Sierra Systems and San Diego Police Dept. Accelerate Law Enforcement.

Business Editors

VANCOUVER, B.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 2000

Sierra Systems Group Inc. (TSE:SSG.), a leading systems integrator and business consulting firm, is working with the San Diego Police Department on a new knowledge-based workflow system to speed the handling of nearly 100,000 criminal cases processed annually.

This system is part of US$12.5 million the department is spending over two years to implement software, new hardware, and network upgrades.

The police department plans to have the new system operational by April 2001. It will greatly reduce the department's data-entry workload, increase efficiency, save money, reduce paperwork and enable more investigative activity.

The new knowledge-based system allows officers to file reports directly from the field. Once approved by the sergeant, the case is entered into the main repository, and the system's software determines the department to be assigned to the case. An investigative unit's supervisor then receives an email linked to the case and assigns a detective. With the new system, it is possible that within a few minutes an investigator could be assigned to a case, instead of up to three days.

One of the additional features of the system will be a direct interface with a countywide criminal and justice database, the Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS). The new system will automatically send case information to ARJIS once information is committed to the department's main repository, a great enhancement to the current days or weeks it usually takes.

Additional search capabilities will be built into the system later on, and upcoming project phases include extending the workflow system to the city and district attorneys' offices and public access to criminal information over the Internet.

Jim Cox of Sierra Systems said a central repository would house reports and information. The system also will automatically route report copies to a distribution list by email. Usually a dozen or more copies of a report are routinely sent via interoffice mail. Grant Gisel, President and CEO of Sierra Systems said, "The San Diego Police Department is widely recognized as a leader in the effective use of information technology. Their new Records Management System is an excellent example of why their reputation is well deserved."

About Sierra Systems

Sierra Systems Group Inc. (TSE - SSG) is a leading source for solutions to North America's top technology challenges. Sierra Systems' core systems integration and management consulting excellence, built over 34 years, gives clients a solid foundation to draw from for their successful eWorld ventures. Sierra Systems' thought leadership and eWorkplace initiatives are recognized across traditional and emerging industries including justice, utilities, health, government, financial services and insurance, and telecommunications. Practical, reliable and innovative, Sierra Systems knows how to identify and deliver high-impact results for clients at any level. Visit Sierra Systems' Web site at www.SierraSystems.com.