Just a few years ago, security companies relied heavily on manual reporting to manage their patrolling crew. This not only resulted in inefficiencies and errors but also increased tardiness, eventually risking the safety of the sites they were meant to protect.  

Thanks to advanced patrol tracking systems, companies are rewriting the rules. These tools offer real-time visibility, allowing firms to address threats more quickly and accurately. Besides that, they streamline operations and enhance accountability that might otherwise slip through the cracks.  

Let’s explore how security guard patrol tracking systems are changing the security industry.  

How are Advanced Patrol Tracking Systems Better than Traditional Patrol Methods? 

If you have ever managed a security team, you know the drill. At the beginning of each shift, every officer is handed a logbook, a static route to follow, and perhaps a walkie-talkie. You hope that every guard will hit their checkpoints consistently, log their findings accurately, and communicate properly with their team. It’s a strategy as old as time, and of course, it has its shortcomings. 

For instance, a patrol guard working at a mall may have to monitor entrance points, check the parking lot, and keep an eye on food court activity. If a shopper asks the guard for directions, he may have to help them, ultimately getting distracted from his assigned route. This seemingly minor diversion could create gaps in coverage, potentially missing a critical incident like shoplifting.  

Similarly, a watchman clock is another historically used device that a guard taps keys at strategic points to record their patrol times. However, what happens if a key is accidentally missed or if the system fails? The results could be catastrophic — a missed patrol could mean an undetected breach or unattended hazard.  

Communication is another hurdle in traditional methods. If a guard patrolling a large campus at night spots unusual activity but delays reporting it due to a lack of immediate communication tools, the response time could be severely impacted. A walkie-talkie can only do a little, especially if the guard is out of range or the channel is disrupted by other conversations. 

With advanced patrol tracking systems, these issues are a thing of the past. Modern solutions feature integrated wireless tracking devices attached to a centralized dashboard that supervisors can use to monitor and guide officers while they conduct patrols over the premises. 

For example, with real-time GPS tracking, a guard can effortlessly cover vast areas without the worry of missing checkpoints. If he deviates from the prescribed path, the system sends an alert to both the guard and the supervisor for immediate correction. Besides, these systems come equipped with different features that can improve efficiency one way or the other.  

Key Features of Security Guard Patrol Tracking System 

Following are the key features of a security guard patrol tracking system that make it superior to traditional patrol methods: 

1. Efficient Onboarding 

Traditional guard onboarding methods usually require piles of paperwork, background checks, cross-department approvals, tedious training sessions, and long shadowing periods. It’s a marathon before a guard can actually start patrolling. 

With an efficient onboarding system, new guards just have to add basic details and start working almost immediately. This not only speeds up the onboarding process but ensures that guards are well-trained and ready for duty without any blockages. Also, it helps companies streamline their HR processes.  

2. Patrolling History 

Keeping an eye on the present is crucial, but understanding past patrols is equally essential for improving future safety protocols. Patrolling history in a tracking system provides detailed reports about security officer activities over days, weeks, and even months.  

Need to analyze how often a particular zone is patrolled? Or want to identify patterns in guards’ movements that correlate with incident reports? This data becomes invaluable for compliance and continuous improvement. 

3. Real-time Dashboard 

A real-time dashboard provides a centralized platform where administrators can monitor patrol activities, incident reports, and guard locations as and when they happen. So, the relevant authorities get to see everything immediately, not hours later when it might be too late. 

This feature particularly helps in quick decision-making during emergencies. For example, if there’s a security breach in Zone A, you can immediately divert the nearest guard to handle the situation. No phone calls, no alert signals — just a few clicks. 

4. QR Checkpoints 

QR patrolling allows guards to easily scan QR codes or tap NFC tags at each checkpoint to verify their presence. This ensures that no checkpoints are skipped and provides timestamped proof of patrols. 

Guards can use the mobile app to scan QR codes and share their live locations which is important for their own safety. Moreover, it is necessary to satisfy the client’s requirements.  

5. Security Guard Management 

Managing security personnel is a fundamental part of efficient security operations. Advanced systems offer features like shift scheduling, performance monitoring, and duty assignment.  

Managers or supervisors can generate patrolling reports for each guard and use these for informed decision-making. Furthermore, the solution offers an easy access to performance metrics to reward top performers and provide additional training where needed. 

6. Accessibility 

Gone are the days when you needed to be in the control room to monitor security operations. Modern patrol tracking systems are accessible via mobile apps and web portals, allowing you to keep an eye on things whether you’re in the office, at home, or even on vacation.  

Since Smart Workforce has a user-friendly interface and single dashboard, both managers and guards can use it easily. 

7. Scalability 

Your security needs might grow from patrolling a single building to safeguarding an entire campus. A scalable solution ensures that you can extend your system capabilities without requiring a complete overhaul. 

For example, you start with a small retail store. Over the years, your business expands to include multiple storefronts across cities. Your patrol tracking system scales effortlessly, accommodating the expanding security network across various locations. 

Final Thoughts

Traditional patrolling tracking systems, with their basic functionality, predictable methods, and minimal cost, might seem convenient but are far from optimal.  

With patrol tracking systems like Smart Workforce, security companies get real-time tracking, patrolling history, and efficient guard management. These tools streamline operations as well as significantly boost security.  

Ready to upgrade your patrolling system? Sign up now and see the difference Smart Workforce can make.