GoCoSprings mobile app (Colorado Springs: transfer, neighborhood, live)

[Vision67]

https://gazette.com/news/city-app-to...b0a4ab96c.html

"The city’s mobile phone application that allows Colorado Springs residents to report issues from potholes to downed trees malfunctioned from April 18 until the first week of July, delaying the receipt of more than 2,000 reports.

The issue with the GoCoSprings mobile app was caused by the vendor that provided the software, said city spokeswoman Jamie Fabos. The vendor changed its internet address, blocking delivery of emails to the city.

“People would report it, and it sort of went into a void somewhere and it didn’t make it to us,” Fabos said.

The malfunction went unnoticed for months because the reports didn’t stop rolling in right away.

“Rather than just instantly shutting off, it dwindled,” Fabos said. About 200 reports were received in May, followed by only 20 in June. That’s when city officials realized something might be wrong. The issue finally was discovered in early July.

The delayed reports were intended for a variety of departments, including Neighborhood Services, Forestry, Public Works and non-emergency reports to Colorado Springs police, a city news release says.

Since the error was discovered, “Public Works has shifted crews to ensure prompt response to the delayed requests, 900 of which were pothole requests,” the release says. Before the malfunction, crews were repairing potholes within an average of nine days from when they were reported.

The issue with the old app has been fixed, but in the next few weeks, the city will launch a new app that has been in the works for about six months. The new app, called GoCOS, was created using a different vendor, Fabos said.

“The GoCoSprings app is by far the most efficient way to report potholes and other issues, and as evidenced by the number of reports we receive, residents are using it frequently. These reports are very helpful to the city, and we certainly want people to keep sending them in,” said Travis Easton, the city’s Public Works director, in the release.

“We are getting this news out today, because we recognize that people were probably frustrated when they didn’t get a response. That’s not the norm. We want everyone know that the app is back up and running and is still the most effective way to report, and that we are taking swift action to complete the backlogged requests.”

For more information about the app, visit coloradosprings.gov/page/citizen-request-gocosprings-app.

[Vision67]

https://www.csbj.com/2019/11/19/colo...new-gocos-app/

"The city of Colorado Springs has launched a new, free mobile app for residents and businesses to quickly contact the city, report problems and request services.

GoCOS! aims to improve on its predecessor, the GoCoSprings app, which malfunctioned from April to July, delaying the city’s response to more than 2,000 resident reports.

The GoCOS! app, which debuted Nov. 14, is designed so that users can easily notify the city about issues and for city staff to quickly respond. The city relies on community members to report issues such as potholes, vandalism, streetlight and traffic signal outages and other problems so that they can be fixed.

The new app eliminates repetitive data entry for the city’s No. 1 request type: potholes. GoCOS! transfers data directly to the Public Works system, so staff no longer have to manually transfer tickets from one system to another. This improves efficiency and gives accurate, accountable data on response and resolution times.

Other frequently-reported issues include dead animals, hazardous street debris, graffiti, litter and trash, traffic issues, and sidewalk, curb and gutter problems, all of which can be reported through the app.

Users can log in to view their submitted tickets and track the progress of their reports, and see where similar concerns have been reported in their area.

The new app also improves accessibility for people with disabilities; according to the city, people using assistive technology will find GoCOS! easier to use than the previous system.

Machine translation makes the app inclusive to non-English speakers. On the city’s website, iPhones and Android devices, GoCOS! and the city’s response to the user are presented in the language of the user’s device.

GoCOS! has updated and intuitive navigation and search capabilities, according to the city, and can be easily adapted to respond to city events, incidents and marketing opportunities. The “Places” feature helps the user locate city services and places of interest in Olympic City USA.

The new app also gives residents, businesses and visitors with a way to connect with city departments, the mayor and City Council.

Over the past year, the city sought feedback from a range of community groups on how they want to use the app. Going forward, the city will keep reconfiguring the app based on user feedback.

The GoCOS! app can be downloaded via the city’s website or by searching “GoCOS!” in the Apple and Android app stores."

[DrDog]

I’ve used the prior app multiple times with great responses from the city.