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This lens will help county, city and state decision makers learn what to look for when choosing a provider for critical Public Safety Software such as Computer Aided Dispatch, Records Management Software and other Public Safety and Homeland Security applications. It also provides a brief profile for a number of top Public Safety Software companies, as well as the latest industry information and trade show links.
Latest Public Safety Blog Updates
The latest breaking news and information in the Public Safety community.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byImportant Things to Look For When Choosing a Public Safety Software Provider
This is a list of criteria to keep in mind as you review potential suppliers.
- Reliability - By definition, your system must be ready to deal with daily life and death situations. Your technology solution MUST stand up to this challenge and deliver EVERY time.
- Ease of Integration - This is especially important if your department or departments have existing hardware or software. The provider should be able to integrate to your existing system (assuming it is up-to-date) without significant cost or time.
- Strong Referrals - A solid provider will have a list of current public sector clients with a similar profile to your community. Ask for contact names and numbers so that you may contact them to get objective insight into the provider.
- Comprehensive Solution - The provider should be able to provide a comprehensive public safety solution (at least CAD, GIS, RMS, JMS, AVL, ALI and Mobile) to meet your needs. Steer clear of single-application providers, which could lead to higher costs and compatibility problems.
- Long History - New Public Safety Technolgy companies are popping up everywhere. Many are offering software that has not been tested by a major emergency or disaster. Look for a company that has been around long enough (at least 10-15 years) to have a significant base of experience so you know that your community is covered in the event of a major event.
- 24/7 Technical Support and Service - Your PSAP is open and your personnel are on duty 24/7. Your technology provider should be as well. Technical support personnel with previous or current experience as a dispatcher is a plus.
Brief Profiles and Links to Established Public Safety Software Providers
(in alphabetical order)
- InterAct Public Safety Systems
- In business for over 25 years, InterAct is the only vendor with a fully integrated suite that extends from telephony and CAD to RMS to VoIP, video surveillance and crisis management systems. It also has an in-house services dept. for custom mapping, engineering and integration projects. It serves 650 communities of all sizes domestically and internationally.
- Intergraph
- Founded in 1993, Intergraph offers Windows-based applications including strong CAD and GIS products. It also offers RMS, FMS, Mobile, and JMS solutions. The company is currently in the midst of an organizational realignment, due to be complete in June 2006.
- New World
- This mid-sized supplier recently overhauled its entire software suite, resulting in solid client reviews. It offers Windows-based and .NET solutions and has 600 installs across the country. Its product line includes CAD, RMS, JMS, Mobile, GIS and a number of administration-related applications such as HR/Payroll.
- Plant/CML
- Also www.peinc.com - Plant and CML were recently acquired by Golden Gate Capital and merged. The combined company offers extensive hardware and software solutions on a Windows platform including E-911, CAD, GIS, RMS and JMS, but does not offer FMS.
- Positron
- Positron has over 20 years experience in developing public safety solutions. Its comprehensive, Windows-based offering includes CAD, Mobile, JMS and Field. Its Viper VoIP 9-1-1 solution is known to be very solid, however its CAD and RMS applications are not as robust.
- Sungard/OSSI
- Also - www.ossiusa.com - This privately-held technology giant acquired both H.T.E. and OSSI in 2004, establishing it as a public safety supplier. It offers a comprehensive Windows-based suite of applications and has significant client installs in the Southeast and Midwest.
- TriTech Software Systems
- TriTech is an international provider of public safety software with 150 client installs. Its FMS and EMS applications have solid reputations. It does not own its RMS application and does not offer E-911. Its other applications include Mobile, GIS and AVL.
- VisionAir
- VisionAir provides public safety software and integration platforms to customers in 30 states. The company offers Windows-based, web-accessed solutions. Its service record is improving, following a period of too-rapid growth. It excels in RMS, Mobile and FMS, but may be weaker with large site CAD and GIS.
Latest Dispatch and Public Safety News
From Dispatch Monthly
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byUpcoming Trade Shows
- Illinios NENA/APCO
- October 22nd - 25th
Springfield, IL - COPSWEST
- October 24th - 25th
Ontario, CA - International Association of Emergency Managers
- November 12th - 15th
Orlando, FL - Kentucky Association of Counties
- November 15th - 17th
Louisville, KY - Northern California APCO
- December 8th
Pleasanton, CA
Public Safety Informational Links
Where to go to get more information
- ITTNV: Law Enforcement: Community Policing Award Program
- The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and ITT Night Vision are pleased to announce the 2006 Community Policing Award call for entries. The award recognizes outstanding community-policing practices by agencies representing jurisdictions of all sizes. This is your chance to spotlight your agency for fighting crime by using proactive and successful community policing.
- Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
- The Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs is accepting nominations beginning May 31, 2006, for the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. The medal is awarded annually by the President to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General who have exhibited exceptional courage in protecting or saving human lives.
- 911 National Emergency Number Association
- NENA promotes 9-1-1 research, planning, training and education.
- Priority Dispatch - Certified CAD Partners
- ProQA CAD and Integration Partners - introduces clients and partners to the certification process and showcases those partners that have achieved a Certified Interface with ProQA.
- The Center for Technology Commercialization
- The CTC strives to be the link between innovation, technology and best practices to government, public safety organizations, businesses, universities, and research laboratories. It acts as a clearinghouse for new public safety technology on behalf of state and local law enforcement agencies.
- FCC E911 Information
- FCC's guidlines and latest news about the requirements and rollout of E-911.
- US Government's Official XML Site
- Links and information regarding Extensible Markup Language - XML.
- Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
- This non-profit organization is dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. Membership is open to all Public Safety Communications officials.
Useful Trade Publications
- Emergency Number Professional Magazine
- The official publication of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
- 9-1-1 Magazine
- Serving law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, search rescue, and disaster management, 9-1-1 Magazine provides valuable information to readers in all aspects of the public safety communications and response community.
- Law and Order Magazine
- A comprehensive resource for law enforcement officers.
- MissionCritical Communications, Public Safety Report and RadioResource
- MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report - wireless voice and data communications for mobile, remote and public safety operations.
- PoliceOne.com
- The leading resource for law enforcement and police, providing officers, sheriff deputies, state highway patrol, federal agents, departments and agencies with access to breaking news, product discounts, equipment, gear, training and career information.
- Officer.com
- Police News, Forums, Links and More for Police Officers, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Sheriffs and More.
by DLamphier
I am a native of Northeastern Ohio who relocated to the South over a decade ago. I have an MBA from Wake Forest University and am a public s...
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