4 Ways Using Technology to Track Guard Tours Benefits Security Operations

It’s probably no surprise that emerging technology has had an impact on the security industry. Let’s dive a little deeper into a few of the different tiers of a security operation and how GPS and guard tour tracking can benefit each.

New to the topic? Start with what a security guard tracking system is and how it works.

1. Supervisors Can Track Security Officer Location and Activity

No organization wants to think that their team members would cut corners, but it’s an unfortunate reality. Guard tour systems allow supervisors to monitor their officers in real time and ensure that they’re completing the tasks they were hired and assigned to do.

Guard tour tracking allows managers and supervisors to distinguish the top performers. The organization sees an increase in productivity and professionalism. GPS-enabled guard tour systems also enable supervisors to manage more remotely than ever before, and this allows them to operate more sites without increasing the headcount.

What supervisors can see in real time

• Tour progress and completion, checkpoint by checkpoint.
• Missed checkpoints, with instant alerts.
• Officer location, including GPS tracking and geofenced zones.
• Incidents and tasks as soon as they are reported.

The TrackTik guard tour app guides officers through every task and alerts supervisors to incomplete tours or incidents, so problems surface while there is still time to act.

2. Management and Owners Can Show Service Delivery to Clients

Whether an officer is hired by a security company or employed directly by the end user, you can bet that the client is going to want assurance that their money is being well spent.

With a top-of-the-line guard system, managers can easily show clients that officers are accomplishing assigned tasks appropriately. Furthermore, GPS tracking allows for the precise tracking of officers based on checkpoints and the time it takes to complete tasks which can result in labor savings that can be passed on to the end user. Savings are also passed on because supervisors won’t have to “double check” guard activities or inspect missed checkpoint scans. All of that can be managed remotely, resulting in more cash in the pockets of both the security firm and their clients.

From patrol data to client proof

Patrol data	What the client sees	Why it matters
Checkpoint scans	Time-stamped proof of every round	Confirms coverage without a site visit
Incident reports with photos	What happened and how it was handled	Builds trust and supports liability defense
Tour completion rates	Consistency over weeks and months	Shows reliability at renewal time
Task and response times	How quickly issues are resolved	Justifies rates and staffing levels

TrackTik Security Operations includes a client portal with real-time access to reports and operational overviews, and TrackTik Business Intelligence turns patrol data into dashboards and shareable reports.

3. Guarding Companies Can Win New Contracts

A well-polished guard tour system is a significant selling point. When it comes to security, most organizations will want to go with the provider that’s the best equipped. Here are some of the industries that can benefit from GPS-enabled guard tour systems and why:

• Security companies: Increase monitoring and provide stronger protection for their clients.
• Warehouse facilities: Provide an increased level of security for their products.
• Schools: Increase the level of protection for their students.
• Real estate management companies: Better protect their properties and the assets inside.

4. Increased Security Officer Protection

There’s an inherent risk involved when you work in the security field, and unexpected and often dangerous events should be, well…expected. When these situations arise, adrenaline floods the body, muscle memory takes over, and officers act on impulse. Often, those impulses don’t involve calling a command post or supervisor. The officer just reacts.

A GPS-enabled guard tour system allows the officer to send an emergency message with the push of a button. Furthermore, some technology provides lone worker protection through notification alerts that are activated by things like falls, unexpected impacts, and many other variable situations. Supervisors can monitor these notifications and determine the next course of action. They can deploy backup officers and even locate incapacitated officers by using GPS. Officers get the peace of mind that comes with knowing that even when they’re working alone, there’s always someone watching over their shoulder, ready to assist the minute they need it.

TrackTik Guard Management helps keep lone workers safe, with impact detection that triggers alerts if a device is dropped and push-to-talk from any device. When backup is needed, TrackTik security guard dispatch helps operations send the closest available officer.

Choosing the Right Checkpoint Technology

Not every site needs the same kind of checkpoint. Match the method to the environment:

Method	How it works	Best for
NFC tags	Officer taps a phone to a tag	Interior checkpoints that need proof of presence
QR codes and barcodes	Officer scans a printed code	Fast, low-cost rollout across many sites
GPS and geofences	Location is verified automatically	Large outdoor areas, parking lots and mobile patrols
Manual check-ins	Officer confirms in the app	A backup when a tag or code is unavailable

The TrackTik security guard tour system supports NFC, QR code, barcode, GPS and manual check-ins, so each site can use what fits. For placement ideas, see these 31 areas to consider when placing guard tour checkpoints.

The Bottom Line

Technology advances drive most professional industries forward, and the security industry is no exception. When the security and safety of millions of dollars in assets and human lives are at stake, security providers and their clients should strive to employ the most advanced technology available to accomplish their mission. A guard tour system with GPS technology is the answer. It will provide unprecedented levels of accountability, automation, protection, and reliability. The result is an increase in productivity for the security provider and peace of mind for the client. To learn more on how to take your guard tour system to the next level, contact us or request a TrackTik demo.