With the same number of employees, Elverum Municipality has seen its workload double in recent years. The key to handling this has been effective digital tools – including solutions for digital forms.

Archivists Rejoice

We noticed a huge difference once the municipality chose to digitalize forms on the website. Forms are automatically delivered into our case and archive system, WebSak, with correct details and the right classification. It’s simply fantastic!

This is how Inger Lise Skaret, Application Manager in Elverum Municipality, describes the impact.

Citizens in the driver’s seat

It’s not only the archivists who are benefitting. Elverum Municipality has also ensured that residents have a smooth, user-friendly experience when submitting forms. With ACOS Interact supporting them, it’s easier than ever for citizens to complete forms quickly and securely.

In our digitalization work, we want to provide residents with good and simple solutions that are accessible. We always think about what’s best for the citizen, which is why it’s so important to us that the user experience feels easy, explains Bernt Østbye, Head of Documentation and Archives.

Cleaning up the form chaos

By digitalizing forms on the website, the municipality discovered that residents had previously struggled with unclear wording, inconsistent interpretation of questions, and even missing required information. This often led to delays and frustration on both sides. Bernt explains:

One of our primary needs was to collect correct, necessary, and secure information through the forms. On paper forms, residents might phrase things differently or more vaguely, resulting in back-and-forth communication. This was resource-intensive.

Simple for Everyone

When choosing a new form solution, Elverum Municipality had clear requirements. The system had to be:

We wanted a solution that was very easy for residents to use, but also one where the information could be reused. It was important that it was flexible and could be integrated with other systems, says Inger Lise.

She continues: 

It was crucial that the solution was intuitive and that it was easy to build forms ourselves – something I can confirm Interact+ has delivered on.

Sharing is caring

In ACOS Interact, there are more than 800 ready-made forms that can be used and customized. Elverum Municipality has taken full advantage of this functionality.

The form sharing service is brilliant! Being able to borrow forms from other municipalities and adapt them for our own use – it saves so much time.

A Seamless Experience from Start to Finish

Elverum Municipality uses ACOS’ case and archive system, WebSak, and has seen the benefits of having one provider for both digital forms and archiving.

It’s been a huge advantage working with one supplier – and we’ve saved both time and resources. Being able to archive forms directly in WebSak, connect them to cases, and reuse metadata defined in Interact – it all just works seamlessly, says Bernt.

Tailored Solutions That Work

ACOS Interact also offers customized modules for lookups and integrations with specialist systems. For Elverum Municipality, these have been invaluable:

The option to log in with secure electronic ID and sign forms has been worth its weight in gold. It ensures we get correct information and simplifies the process since signatures come directly from citizens within the form. We highly recommend these integrations!

The Importance of Testing

Inger Lise and Bernt emphasize that the municipality has invested significant time in testing both forms and processes – something they cannot stress enough:

Our best advice to others starting out with new form solutions and automation is this: test, test, and test again. Get hands-on experience. To fully understand and unlock the system’s potential, thorough testing is absolutely necessary.

Exciting Times Ahead

Elverum Municipality is now preparing a new project: automatic processing of alcohol license applications, and further automation of processes with Interact Flow.

With digital solutions and a focus on the needs of residents, Elverum shows that rethinking old processes can deliver big results – and the benefits are many!