BCS Introduces Advanced GIS Solution for Public Safety Operations; Innovative Mapping Product Offers Dynamic Views of Vehicles, Drive Times for Faster Response

    AIKEN, S.C.--July 3, 2003--Bradshaw Consulting Services, Inc. (BCS), a leading provider of advanced digital solutions for GIS and an ESRI Business Partner, announces the release of its latest product for public safety operations - RMAPI (Routing and Map API) - an innovative solution that provides complete GIS functionality for today's advanced CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) systems, featuring immediate recommendation of response vehicle(s) based on ETA from the starting point, instant calculation of optimized routes for response and Dynamic Service Areas based on road conditions, travel speed and traffic patterns.
    RMAPI, available as a standalone solution for any CAD system or as a plug-in to BCS's MARVLIS (Mobile Area Routing and Vehicle Location Information System), was developed around two ESRI software packages, MapObjects and NetEngine. Connecting field vehicles to a 911 center's CAD system, RMAPI utilizes wireless communications between an in-vehicle notebook computer and an interface server connected to the CAD network, enabling dispatchers to track any number of vehicles, update the status, etc., while en route personnel receive incident specifics, quickly responding through touch screens. Vehicle location, speed and direction are instantly relayed to the CAD system, keeping dispatch personnel informed of the response in progress.
    When an incident is identified, RMAPI quickly determines which polygon/boundaries encompass the location, providing valuable information such as jurisdiction, response areas, police/fire districts, zip code and reporting area, as well as any other political/natural boundaries or cross-streets containing the location of the address. RMAPI's routing function then automatically locates the closest vehicle available for assignment based on the true drive time from the current vehicle position to the incident location. Factoring in both the distance and the expected travel speed, the fastest route is quickly determined and displayed on-screen as the vehicle travels to its destination. Time-dependent impedance data and traffic patterns can also be factored into route determination.
    Using RMAPI's Dynamic Service Areas (DSA) feature, each vehicle can be displayed, if available for dispatch, with a detailed polygon around it as it moves through its jurisdiction. The polygon constantly changes shape to display the current area that the vehicle can reach in a specified time, based on the actual route to the locations around it.
    "With RMAPI and its DSA feature, dispatchers and first responders can, for the first time, see the coverage area that a vehicle can serve, the fastest and best approach route, and the time it takes to reach the incident - all from its current location," said Dave Krikac, BCS Business Development Executive. "Developed with input from first response operations nationwide, this powerful GIS tool will save time and potentially human life...the real goal in public safety."
    BCS will demonstrate this innovative GIS solution at the 23rd Annual ESRI International Conference, Public Safety Showcase, July 7-11, 2003, San Diego, California. "The timing is impeccable," said Krikac, "RMAPI is a real GIS solution for the real world of first response, and the ESRI Conference is the GIS community's largest event. The two go hand in hand."

    About BCS

    Founded in 1998, Bradshaw Consulting Services, Inc. (BCS) provides total geographic information system (GIS) solutions to business, industry and government clients throughout the U.S. From design and implementation to full application development, BCS creates turnkey solutions for clients ranging from law enforcement to Fortune 500 corporations. BCS is an active member of the ESRI Business Partner Program, and serves as an authorized reseller, developer, consultant and trainer. Most recently, BCS was awarded first place in the category of Best Integrated Solution in the ESRI ArcGIS Challenge Contest at the 2002 ESRI Worldwide Business Partner Conference. For more information, contact BCS in Aiken, South Carolina, at 803-641-0960 or visit www.bcs-gis.com.