Dec. 27, 2004

For more information contact:
Tina Hargis
515-237-3110

Farewell to typewriters and mainframe computer system

AMES, Iowa –  Motor vehicle registration and titling in Iowa is about to emerge from a time warp, one that has held this computer system hostage since 1984.  With the new system, Iowa county treasurer offices can say goodbye to those outdated manual typewriters, dumb terminals (display and input devices that don't process data and input locally) and a vintage mainframe computer system. 

On Jan. 3, 2005, the Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa’s 99 County Treasurers will launch Iowa’s new Microsoft Windows™-based and intelligent PC-supported motor vehicle registration and titling system.  The highly sophisticated and business-oriented system will replace a patchwork of software programs first released two decades ago.

The development process was a partnership with the consultant, Archon Technologies, county treasurers and their employees, and staff from the Iowa DOT.   This is an excellent example of what can be accomplished with multi-jurisdictional cooperation.  The system’s functions, features, refinements and enhancements all resulted from collaborative planning, development and usability testing. 

According to Tina Hargis, director of the DOT’s Office of Vehicle Services, “Employees with the DOT and counties genuinely wanted this project to be successful and consistently brought to the table a high level of enthusiasm and dedication to make it work.”

During the first week of operation with the new system, the county treasurer offices will incrementally phase in the service to the public.  Some offices may be closed for a day or so as they prepare for the public launch.   The DOT and counties are asking Iowans to exercise patience as the system goes online, as county personnel become acclimated to the new system and typical troubleshooting associated with such a large change takes place. 

“While there may be some short delays at first, eventually this new system will drastically improve our ability to provide prompt, efficient service to Iowa residents,” stated Jeff Garrett, President of the Iowa State County Treasurers Association. “Everyone involved should be extremely proud of this new system.”

During July through December 2004, the consultants and county staff involved in refinement of the system provided 700 county employees with basic training on the new system.  Two hundred and fifty of those employees also received advanced-level training.

Behind the scenes, the system offers many benefits including: a much more user-friendly system that eliminates the need for special coding and use of non-Windows applications; increased accuracy of data input; statewide continuity of vehicle registration and titling processes; ability to maintain historical customer and vehicle information; sophisticated search functions; and ability to make quick changes to ownership information for multiple vehicles owned by the same individual or business.  

The new financial record keeping features also eliminate manual data entry, redundant reconciliations, dissemination of hard copy paperwork, and postage costs.  This saves taxpayer resources and expedites the distribution of funds amongst state and county governments.

From the customer’s perspective, there are additional changes and benefits.  The most notable difference will be a new vehicle title format.  The new titles will be letter size and include additional security features.  After some experience is gained with the new system, customer service should also go more smoothly and quickly.  The system will also interface with the present online vehicle registration system so that Iowans can continue to renew their registrations with their county treasurer via the Internet.

Contact: For additional information about the new system, contact Tina Hargis with the Iowa Department of Transportation at 515-237-3110 or tina.hargis@dot.iowa.gov, or your local county treasurer.

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