In the beginning, the departments challenge was the staffs lack of computer knowledge, but with the appropriate training and utilization of the software the users cannot imaging carrying out tasks without the system now.
New World Solution
The City of Augusta and Richmond County chose New World Systems Aegis CAD, Records Management, and Mobile Computing to enhance services to the community.
Community Benefits
New World Systems Aegis Public Safety Software automates many operations.
Dispatching operations, ensuring the appropriate units arrive at the scene quickly
State/NCIC checks on people, license plates, locations and more via Mobile Computing, without having to contact dispatch
Reporting, allowing agencies to print reports on pre-printed forms, or create their own reports required by the city, state and federal government
Messaging between car-to-car and car-to-dispatch, so unauthorized persons can not scan information, unlike radio communication
Introduction
Before most public safety agencies realized the benefits of technology, the Augusta, Ga. Police Department had already researched many software vendors and chose New World Systems' Aegis public safety software. The Augusta Police Department and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office licensed New World's Aegis Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management, Mobile Computing and many optional modules, which helped when the State of Georgia consolidated Richmond County and Augusta in 1996. New World's software helped seamlessly merge the departments. "Although it was not yet popular among public safety agencies, we wanted the advantages of technology that was minimal in the 1980s unlike it is now," said 911 Director Phil Wasson, Augusta, Ga. "Over the years, New World has incorporated many customer suggestions; and, it continues to stay ahead of technology, providing us progressive tools to help us effectively do our critical jobs."
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office also felt comfortable in choosing New World, because the Company's only business was developing public sector software and providing services to local governments.
Overcoming Challenges
CAD and Records Management software for law enforcement, fire and EMS was in its infancy when the agencies first licensed the software. And, at that time, there were not many computer-savvy users, making the change harder than it may have been in today's technology world.
After careful and extensive training from New World and everyday use, many of the users began wondering how they dispatched and managed cases before the Aegis software came along.
"Although we designate two dispatchers for law enforcement, two for fire and one for EMS, we have 15 workstations in the 911 center and each one is able to take any call," said Wasson. "This provides us with the flexibility a dispatch center needs to accommodate all situations at any time."
Customer Service
"We have been with New World for over 15 years, and we have seen a lot of good enhancements from customer service and the call center," said Wasson. "We are fortunate, because New World's software is reliable and easy to use, requiring little need for us to call support." Benefits
New Worlds software allows us to do a more thorough, efficient job, said Wasson.
Electronic analysis of workloads, high-crime areas and 911 over-use, help allocate resources
Integrated system requires information to be entered only once, eliminating redundant data entry
Access to Digital Mug Shots expands communication and allows officers to view digital pictures of a suspect(s) while in the field or at the department
iSeries platform is fast, reliable, simple to use, and meets the agencies' needs
Easily supports 300,000 law enforcement calls for service (CFS), 25,000 fire CFS, 35,000 EMS CFS and over 500,000 911 CFS
Testimonial
"New World and our agencies have worked well together in developing enhanced software features," said Wasson. "We look forward to further developing our relationship."
