magnetgov.com

What It Is

MAGNET Municipal Software is a cloud-based management suite from Computer Software, Inc. for local governments and municipal agencies. It is not a general-purpose CRM or low-code platform; instead, it is built around municipal operations, covering workflows such as parcels, permitting, planning, code enforcement, business licensing, fire, stormwater, landlord/rental, vacant properties, inspections, and public self-service.

Core Features and Integrations

The product consists of Backoffice, Self-Service Portal, and MAGNET Mobile. Backoffice is used by staff to manage parcels, applications, workflows, fees, communications, and reports. The portal allows residents to submit applications, renew licenses, make payments, check status, request inspections, and view public maps. The mobile app is designed for inspectors, enabling them to create, schedule, and complete inspections in the field; the official website also says most features can be used offline. MAGNET offers strong configurability, supporting custom case types, fields, forms/reports, fees, conditions, portal-visible data, role permissions, and workflows based on application type or case data. For integrations, MAGNET supports ArcGIS/map layers, payment gateways, financial-system imports and exports, and assessor data.

Pricing and Security

The official website does not publish plans, pricing, billing units, or trial policies; users need to contact sales. On security, MAGNET supports encrypted storage for protected fields, allowing only authorized users to decrypt and view them, while masking sensitive data in the interface. Documents can also be controlled so they are either displayed in the portal or restricted from public access. However, the site does not disclose compliance certifications such as SOC 2 or ISO 27001, nor does it explain data residency, backups, or SLA terms.

Pros and Cons

Its strengths are strong vertical fit, broad module coverage across municipal departments, and the ability to connect staff, inspectors, and the public through the portal and mobile app. Reporting supports PDF/Excel, scheduled delivery, and custom report libraries, making it suitable for government administration and public information lookup. The drawbacks are limited transparency around pricing, implementation costs, APIs, developer support, self-hosting, and compliance certifications. Its business context is also clearly oriented toward U.S. local governments, so Chinese users need to evaluate compatibility with local regulations, forms, payments, and local map/GIS systems.

Who It’s For and Access from China

MAGNET is better suited to mid-sized to large municipalities, county and city governments, planning and construction departments, enforcement teams, and permitting offices that want to replace paper-based approvals and fragmented systems. Access from China cannot be determined from the available content, and there is no information on Alipay, WeChat Pay, or UnionPay support. For procurement in China, it is worth comparing local government service platforms, digital urban management/housing and construction approval systems, as well as international alternatives such as OpenGov, Tyler Technologies, Accela, CivicPlus, and Cityworks.