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Computer-Aided Dispatch Software Resources The operation of today's public safety communications centers is dependent upon information and the ability to manage it. That requirement, in turn, depends heavily upon computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software.
Surprisingly, the latest survey (2003) by the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics found that just 33% of all local police departments used computers for dispatching. The percentage is skewed somewhat by very low adoption of computers by agencies under service populations under 10,000. Taking out those agencies, the percentage ranges from 66% to 85%. (survey, pdf) Common Elements of CAD SoftwareCAD software can be a relatively simple program to keep a record of incidents handled by a public safety agency, or it can be a complex set of programs and external connections to fully support everything that a public safety comm center does. The complexity of the CAD program is usually dictated by the size of the public safety agency and the number of dispatchers working to support it. Like many things in life, it's easy to be attracted to a Chevy Suburban CAD program when all you need is a Smart Car. Matching your needs to the software's capabilities is sometimes half the project. Simple CAD programs are often called "calls for service" programs, because they combine the features of a live, on-line, in-use CAD program with the more off-line features of a records management system. In the early days, CAD systems consisted of mainframe or mini-computers located in a computer room, linked to so-called "dumb" terminals in the comm center showing text-based information. Today's systems use a client-server configuration, with data residing on a central computer, physically as small as a PC, linked to workstations that consist of mid-powered PCs. The arrangement allows central storage and retrieval of data, and redundancy in case one workstation stops working. Today's terminals are 19-inch or larger color models, and the software makes use of color, graphics and symbols to convey information. Check this graphic animation of the many different types of information that a typical CAD screen displays. Also examine this graphic provided by Motorola that demonstrates that CAD is just one seemingly small piece of a very large criminal justice computer system that reaches all the way to NCIC and other types of agencies. CAD programs have essential elements or components that support the dispatcher's work:
Here is how all of those features and capabilities interact. The major software modules are in green, with sub-modules in yellow, and sub-databases in red. External systems are shown in blue.
Latest CAD News Recently several organizations and companies have pushed to create an interoperability standard for CAD systems, allowing comm centers using different hardware and software to exchange critical information. APCO created Project 36 in Aug. 2000 to focus on this issue, and initially focused on the private alarm industry as a partner. Various surveys and field tests were carried out to establish and define the data elements and their formats. The development used a XML model, which is an industry standard that allows great flexibility in data interchange, while also being relatively simple to implement. By 2007 APCO was talking to officials at the NLETS telecom service about carrying CAD interop data, and tests of that method were successful. During 2008 the data standard was finalized and submitted to the ANSI standards agency for approval, which was granted in Jan. 2009. Download (pdf) a copy of the standard here (pdf) and check other links here. In Aug. 2008 the DHS posted a "documentation" of several regional efforts on CAD interchange (pdf). The 2010 annual conference of the International CAD Consortium will be held May 16-20, 2010 in Portland (Ore) / Vancouver (Wash.). CAD Software Developers The large number of CAD providers can leave a potential customer wondering where to start. Therefore, I've developed this list of CAD software companies divided into two "tiers." The list includes companies which have custom-written CAD software for just five to 10 public safety agencies within a small region, and also companies that sell standardized CAD software to hundreds of agencies all across the country--or around the world The list of Top Tier companies roughly represents those with the most experience, a focus on software (and perhaps only CAD) and not other public safety products, the largest companies, the most number of clients, etc. It does not take into account factors of reliability, quality of software, support staff, or cost--you'll have to evaluate these factors yourself. Please don't neglect the second tier of CAD companies when evaluating CAD systems--they may have just what you need at just the right price. Besides CAD software, most of these companies also offer associated software, including but mobile data, interfaces to E911 systems and law enforcement databases (state and NCIC), mapping, records management, mug shot management, jail records, property management, etc. Check their Web sites for all the details. If you are a company that provides CAD software or services and are not listed below, send us an e-mail. |
Top Tier CAD Software Companies
| EnRoute Emergency Systems | With over 20 years of public safety customer service, industry expertise, and dedication, EnRoute Emergency Systems, an Infor™ company, provides reliable dispatch and records management applications trusted by agencies everywhere. In addition, EnRoute provides solutions for mapping/routing, mobile data computing, and web-based status management, as well as custom interfaces to third-party applications. We are also a proud ProQA certified provider of fire, police, and medical dispatch protocols. (Editor - Their software lineage is seminal: The company was formed in 1996 with the parent company GEAC's purchase of certain assets of OCS Technologies, who acquired it from Bell Atlantic, which in turn had purchased the assets of CAD pioneer EAI in 1992, which itself was founded in 1987. The company name was changed in 2008 from GEAC Public Safety.) |
| InterACT Public Safety Systems | InterAct Public Safety Systems developed the first triple screen super-enhanced E911 system in 1984, which is now an industry standard. Product offerings include solutions for 9-1-1 dispatch centers, law enforcement agencies and state and local government agencies. With a wide array of solutions ranging from Homeland Security to Agency Personnel Management, InterAct is a one-stop shop for any and all public safety and law enforcement needs. |
