Firms Form Joint Venture for Video Arraignment

NORCROSS, Ga. — Simtrol Inc. and Integrated Digital Systems LLC have formed a joint venture to develop and sell a judicial arraignment solution.

The joint venture, Justice Digital Solutions, is developing a product based on a system used in Oakland County, Mich. The OakVideo platform was developed by Oakland County and IDS. The county allowed IDS to license that platform and develop, market and sell it to other organizations. Under the new venture, Oakland County will receive future software enhancements free of charge and royalties on future sales.

The judicial arraignment system was developed to avoid transport of prisoners from the county jail to the courthouse, which posed security problems and crowded the court docket. The system integrates video conferencing, digital document management, digital signatures and evidence into one unified platform.

“What makes this application unique is that it integrates audio, video and workflow management seamlessly, where other solutions are capable of only handling part of the process,” says Bob Deuby, IDS chief executive officer, who will also serve as JDS’ chief operating officer.

Under the joint venture Simtrol and IDS will each own 50 percent of JDS. Simtrol Chief Executive Officer Rick Egan will also serve as JDS chief executive officer. Egan says the system’s track record shows that it can be successfully implemented.