BuildSA is the name given by Development Services Department (DSD) to the web-based Accela product purchased which enables our customers to conduct business with us via the Internet, 24/7, 365. DSD went live with BuildSA on November 30, 2020, thus eliminating the need for paper applications and modernizing our business practices.

Most of the systems Development Services uses today will either be replaced or integrated. Here are just a few examples: 

• Hansen
• ECCO
• LDS
• TPLT
• Customer Alert System (CAS)
• Dynamic Portal

We recommend using Firefox, Chrome, Edge or Safari to ensure receiving the best user experience.

Link to BuildSA: BuildSA Online Portal. Ensure you allow pop-ups from this site. Allowing pop-ups ensures vital forms display for your use.

• Open Internet Explorer
• Go to settings in your browser (located on the top right hand side of the page)
• Select Internet Options
• Select the Privacy Tab
• Uncheck the option to Turn On Pop-Up Blocker

June 2015-Accela Contract Signed

Spring 2016-Fit Gap Analysis Conducted

December 2016-Project Work Suspended

February 2017-Meeting With Accela

April 2017-Alternative Implementation Approach Explored

June 2017-Beginning of Path Forward with GCOM (New Vendor)

August 2017-New Vendor! New Approach! 

Due to the complexity of our business and the amount of resources required to deploy a system like this, the project is divided into two phases that follow the development process:

• Phase 1 includes activities associated with horizontal development such as zoning, platting and construction inspections.
• Phase 2 is for activities associated with horizontal construction, such as plan review, permitting, inspections, building-related fire permits and includes code enforcement activities.

Customers seeking to build, develop or improve property in the City of San Antonio and surrounding areas will have access to new capabilities and will be introduced to new ways of submitting applications, making payments and interacting with City and partnering agency staff.

Development Services Staff and Partnering Agencies, who are considered Core Users, will have access to new capabilities. Both groups will receive training to learn how to effectively use the new system in order to transact with the citizens of San Antonio.

Information about the project can be found in the Project Newsletters or on this Project Website. You can also obtain information from your Change Managers or designated Change Agent. 

Accela is the provider of the software system and, through its Accela Civic Platform, will help Development Services streamline the delivery of its services. Accela has been the industry leader in designing and delivering productivity and engagement software to help government agencies deliver their best customer service.

To learn more about Accela and their Accela Civic Platform, visit their website.

GCOM is the integrator for the complete implementation of BuildSA for Land Development. GCOM is Accela's largest certified partner and has previously participated as a subcontractor on the BuildSA Project in the areas of data conversion and integration.

To learn more about GCOM and their services, please visit their website http://www.gcomsoft.com/.

BuildSA is projected to take several years to complete. Due to the complexity of our business and the amount of resources required to implement a system like this, the project is divided into two phases, Land Development and Building Development & Code Enforcement.

• Plan Review, Phase 2, is currently underway. We are implementing a go-live date in 2020. Building Development & Code Enforcement constitute Phase 2.

The goal of a four-week 'sprint' is to take a subset of functionality and deliver a potentially working piece of the final software product.

Each four-week sprint takes us from good to great! The steps in each sprint consist of:

1. Discover & Define
2. Design, Develop, Demo & Prototype
3. GCOM Test
4.  BuildSA Test Complete
5. Close & Plan.

. 

Ms. Crystal Gonzales, DSD Assistant Director, is the BuildSA Project Product Owner.

The Product Owner is the person representing the business and the customer. The Product Owner brings the voice of the customer and the BuildSA business teams together. The Product Owner also promotes and guards all BuildSA standards and packages information for the Steering Committee and the Governance Board.

The Project Accomplishments to date include:

• Seven System Interfaces
• 100+ Reports
• BuildSA website
• Design and development of several end-user manuals
• LDS, TPLTS Zoning Data
• Vetted 2000+ requirements
• Configured 32 record types
• Built seven environments.

Yes. Some data will not migrate and will be stored and accessible by staff as needed.  All end-users will receive training on accessing stored data.

A prototype is a sample or model built to show a process or a concept of the system. This is often used to provide a brief insight on how the system will look and work.

There are several ways you can reach out to us if you have questions about BuildSA.

You can email the Organizational Change Team at buildsaocmteam@sanantonio.gov.

You can contact your designated Change Agent. For a list of all Change Agents, go to FAQ, Who are the assigned Change Agents?

Customers will have several features including:

• Finding the appropriate application and helpful tips about the application process using the permit wizard.
• The ability to submit applications 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
• Schedule and track inspections online from any computer or from a mobile device.
• Access to submit online payments using credit card or escrow account.
• Access to real time support from our staff using Live Chat.
• Ability to track application activity and view real time status.
• System generated email notifications for activities such as application confirmation, inspection status and application results.
• Access to the Accela Mobile Application which may be used to schedule and track inspections.
• The ability to submit documents electronically for review by staff.

Development Services Staff and Partnering Agencies, who are considered Core Users, will have access to new capabilities.  Both groups will receive training to learn how to effectively use the new system in order to transact with their customers.

Core Users will have the ability to:

• View and manage tasks using a workflow management system.
• Use a single source of information to deliver all services.
• Receive and process documents submitted electronically.
• Benefit from BuildSA’s capability to generate appropriate application fees.
• Seamless access and integration to other systems such as the City Council Agenda System (Legistar), Bexar County Appraisal District System (BCAD), and the City’s Municipal Court System.
• Ability to view and track all activity by site or location address, helping them make better informed decisions. 

Yes, the existing electronic plan review system will be replaced with Accela’s integrated e-Plan Check. 

 With Accela’s integrated solution, customers will submit their documents with their online application.

BuildSA will be a paperless, web-based solution that will allow Development Services and partnering agencies to review, markup and comment on documents-- eliminating the need for paperwork that typically accompanies paper-based reviews. BuildSA’s solution will allow concurrent reviews and better collaboration among the various agencies, providing customers with clear feedback.

The BuildSA Team is working on the development of hands-on training sessions using ’scenarios’ or real-life examples for Development Services Staff and partnering agencies. This type of learning also involves interpersonal skills such as teamwork and communication.

The BuildSA Team will conduct training workshops for our citizens and the development community. Self-paced, on-line training modules will be developed for more widely used processes.

Yes, the BuildSA Team is will train each group and hold several BuildSA Roadshows throughout each phase. A roadshow offers an opportunity to demonstrate the system to end users. Users of the BuildSA System will be able to interact with the system and ask questions. Roadshows and training will take place during the release of each phase and will be specific to the functionality for that phase. Please check back for specific dates and training information as the project progresses.