PowerDMS in Law Enforcement
Updated July 15, 2020
PowerDMS in Law Enforcement
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with PowerDMS
PowerDMS provides the user with a 'one-stop' database for all agency-related documents, training, surveys, and accreditation-related processes
PowerDMS is used by the agency for both accreditation purposes, assessment management, and as a document resource center. All policies and procedures are created in PowerDMS which provides a real-time tracking of the approval related activities. Once the document is approved, we track user review and signature for the document. Additionally, we use PowerDMS to provide remote web-based training to staff by incorporating video, PowerPoint presentations, policies, and other documents. The Training module is used to track all training requests, courses, and certificates.
PowerDMS is used by the agency for both accreditation purposes, assessment management, and as a document resource center. All policies and procedures are created in PowerDMS which provides a real-time tracking of the approval related activities. Once the document is approved, we track user review and signature for the document. Additionally, we use PowerDMS to provide remote web-based training to staff by incorporating video, PowerPoint presentations, policies, and other documents. The Training module is used to track all training requests, courses, and certificates.
- PowerDMS provides management with a real-time tracking of policy reviews, approvals, and signatures. This is a great benefit for risk management.
- PowerDMS allows users to incorporate remote, web-based training in a variety of formats including, but not limited to, video, PowerPoint, miscellaneous documents, interactive activities, and tests.
- PowerDMS provides a very robust search engine that is very user-friendly.
- PowerDMS has a mobile application that is available, however, at this time functionality is limited. That being said, the developers are very active in communicating with their customers and are constantly looking to improve all of their services.
- PowerDMS has saved the agency significant money through paper and printing costs. All documents are now electronic.
- As a law enforcement agency, we often receive requests for policies, procedures and individual training records. PowerDMS provides the ability to quickly identify these documents and send them to the requester electronically.
- PowerDMS has significantly improved our ability to provide briefing training that is targeted to the specific audience.
In the past, I have used a variety of both internally developed programs and external software programs for both accreditation management and document tracking. PowerDMS has been a superior product. It is a very robust platform that is easy to learn with endless benefits to the agency. The ability to track changes in a document while providing an accurate accounting of end-user review of same has been extremely beneficial. PowerDMS staff is very responsive to its clients. They are constantly seeking to improve the product based upon input.
Do you think PowerDMS by NEOGOV delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with PowerDMS by NEOGOV's feature set?
Yes
Did PowerDMS by NEOGOV live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of PowerDMS by NEOGOV go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy PowerDMS by NEOGOV again?
Yes
Using PowerDMS
122 - All members of the police department, sworn and civilian, utilize the tools within PowerDMS.
1 - We have one PowerDMS Master Administrator who is responsible for all aspects of PowerDMS.
- Policy and Procedure development and tracking.
- Accreditation management.
- Remote training.
- We are able to provide near real-time training to staff by incorporating both body-worn camera video and other video sources into a training program. Each program includes the applicable policy or guiding document and a brief test to ensure the end-user understands the goals and objectives of the course.
- We anticipate purchasing the forward facing documents component of PowerDMS in 2019 as another tool for agency transparency to the public.
Evaluating PowerDMS and Competitors
Yes - We replaced Lexipol with PowerDMS due to a combination of functionality and ease of use.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
- Vendor Reputation
- Existing Relationship with the Vendor
The most important deciding factor in purchasing PowerDMS was the product's features. With other products on the market, we would have only used a portion of the functionality while paying for everything. With PowerDMS, the agency actively uses all available functions.
We would not change from PowerDMS as the product has given us everything promised and more.
PowerDMS Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Change management was a big part of the implementation and was well-handled - Prior to PowerDMS, the organization did not have an effective way to track policy development and implementation. With this product, we are now able to track each step in the process while ensuring all applicable members of the management staff are actively involved. This has produced improved buy-in for policies by staff.
- As with any new product, we experienced a learning curve. This was easily remedied through both the PowerDMS provided training and in-house orientations to the various aspects of the product.
PowerDMS Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
No - Premium support is provided by PowerDMS as part of their licensing and user agreement.
Yes - We were experiencing issues with Apple products. PowerDMS developers have been actively working with that platform to improve usability.
PowerDMS conducts remote backups frequently throughout the day. While working within an assessment, my agency experienced internal computer issues which caused the deletion of several critical documents. PowerDMS was contacted and they were quickly able to retrieve the missing documents within their program which greatly reduced my stress level.
Using PowerDMS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using | None |
- Pushing new or revised policies to staff is seamless in PowerDMS. Upload the document, assign it to the appropriate staff, and send.
- Creating a training course with various attachments such as video, maps, documents, etc. is simple and well received by staff.
- Running reports is quick and simple in PowerDMS. This includes users, documents, training related material, workflows, etc.
- As with any product, there is always a learning curve. PowerDMS provides excellent online and live support to assist with any task.
Yes - The mobile interface is still in its infancy. That being said, the developers are actively seeking user input to develop a more robust product via the mobile interface.