Generic software is simple to use and built for a broad number of potential use cases, but that does not make it the best choice when choosing a training management system (TMS). The unique needs of public-sector organizations are best met by software built to serve the industry—a fact that holds both in the field and in the courtroom, where a lack of effective documentation can bring down even the most stringent training policies. This whitepaper will discuss the hidden and not-so-hidden downsides of “going generic” when considering a TMS by contrasting their value against purpose-built solutions, with topics that touch several aspects of first-response life: fieldwork, cybersecurity, certification, and learning exercises, among others.