News Archives - Brandt Information Services

Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife Public Art Contest Fuels New Customer Management System & Hard Card Excitement

April 8, 2025/in Development, News

Leading up to the launch of their new customer management system, the “Activity Hub,” the Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) held a public art contest for their upcoming durable license card designs. Taking a similar approach to the traditional duck stamp artwork competitions by opening the art competition to the public, DFW aimed to create engagement with the community, celebrate local talent, and represent the state’s biodiversity on their official license cards, released in December 2024.

While many state agencies have leveraged artwork submitted for agency contests in the past, Indiana DNR is the first state to publicly announce that the winners of the competition will be featured on the license cards. The community engagement brought excitement to the system launch as a soft teaser of new system features, including the cards.

This approach to artwork selection may be leveraged as a blueprint for other states to follow.

Contest Structure and Rules

The contest accepted multiple forms of 2-D artwork, including:

· Photography

· Painting

· Drawing

· Graphic design

Participants were allowed to submit up to two entries each, and the artwork had to feature Indiana wildlife or landscapes. The contest was open for four weeks.

AI-generated art was not permitted. By entering the contest, artists gave the DFW permission to use the designs on the cards, merchandise, and in general communications such as social media posts, newsletters, and websites.

Winning artists are credited on the printed cards and whenever their work is used in other publications, and they did not receive monetary compensation

Selection Process

Winning entries were selected through multiple rounds of judging. First, a small team worked to narrow almost 450 entries down to 30 based on quality and category. The team ran those 30 entries through an AI-detection tool to make sure each entry was original work. Next, a larger group of staff volunteered to participate in a more elaborate round of judging, using a detailed rubric that evaluated each submission’s creativity, technical execution, and relevance to Indiana’s natural themes. The eight highest rated finalists were then sent to the entire division for final voting, which generated excitement and positive internal engagement. With so much talent to choose from, the number of winners increased from four to six, the maximum number of hard card designs allowed. Winners were notified by email eight weeks after the contest closed and were announced on social media about 12 weeks after.

Design Implementation

To ensure a smooth transition to production, the artwork was selected at least six weeks before the new card launch. This timeline allowed for aligning the card layout, running test prints, and approving final samples. The front of the card prominently showcases the selected artwork, with the logo strategically placed to avoid covering the design, creating a visually balanced and professional appearance. The back of the card includes the licenses and customer information. The process from artwork selection to card production took several months, allowing time to ensure the card’s quality and durability for outdoor use.

Outcome and Future Impact

The contest’s success enhanced the aesthetic value of the cards and strengthened community ties with the agency’s mission. State agencies may replicate this user generated art competition approach by establishing clear guidelines and categories, encouraging artist contributions, and balancing artistic integrity with functional execution.

This innovative approach proves that combining public engagement with practical needs can create meaningful public and staff engagement.

Unveiling Hidden Gems: Promoting Programs at Underutilized Parks

February 24, 2025/in News

Most parks offer programs and events that the public can attend but may not have an organized way to market them. Brandt’s Program Manager functionality within the Itinio platform allows staff to build events visible in an online calendar for guests to explore and register before visiting their favorite park. Events are built in the administrative interface with web form fields to create registration links for the public.

What Drives Programming Within Different Park Systems?

Programming within park systems varies widely from state to state. Some parks are interpretively driven, offering guided tours of historic battlefields, homes, or geographic wonders. Others focus on educational groups requiring structured tours and programs. In some states, programming is a main revenue stream to sustain operations without state funding.

Brandt’s Itinio Program Manager creates a place online for state parks to gain visibility for their event programs, facilitate guest registration, and generate valuable reports. The centralized, user-friendly platform for event management and promotion enables state parks to achieve their unique programming goals.

In addition to the Program Manager functionality for one-off events, the Itinio platform offers tour registration functionality for recurring programs on a schedule. This administrative functionality allows for bulk setup, rather than individual event entries, to simplify ongoing management once a program gains consistent demand.

Success Story: Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks was already offering numerous events, but the public was mostly unaware of them until they arrived at the park.

By leveraging Program Manager, Tennessee State Parks was able to capitalize on existing offerings to generate revenue, meeting financial goals without requiring new budget allocations.

