CAD 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 com center does. The complexity of the CAD program is usually dictate 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.