A recent testimonial from a new user of the DEVNET Mass Appraisal Software

Written to Margaret Whitwell, DeKalb County IL Supervisor of Assessments, from Joanne Johnson, Genoa Township Assessor, reproduced with permission.

Dear Margaret,

Sorry I am unable to attend the assessor's annual meeting; I had a previous appointment that I am unable to change. I wanted to share some thoughts with the other assessors in attendance.

As you know, I have signed Genoa Township up to be a beta site for the new DEVNET Program. Having just come off of a competing product, I feel very confident in saying that Genoa has just made the best move forward possible. The program is so user friendly! You are not wading through multiple screens to do one simple change or addition. All your sales data is instantly updated as information is entered at the county. You are "live", in real time, with the supervisor of assessments' office. Changes made are made on both ends, by either end. The paperwork and desk work that just was eliminated is huge!!!

The drawing program is one I use as an appraiser and I am very familiar with: APEX. I would be very happy to avail myself to anyone who needs help with the drawings. The program itself is very simple. The biggest plus is DEVNET. They are the best group I have ever worked with. They want our experience to be a positive success. I have never worked with a group that literally jumps through hoops to get you an answer if they do not have it at their fingertips.

I am encouraging all townships to seriously look at all of us implementing DEVNET as our Property Record Card program.

Just being live with the county has already saved me hours and hours of permit, sales, map updates, splits, and combination data input because it is already there.

I can hardly wait to do my "book"! Once I have assigned neighborhoods, changes are a click away. Next year I will not have to have a "hard cover book" so to speak. I will be doing all my changes throughout the year-one time.

Consider this, it is an awesome opportunity to use a system that eliminates paperwork, has a knowledgeable and friendly support staff, and is live with the county!

I know I sound like I am on their sales staff, (truly---3 jobs is enough for anyone, I can not fit another in!) but I feel it will help us all.

I am willing to have anyone come and visit Genoa if they are interested in trying it out!

Thanks for my minute!

Joanne Johnson