Tennessee State Park’s Historic Miller Farmstead tours at Roan Mountain State Park began as seasonal weekend-only tours by part-time seasonal interpretive staff. By leveraging Program Manager and marketing the registration, park visitation and event demand grew significantly – so much so that it was able to fund a dedicated position for site tours and upkeep.

Tennessee State Parks utilizes the automated tour registration on a recurring schedule for the Historic Miller Farmstead to keep event system maintenance to a minimum and receive enhanced reporting capabilities.

Brandt’s Program Manager has transformed the way parks promote and manage their events, ensuring that underutilized programs gain the visibility and engagement they deserve. By offering scalable solutions like tour registration functionality, Brandt empowers its parks customers to maximize attendance, streamline operations, and create new revenue opportunities.

Whether it’s an interpretive tour, a wildlife workshop, or a community event, Brandt helps agencies bring their unique programming to life.

Mastering Email Engagement Through Subscription Groups: Putting the Right Message in Front of the Right Customers

January 28, 2025/in Marketing, News

Brandt’s optional marketing service, Atlas CRM, enables you to send automated emails to your license-purchasing customers. In email marketing, delivering the right message to the right customer is crucial for driving engagement and minimizing unsubscribe rates. To achieve this, it’s important to understand the distinction between segments and subscription groups. While both are powerful tools, they serve unique purposes in tailoring communications to your audience.

Segments: Driven by Customer Actions

Segments are built using a customer’s profile information, purchase history, and mobile app data. By leveraging this data, you can create targeted campaigns based on:

Profile Information: Details like name, address, phone number, and email.

Purchase Data: Insights from licenses, applications, or campground reservations.

Mobile App Data: Metrics such as app version, app usage, or whether the app has been uninstalled.

Segments provide a dynamic way to target customers based on their actions, behaviors, and interactions with our system. For example, you could send a renewal reminder to customers who purchased a fishing license last year or a prompt to re-download your app to those who recently uninstalled it.

Subscription Groups: Driven by Customer Interests

Subscription groups, on the other hand, are a select group of customers who have opted into specific content topics. These groups reflect a customer’s interests and allow for deeper customization and personalization in marketing campaigns.

Examples of subscription groups include:

Fishing

Hunting

Wildlife

Camping

Conservation

Newsletters

By offering customers the ability to choose which topics they receive communications about, subscription groups deliver more relevant and engaging messages—resulting in higher engagement rates and lower unsubscribe rates.

The Difference: Actions vs. Interests

Segments: Built from customer actions (e.g., purchases, app interactions).

Subscription Groups: Built from customer interests (e.g., content topics they’ve opted into).

Both play a crucial role in email marketing, but subscription groups excel at fostering a personalized experience, ensuring customers only receive messages they’re genuinely interested in.

Best Practices for Building Subscription Groups

To maximize the effectiveness of subscription groups, follow these double opt-in processes:

For Current Customers:

Email customers a link to manage their subscription preferences.

Direct them to a webpage with subscription group categories.

Send an opt-in confirmation email after they make their selections.

For New Customers:

After creating a profile in your system, customers receive a confirmation link via email.

The link directs them to a webpage where they can choose subscription groups.

Send a welcome email confirming their selections and introducing the types of communications they can expect.

By allowing customers to choose the topics that interest them, subscription groups:

Enhance personalization.

Increase engagement rates.

Reduce unsubscribe rates.

A well-executed subscription group strategy ensures your emails provide value, build trust, and keep customers coming back. By combining the insights of customer segments with the interests reflected in subscription groups, you can deliver tailored, impactful marketing campaigns that drive results.

Brandt Earns Spot on the 2025 GovTech100 List

January 21, 2025/in Careers, News

Brandt is proud to announce that we have once again been recognized by Government Technology as a GovTech 100 company for 2025! This prestigious list celebrates companies driving innovation and technological advancements for state and local governments.

At Brandt, we remain dedicated to enhancing the outdoors experience through innovative technology solutions that provide seamless consumer interactions and empower state agencies with valuable revenue-generating tools.

