Manhattan, Kansas Enhances Regulatory Services with Oracle's OPAL Solution

The City of Manhattan, Kansas has taken a significant step towards modernizing its regulatory services by selecting Oracle Permitting and Licensing (OPAL) to overhaul its permitting and licensing processes, according to Oracle. This initiative aims to streamline government workflows, enhance self-service capabilities, ensure compliance, and accelerate approvals, thereby fostering economic growth in the region.

Transforming Government Workflows

Serving a regional population of 130,000, Manhattan, Kansas is home to major employers like Kansas State University and Fort Riley. The city decided to replace its outdated systems and manual processes with OPAL to improve efficiency and enhance its revenue management and service delivery. Jared Wasinger, Director of Technology and Communications, emphasized that this move marks a new era of regulatory efficiency for the community.

Comprehensive Digital System

With the approval of the City Commission, Manhattan is collaborating with Oracle to design and implement a comprehensive online permitting and licensing system. This new portal will guide applicants through regulatory requirements, automate review and approval workflows, and provide real-time project updates from pre-application to final approval. The city plans to launch the system by summer 2026, integrating planning, permitting, inspections, licensing, and code enforcement into a streamlined process.

Enhanced Citizen Experience

The OPAL platform promises several benefits, including a streamlined self-service experience, unified regulatory management, improved transparency and engagement, and accelerated economic development. Residents, contractors, and businesses will be able to submit applications, track status in real-time, and obtain approvals digitally through an intuitive online portal.

Oracle's Role in Government Modernization

Simon Threlfall, general vice president for Emerging Markets at Oracle, stated that local governments face increasing pressure to modernize regulatory services while operating with limited resources. For existing Oracle Fusion application customers like Manhattan, OPAL accelerates time-to-value and delivers continuous innovation, including built-in AI.

Manhattan joins a growing number of municipalities adopting Oracle solutions to transform government services. Similar implementations have enabled communities to process thousands of permits annually, reduce administrative burdens, and improve citizen satisfaction.

Oracle Permitting and Licensing continues to deliver innovations such as AI to help modernize government regulatory services.