8 Alternatives to 10-8 Systems CAD Worth Considering

10-8 Systems CAD presents itself as a solid, cloud-native choice for organizations seeking an affordable yet modern computer-aided dispatch solution. It differentiates itself with a strong focus on cloud delivery and affordability, combined with an intuitive design and rapid deployment.

These qualities make it especially attractive to small and mid-sized public safety agencies, as well as to those looking to move away from on-premise computer-aided dispatch platforms.

However, while 10-8 Systems CAD is praised for its simplicity and cloud-first approach, some agencies may seek alternatives due to their size, budget, deployment preferences, or integration requirements.

Since the topic of “cloud vs. on-premise CAD” will come up several times throughout this article, let’s quickly review a few key points before diving into the alternatives.

Both deployment models are viable, the choice ultimately depends on agency preferences.

• Cloud computer-aided dispatch solutions are typically well-suited for agencies with limited IT staff, those that want to outsource infrastructure management, or those with minimal customization needs.
• On-premise computer-aided dispatch solutions may be preferred by agencies that prioritize full control over their data and environment (updates, backups), independence from internet connectivity, and minimal latency for mission-critical operations (see comparison table below).

Comparison between cloud CAD vs. on-premise CAD

Now, let’s take a look at some 10-8 Systems alternatives, explore their strengths, downsides and typical deployments.

GINA Software – Smart CAD

GINA is a European vendor dedicated to modernizing how public safety agencies manage response, coordination, and the protection of critical assets during emergencies and disaster events.

The company’s roots trace back to 2010, when its CAD software was first deployed during the Haiti earthquake. Since then, its use has expanded across emergency services, disaster management agencies, police and military units, ambulance/EMS providers, critical infrastructure companies (such as airports and power plants), and NGOs worldwide.

GINA’s Smart CAD functions as an all-in-one incident management hub, bringing together call-taking, rapid unit dispatching, field coordination, mapping, communications, and information sharing in a single intuitive platform. Via its intuitive web-based interface, it supports dispatchers (for call logging and unit assignment), field responders (via mobile apps), call-takers, and supervisors/commanders, each with tailored real-time information and communication tools.

Deployments range from local response teams to nationwide public safety organizations.

GINA maintains a strong international footprint, particularly across Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Latin America. Smart CAD is localized in 15 languages and has been implemented in more than 50 countries.

Smart CAD at a glance:

• Best fit: Small, mid-sized, and large agencies
• Deployment: On-premise or hosted
• Strengths: Localization into 15 languages, quick learning curve, modern web-based user interface, automatic alerting (integrated with VMS, IoT sensors, public SOS buttons, etc.), strong mobile CAD apps, extensive integration options
• Considerations: No cloud-based deployment available, limited presence in the U.S.
• Product introduction: Free product tour and discovery call

Mark43 CAD

Mark43 distinguishes itself as a truly cloud-native public safety solutions provider, offering a unified platform that connects the “first call to final report” in one environment. Its suite includes CAD, RMS, operational intelligence tools, reporting software, and mobile apps (OnScene), all interconnected to break down silos between teams.

The software is hosted on AWS GovCloud, meaning agencies don’t need to purchase or maintain their own servers. Access is provided via an internet connection, while Mark43 manages hosting, backups, and updates. GovCloud hosting also ensures compliance with U.S. federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

Mark43 CAD comes in two variants: Primary CAD and Alternate CAD (backup). Like other computer-aided dispatch solutions, it provides integrated mapping and GIS, support for 911 call-taking systems and data feeds (ANI/ALI), in-app communications, RMS integration, and more.

Mark43 is particularly well-suited for law enforcement agencies and multi-agency 911 centers that have limited IT resources, want to outsource infrastructure, eliminate on-prem work or are seeking to transition away from on-premise systems.

Mark43 CAD at a glance:

• Best fit: Mid-sized to large agencies
• Deployment: Cloud (AWS GovCloud)
• Strengths: Accessible via standard web browsers, unified CAD and RMS workflows, mobile-friendly interface
• Considerations: Reliance on internet connectivity, occasional stability or bug issues after updates (reported by users), limited customization in some areas
• Product introduction: Demo call

CentralSquare CAD

CentralSquare Technologies is one of the largest providers of software for the public sector, with a strong focus on public safety and administration. According to public information, the company serves more than 8,000 public-sector agencies across North America, from small counties to major metropolitan cities, collectively covering about three out of four citizens in the U.S. and Canada.