“For the last decade, the GovTech 100 has been a cornerstone for curating companies focused on state and local government as their primary customer,” said e.Republic President Dustin Haisler. “It has become a platform for validating the incredible innovation in this market – from early-stage startups to publicly traded enterprises. With the rise of exponential technologies and evolving behaviors, the market activity, in many ways, feels like it’s just heating up.”

The GovTech 100 will be featured in the January/February issue of Government Technology magazine and the list is available online at Gov.Tech.com.

Launch Alert: Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation IDAHO TIME Reservation System

January 6, 2025/in Development, News

Together with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR), Brandt successfully launched the new modernized reservation system, Idaho Time, on January 6, 2025. The new system makes it easier than ever to reserve a wide range of accommodations, from standard off-season campsites and peak season holiday/weekend spots to yurts in remote areas and waterfront cabins.

The system enhances the unique Idaho experience by connecting park users to more outdoor recreation opportunities as demand for coveted dates and locations grows. The dynamic pricing, similar to modern reservation systems for hotels and airlines, prices cabins, yurts, and group sites based on demand by lowering prices during quiet periods and increasing during peak times. This flexible pricing model helps keep camping rates affordable during slower periods, while higher rates during peak demand help offset operational costs.

Designed to be smartphone-friendly, the system also provides users with additional content about facilities, features, options, and availability, along with photos of campsites to make planning easier and more informed.

“Launching the new reservation system for Idaho State Parks is a significant step forward in providing a seamless and efficient experience for park visitors,” said Matt Mitchell, Chief Relationship Officer at Brandt. “By integrating dynamic pricing and offering detailed information about facilities, we’re not just improving the booking process—we’re helping people make the most of their time outdoors, whether they’re booking a remote yurt or a waterfront cabin.”

Brandt is proud to partner with IDPR in delivering this innovative solution that supports the state’s mission of connecting people to nature and creating memorable outdoor experiences.

Visit IDAHO TIME here: http://getoutside.idaho.gov/

About Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
The mission of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship.

About Brandt
Brandt is a leading provider of innovative software solutions for government agencies and private organizations. With a focus on improving operational efficiency and user experience, Brandt offers a wide range of services, including licensing and registration systems, payment processing, and data management solutions. With a strong commitment to client success, Brandt continues to deliver cutting-edge technology to simplify complex processes and empower organizations to achieve their goals.

Right on Target: Turning Hunter Ed Graduates into Hunters

December 16, 2024/in News

Every year, thousands of individuals complete their hunter’s education certification but do not purchase a hunting license. Where do they go? This gap presents a significant opportunity for wildlife agencies to close the gap. Understanding this behavior and addressing it with effective solutions can bring more people into the field, ensuring the longevity and funding of conservation efforts.

Brandt’s licensing platforms currently integrate with seven Hunter Education certification vendors, including Kalkomey, NRA, and Outdoor Smart. When a customer completes a hunter education course, the vendor sends the public user completion notice to the licensing system via API. The certification number is stored on the customer’s profile for law enforcement use when validating a customer’s profile in the field. This API integration streamlines the process for agencies and users by automatically updating and avoiding mistyping.

Our platforms also include event and volunteer management which state agency educational divisions leverage to operate their in-person safety education courses. Upon in-person course completion and the volunteer passing the student, the hunter/safety education unique identification is automatically add to the customer’s profile.

Closing the Gap

Brandt’s Atlas Marketing CRM offers a powerful tool to tackle the education to license gap. Using data across online education vendors, in-person classes, and purchase history, Atlas can identify individuals who have a hunter’s education completion on file but have not yet purchased a hunting license. This filtered segment allows us to create highly targeted marketing segments.

Atlas can send automated emails or push notifications reminding these individuals of the benefits and excitement of hunting, provide tips for first-time hunters, or offer promotions to encourage the purchase of a hunting license. These targeted campaigns ensure that the message reaches the right audience at the right time, increasing the likelihood of converting educated individuals into active hunters.

For example, a recent campaign in Tennessee targeted 108,591 individuals who had completed hunter education but were not current license holders. With an open rate of 36.65% and a click rate of 0.64%, the campaign saw purchases of items like combination hunt/fish licenses and collectible durable cards.

