Computer Arts

What Computer Arts does

Computer Arts, Inc. (CAI) is an Idaho-based vertical software provider founded in 1983 that delivers integrated public safety and county government software solutions. The company serves small to mid-sized local government agencies, including Sheriff's Offices, City Police Departments, and county/municipal offices, with two product lines: Public Safety Systems (Computer Aided Dispatch, Jail Management System, Records Management System, Civil Process System, and Imaging) and Local Government Systems (Clerk's Financial, Treasurer's Financial, Property & Tax Management, Recording, Payroll, Indigent Tracking, Jury Management, Parcel Permit, Local Improvement District, and Ballot System).

The technology stack is Windows-based, written in C++ on an open relational database architecture with agency-defined customization and seamless inter-module integration. Systems integrate with federal and state criminal justice infrastructure (NLETS/NCIC, E911 Phase I & II, MSAG, VINE, AFIS, NIBRS) and apply NIST-standard encryption for data security. A centralized name file serves as the hub connecting records across arrests, bookings, incidents, citations, warrants, property, vehicles, and civil papers.

CAI operates a recurring revenue model combining software licensing/subscriptions, implementation services, and ongoing 24/7/365 support (including remote VPN support and statewide on-site service representatives in Idaho). Go-to-market is direct and consultative, targeting government decision-makers via demo requests and a lean 11-50 person organization. In 2021, CAI was acquired by and now operates as a subsidiary of Harris Local Government, broadening its strategic platform for local government technology delivery.

Name

Computer Arts

Legal name

Computer Arts, Inc.

Website

https://gocai.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Computer Arts, Inc. (CAI) is an Idaho-based vertical software provider, founded in 1983, delivering integrated public safety (CAD, JMS, RMS) and county government software (financial, property tax, payroll, recording) to small and mid-sized local government agencies, and operating as a subsidiary of Harris Local Government since 2021.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety and Local Government Software

NAICS

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921), Courts (922110)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Public Safety & Emergency Management (Police, Fire, EMS Oversight) (BPAIABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Correctional Facility Management Outsourcing & Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) (BPAKANAJ), State/Provincial Licensing, Permitting & Regulatory Administration (Cross-sector) (BPAIABAO)

Keywords

• Public safety software
• Computer aided dispatch
• Records management system
• Government accounting software
• Jail management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Meridian

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing and Subscriptions: CAI provides comprehensive software solutions for county offices and public safety agencies. Given the enterprise software nature of their products with agency-defined customization, integration capabilities, and 24/7 support, the revenue model appears to be software licensing or subscription-based with annual maintenance and support fees included.
2. IT Services: CAI extends services to include hardware/software sales, installation, network design, consulting, administration, configuration, and on-site support. This represents an additional services revenue stream complementing the core software business.
3. Implementation and Support Services: The company provides 24-hour support, remote support via VPN, and on-site service representatives statewide, indicating professional services revenue from implementation, training, and ongoing technical support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CAI develops and sells Windows-based, integrated software suites for two closely related markets: Public Safety agencies (Sheriff's Offices and City PDs) and Local Government offices (county Assessor, Clerk, Treasurer, Commissioners). Public Safety products include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Jail Management System (JMS), Records Management System (RMS), Civil Process, and Imaging. Local Government products include Clerk's Financial, Treasurer's Financial, Property & Tax Management, Recording, Payroll, Indigent Tracking, Jury Management, Parcel Permit, Local Improvement District, and the CAI Ballot System. All products run on an open relational database, share a centralized name file, and integrate with state/federal systems such as NLETS/NCIC, E911, MSAG, VINE, and AFIS.

