Suppose you are the supervisor of a mid-sized security company. You are responsible for managing a team of security guards in various roles. Most are deployed in gated communities or large residential areas with hundreds of homes. For extensive protection, your security guards are tasked to perform regular patrols to protect residents from potential threats, particularly at night.
Now, here’s a challenge. How would you ensure security guards have reached the client site and started patrolling? Is there any mechanism to track the guard’s location when patrolling between checkpoints?
QR-code patrolling is the answer to the above questions. In this process, security guards can use a mobile app to scan QR codes against various checkpoints in designated areas. Each scan sends the location to the system and alerts the admin if any checkpoint is missed. Eventually, as a supervisor, you can create patrol reports and monitor the performance of your security officers remotely.
Read this article to learn more about QR-code patrolling and its effectiveness in improving the efficiency of security operations.
What is a QR-code Patrolling System?
QR-code patrolling system is a cloud-based solution to monitor security teams patrolling in the service area. It enables supervisors to track guards’ location and generate patrol reports. They can review the time and place when security officers scan checkpoints.
Hence, the system is a great way to produce evidence of patrol visits and meet client’s requirements. Besides, security companies can use this software to evaluate staff performance and comply with lone worker safety regulations.
Why Security Companies Need QR-code Patrolling?
The majority of security guards don’t have a fixed workplace. Most are deployed in remote areas like residential communities, shopping malls, retail shops, or construction sites. There is no possibility of face-to-face interaction. Therefore, close monitoring becomes an issue for supervisors.
For instance, a security guard must be present within the designated service area once a shift has started. Say it is a large construction site that requires consistent patrolling across various checkpoints. While sitting in your office, you must stay updated with your security team’s real-time location and patrolling history.
The QR-code patrolling makes it possible. A cloud-based patrol guard system can provide managers with information about checkpoints scanned by the on-duty security officers. The system tracks their location and records when the QR code is scanned.
Eventually, supervisors can address problems like no-shows and missing shifts. Besides, they can closely monitor the performance of patrolling teams and satisfy their clients.
How QR-code Patrolling Works?
The QR-code patrolling works in three steps:
Step 1: QR-code Creation: In the first step, admins create QR-codes of checkpoints by using the QR-code patrolling feature. The printouts of these QR codes are then strategically placed at designated locations where security guards are required to visit during their patrols.
Step 2: QR-code Scanning: Once security guards have reached the service area and begin patrol, they visit each checkpoint and scan the QR-code with the mobile app of workforce management software. The workforce management software records the time and location of each scan and sends this information to the admin.
Step 3: Staff Monitoring: As security guards patrol the service area, the system sends their live location to supervisors or HR managers. They can go to their dashboards and generate patrol reports for each office. Eventually, they can ensure all checkpoints are being visited on time to meet the client’s requirements.
Key Benefits of QR-code Patrolling
From improved guard performance to happy clients, QR-code patrolling has much to offer. Below are the key benefits of using a cloud-based solution to manage patrolling teams with QR-code checkpoints:
1. Increased Accountability
Supervisors cannot be physically present at each client site when managing a large security team. Only a robust QR-code patrolling solution can help them track activities and generate patrol reports for accountability. Guards cannot fool the system; hence, there’s no chance of a fake location.
Similarly, a foolproof system eliminates doubts in managers’ minds regarding the presence of security guards on client sites. Supervisors can track the live location of their staff and review patrol reports to make informed decisions.
2. Patrolling Log Management
QR codes are handy for checking whether a security officer has visited the designated locations on the patrol route. Supervisors can even ask their staff to take pictures once they scan the QR codes across each checkpoint.
The practice enables security companies to maintain a log of patrolling history and comply with ACS regulations. In addition, clients are also satisfied with the performance of security teams deployed at their premises. Eventually, your business can flourish and achieve long-term sustainability.
3. Safety of Lone Security Guards
Security guards often operate in high-risk areas. While on duty, they are always at a high risk of threats and accidents. Being a responsible employer, you have to take steps to ensure the safety of your lone workers, particularly security officers working alone. These measures are essential to the SIA-approved contractor scheme (ACS).
QR-code patrolling can be an effective method to take care of your security officers at the client site. You can track their live location and review their patrolling history at your office. Besides the system also collects pictures from each scan. Immediate remote viewing helps you protect your staff and increase your chances of becoming an SIA-approved contractor.
4. Enhanced Client Satisfaction
Implementing QR-code patrolling not only benefits your internal operations but also contributes significantly to client satisfaction. Clients often seek reassurance that security measures are robustly in place, especially in critical areas or high-risk zones.
Moreover, QR-code checkpoints provide a transparent and verifiable record of security patrols, instilling confidence in clients about the effectiveness of your security services. The ability to share detailed patrol reports and real-time tracking information enhances transparency and strengthens the client-security provider relationship.
5. Efficient Resource utilisation
QR-code patrolling optimise the deployment of security personnel, leading to more efficient resource utilization. By tracking patrol routes and live locations, supervisors can identify patterns and trends in security activities. This data-driven approach enables better decision-making in allocating resources based on actual needs.
Additionally, it helps in avoiding unnecessary overlap or gaps in coverage, ensuring that security guards are strategically positioned to respond promptly to potential threats. Consequently, the efficient use of resources enhances overall operational effectiveness.
6. Proactive Incident Response
Responding to emergencies quickly is quite important in critical situations. The real-time tracking capabilities allow supervisors to detect deviations from the designated patrol route or prolonged stays at specific checkpoints. This proactive monitoring enables quick identification of potential issues or security breaches.
Furthermore, supervisors can intervene promptly, dispatching support or investigating unusual patterns. Besides, by utilising QR-code technology for patrolling, security companies can prevent security incidents. Also, they can respond swiftly to emerging threats, minimising risks and maintaining a secure environment.
7. Streamlined Compliance Reporting
Maintaining compliance with industry regulations and standards is crucial for security companies. QR-code patrolling simplifies the process of compliance reporting by providing a systematic and verifiable record of patrols. This data can be used to demonstrate adherence to industry-specific regulations, such as those outlined by the SIA-approved contractor scheme (ACS).
Similarly, security companies can streamline the preparation of compliance reports. Thus, reducing administrative burden and ensuring that they meet the necessary criteria for regulatory approval. The streamlined reporting process contributes to the credibility of security operations and fosters trust with both clients and regulatory authorities.
Final Thoughts
Remote team monitoring is different from in-office workforce management. Unlike offices, remote sites lack face-to-face interaction. A supervisor, for instance, cannot physically visit and monitor security guards working at the client site. Ineffective monitoring can negatively affect overall team performance.
To address these challenges, security companies can use the QR-code patrolling feature of workforce management software. This feature allows supervisors to monitor their remote teams and access their live location. On-duty security staff can visit checkpoints assigned across different places in the service area and scan the QR codes. Each scan will share its location and time with the admin.
Eventually, managers can generate patrol reports and evaluate the staff performance to meet client’s requirements. The system also keeps lone security guards safe and helps security companies comply with the ACS regulations.