Meet our Client
Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) protects public safety through licensing compliance across the state. The agency oversees thousands of alcohol retailers, from corner stores to entertainment venues. Their detectives conduct site inspections while licensing specialists manage renewals and documentation. In 2021, the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association recognized Idaho ABC with its “Innovative Alcohol Law Enforcement Program of the Year” award for their technology-driven approach to alcohol law enforcement.
Daily Detour: Manual Work & Site Inspections Took Longer
Idaho ABC detectives spent years carrying clipboards and filling out handwritten inspection forms at each site visit. After every shift, they returned to the office with stacks of paper. Licensing specialists then manually processed each inspection report.
The paper trail didn’t end there. Idaho law requires all liquor licensing information to be archived at the Historical Society. That meant physical paper records for everything. More than 200 boxes of documents sat in storage. Finding a single file could take hours.
Online license renewals didn’t exist. Business owners submitted paper applications. Licensing specialists processed each renewal by hand. The agency handled over 1,000 beverage licenses statewide. Each renewal cycle created another wave of paperwork.
“Our detectives would return with stacks of handwritten paper and give them to the licensing specialist,” explained Angela Wetherelt, ABC licensing specialist. The process ate up valuable time that could have been spent on enforcement activities.
Site inspections took longer than necessary. Detectives filled out forms in the field, drove back to the office, and handed off paperwork. Licensing specialists then typed up the information. Business owners waited days to receive inspection results. The entire workflow created delays at every step.
The agency needed a better way to manage inspections, licensing, and records. They wanted to give detectives more time in the field. They needed to speed up communication with license holders. And they had to find a solution for those 200 boxes of archived records.
The Solution: Building a Digital Foundation with Laserfiche
Idaho ABC partnered with MCCi as their Laserfiche solution provider to tackle their document management challenges. The initial goal was simple: digitize those 200 boxes of archived records. The team worked methodically through each box. They scanned documents, organized files, and built a digital repository.
Two years into the project, the scanning was complete. But the team started asking bigger questions. What else could Laserfiche do? Could it eliminate paper forms? Could it speed up inspections?
The answer came through Laserfiche Mobile App. Detectives received iPads loaded with electronic inspection forms. Now they could complete inspections on-site and submit reports instantly. No more clipboards. No more handwritten notes. No more driving back to the office with paper stacks.
“The new electronic inspection form lets the detectives use an iPad and, voila, next thing you know, it went into the repository and our licensing program,” Angela shared. The system automatically filed each inspection report in the correct location.
Laserfiche also enabled automated notifications. The moment a detective submitted an inspection report, the system emailed the business owner. License holders received immediate feedback instead of waiting days. “Plus, it emailed the licensee, so we are done as soon as the detective hits the submit button,” Angela noted.
The agency then tackled online license renewals with Laserfiche training and support. Business owners could now submit renewal applications digitally. The system routed applications to the right licensing specialist. Automatic reminders went out before renewal deadlines. Payment processing happened online.
MCCi provided ongoing Laserfiche customer support throughout the implementation. The team learned to build custom forms for different inspection types. They created workflows that matched their specific processes. Angela emphasized the flexibility: “If you can dream it, Laserfiche can do it.”
The technology improvements didn’t stop with inspections and renewals. Body-worn cameras integrated with the digital system. Drone surveillance footage connected to case files. Every piece of evidence linked directly to the relevant license holder’s record.
Angela’s vision extended to other departments. “We have some contracts and grants to manage, and they would like to take advantage of the forms,” she said. The financial services team saw the inspection workflow and wanted similar automation.
Working with Laserfiche partners meant more than just software installation. The MCCi team helped Idaho ABC think through each process improvement. They provided guidance on form design, workflow optimization, and system integration. That partnership approach turned a document scanning project into an agency-wide efficiency initiative.
Innovative Alcohol Law Enforcement Program of the Year
Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control receives 2021 "Innovative Alcohol Law Enforcement Program of the Year" Award.
The Result: National Recognition and Real Time Savings
The numbers tell part of the story. Laserfiche saves Idaho ABC detectives between five and ten minutes per interaction. Multiply that across thousands of annual inspections, and the time savings add up fast. Detectives spend more time on enforcement and less time on paperwork.
Business owners love the new system. “The license holders absolutely love it,” Angela confirmed. “I would say 95 percent of them are on board. We’ve heard nothing but good things.” Online renewals eliminate the hassle of paper forms and mail delays.
The technology improvements caught national attention. The National Liquor Law Enforcement Association selected Idaho ABC for its 2021 “Innovative Alcohol Law Enforcement Program of the Year” award. The combination of body-worn cameras, paperless inspections using iPads, and drone surveillance for alcohol law enforcement set a new standard in the industry.
“The combination of technology and process improvements led to this industry recognition,” Angela explained. “We’ve implemented wireless premises and building inspections, and our covert surveillance technology increased substantially last year.”
Communication improved dramatically. “Time management and making them more efficient is important, which results in better customer service on inspections,” Angela noted. “If we do an inspection, the system emails the business owner immediately about that inspection; that’s big.”
The 200 boxes of archived records now exist in a searchable digital format. Staff can find any document in seconds instead of hours. The Historical Society still receives paper records as required by law, but the agency works from digital copies.
The paperless approach freed up physical office space. No more file cabinets packed with inspection reports. No more boxes stacked in corners. The agency repurposed that space for other needs.
Angela’s advice for other agencies considering Laserfiche? “To make that transition, I was once told, If you can dream it, Laserfiche can do it. And that’s what led me to brainstorm and push the button on all the different forms for the licensing specialists to make their jobs easier. I encourage a brainstorming process and let your minds run wild. Understand that in the end, it will be a much better process, unlike anything they know now. Just go for it.”
The success extended beyond the ABC unit. Other Idaho State Police divisions took notice. When one department eliminates paper and saves time, others want to know how. The licensing specialists became internal advocates for digital transformation.
Working with an experienced Laserfiche solution provider made the difference. MCCi’s expertise in government operations helped Idaho ABC avoid common pitfalls. The training ensured staff could use the system effectively from day one. Ongoing support meant issues got resolved quickly.
The agency’s recognition sparked conversations across the alcohol law enforcement community. Other states reached out to learn about Idaho’s approach. The paperless inspection process became a model for similar agencies nationwide.
Why Work with an Experienced Laserfiche Partner?
Idaho ABC’s success story demonstrates what happens when the right technology meets expert implementation. MCCi brings over 20 years of experience as a leading Laserfiche solution provider. We specialize in helping government agencies eliminate paper, automate workflows, and improve citizen service.
Our Laserfiche training programs ensure your team can maximize the platform from day one. We don’t just install software and walk away. Our Laserfiche support team stays with you through implementation and beyond. When questions arise, you get answers from people who understand government operations.
As experienced Laserfiche partners, we’ve helped hundreds of agencies tackle document management challenges. We know the pain points you face. We understand budget constraints and approval processes. We speak your language.
Whether you need to digitize archived records, automate inspections, or enable online applications, our team can help. We provide comprehensive Laserfiche customer support that keeps your operations running smoothly.
Idaho ABC started with a simple scanning project. They ended up winning a national innovation award. Your agency could be next.