Product overview

Computer Arts, Inc. (CAI) provides a dual-track software portfolio: Public Safety systems (CAD, Civil, JMS, RMS, and Imaging) for law enforcement operations including computer-aided dispatch, jail management, records management, and civil process handling; and Local Government systems for county/city operations including Clerk's Financial Program, Treasurer's Financial Program, Property & Tax Management, Recording, Payroll, Indigent Tracking, Jury Management, Parcel Permit Program, Local Improvement District, and CAI Ballot System. The products are Windows-based with agency-defined customization, open relational databases, and seamless inter-application integration for eliminating data redundancy across departments. Founded in 1983 and joined with Harris Local Government in 2021.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) State-of-the-art Computer Aided Dispatch application with open relational database for unit and activity resource management in public safety communications centers. Supports multi-jurisdictional operations, E911 Phase I & II integration, MSAG address validation, nature of call types, priority settings, audible and visual alerts, agency-defined codes, and integration with RMS, NLETS/NCIC, mapping, and Fire/EMS reporting systems.
• JMS (Jail Management System) Fully integrated jail administration module providing complete booking management including user-defined offenses with default bond amounts, personal property tracking, commissary, jailer activity logs, inmate activities, medical questionnaires, housing charges, and digital mug shots. Integrates with AFIS fingerprint interfaces, VINE victim notification, CorEMR inmate medical billing, and SSA data export.
• Civil (Civil Process System) Civil process document management system for creating and tracking all types of civil process documents with complete financial transaction management. Features agency-defined codes, auto-disbursements and auto-billing, seized property and sheriff sale tracking, and integration with the ARTS Central Name File. Can run standalone or integrated with the ARTS Records Management System.
• RMS (Records Management System) Comprehensive records management system enabling public safety agencies to manage critical records and report offenses/arrests to state crime information centers and the FBI. Features the centralized ARTS Name File as the system hub, NIBRS crime reporting, warrant/civil paper flags, property and evidence management, and electronic imaging support.
• Imaging Integrated imaging management system that can function standalone or within any CAI application. Enables scanning, indexing, and retrieval of images and documents with agency-defined document types, intuitive redaction, full annotation, and group/function security lockdown. Uses NIST-standard encryption for digital photos, audio, scanned statements, video, and support documents.
• Clerk's Financial Program Comprehensive fund accounting system providing government agencies with extensive flexibility, ease of use, and complete financial control. Fully integrated with other CAI applications including Jury, Voter, Indigent, and Treasurer's systems, eliminating data redundancy across departments.
• Treasurer's Financial Program Powerful financial application for complex county financial processes including bank account management, reconciliation, warrant redemption, online account inquiry, and interface with the Clerk's Financial System.
• Property & Tax Management Complete year-based parcel management system tailored for Idaho counties with processes for Assessor, Clerk, Commissioners, and Treasurer offices. Supports Farm, Land, Commercial, Residential, Personal, and Manufactured Homes characteristics with tax charge, collection, and distribution capabilities.
• Recording Comprehensive software system for Land Records, Marriage Licenses, UCCs, and Liquor licenses. Maintains instrument data with Grantee/Grantor search, revenue tracking, and title company access.
• Payroll State-of-the-art comprehensive payroll system with complete employee information access, real-time accrual balances, direct deposit, retirement/401(k) records, employee cafeteria deductions, and insurance reimbursement.
• Indigent Tracking Application for managing all facets of indigent services from first point of contact to billing statements, including agency-defined codes, application activity tracking, asset and liability tracking, reimbursement requests, and financial transaction management.
• Jury Management System for managing the jury process from juror selection to issuing checks, with eligibility wheel from voter registration and DMV files, wheel/panel/docket level management, voir dire support, and integration with the Clerk's Financial System for juror payments.
• Parcel Permit Program Comprehensive parcel management and building permit tracking system with adopted Uniform Building Codes and Valuation Charts, automated permit fee calculations, inspection tracking, and contractor information maintenance.
• Local Improvement District Local Improvement District management billing system supporting multiple billing types (amortization, debt service, simple interest), automatic billing cycles, and payment entry/history with delinquent interest rate tracking.
• CAI Ballot System Centrally managed and heavily audited solution for managing, tracking, and printing ballots. Ballot data is stored in a secured database with granular application permissions, robust logging, audit capabilities, and a transportable standalone operation mode for mobile workstation synchronization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Systems designed for 24/7 uninterrupted operations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Harris Local GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021In 2021, Computer Arts, Inc. joined Harris Local Government as part of a strategic partnership committed to progress. The combined entity aims to empower government leaders, enhance transparency, and guide communities towards a connected future. As part of Harris Local Government, CAI contributes to building stronger, more connected communities with a mission focused on empowering forward-thinking government leaders and administrators.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tyler Technologies: Largest US provider of public sector software with overlapping product lines including Tyler Public Safety (CAD/RMS/JMS) and Tyler Munis financial suite for county governments. Directly competes with CAI for small and mid-sized county and sheriff's office RFPs.
• CentralSquare Technologies: Pure-play public sector software vendor offering CAD, RMS, JMS, mobile, and finance/HR suites for local governments. Competes head-to-head with CAI in the small/mid-sized agency segment with Pro and Enterprise product tiers.
• Motorola Solutions: Through CommandCentral (formerly Spillman, Aspen, and AIM) and PremierOne, Motorola Solutions offers CAD, RMS, JMS, and evidence management to public safety agencies. A direct competitor in dispatch and records management, particularly for agencies scaling beyond small/mid size.
• Caliber Public Safety: Provides a public safety suite (CAD, RMS, JMS, mobile, field reporting) for small and mid-sized law enforcement agencies. Closely comparable to CAI's niche focus on agencies that need full-featured systems without enterprise-scale complexity.
• CivicPlus: Provides local government software including civic engagement, agenda/legislative management, and adjacent county workflows. Overlaps with CAI's local government portfolio in serving small/mid-sized municipalities and counties.

Others

• Harris Local Government: CAI's parent organization within the Harris Computer family, providing fund accounting, payroll, utility billing, and other local government software across multiple subsidiaries. Sibling relationship rather than competitor, but useful for context on CAI's combined distribution footprint.

Emerging players

• Mark43: Cloud-native public safety platform providing RMS, CAD, and analytics to modern police agencies. Represents the architectural alternative to CAI's Windows/C++ stack and is winning share among agencies seeking SaaS delivery and modern UX.
• OpenGov: Cloud-native ERP, budgeting, and procurement software for state and local governments. Competes with CAI's Clerk's Financial, Treasurer's Financial, and Payroll modules from a modern cloud-first architecture angle.

Broad incumbents

• Axon: Dominant provider of TASERs, body cameras, and digital evidence management (Evidence.com), with growing adjacency to records management. Broad incumbent in law enforcement technology with overlapping evidence and records workflows relevant to CAI's RMS and Imaging modules.
• Hexagon Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial: Through Intergraph and HxGN OnCall, provides CAD, RMS, and emergency response platforms used by larger public safety agencies. Broad incumbent with significant resources; competes for medium-to-large jurisdictions that may upgrade from CAI's footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CAIComputerArts
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Computer-Arts-Inc/100063679357388

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Computer Arts