In The Queue Over the next several weeks, an additional 30 agencies will also begin service by the MagDS software for their around-the-clock dispatching of police and fire resources: Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Jones County Fire Services (19 stations), Laurel Police, Laurel Fire, Ellisville Police, Ellisville Fire, Sandersville Police, Soso Police, Jones County Emergency Operations Center's Ambulance Services (3) and state agencies (3), Itta Bena Police, Itta Bena Fire, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Riverside Volunteer Fire (5 stations), Indian Mound Volunteer Fire, Metcalfe Police, Metcalfe Volunteer Fire, Arcola Police, and Arcola Volunteer Fire. Washington County SO also takes calls for service, but not first responder, for Leland Police, Leland Volunteer Fire, Hollandale Police, and Hollandale Volunteer Fire. This will bring total agencies officially coming onboard MagDS to 33. The MagRMS is under development. Subsequently, information sharing capability will be developed and implemented allowing all agencies onboard the system, as well as other public safety agencies not using MagDS software, to share data information. However, those agencies not using MagDS software will be responsible for developing an interface to facilitate the sharing of data information between the MagDS software and their own proprietary software. Information sharing must be a two-way street with agency-funded, secure connectivity between both MagDS and non-MagDS agency databases through the MagDS data and support services center.

Magnolia Data Share: A Public Safety Software Suite

An Innovation of The University of Southern Mississippi

Our Development

Developed by a University of Southern Mississippi professional team of business analysts, data center engineers, software programmers, and project management, the Magnolia Data Share (MagDS) project is building a public safety software suite consisting of Computer Aided Dispatch (MagCAD), Records Management System (MagRMS), Mobile Data capability (MagMobile), and Fire Management System (MagFire). The MagCAD and MagRMS exceed the standard functional specifications for CAD and RMS developed by the Law Enforcement Information Technology Standards Council (LEITSC), made up of the IACP, NSA, NOBLE, and Police Executive Research Forum, and published by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice.

Our Funding

With the support of Mississippi US Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, this project has been funded by the US Department of Justice for the purpose of implementing technology to facilitate data information sharing among public safety agencies throughout the state of Mississippi.

Our Business Model

The concept provides a business model that does not require a fee for software licenses, but does require an annual fee for maintenance and support activities. It will allow agencies of all sizes the affordable opportunity to have the technical capability for critical data information sharing, not only from agency to agency, but down to the officer on the street using the mobile data capability of the software suite.

Our Operations

Likewise, this model is based on decentralized applications (software installed on servers within each agency) and centralized maintenance and support occurring within the data center operated by the MagDS team.

We're Unique

There are no other state-wide projects in the country that are working to provide common software applications by which all local and state agencies (350 in MS) can have data information sharing…down to the officer on the street! Likewise, all agencies remain at the same software technology level as continuous upgrades keep everyone operating on software that is state-of-the-art now and into the future.

Timelines

Any agency that needs a CAD system now that stands alone (not required to interface with an RMS) should contact MagDS for information.
MagRMS is currently under development and will roll out and be interfaced with MagCAD upon completion.
MagMobile development will begin once MagRMS is in place. MagFire will follow MagMobile.