Building Safety. “FastQ and many other recent Fast Track enhancements give our customers more convenient ways to obtain information, manage their permitting and inspection needs, and connect with our team.”

FastQ is the latest in a series of technology improvements aimed at enhancing customer service. Earlier this year, Building Safety introduced an AI-powered phone assistant to answer permit and inspection questions more quickly. Other recent enhancements include an online tool that helps contractors maintain their licenses and required documentation, as well as the ability for customers to pay fees without logging into the permitting system.

Building Safety is part of the County’s Planning, Environmental, and Development Services Department. The Department is guided by an award-winning Strategic Management Plan that focuses on improving customer service, streamlining processes, and enhancing communication over the next five years.

For assistance with FastQ, call 407-836-8160 or email FastTrackPermittingHelpDesk@ocfl.net.

To try out the AI Assistant, call 407-836-5550.