how do i make a CAD with Excel
- Thread starter SCPD
- Start date
- Status
I assume when you say CAD you are referring to a Computer Aided Dispatch System and not a design/engineering system.
If so, a modern CAD has several functions including:
- documenting incidents
- tracking resource/unit status
- validating locations of incidents and resources
- recommending resources/units to respond to incidents
- interfacing with other systems such as DMV and criminal records and alerting/messaging systems
At it's heart a CAD is a database but it has a lot more functionality than just keeping records.
Excel could do some of those database functions with a lot of programming code but a database like Access is probably more suitable but would probably only work for a limited set of the functions above with a very limited number of users and operations/incidents/units.
So I think the first thing you would need to determine is exactly what you want a CAD system to do for you. Then see if it is possible with one of these applications.
I have never seen anyone try do CAD in Excel but someone else may have.
CAD systems for Public Safety often cost in the millions of dollars and take years to implement. So you are probably not looking for that level of functionality.
John
If so, a modern CAD has several functions including:
- documenting incidents
- tracking resource/unit status
- validating locations of incidents and resources
- recommending resources/units to respond to incidents
- interfacing with other systems such as DMV and criminal records and alerting/messaging systems
At it's heart a CAD is a database but it has a lot more functionality than just keeping records.
Excel could do some of those database functions with a lot of programming code but a database like Access is probably more suitable but would probably only work for a limited set of the functions above with a very limited number of users and operations/incidents/units.
So I think the first thing you would need to determine is exactly what you want a CAD system to do for you. Then see if it is possible with one of these applications.
I have never seen anyone try do CAD in Excel but someone else may have.
CAD systems for Public Safety often cost in the millions of dollars and take years to implement. So you are probably not looking for that level of functionality.
John
ecps92
Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2003
- Messages
- 285
- Reaction score
- 156
You don’t.
I think you mean Access, not Excel, but that is a HORRIBLY inefficient and completely awkward way to "build a CAD" . If you simply want to just track things you enter in a database, try Access. **SPOILER ALERT** it will suck, you will hate it, you will spend WAY too much time on it w/o a reasonable amount of return, but basic tracking of things could be done.
I recall using a CAD once that was built on Filemaker Pro (eesh, 1997...?) and it basically pushed the limits of what could be done WITH INSUFFICIENT RESOURCES. It didn't have mapping, alpha-tagging, radio interaction...so it was literally incident tracking...and it was almost useless at that.
Clicking thru your links, I can see what you think you're trying to do (er, trying to have someone do for you)...good luck.
I recall using a CAD once that was built on Filemaker Pro (eesh, 1997...?) and it basically pushed the limits of what could be done WITH INSUFFICIENT RESOURCES. It didn't have mapping, alpha-tagging, radio interaction...so it was literally incident tracking...and it was almost useless at that.
Clicking thru your links, I can see what you think you're trying to do (er, trying to have someone do for you)...good luck.
Last edited:
I used to have one on Google Docs for my gaming community (after failing to build one on Access), then I bought an Agency License from DCRSCAD, and use the software they have. They have an unpaid version of the CAD & MDT in which you just use the website, so no fancy looking software, but it works. The CAD there is $10 per user per month, and the MDT is $5 per user per month.
Go check it out.. I think the Agency Lic is 35 a month and covers 25 users, don't remember tho.
- Status
