This is an excerpt taken from Armedia.com
More proactive information disclosure and higher transparency are the current needs of federal agencies responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Complying with the FOIA is an essential way that the government agencies serve US democracy. But the reality is that complying these regulations is extremely expensive and time-consuming.
With the rise of the volume of FOIA requests, the gap between traditional, manual approaches, and the capacity of the agencies to respond to requests is becoming wider. An added stress point is that legislative and public expectations of getting responses on time are becoming more persistent.
Today, agencies are obligated to meet specific timelines for new FOIA requests and simultaneously overcome the backlogs. This is where automation steps in. Implementing FOIA request management solution can significantly increase agencies’ capacity and help them optimize the usage of their resources. Also, having FOIA software solution will help agencies reduce errors and minimize appeals, which is especially important for those that are paying appeal costs way out of their budgets.
When implementing FOIA request management solution, government agencies should go for a flexible approach that permits evolution rather than reinvention. Implementing FOIA software solution from a vendor that works particularly in the area of FOIA request management has certain advantages. As such, the vendor is likely to have more in-depth knowledge of both the external demands and everyday operational realities.
Since we live in a digitalized era, government agencies must find a solution for displaying, storing, and managing FOIA requests so that citizens can rapidly access public records. So, for agencies to increase their efficiency, save time, and satisfy citizens, the best approach is to implement FOIA software solution.
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