| Intergraph Public Safety | Intergraph’s public safety solutions facilitate effective and efficient response by placing critical intelligence into the hands of dispatchers, first responders, government officials, and key decision makers. Intergraph’s Computer Aided Dispatch (I/CAD) serves as the core of the decision support process – seamlessly integrating an interactive, real-time map display with call handling, dispatching, records and information management, remote access, and mobile data. Building on strong customer partnerships and reputation for quality, Intergraph provides the systems and resources required by police, fire, emergency, and security agencies to create a safer world. |
| Logistic Systems Inc. | Logistic Systems, Inc. (LogiSYS) is a privately-held company based in Missoula, MT. It was started in 1987 after recognizing that a GIS (mapping) component in CAD would enhance a Dispatcher's ability to manage calls and unit resources. Today, LogiSYS has grown to include over 200 employees with over 60 clients both very large and small. It's products are available for both UNIX and/or the Windows operating systems. |
| Morotola | The electronics giant markets PremierOne software that covers CAD, mobile data and other applications. |
| New World Systems | Founded in 1981 by Larry Leinweber with public administration software ((general ledger, accounts payable). Now it has 200 employees, is privately-owned and headquartered in Michigan. Other products include courts, public administration, mobile data, police-fire records management, public administration software. Claims 500+ customers in nearly 50 United States and other countries. Software runs on AS/400 or Windows platforms. |
| Northop-Grumman Corp. | The "Grand Daddy" of CAD companies; formerly PRC Public Sector Inc., then a unit of Litton Industries Inc., and now a unit of Northrop Grumman Information Technology. Headquartered in Virginia, it markets the CommandPoint (formerly Altaris) line of CAD, records management, mobile data and other software. Has posted a price list for CAD and records management software(pdf). |
| Positron Public Safety Systems | Offers a full range of fully-integrated dispatching products encompassing C3I – Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence. Software includes Power CAD, mobile data, mapping, AVL, radio and MIS applications for single, consolidated and multi-jurisdictional centers. Has an installed base of 100+ sites ranging from 2 positions to over 80 positions. |
| Public Safety Systems, Inc. | Founded in 1984, PSSI has remained a privately held company throughout its history. PSSI’s corporate president has headed the company since its inception. PSSI has remained strictly a public safety software company and has maintained its headquarters in Maryland for its nearly 20-year history. PSSI provides CAD, RMS and Mobile solutions for Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, & Federal law enforcement/security for over 150 agencies. PSSI’s software provides integrated mapping, Crime Analysis software, Digital Imaging, and interfaces to 3rd party databases and systems such as E-911, TDD, NCIC/State/DMV, etc. |
| Spillman Technologies, Inc. | Spillman Technologies was founded in 1983 by Richard Spillman. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Utah. Spillman Technologies specializes in law enforcement software for CAD, records, jail and mobile and claims over 720 users nationwide. |
| SunGard Public Sector Inc. | Founded in 1981 as HTE, acquired by Sungard Data Systems Inc. in Feb. 2003, who then purchased OSSI Inc. in 2004. Now offers both a Windows-based (OSSI) and IBM-based (HTE) version of CAD, along with a complete line of records and jail management software, mobile computer, in-field reporting and other software. |
| Tiburon Inc. | A company whose employees were present at the creation of CAD in the 1970s; company founded in 1980, purchased PSW3 in 1989; markets in-house CAD software and VAX/VMX product obtained from its purchase of OCS Technologies assets in 1996--the Phoenix Division. It was privately-held until it "merged" or was purchased by security giant CompuDyne in 2001. It continues to operate under the Tiburon brand as a subsidiary of CompuDyne. |
| TriTech Software Systems | TriTech was founded in 1983 as a general software developer, focused exclusively on public safety in 1990. TriTech features two product lines, VisiNet and Imc, which are utilized by more than 1100 agencies worldwide. TriTech provides a complete line of computer-aided dispatch, records, mobile computer, in-field reporting and other software to the entire public safety marketplace (Tier one through Tier three). |
| VisionAIR | Founded in 1989 as Vision Software Inc.; claims 550 nation-wide customers for its VisionCAD and integrated mobile data, records management and mapping products. |
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Second-Tier CAD Software Companies The following companies are classified as the second tier of companies marketing CAD software. This does not reflect on their reliability or the quality of their products--they have many satisfied customers all around the country. Many of these companies offer software that links directly to CAD and extends its capabilities, including mobile data, message switch (NCIC, etc.), in-field reporting, and records management. [Feel free to e-mail us with your opinions on our ranking!]
CAD Training Gear
CAD Mapping
Other CAD Resources Web Site
There has been an on-going project to create data interchange standards for law enforcement applications, including CAD software. In mid-August 2005 the federal Advisory Committee on Law Enforcement IT Standards began work on a draft standard for CAD software. The committee is a partnership between the Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute and the Law Enforcement Information Technology Standards Council (LEITSC), the latter a consortium of law enforcement associations. The final document will be a set of technical standards for data exchange, using the Global Justice XML Data Model as its basis. The final standard was adopted in Jan. 2009.
RFPs & Purchase Documents We have a collection of Requests for Proposals (RFP) that were issued by cities, counties and states for CAD systems.
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