About the Washington Traffic Safety Commission

Client: Washington Traffic Safety Commission 
Industry: State Agency 
Key Stakeholders: Debi Besser (Program Manager) 
Client Since: 2017 
Tools Used: SmartSimple Cloud 

Overview 

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission is tasked with a critical mission: reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the state to zero by 2030. However, their outdated, paper-heavy grant management process was slowing progress and diverting valuable time and resources from life-saving programs. To modernize and streamline their operations, WTSC implemented SmartSimple Cloud for Government Funding, a centralized, configurable, cloud-based platform that transformed how they manage federal grants, track program impact, and conduct reporting. 

Challenges 

WTSC managed complex, federally funded programs through a system reliant on printed documents, Word files, and Excel spreadsheets. Each of their eight program managers handled a heavy administrative burden that led to: 

  • Delayed workflows from passing physical documents around 
  • Lost or incomplete records during handoffs 
  • Difficulty tracking invoices and federal funding requirements 
  • Inefficient federal reviews that required on-site visits and paper audits 

Solutions Implemented 

WTSC conducted a formal RFP process, evaluating six different systems. SmartSimple Cloud stood out for its: 

  • High configurability to fit WTSC’s unique process needs
  •  User-friendly interface for both staff and grantees 
  • Robust reporting and visibility tools for better oversight 
  • Flexible pricing suitable for government budgets 

Once selected, SmartSimple Cloud worked closely with WTSC to build a custom system now known as WEMS (WTSC Enterprise Management System). Key Features: 

  • Online application submission and tracking
  • Invoice submission with real-time status updates 
  • Configurable dashboards for program and budget visibility 
  • Centralized records to support federal compliance and audits 
  • Tools for internal communication and note tracking 

Impact & Outcomes 

  •  Streamlined Administrative Processes 
    • The shift from physical documents to a centralized cloud platform drastically cut down administrative time. Program managers and grantees now operate within a shared digital space, reducing back-and-forth and ensuring no information is lost. 
  • Modernized Invoicing and Budget Oversight 
    • Grantees can now see invoice statuses and budgets in real time, cutting out the need for manual follow-ups. Program managers and finance teams spend less time chasing down numbers and more time focusing on program outcomes. 
  • Remote Federal Management Reviews 
    • SmartSimple Cloud’s centralized system enables remote access for federal oversight agencies. Instead of site visits with boxes of paperwork, reviews can now be completed entirely off-site. 
  •  Expanded Capacity for New Programs 
    • SmartSimple’s flexible system architecture allows WTSC to scale and evolve. For example, they’re currently integrating new features to track law enforcement data, from warnings and citations to arrests, providing deeper insight into program impact. 

Client Testimonials 

“We selected SmartSimple Cloud because of how configurable it was, and the price points were right.” 
— Debi Besser, Program Manager 

“We liked the flexibility of the [SmartSimple Cloud] system, and it was so user-friendly.” 
— Debi Besser, Program Manager 

Key Takeaways 

By implementing SmartSimple Cloud, WTSC transformed a fragmented, paper-based system into a unified, digital-first platform that enhances accountability, speeds up grant workflows, and empowers staff to focus on what matters most: saving lives.