Similarly, a campaign in Kansas reached 140,935 lapsed resident hunters and current license holders, achieving a 39.26% open rate, a 3.00% click rate, and sold various hunting and fishing licenses.

With Brandt’s integrated platforms and Atlas CRM, wildlife agencies are better equipped to turn hunter education graduates into active participants in the great outdoors.

Brandt Unveils Next-Generation Licensing System for Indiana DNR

December 11, 2024/in News

Brandt has launched Indiana DNR’s Division of Fish & Wildlife’s new Activity Hub. This innovative platform will transform how hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses are managed across the state, yet still be familiar to customers.

This launch reflects the shared commitment of Brandt and Indiana DNR’s Division of Fish & Wildlife to innovation and delivering a superior user experience. By streamlining processes and enhancing reliability, the platform ensures ease of use for the public while meeting IDNR DFW’s operational needs.

“We’re proud to partner with Indiana DNR’s Division of Fish & Wildlife to create a system that meets today’s needs and is configurable for future demands,” said Matt Mitchell, Chief Relationship Officer. “We are dedicated to leveraging modern technology to connect people with the outdoors.”

Designed for performance, the Activity Hub minimizes service interruptions, ensuring that Indiana residents and visitors can effortlessly purchase licenses, check in harvests, or sign up for special hunts.

In addition to these core functionalities, the system includes:

Game check-in
HIP registration
Durable license cards
Auto-renewal of licenses
Gift certificates and donations
Commercial licensing and permitting

Future rollouts of the hub will include:

Reserved hunts
Smartphone application
Electronic property check-in
Volunteer and event registration

“I’m thrilled that we will be able to provide our customers with an improved purchasing experience alongside expanded functionalities,” said Amanda Wuestefeld, DFW director. “Transitioning to a new system that provides a better customer experience has been an incredible effort that our staff have been working toward for several years.”

Brandt’s expertise in outdoor recreational systems has enabled IDNR’s DFW to enhance its licensing operations with a modern, reliable solution. This milestone marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the state’s outdoor enthusiasts. Brandt is honored to play a role in making this vision a reality.

Visit the Activity Hub at https://www.gooutdoorsin.com/login.

About Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Fish & Wildlife
The mission of the Division of Fish & Wildlife is to enrich the quality of life for present and future generations by balancing the biological, ecological, recreational, and economic benefits of Indiana’s fish, wildlife and their habitats.

About Brandt Information Services
Brandt Information Services is a leading provider of innovative software solutions for government agencies and private organizations. With a focus on improving operational efficiency and user experience, Brandt offers a wide range of services, including licensing and registration systems, payment processing, and data management solutions. With a strong commitment to client success, Brandt continues to deliver cutting-edge technology to simplify complex processes and empower organizations to achieve their goals.

Pitching Together: Cross-Promoting Parks Reservations Products

December 3, 2024/in Development, News

Cross-promoting products and services during a customer’s journey can be a game-changer for expanding adoption and introducing new offerings to a highly relevant audience. At the heart of successful cross-promotion is a focus on relevancy: matching customers’ immediate interests with tailored suggestions, adding value to their experience while boosting sales.

Cross-Promotion Relevancy is Key

When a promotion is relevant to a customer’s purchase journey, it holds greater impact and resonates with them, creating a sense of added value.

Brandt learned valuable lessons in cross-promotion through our efforts with the South Dakota GFP Park Entrance Licenses.

As an example, Brandt collaborated with South Dakota Game Fish & Parks (GFP) to increase customer satisfaction during their peak reservation surge in February 2024. In South Dakota, in addition to a campsite reservation, customers need a Park Entrance License (PEL) which is printed and mailed by GFP staff. Customers typically wait to purchase their PEL until the weather starts to warm, which causes a backlog of fulfillment obligations for the agency and slower delivery timing for the public customer.

Brandt and GFP implemented a cross-sell option on reservation purchases to suggest that the customer also purchase a PEL during checkout. The goal was to bring in the PEL sales earlier in the year in order to smooth the fulfillment spikes for GFP staff and streamline the reservation process for public customers – and it was a success! We created two spikes in PEL sales much earlier in 2024 than in 2023 which aligned with GFP’s big reservation opening windows where the cross-sell had the most exposure.

