Netgov going to court

• By Dibya Sarkar
• Nov 26, 2000

Netgov.com Inc., an e-government solutions provider launched this summer,

has acquired Gov24.com Inc., a company that specializes in providing Web-based

services to courts.

Formed in 1992, Gov24.com and its 25 employees will operate as a subsidiary

to Netgov from its Cleveland headquarters, said John Estey, Netgov's executive

vice president and general counsel. formerly called Uniscan Inc., Gov24.com

provides courts with Web-enabled services, including imaging, workflow,

electronic filing and case management. It has platforms operating in Allegheny

County, Pa., and Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Estey said Netgov started looking at several companies that offer court

services about six months ago because Netgov felt there would be a demand

for e-filing and case management in the next two years.

Born of a merger between eGov Solutions and AX.com, Netgov has been

developing its product line for the last six months, according to Estey.

The company offers services — such as electronic transactions and payments,

improved efficiency of administrative functions and communication tools

to help residents keep track of and correspond with municipal officials — mainly to city and county governments.

The town of Fishers, Ind., which launched a new Web site in August,

is the company's first client, Estey said, adding that Netgov plans to announce

a half-dozen more contracts with municipalities, including the city of Des

Moines, Iowa, within the next several weeks.

The Chicago-based company is led by chairman Stephen Goldsmith, former

mayor of Indianapolis, and vice chairman William Lederer, who founded Art.com

Inc. and the investment firm Minotaur Capital Management. The company, with

offices in Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Cherry Hill, N.J., has secured

$23 million in financing.