A new online system offered by SourcingPoint Solutions is aimed at giving businesses, non-profits and other organizations the ability to perform faster, more affordable background checks.

The PowerScreen system, tested extensively through late 2007, was officially introduced in January along with an enhanced background screening services menu. It gives employers, leasing and rental managers and other decision-makers the ability to safely and securely access SourcingPoint Solutions' entire PowerScreen line of hiring and risk management tools from any computer with an Internet browser. It delivers most screening results in seconds.

Through the new system, users can quickly and efficiently perform social security traces and credit history checks, review motor vehicle records, search criminal history data, access worker's compensation claim information and history, reference a name against the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) "watch list," screen for drug use, and even verify employment eligibility status (I-9 verification). In addition, property and rental managers can use the PowerScreen system to review a prospective tenant's eviction records and verify employment status.

John Christopher, a SourcingPoint Solutions Program Specialist, says the online system represents his company's efforts to offer "more accessibility and affordability" to the diverse organizations adopting screening processes.

"We've learned through our research that more businesses are seeing the benefits of screening. And they're demanding fast access to accurate information without having to pay premium fees for it."

"What's interesting," Christopher adds, "is that this demand isn't contained within a certain market or segment. It's across the whole landscape." To support this point, Christopher cites PowerScreen's growing client list, which includes medical transportation companies, real estate brokerages and property management firms, architectural offices and churches.

The PowerScreen system offers packaged services that are optimized for employment screening and tenant screening applications, but users can also create their own packages, or choose from an extensive list of a la carte services to create an ideal screening profile. All activity on the new system is transaction-based, so users are charged only for completed screening orders. There are no account setup charges or monthly minimums.