As of 9:00 a.m. on January 4, 2010, it’s a new world in the EPPD! That is, we have gone live with the biggest software upgrade the Police Department has experienced in its 37-year history. New World is the name of the new software which is often referred to as “all-in-one” or “integrated” to describe its ability to pull together a number of different communications systems.
In the past, the Police Department has had three different systems: a Record Management System (RMS), which is 23 years old; CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch); and Mobile, which is 9 years old. These systems are no longer able to keep up with the service needs of the Police Department. The Fire Department uses a system called Fire House which cannot share information with the Police systems. In 2007 city staff began looking for one overall system that could serve the needs of the Police and Fire Departments and allow them to share information.
After developing a needs assessment, sending out Requests For Proposals, receiving five bids from vendors and conducting site visits, New World Systems was selected to be the vendor in November 2008. Since that time, staff from the Police Department, Fire Department and Information Technology Division has been working closely with New World trainers and technicians to create a system that meets the unique needs of Eden Prairie.
This new system will allow for easy information sharing between the Police and Fire Departments, increase overall efficiency by reducing data entry redundancy, reduce response time to calls for service and provide officers the ability to complete reports while on the street.
The process to date has required a great deal of patience, cooperation and flexibility on the part of many city staff members. When the transition is completed in early 2011, Eden Prairie will have a system that continues to enhance the exceptional public service residents have come to expect from their city.
