City of Manhattan, Kansas Chooses Oracle Permitting and Licensing to Enhance Regulatory Services
The City of Manhattan, Kansas, has officially selected Oracle Permitting and Licensing (OPAL) to revamp its regulatory services, optimize review processes, and stimulate economic growth. This innovative solution aims to provide both residential and commercial developers with a user-friendly online application system that streamlines permitting and project approvals within the thriving community.
Background on Manhattan's Decision
As the fourth-largest urban area in Kansas, Manhattan serves a population of approximately 130,000 and hosts significant employers, including Kansas State University and Fort Riley. Recognizing the need to modernize, the city has opted to replace outdated systems and inefficient manual processes with the OPAL platform, thus aiming for dramatic improvements in revenue management and service delivery.
Strategic Goals of the OPAL Implementation
Jared Wasinger, Director of Technology and Communications for Manhattan, stated, "We're entering a new era of regulatory efficiency that will unlock exciting possibilities for our community." He emphasized the city's commitment to enhancing the experience of securing and managing permits and licenses through OPAL.
With the City Commission's approval, Manhattan plans to partner with Oracle over the next year to construct an all-encompassing online permitting and licensing system. The anticipated launch of this platform is set for summer 2026.
Features and Benefits of Oracle's OPAL
The OPAL solution offers a range of benefits designed to improve government efficiency, including:
- Streamlined Self-Service Experience: Residents, contractors, and businesses can effortlessly submit applications and track their status in real-time through an intuitive online portal.
- Unified Regulatory Management: OPAL consolidates crucial functions such as planning, permitting, inspections, and licensing into a single cloud-based solution, providing enhanced data insights and better decision-making.
- Improved Transparency and Engagement: The system features automated status updates and streamlined communication, ensuring that applicants remain informed throughout the entire process.
- Accelerated Economic Development: By simplifying business registration and licensing, OPAL aims to attract new businesses and support existing enterprises.
Industry Context and Future Outlook
As municipalities face increasing pressure to modernize regulatory services amid limited budgets, Manhattan's choice to collaborate with Oracle aligns it with a growing trend among local governments. Enterprises that have implemented Oracle solutions, including OPAL, have reported the ability to process thousands of permits each year while enhancing customer satisfaction.
Simon Threlfall, General Vice President for Emerging Markets at Oracle, remarked, "For existing Oracle Fusion application customers like Manhattan, OPAL is already in their Oracle Cloud environment. This accelerates time-to-value and provides continuous innovation through built-in AI."
Learn More About OPAL
Oracle Permitting and Licensing is set to transform how government regulatory services operate, leveraging advanced AI and other innovations. For additional information about OPAL, visit Oracle's official page.
About Oracle
Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) offers integrated applications and secure, autonomous infrastructure within the Oracle Cloud. Learn more at www.oracle.com.