bciti blog

How a Multi-Locality Interoperability Platform Stands Out from a Citizen Portal or a Website

February 26, 2025

In a world where the digital transformation of communities is essential to better serve citizens, it is crucial to understand the difference between an interoperable citizen platform like bciti+, a municipal citizen portal, and an institutional website. These solutions play complementary but distinct roles in managing urban services and information.

So, how does a platform like bciti+ stand out?

1. A Multi-Service, Multi-Partner, Multi-City Interoperable Platform

Unlike a municipal citizen portal, which is typically designed for a single city and managed by its administration, a platform like bciti+ allows citizens to access multiple cities and services (civic and urban) from a single account via a mobile app or a web portal.

    • Unified Access to Services: Citizens can access their city's services, regional organizations, and even services in other cities where they live, work, or visit without needing to register on multiple platforms.

Seamless Experience: The digital environment remains the same regardless of the selected region, ensuring a consistent user experience.

2. A Connected Experience Beyond Civic Services

Municipal websites and portals are usually limited to city-specific services, such as municipal forms and registrations. In contrast, bciti+ expands its scope by integrating additional services and partners to enhance the user experience.

EcoLocal Digital Card

  • Facilitates faster registration for partner services.
  • Enables payments for parking, facility access, and special privileges.
  • Example: Brossard uses it for aquatic center access via automated door unlocking.

Civic and Urban Services

  • Provides information on service hours and essential daily services.

Local Events and Businesses

  • Thanks to partnerships with chambers of commerce, bciti+ includes an economic component with EcoLocal, which supports local businesses and connects citizens with nearby services and events.

Requests & Reports

  • Allows users to submit requests concerning the city or other local organizations.

Personalized Alerts & Notifications

  • Users receive customized updates based on their preferences and interests.

3. A Model Based on Citizen Engagement, Interaction, and Transactions

Municipal websites are typically static information platforms, requiring users to search for the services or documents they need. In contrast, bciti+ is built on interactivity, engagement, and transactions:

Personalized Access

  • The platform adapts based on the citizen’s status (resident, worker, visitor) to provide relevant services and information.

Multi-Partner Connection

  • Municipalities, businesses, local associations, and chambers of commerce can interact with citizens on a single platform.

Seamless Transactions

  • Citizens can purchase services directly (e.g., transportation, recreation, local commerce) within the platform.

4. A Privacy-Respecting and Ethical Data Management Model

One of the major concerns of citizens is data privacy. Bciti+ operates under a model where users retain ownership of their data.

BTrusted bciti+

  • A patented button enabling users to transfer personal data to forms with explicit consent.

Transparency & Control

  • Users manage their data and can delete it at any time.

Ethical Interoperability

  • Unlike platforms like Google or Facebook, which exploit user data for targeted marketing, bciti+ ensures a secure, ethical approach, keeping user data under their control.

5. A Scalable Solution That Adapts to Community Needs

Municipal websites and portals require continuous investment for updates, whereas bciti+ is an evolving platform that integrates the latest technologies based on user feedback.

Feature Upgrades Without System Overhaul

  • Any community using bciti+ instantly benefits from new updates and innovations.

Fast Deployment & Cost Optimization

  • Developing a custom citizen portal can be costly and time-consuming. Bciti+ enables quick and easy integration.

Conclusion: bciti+ and the Future of Digital Governance

In summary, bciti+ does not replace municipal websites or citizen portals but complements them by enhancing service accessibility and bringing citizens closer to their local environment.

With its multi-city, multi-partner, multi-service, and interoperable model, bciti+ connects citizens, businesses, and community organizations in a smarter way.

More than just an information portal, bciti+ is an intelligent, unified ecosystem designed to improve citizens' daily lives while respecting privacy and encouraging economic growth

Vivianne Gravel
Article written by Vivianne Gravel
133 - CTA - Banner

Ready to get started?