Local software development company PDMS, has been shortlisted in the ScotlandIS DigiTech Awards 2015 for the Best in Public Sector Service/Product category with its partner the Police National Legal Database (PNLD), on their Ask the Scottish Police project, amidst a record number of entries.
PDMS has been working as a technology partner to PNLD for over 10 years, delivering a range of innovative new online services which benefit criminal justice agencies and wider communities. Through this partnership, PDMS has developed the Ask the Police Scotland website and App (available for use on both iOS and Android), which helps the public get instant answers to over 750 most frequently asked questions, covering a wide range of police related issues. Typical questions include queries on personal safety and anti-social behaviour, to what action to take following a road traffic collision or on receiving a fixed penalty notice.
This information is not only up to date but legally correct, offering both the residents of Scotland and visitors alike a quick, easy and accurate way to find out the information they need - whether at home, work or when out and about. Questions and answers are updated frequently and the ‘Question of the Day’ and ‘Latest News’ features provide topical local information, with additional questions also answered from the site by PNLD staff.
At a time when Police Scotland needs to find ?11 million in funding to break even, it is calculated that the website alone saves police call handlers in Scotland over ?281,000 per annum, saving time and resources by reducing the amount of non-emergency calls taken through the police contact centres.
Commenting on the news, Chris Gledhill Managing Director of PDMS said, “We are delighted to have been shortlisted in the DigiTech Awards – our work with PNLD has delivered significant cost savings and enhanced services, highlighting the role of technology and innovation in delivering public sector efficiencies. Since launch, both the Ask the Scottish Police website and App have become an invaluable resource for the staff at police contact centres and the general public”.
The awards, which are in their fifth year and include the BBC Scotland’s Head of Technology John Maxwell Hobbs on the judging panel, will take place at The Arches in Glasgow on 18 June 2015.