Its computer-aided dispatch (CAD) solution is a cornerstone of the CentralSquare public safety suite, helping emergency communications centers and dispatchers manage calls and coordinate incident response more effectively.

Traditionally offered as an on-premises product, CentralSquare CAD has recently pivoted toward cloud-based deployments. After decades of agencies running CentralSquare (and its predecessor brands) on local servers, the company announced in 2024 that CentralSquare CAD is now also available in the cloud. Cloud deployments are hosted on AWS GovCloud, with CentralSquare managing maintenance, hosting, and security compliance (including CJIS standards).

CentralSquare CAD at a glance:

• Best fit: Public safety agencies of all sizes
• Deployment: Cloud, on-premise, hybrid
• Strengths: Comprehensive public safety suite, multiple CAD options tailored to agency size, large installed base and deep industry experience
• Considerations: Mixed user feedback on support and training, potentially costly for mid-sized agencies with tighter budgets
• Product introduction: Discovery call

Versaterm Computer-Aided Dispatch

Versaterm is a Canada based vendor with a history that dates back to 1977. It is a long established partner for high profile public safety agencies, and its systems are widely used across North America, particularly by city police departments.

The company is best known for its enterprise grade CAD and RMS software but also offers a diverse portfolio of solutions for law enforcement, fire and EMS, courts, and education.

The flagship Versaterm CAD is deployed in 911 emergency communication centers (ECCs and PSAPs) to manage and dispatch police, fire, and EMS responses. Agencies can install it on premises in their own data centers or choose a CJIS compliant cloud deployment with identical functionality.

Versaterm CAD emphasizes interoperability through cross jurisdiction data sharing and provides infrastructure flexibility so agencies can select the deployment model that best suits their needs.

Versaterm CAD at a glance:

• Best fit: Large agencies
• Deployment: On-premise or cloud (CJIS compliant)
• Strengths: Integrated CAD and RMS ecosystem, proven stability in high volume dispatch centers, extensive integration capabilities
• Considerations: May be costly for smaller agencies, some users report the user interface as outdated, customization is limited, and initial setup as well as training process might be complex 
• Product introduction: Discovery call

EFORCE Software CAD

EFORCE occupies a niche in the public safety software market as an established cloud oriented provider for law enforcement agencies. While not the largest player, it competes by offering a full featured and integrated suite with a reputation for user friendly design and personalized support.

The company was among the pioneers of web based CAD, hosted remotely in the vendor’s data center or installed on a local server. This makes it attractive to smaller agencies that want to avoid managing on premise servers.

The EFORCE Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is a centerpiece of its suite. It is described as a sleek, modern, and reliable web based CAD built to handle the demands of busy dispatch centers. As a fully browser based application, EFORCE CAD allows dispatchers to log in from any internet connected computer or device while maintaining strict security. The system is hosted on CJIS compliant AWS GovCloud infrastructure.

EFORCE CAD at a glance:

• Best fit: Small to mid size agencies
• Deployment: On-premise or hosted
• Strengths: Fully web based and remote capable, user friendly, cost effective for smaller budgets
• Considerations: Suitable for typical use but may lack features required by larger agencies or those outside of the law enforcement niche. Exclusively web based operation can be a challenge in areas with unreliable internet connectivity
• Product introduction: Demo call

Hexagon OnCall Dispatch

Hexagon AB is a Swedish multinational technology company and one of the largest providers of public safety software solutions. Its platform is used worldwide, and the company claims to help protect roughly one billion people every day.

The primary CAD offering is HxGN OnCall Dispatch, part of Hexagon’s broader “OnCall” public safety suite. The system evolved from the Intergraph CAD platform and delivers comprehensive incident management and call taking capabilities. Hexagon positions it as a feature rich, fully integrated dispatch system designed to improve response times, strengthen inter agency collaboration, and enable data driven decision making in public safety operations.

OnCall Dispatch is used by agencies of various sizes, but it has historically been most popular with large public safety organizations that have the resources to support a sophisticated CAD system.

Hexagon OnCall Dispatch at a glance:

• Best fit: Large agencies
• Deployment: On-premise or Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Strengths: Extensive integration and interoperability, flexible deployment options
• Considerations: Higher cost of ownership and operational complexity. Public feedback often describes Hexagon CAD as “the best, albeit priciest” system in its class
• Product introduction: Discovery call

Tyler Technologies CAD

Tyler Technologies is a leading provider of software for the public sector, offering two computer aided dispatch products.

Enterprise CAD is designed to manage the full lifecycle of emergency incidents, from the 911 call through field unit dispatch to incident closure. It supports multi jurisdictional and multi discipline dispatching, making it especially popular with mid sized to large agencies and regional systems that have complex dispatch requirements.