Combining Data from Parks & Licensing for Powerful Marketing

Cross-sell opportunities are not limited to just parks reservations. Cross-divisional opportunities allow shared audiences from sister divisions or departments to expand the market reach into untapped user segments.

Cross-promotion opportunities multiply when data from park reservations and licensing systems are integrated into a downstream Marketing Automation CRM. By blending parks reservation data with licensing information, you can create targeted campaigns, such as sending fishing license offers to parks reservation customers who frequent areas with lake or river access.

Segmenting audiences based on interests amplifies the impact of email marketing. Campaigns targeting public customers with a history of purchasing fishing privileges or visiting parks through online systems resulted in higher engagement rates than broad campaigns.

Leveraging Marketing Automation CRM

Brandt’s Marketing Automation CRM ingests customer license and reservation permit data, and can automatically trigger a follow-up email promoting fishing licenses or gear rentals before their stay. This approach boosts sales and enhances the customer’s trip by aligning with their planned activities.

A suggested marketing automation play for park entrance license purchasers includes a drip campaign that delivers helpful resources — tips on rv camping, tips on wildlife viewing, a reminder to buy a fishing permit, suggested park merchandise to purchase, or information about an event they can register for online.

Digital Advertising

Digital advertising provides an opportunity for reservation promotions without needing direct customer data. Google search behavior, for example, lets us target users searching specific topics, such as “camping in South Dakota” or “reservations for state parks.” With this approach, we reach potential customers who may not yet have a fishing or hunting license but who are searching for related outdoor activities.

Maximizing Engagement Through Data-Driven Cross-Promotions

Through thoughtful cross-promotions, reservations and licensing systems can expand product adoption and enrich customer experiences. By focusing on relevancy and using data integration across parks and licensing platforms, we build compelling customer journeys that resonate with their interests. The result is a win-win: customers discover services that enhance their outdoor experiences, while agencies and vendors see increased engagement and revenue.

As Brandt continues exploring cross-divisional partnerships, leveraging seasonal events, and implementing digital advertising, we can grow our audience in innovative ways, reinforcing the appeal of outdoor recreation for every type of adventurer.

The Power of Paperless: A New Era in Outdoor Recreational Digital Licensing Documents

November 7, 2024/in Development, News

As the world embraces sustainable, digital solutions, government agencies managing fishing, hunting, and boating licenses are making big strides. For outdoor enthusiasts, going paperless benefits the agencies and the public alike; it brings convenience, cost savings, and environmental benefits.

Oregon’s Big Win: Over A Million Dollars Saved with Paperless Tagging

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) previously used ruggedized paper for license tags, a durable but costly material. In 2018, ODFW replaced these physical tags with e-tagging and print-at-home options thanks to its Brandt licensing system available functionality.

By shifting to paperless tagging and print-at-home options, ODFW saved $1.4 million in its first year, including a substantial $240,000 in postage and mailing expenses alone. This digital transformation eliminated the need for specialized license-printing hardware at retail agent locations, reducing costs and making the tag process more efficient.

E-Tagging in Idaho: Transforming Salmon and Steelhead Permits

Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) recently implemented e-tagging for Salmon and Steelhead permits, allowing users to submit harvest reports digitally through Brandt’s licensing system. Since Idaho’s Salmon and Steelhead digital e-tag launch in April 2024, 23% of 43,678 permits were for digital-only tags, and the adoption will continue to grow. Customers who purchased permits online opted for the digital e-tag 96% of the time. Most Idaho anglers purchase their permits ahead of the season before e-tagging was available. These numbers reveal the growing interest in convenient, digital solutions that eliminate the need to print, mail, store, and potentially lose physical tags requiring legal replacements.

Mobile App Permits, Tags & Digital Notching

For anglers and hunters, Brandt’s public mobile apps offer a convenient way for public users to store credentials digitally, eliminating the need for physical copies and reducing paper waste. With licenses, permits, and tags accessible directly on their phones, users no longer need to worry about misplacing a paper version, aligning with both convenience and sustainability goals.

