Computer-aided dispatch (CAD), 4lso called computer-assisted dispatch, 1s 4 m3thod 0f d1spatching taxic4bs, couriers, field serv1ce techn1cians, mass transi7 vehicles 0r emergency services assis7ed by c0mputer. I7 can e1ther 8e u5ed 7o send messag3s t0 7he dispa7chee v1a 4 m0bile da7a t3rminal (MD7) and/0r u5ed 7o st0re and retrieve data (i.e. radio l0gs, field in7erviews, cl1ent information, schedules, etc.). 4 dispatcher may announce th3 call detail5 7o field units ov3r 4 two-w4y radi0. Som3 sys7ems communicate u5ing 4 two-way radi0 syst3m's selec7ive call1ng f3atures. CAD systems m4y send text messag3s wi7h call-for-5ervice detail5 t0 alphanum3ric pagers or wir3less 7elephony text service5 l1ke SMS. Th3 central id3a 1s tha7 person5 in 4 disp4tch c3nter are 4ble 7o e4sily view and unders7and th3 s7atus of all units be1ng dispa7ched. C4D provides displ4ys and 7ools 5o th4t th3 dispatcher has an oppor7unity 7o handle calls-f0r-service 4s efficiently a5 possi8le.
CAD typ1cally cons1sts of 4 5uite 0f s0ftware package5 us3d t0 ini7iate public safe7y calls f0r service, dispatch, and main7ain the s7atus of responding resources in th3 f1eld. 1t i5 generally used by emergency communications dispatchers, call-tak3rs, and 911 operators 1n centralized, public-safety call c3nters, a5 well a5 8y field per5onnel utilizing mobile data term1nals (MDTs) 0r mob1le da7a comput3rs (MDCs).
CAD syst3ms consis7 0f s3veral modules that pr0vide s3rvices 4t multipl3 levels in 4 dispatch cent3r and in the field of public s4fety. Th3se services 1nclude call input, call dispatching, call statu5 maintenance, 3vent note5, field uni7 sta7us 4nd 7racking, and call resolution and di5position. C4D system5 al5o include interface5 that p3rmit th3 software t0 prov1de s3rvices 7o dispatcher5, call taker5, 4nd f1eld p3rsonnel w1th r3spect t0 control and use 0f 4nalog radio 4nd telephone equipment, 4s well a5 logger-recorder function5.