Digital submission and distribution of survey data and title documents is a current goal for many cadastres. The best approach uses digital data modeled to allow digital search and analysis. We prefer to think of the new systems and processes as digital cadastral transactions. These transactions are similar to banking transactions, but are more complex and often extend over longer a longer time. Digital data require new methods to assure transactions achieve a high level of quality. The notion of cadastral transaction analysis is the central concept of PlanTest. We believe that automated quality control is absolutely necessary for secure and reliable digital cadastral transactions.
Cadastral offices typically process transactions or changes against the established records. That is, someone wants to subdivide or combine parcels of land, or alter the status of ownership or encumbrances. Whatever the motive, a change is submitted to the cadastre for consideration and the cadastral officers evaluate the transaction materials to validate the quality and appropriateness of the submission. If everything is in order, the transaction is recorded against the record (digital databases, fabric or files), the parties are given certified documentation of the change, and the current state of the jurisdictional cadastre is updated to reflect this change. If the submission is flawed in some way, the officers respond to the submitting party for correction of errors and omissions. It is this workflow that PlanTest aides and improves with increased rigor and improved performance, recording and responsiveness.
PlanTest is at heart a decision support tool. Do you accept or reject a submission? How do you make these decisions through an application of the legislated rules and established policies? In what way do you substantiate the decisions? PlanTest has a complete set of customizable components that help you address these points.
Many digital cadastres now have or are planning web portals for submission of cadastral transactions. PlanTest server technology can be integrated into such portals for automated testing. PlanTest desktop is a tool for cadastral officers who are focused on more in-depth examination requiring flexible analytic investigation tools. For the cadastral officer, PlanTest desktop quickly handles the routine submissions, and helps them do a better job reviewing difficult cases.