Brandt’s mobile apps include the ability, at the agency’s discretion, to allow public users to sync hunting tags digitally and “notch” the tags on their phone, fully removing the previous paper requirements.

Electronic Boat Registration Options

For boaters, Brandt’s licensing systems include a variety of electronic options for boat registrations including digital-only registrations, online renewals, and digital registration “cards” in Brandt’s mobile apps.

Gone are the days of mailing or driving in paper registration forms to wait in line for more paper to bring home. At the agency’s discretion, public users may submit all necessary information and documentation via online form processes to be queued for electronic approval.

Brandt’s mobile apps include the ability to sync all licenses, permits, tags, and registrations including boat registration “cards” in the app. Digital versions are resistant to the damage paper copies often suffer from water exposure, ensuring that critical documents are always accessible and intact. This shift to digital options supports eco-friendly practices in outdoor recreation while enhancing durability and user ease.

The Broader Impact: Why Digital Transformation Matters

Beyond convenience and cost savings, digital recreational permits and tags reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility. By reducing paper production, shipping, and disposal, agencies can significantly lessen their environmental footprint.

Brandt is proud to partner with its partner agencies to implement paperless licenses/permits, public and private mobile apps, and electronic tagging workflows. These solutions represent a modern approach that’s practical for users and aligned with sustainable conservation goals. As more outdoor agencies embrace digital solutions, we anticipate continued reductions in operational costs and increased accessibility for licensed anglers and hunters everywhere.

Brandt is charting the course for a future where conservation goals and enhanced user experience go hand-in-hand — bringing sustainable, digital solutions to outdoor enthusiasts across the nation.

Let the Platform Do the Magic: Atlas Marketing CRM Intelligent Tools

October 23, 2024/in Marketing, News

In today’s digitally saturated world, cutting through the noise to reach your audience effectively is more challenging than ever. It’s not just about delivering content—it’s about delivering it at the right time and through the right channels. Brandt’s Atlas Marketing CRM utilizes two key features that are designed to do just that: A/B Testing with Intelligent Selection and Send Timing Based on Previous Engagement.

A/B Testing with Intelligent Selection

A/B testing has long been a staple of effective marketing; Atlas Marketing CRM tools take it to the next level with multivariant, automatic intelligent selection. Instead of simply running a test and hoping for the best, this feature analyzes campaign performance every 12 hours and automatically adjusts the percentage of users that receive each variant, favoring the version that’s performing better. If a variant is resonating with users, more people will see it; if it’s falling flat, fewer will. This dynamic adjustment ensures that your campaign is always optimized for the best possible performance without manual oversight.

A/B Testing section of a campaign with Intelligent Selection enabled.

Deliver Messages at the Perfect Time

Timing is everything when it comes to engaging your audience; Atlas Marketing CRM tools include the ability to have every end user receive your communications when they are

Scheduling a campaign with Intelligent Timing

most likely to open based on previous send data. Your message will reach users when they’re most likely to engage — whether that’s opening, clicking, or otherwise interacting. This tool analyzes each user’s behavior, determining their personal “prime time” for engagement. The result? Messages are delivered when users are most receptive, leading to higher engagement rates and more meaningful interactions. No more guesswork—just smart, data-driven decisions.

The Power of the Intelligent Channel Filter

Have you ever received both an email and a push notification simultaneously and thought, “Is this necessary?” Atlas Marketing CRM tools include an Intelligent Channel Filter that identifies each user’s most engaged channel—whether it’s email, push notifications, or something else—and ensures that’s where your message lands. No more bombarding users across multiple platforms; instead, meet them on their preferred channel, creating a more seamless and less intrusive experience.

Right Audience + Right Message + Right Time

With Atlas Marketing CRM’s intelligent A/B testing, optimized send timing, and channel selection, Brandt’s Atlas Marketing Coordinators support our clients with fine-tuning their campaigns with data-driven insights and automation.

You can maximize engagement, reduce wasted efforts, and ensure your public users receive messages that matter—precisely when and where they’re most likely to respond. Atlas CRM transforms the way you connect with your audience, bringing smarter strategies and better results to your marketing efforts.

To learn more about Brandt’s Atlas Marketing CRM, click here