A Question for ladymoonlite or anyone..

[MrJim911]

A question for lady or anyone else that might understand my dilemna. Here we go....

We currently have HTE CAD IV, which is a non-windows based operating system, it's OS/2. (So is our records system) By March 31st all Illinois LEADS user agencies must be able to run LEADS 2000 which IS a windows based system. A certain admin type person at our agency believes that we will be able to run LEADS 2000 on CAD IV. (Me thinks not possible) That admin person does not like CAD V because there are too many bugs that still need to be worked out. While this is admittedly true most users of HTE CAD V that I've spoken with are mostly satisfied with it's performance. The real problem lies with getting HTE to service the equipment...Anyway, we will have the required T1 connection for LEADS 2000 access by the March deadline but we are not getting CAD V. Another reason that admin person does not want it is because CAD V is not compatible with our non-windows based records system. And that we would need to purchase the CRIMES records system for CAD V at a cost of about $30,000. My question is, is LEADS 2000 going to be able to be interfaced directly with our CAD IV? (I think I know the answer is a big NO) So does this mean starting March 31st four people will be rolling over to our only windows computer running plates, DL#'s, etc....? Uggggg.....

lady this post may sound a bit weird because it's not just directed at you, I've posted it at other 911 sites...copy and paste is a great thing. ;)

[ladymoonlite]

I apologize for the delay in responding - I've been out of town...

Anyway, my best bet is NO, you won't be able to "interface" LEADS 2000 w/CAD IV. Are the powers that be over there aware that there will be NO HTE support for IV soon? That issue aside, LEADS 2000 (and two) will require Windows to run...are your CAD terminals incapable of running Windows? I don't know about yours, but our dispatchers can "alt-tab" back and forth between CAD IV and Windows. I realize there are officer safety issues and such with doing that... but it may be better than rolling around the room using different computers! Sounds like you need some serious computer expansion work for this to be less than a HUGE hassle for you!

[MrJim911]

Actually HTE has decided NOT to stop servicing CAD IV this summer since so many agencies are having problems with CAD V. ALT/ESC is what we do to swtich back and forth from CAD IV to our records. All of our terminals have windows capabilities. And that was what I was afraid of is having to ALT/ESC everytime a officer wants to run a plate or DL#.... Not to mention CAD IV won't be able to automatically run a plate when we put an officer on a stop, we'll have to switch over and run it seperately. (after we get LEADS 2000)

I was exaggerating when I said rolling around the room. :rolleyes: But as you know this is frustrating and I'm going to have serious issues when I have to delay a plate response because I'm switching screens every few seconds...... Ugggggggg!!!

[ladymoonlite]

I've noted problems with CAD-IV when you Alt-Esc, as well. Occasionally, although only on some of our terminals, there's a mental burp whereby the CAD hasn't caught any of what has happened while the operator is "away" and has to be refreshed upon returning in order to receive new info. Also, and less important, sometimes a "Shift-F10" and escape is necessary to get the junk off of the screen... do you see this problem as well?

[MrJim911]

I have noticed that specific problem. There are times where you have to sign off (shift F-10). And I recognize the loss of catching up thing, if you go to ALT-F9 then hit transmit, it refreshes your screen without having to sign off. This is rare though, like you said.

[ladymoonlite]

Maybe we need to form some sort of local "users group" for HTE CAD.... or maybe we just have! :p

[MrJim911]

Ohhh, They have them and I've been to them... B*tch fests and HTE defending their company is what they are. Room full of PSAP directors and a handful of dispatchers. Entertaining to say the least.

[Duckie911]

GOOD LUCK WITH ANYTHING THAT STARTS WITH "HTE" :mad: