Software maker signs pivotal deal with Wyoming

FORT COLLINS — Colorado CustomWare Inc. has got its groove back.
The Fort Collins company that makes software used in the property-tax assessment process has landed a contract worth nearly $5 million with the state of Wyoming?s Department of Revenue.
Under terms of the deal, Colorado CustomWare will implement its computer-assisted mass appraisal system in all 23 counties in Wyoming, a process that will take about two years.
For Colorado CustomWare, the deal represents the biggest contract in the company?s history, which dates back to 1989. It also sparks a revival for the company, which has dealt with sluggish sales over the past two years.
Before the Wyoming contract was confirmed last month, Colorado CustomWare?s employees had been operating on three-quarters salary.
?We wanted to keep the company whole,? said Lori Schlotter, president and CEO of Colorado CustomWare, explaining that the pay reduction was in lieu of layoffs.
The employees were recently brought back to full-time hours and scale.
?That?s like growing the company by a fourth, really,? Schlotter said.
In addition, Colorado CustomWare expects to add another five employees as the Wyoming project unfolds.
The Colorado CustomWare-Wyoming contract is also a rare case of a state implementing a uniform assessment program.
?I don?t know of a statewide project that?s been successful in the assessment industry,? Schlotter said.
?We?re actually doing this one, and there?s another company doing it for the state of Kansas. It will be interesting to see who is the first one to succeed.?
If the statewide approach works in Wyoming, Schlotter believes that her company could attract ?a lot of interest from other states.?
?In most states, the county purchases the system they feel will meet their needs,? said Wade Hall, ad valorem administrator for Wyoming?s Department of Revenue.
Hall said the contract is worth ?just under $5 million,? but could be larger based on parcel counts.
Colorado CustomWare?s product, called RealWare, allows assessors to conduct valuations and appraisals with GIS (geographic information systems) capabilities. The Wyoming contract includes installation, training and support in all 23 counties.
The common appraisal system ?will certainly give us the opportunity ? to do everything that crosses county lines and jurisdiction lines, which is good,? Hall said.
Currently, Wyoming?s appraisal process is supported by a mainframe system, which is based on legacy programming.
?A lot of it is not commonly supported any more,? Hall said. ?It has all of the issues you have with older technology.?
While the contract wasn?t intended as a cost-saving step for Wyoming, it should pay off with ?better appraisal work,? Hall added. ?It?s just a better system. ? With some improved efficiencies, in fact, it will save money. It wasn?t our primary concern in undertaking the project. It was to give assessors a better system.?