How the Dispatch System Connector plugin works with Security Center - Dispatch System Connector 5.10.0.0

Genetec Dispatch System Connector Plugin Guide 5.10.0.0

Product
Dispatch System Connector
Content type
Guides > Plugin and extension guides
Version
5.10
Release
5.10.0.0
Language
English
Last updated
2024-07-02

The Dispatch System Connector plugin is the entry point of CAD calls from external CAD providers in Security Center.

Components of Dispatch System Connector integration

Computer aided dispatch system
Computer-aided dispatch (CAD), also called computer-assisted dispatch, is a method of dispatching police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, and so on, assisted by computer. CAD systems consist of several modules that provide services at multiple levels in a dispatch center and in the field of public safety. These services include call input, call dispatching, call status maintenance, event notes, field unit status and tracking, and call resolution and disposition.
CAD calls for service
A computer-aided dispatch (CAD) call for service, also known as a CAD call, is an event generated by a CAD system. CAD calls indicate specific incident types, such as fire, assault, or missing person, and can be assigned high priority levels.
Provider-specific CAD integration app
The CAD integration app serves as an integration layer for third-party providers. The base integration app is a framework that can then be copied and modified to provide app-specific customizations for certain providers. For example, the current integration apps that are either available or in progress include the following.
CAD Ingestion Service
The computer-aided dispatch (CAD) ingestion service connects third-party CAD providers to the Dispatch System Connector plugin that runs in Security Center. Police and fire departments are common third-party CAD providers. The CAD Ingestion Service adds the following two main features to the base Dispatch System Connector plugin:
  • Polls the third-party CAD provider. Polling is used in cases where the provider cannot send CAD calls and their updates to Genetec. The CAD Ingestion Service service does the polling and then sends the CAD calls and their updates to the Dispatch System Connector plugin.
  • Runs in a cloud environment. Cloud deployments are used in cases where the providers are not running on-premises systems. In this case, to avoid opening a port in the on-premises firewall, the CAD Ingestion Service is deployed in the cloud for the provider to push to. The CAD Ingestion Service then communicates with the Dispatch System Connector plugin through a message broker for enhanced security.
Dispatch System Connector plugin
The Dispatch System Connector plugin is the entry point of CAD calls from external CAD providers in Security Center. It is registered with the Record Fusion role and then serves two main functions. First, it forwards all new CAD calls and CAD call updates as Record Fusion events. Second, it answers any searches for historical CAD calls.
Citigraf plugin
Citigraf is a Security Center Plugin that is installed on the client workstation. This plugin runs entirely in Security Desk and has no server components or Config Tool components.

Citigraf is responsible for displaying the current alert list, the CAD call icons, and provides the investigation features in Security Desk in the Alert details task.

Citigraf must be installed on all client workstations on which you must visualize CAD data.

Config Tool
The Dispatch System Connector plugin is also installed on a Config Tool workstation. The Security Center administrator uses Config Tool to create and configure the Plugin role.
NOTE: For information on other components not described here, refer to the Genetec Glossary on the TechDoc Hub.