Dictaphone introduces Windows-based Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

STRATFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 1996--Dictaphone Corp. introduces a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, which offers emergency response call centers a fully automated way of speeding dispatch response times and enhancing call management, through more efficient identification, deployment, and tracking of officers in the field and more accurate and complete capture of caller information.

"The CAD system provides intelligent processing of critical emergency data, and when used in conjunction with a Dictaphone Digital Communications Recording System will in the near-future offer the ability to fully integrate, into a single unified call record, all voice and data information surrounding an emergency event. The ability to link the actual recorded record of the emergency call, with relevant dispatching data, is a critical yet often missing element in accurate reconstruction of incidents," said John Schlactenhaufen, vice president, Marketing & Business Development. "The applications for Dictaphone Integrated Voice and Data Management(TM) systems in incident reporting and emergency response are vast, and their potential is just now beginning to be fully realized."

The Dictaphone Computer-Aided Dispatch system is based on an affordable industry-standard Windows(R) NT 32 bit operating system, which provides an intuitive menu-driven interface, enabling call takers and dispatchers to process calls quickly and easily, using familiar mouse or keyboard operations. "Hot key" commands programmed into the system save dispatchers valuable time, providing access to commonly used screens with single key strokes.

From the time a call comes into an emergency center, until the time it is resolved, it can be managed and tracked within the Dictaphone Computer-Aided Dispatch system. The CAD system's highly interactive design prompts emergency dispatchers to ask questions, and gather all critical information necessary to respond to an emergency call. It then indicates the current status of all available units--including each unit's reported location and individual officer assignments--providing dispatchers with the most up-to-date field information. Call takers can instantly assign a unit to an incident by simply "clicking" on that unit. If needed, a single dispatcher can assign units from multiple departments (police, fire, and EMS), if needed.

The Dictaphone CAD system also links telephone call records with other important information. For example, CAD can integrate with E-9-1-1 systems to capture ANI/ALI information, saving valuable time by automatically embedding the phone number and location of an incident within the call record. Dictaphone's CAD system also time and date stamps each call, and cross-checks it against a history of possible past activity occurring at a location, better preparing responding personnel for appropriate action.

Multi-tasking capabilities let multiple call takers and dispatchers use the Dictaphone CAD system simultaneously. A graphical display simplifies the updating of unit location and status information. In a multi-dispatcher configuration, if a unit is taken out of service, for example, that information will automatically be updated on all of the other call takers' systems, so that units can never be assigned to an incident unless they are available.

Dictaphone is a leader in the development, manufacture, marketing, service, and support of integrated Voice and Data Management (IVDM)(TM) systems and software, which include communications recording, dictation, voice processing, voice response, unified messaging, and records management. Dictaphone has a worldwide marketing, sales, service, and support organization of more than 1,600 representatives in over 190 U.S. cities, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, France, and Italy, and dedicated dealers in 40 other countries. Company sales revenues in 1995 were approximately $353 million.

CONTACT: Dictaphone Corporation

Robert Qamar, 203/381-7000