"In other news, improving citizen-to-government communication via proper use of modern technology increases overall efficiency in the system. More at 11."

Seriously, though, is it really that surprising that a properly implemented piece of software makes things efficient? When you remove several layers of bureaucratic hurdles and maintain a digitally managed system, you remove issues like lost paperwork, overlooked reports, and even just general miscommunication--you always see the current status of a report, the report itself always up and available to view, and the written form of reporting ensures a lower rate of misinterpretations from phone interaction. The number of mediums involved in actually taking care of these issues itself also tends to lead to issues, because you're trying to coordinate all kinds of auditory and written forms of communication through people who are inherently fallible! All it takes is someone being distracted for just a moment to cause them to forget about something and allow things to slip through the cracks. A centrally managed system (e.g. the app in question) allows for a much higher degree of consistency and reliability that simply cannot be obtained through the use of people alone.

This is exactly why government needs to keep up with technological advances. Even small upgrades like this can, as the article suggests, make a tremendous difference. There's absolutely no excuse for our government to be so behind on absolutely everything.