Organization
Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation
Challenge
The Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation serves as South Carolina’s enforcement and investigative authority for pesticide use, alleged pesticide misuse, substandard termite treatments, and the South Carolina Wood Infestation Report. Until recently, the renewals system was entirely paperbased.
Solution
In early 2013, Clemson deployed Kelly Registration Systems’ eRenewals, which simplifies pesticide registration processes by enabling the electronic submission of data, labels, and funds
directly to state databases.
Results
Just months after implementation, the Clemson pesticide renewal process is greatly streamlined. Renewals that used to take weeks can be processed in minutes, and the department estimates it saves approximately $5,000 per year on postage alone.
The Need to Automate Pesticide Renewals
Every pesticide distributed or transported within South Carolina must be registered with the Clemson University Pesticide Regulation Department, and every registration must be renewed annually before September 1. Prior to adopting eRenewals, the department’s paper-based processes were labor-intensive:
- Staff would print out renewal forms and mail them to registrants.
- As registrants returned the renewal forms, a receptionist would open each envelope and log the enclosed check.
- Every renewal required that a separate approval letter be mailed to the registrant – two mailings minimum per renewal.
- When registrants submitted labels, a receptionist passed them to the pesticide registration manager.
- The registration manager would review all labels and file upon approval, or mail a rejection with further instructions when not approved.
When Kelly Registration Systems demonstrated its eRenewals Software-as-a-Service solution to department personnel, they knew cost-effective work relief was at hand, and moved forward quickly with implementation.