Justice bringing forms online

The Justice Department is implementing a system to bring hundreds of legal and standard forms online.

As part of the Justice Consolidated Operating Network (JCON), the department chose Cardiff Software Inc.'s LiquidOffice to put forms online at a central location and make them easily accessible.

JCON is intended to connect the department's litigating and management offices with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Community Relations Service and the U.S. Trustees.

About 36,000 JCON users in 200 locations across the country eventually will be able to access 300 to 400 forms through a standard Web browser. The forms range from standard human resources forms from the Office of Personnel Management to department-specific forms, such as those used by litigators.

The system will replace the legacy client/server-based solution that requires some forms to be printed out or filled out by hand.

"As a Web-based solution, LiquidOffice provides JCON with the flexibility and scalability to service its thousands of employees across hundreds of different locations," said Mark Seamans, Cardiff's chief technology officer and vice president of business development.

Once filled out, the forms can be electronically routed and submitted. The system also enables officials to prohibit access to certain forms by requiring users to log in.

"This solution is simple enough that there is a five- or 10-minute orientation," said Mark Arendt, federal channel manager at Cardiff.

The system is in a testing phase at several Justice Department locations, and Arendt said it will be in every location by the end of the year. Justice officials declined to comment on the new system.