This article outlines the steps to implement CAD Interface at your department. To complete this process, your department will need to get information from the county and you'll need your IT provider or the county's assistance to complete some of these steps.


Step1: Set up an automated file transfer to receive CAD files from the county


Before you can begin using the CAD Interface, your department will need to set up the automated transfer of CAD files from the county's CAD system to a designated network folder on the department's server.

Typically, this means setting up an FTP or SFTP client and configuring it to periodically pull down CAD files from the county's system into a designated folder on the department's network; however, the specifics may vary by county. For example, some counties prefer to push files to a department's server. This step is usually done in coordination with the county and your department's IT staff.


We recommend creating a new "CAD" folder for incoming CAD files on your Informant server within the C:\Informant folder and configuring the file transfer process to place files in this C:\Informant\CAD folder.


TIP: If another department in your county has already implemented the CAD Interface with Informant and is actively importing CAD files into Informant, we recommend reaching out to them for advice on how to set up the file transfer at your department.


Note that Informant's support team cannot provide support or assistance with this step because each county and each CAD vendor has different requirements and preferences for transferring files.


Step 2: Test the file transfer process


Next, have the dispatch center send a few CAD files over to ensure they are being received and are appearing the the designated network folder at the department. Troubleshoot any file transfer issues with the county and/or your IT staff at this stage if there are any issues receiving the files.


Step 3: Install and configure CAD Interface


After the file transfer process is set up and you have the codes from the dispatch center, schedule a time with Informant's support team to install the Informant CAD Interface and configure it on your Informant server.


Step 4: Get dispatch code lists from the county


Request the code lists that the dispatch center is using for various fields so they can be properly mapped to the corresponding values in Informant.


You'll need the following code lists specifically:


  • A list of complaint type codes used by the dispatch center and their meanings: The department will use this list to properly map the dispatch complaint type codes to corresponding Complaint Type selection list values in Informant, using the Informant CAD Inteface's code mapping interface.
  • A list of complaint "how received" codes used by the dispatch center and their meanings: The department will use this list to properly map the dispatch complaint type codes to corresponding How Received selection list values in Informant, using the Informant CAD Inteface's code mapping interface.
  • A list of officer IDs used by the dispatch center: The department will use this list to properly map officers to the corresponding Officer ID in Informant for the department's officers, using the Informant CAD Inteface's code mapping interface.

Step 5: Set up CAD Interface code mappings using dispatch center code lists


Your department will use the codes they received from the county dispatch to configure the corresponding code mappings in the CAD Interface. This ensures that codes used by the dispatch center (such as codes identifying units/officers and codes for complaint types, etc.) are properly translated to the corresponding values in Informant when CAD calls are imported into Informant.