User:Toa Nidhiki05 (Work)/Versaterm

Versaterm is a Canadian company based in Ottawa, Ontario that develops technology products police, fire, and other public safety agencies. Former Royal Canadian Mounted Police employees established the company in 1977; the group had previously developed the Canadian Police Information Centre, a national police database. In 2020, Versaterm was acquired by Banneker Partners, a private equity group, and began a series of acquisitions within the industry.

According to the The Globe and Mail, Versaterm and its rival Niche Technologies, also based in Canada, have "cornered much of the market" for records management in North American police forces.

History
Versaterm was founded in 1977 by former employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). By 2015, the company had emerged, according to The Globe and Mail as one of the two largest companies for records management in North American police forces. As of 2020, Versaterm's software is used by around 100 police and fire departments in the US and Canada, and the company services over 130 RCMP detachments in British Columbia.

Versaterm was owned by Michael Goudge until his death in 1998, when ownership passed to his wife and children. In 2020, the business was sold by the family to Banneker Partners, a private equity group based out of San Francisco. Since being acquired by Banneker Partners, Versaterm acquired nine other businesses by 2023, making it one of the most prolific acquirers in the industry in that timespan.

Acquisitions
Versaterm acquired Baltimore-based Akashi Systems in June 2021. In July 2021, Versaterm acquired SPIDR, a company that sold automated text, email, and mobile software for use by law enforcement, and eJust, a Charge Management Solutions (CMS) provider for police and judicial systems.

In August 2021, Versaterm acquired JusticeTrax, a forensic case management software company. Their services were expanded to the cloud in April 2022. Versaterm acquired Komutel, an emergency call handling provider, in November 2021.

In October 2022, Versaterm acquired FivePoint Solutions, which has technology that "focuses on data integration and case management in law enforcement, courts and schools", according to GovTech. In January 2023, they acquired Visual Labs, a smartphone body and dash camera software provider. In March 2023, Versaterm acquired CI Technologies, a provider of professional standards, internal affairs, wellness, and early intervention software for public safety agencies. In April 2024, Versaterm acquired Integrated Computer Systems; the following month, they acquired Mindbase, a Utah-based "mental health and wellness platform for first responders."

Products
According to GovTech, Versaterm services over "65,000 police, fire and medical agencies" with "computer-aided dispatch, records management, citizen engagement and related technologies" as of August 2021. Queen Creek, Arizona, Austin, Texas, and Baltimore implemented Case Service in 2023.

CAD software
Police agencies that have employed Versaterm's CAD system include Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.

Portland adopted Versaterm's system in 2011, at a cost of $14.5 million. Some officers reported difficulties using the system, and some agencies were also irritated by the $2.5 million annual maintenance costs they were required to contribute. However, most of the issues had been fixed by 2013, and Portland defended the launch, pointing out that issues were to be expected in such a new system. Versaterm said "very few" of the reported problems were related to its software. In 2013, Portland attributed issues to improper training of 911 operators.

Records management
Versaterm's record management system (RMS) technology includes bi-directional integration with other networks and features a mobile platform.

Versaterm's record management software has been used by police forces from Austin, Texas, British Columbia,  Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pasadena, California, Portland, Oregon Gilbert, Arizona, and Seattle, Washington. Minneapolis began using the system in 2018, at an estimated cost of nearly $10 million over 12.5 years, replacing their 28-year old CARPS system.

Community engagement
Community engagement applications support the management of the high volume of calls and incidents by automating certain communications. Versaterm's SPIDR technology can be used to send automated texts or emails after calling 9-1-1, and IAPro can store demographics for officers and subjects as well as performance metrics for officers.

SPIDR been utilized in a number of cities, including Albuquerque, Denver, Colorado, and Washington, DC. IAPro has been used in Yonkers since 2016 and San Diego since 2017.

The Versaterm Case Service reporting system was launched in 2023. It uses artificial intelligence to collect information for non-emergency response calls, which can be used instead of the 3-1-1 telephone number.

Versaterm also provides forensic investigation and analysis software, judicial case review software, school safety software, and first responder health and wellness software.

Emergency call handling
Versaterm's Komand911 technology is designed to meet requirements for transition from legacy 9-1-1 to Next Generation 9-1-1. It enables dispatchers to manage calls from emergency communication centers (ECCs) or remote locations, as well as additional technology to "streamline call handling and incident information management.

Field response and reporting
The Versaterm Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) offers tools for dispatch management, communication with the dispatch center and other units, call-related activities and database queries. Versaterm’s Adashi solutions support emergency management across staffing, response, incident command and real-time incident mapping.

Forensics Investigation and Analysis
Versaterm LIMS by JusticeTrax tracks case information, evidence transfers, requests for analysis, and final reports. Its CIMS optimizes how the stocks of raw chemicals, prepared reagents, and other consumables are managed.

Justice and Resolution
Versaterm's eJust in Canada delivers case and charge information, while the Versaterm platform in the U.S. aids treatment courts, pretrial services, and probation court staff in data import, report generation, and participant progress tracking.

Responder Health and Wellness
Versaterm's software uses text surveys after officer interactions, sharing ratings and trends internally and with the community. EIPro allows supervisors to quickly access and review employee details, identifying concerns with visual indicators.

School Safety
Versaterm’s software by FivePoint Solutions keeps information organized, accessible and current while enabling threat assessment teams to improve outcomes for at-risk students and create a safe environment in schools and their communities

Recognition
2023: ‘ASTORS’ - Best Fire & Safety Solution