Tyler CAD Pro, part of the Public Safety Pro suite, is designed for small to mid sized public safety agencies. It supports call handling, incident management, real time mapping with automatic vehicle location, and silent messaging. The system also provides dispatch guidance, safety alerts, and integrates with Tyler’s records management, mobile, and reporting modules to streamline daily operations.

Although Tyler promotes its solutions for smaller agencies and cities, its feature set generally aligns best with organizations that have more complex dispatch needs.

As a well established vendor in the enterprise market, Tyler Technologies competitors include Motorola Solutions, CentralSquare, and Hexagon for large scale projects, as well as with GINA Software, Mark43, and EFORCE in the computer-aided dispatch market.

Tyler Technologies CAD at a glance:

• Best fit: Small to large agencies
• Deployment: On-premise or cloud hosted
• Strengths: Broad integration, proven multi agency capabilities, large user base, flexible deployment options
• Considerations: Customer sentiment is mixed positive. Many users value the functional depth and integration, while some criticize usability and support. A significant investment in training and setup may be needed to fully realize the system’s potential
• Product introduction: Discovery call

ZOLL Data CAD

ZOLL Data Systems is a long standing provider of software and data solutions for emergency medical services (EMS), fire departments, and healthcare organizations.

The company’s product suite spans computer aided dispatch (CAD), electronic patient care reporting (ePCR), fire records management, billing and revenue recovery, and more. All modules are integrated to support the EMS “dispatch to discharge” workflow. This deep specialization in pre-hospital software, combined with ZOLL’s heritage in life saving medical devices such as defibrillators and monitors, has positioned ZOLL Data Systems as a key player in EMS and public safety software.

ZOLL Dispatch is the company’s CAD solution tailored for EMS and fire dispatch centers. It is a fully cloud based system that consolidates call taking and dispatch workflows into a single screen with integrated GIS mapping. Leveraging ZOLL’s long history in EMS, the CAD includes features such as EMS specific incident types, medical priority dispatch integration, and the ability to transmit patient data directly to hospitals.

ZOLL Dispatch at a glance:

• Best fit: Small to mid sized agencies
• Deployment: Cloud hosted
• Strengths: End to end integration with other EMS software components, modern user interface, EMS industry focus, and medical device integration
• Considerations: Dependence on internet connectivity, agencies that handle multiple emergency disciplines may find the EMS centric scope limiting
• Product introduction: Demo call

Comparison of 10-8 Systems CAD Alternatives: Computer-aided Dispatch Vendors

Final Words: Things to Consider When Selecting a CAD Alternative

When evaluating computer-aided dispatch software, it’s not just about feature lists. It’s about finding the right fit for your agency’s day-to-day operations and long-term needs. Here are some key factors to weigh before making your choice:

• Agency Size & Call Volume – Some CADs are designed for small departments with limited budgets, while others are built for high-volume, multi-jurisdiction centers. Choosing a system aligned with your agency’s scale prevents overpaying for unused features or outgrowing the system too quickly.
• Deployment Model – Decide whether you prefer cloud-based SaaS (with automatic updates and less IT overhead), on-premises (with more control and mission-critical latency), or a hybrid model. Your network reliability and security policies will heavily influence this choice.
• Integration Needs – Ensure the CAD integrates smoothly with your existing 911 call-taking, radio systems, AVL, records management systems (RMS), and mobile applications. Strong interoperability reduces data silos and manual entry.
• Ease of use – Dispatcher workload is intense. A user-friendly, intuitive interface can reduce training time, minimize errors, and improve response times. Look for customizable layouts or workflows that fit your team.
• Cost & licensing Model – Evaluate not only upfront licensing but also ongoing costs (maintenance, cloud hosting, training, upgrades). Consider whether the vendor includes features like mobile apps, analytics, or CAD-to-CAD as standard or as add-ons.
• Vendor Support & Reliability – Public safety is mission-critical. Look into uptime guarantees, support response times, and the vendor’s track record with agencies of your size. Vendor reputation and community presence can make a big difference in day-to-day operations.
• Compliance & Security – Check for compliance with CJIS standards, NextGen 911 readiness, and other applicable regulations. For cloud CADs, verify data residency and redundancy capabilities.

If you choose either option, investing in a robust and flexible computer aided dispatch solution can significantly improve your organization’s ability to manage emergencies and streamline daily operations. 

If you are interested in state of the art CAD software, contact us to discuss your needs in person.