Valor stresses software configurability at APCO
At the APCO national conference in Nashville, Tenn., Valor Systems, Wheaton, Ill., continued its introduction of its ValorCAD SE (second edition) dispatch software for fire and police departments.
Bill Rendina, Valor’s president, said that a key element of the new software is configurability.
“As we go from state to state, we see different-size agencies with a commonality, yet with some differences. Rather than have an agency adapt to our software, we can configure close to theirs. If they had another CAD in the past and they call a classification one thing, we can re-label and have tabs with different resources on them. That’s what we’re really hitting on in our new generation. We adapt to their way of doing operations, instead of them adapting to ours,” Rendina said.
Features include mutual aid, mapping and linked records.
“ValorCAD allows the dispatcher to quickly assess an emergency and coordinate with local municipalities as needed, so that resources are deployed more efficiently,” Rendina said. “The system maps the scene, suggests special equipment that may be needed, and calculates recommended units based on variables including time of day.”
Additionally, if an incoming call is from a wanted suspect, the linked records window shows the dispatcher warrants, vehicle data and personal data of the caller.
Function names can be selected to match what the dispatcher is accustomed to using, so the console feels familiar right away, and training is fast and intuitive. The company’s upcoming monthly subscription plan is intended to make the cost more attractive and simplify the budgetary process. The subscription plan will also allow immediate use of the system without making a major investment.
As part of the ValorCAD SE launch, the company is upgrading existing customers at no charge. The new version is already deployed in New Hampshire’s statewide emergency bureau. New Hampshire takes all statewide calls at one PSAP, which is linked to over 100 emergency response sites via ValorCAD software, enabling an important trend of coordination between agencies.
