What I have in mind is a typical DS position:
The Dispatcher may be a formal position where a guy sits at a desk or he may be in a room by himself . The "equipment" would be a panel with lights (for signals and switches)and switches (turnouts) with a diagram of the layouts/tracks/cities and what have you..
At this point in time on my layout, the DS is the "operator" who’s winging it as he operates his own train.
The duty of the DS is quite straight forward: Safe and smooth flow of traffic. The DS has the last word. You need to let him know what you are doing, and you don’t do anything unless he tells you to do it.
When you have your "paperwork" together, your throttle is plugged in and you are ready to go, you'll need to call the dispatcher for permission (clearance) to move. Check your train paperwork so you know what your train name is, where you are, and which direction you are moving, because the dispatcher will want to know.
Forget complex software. I'm looking at something that's easy and simple to do and that works.
Thanks