Getting back to security guard industry and taking into consideration guard tours executed without a guard tour system (either wand or cloud based), we have to deal with a major problem:
Our daily life is deluged by data and numbers. We need data and information to evaluate processes, take decisions, visualize problems and suggest solutions. No company or organization could survive today without gathering and analyzing data and utilizing it to afford solutions and manage workflow.
It is impossible to keep thorough recordings of any work process without using computer based system which automates procedures and eliminates paperwork. Even if there are strict guidelines in the delivery and conduct of reports and other necessary documents, there is no a reliable way to track and manage the whole procedure without losing information or valuable time. Certain doubts could arise in any stage of the patrolling process, such as:
- Which was the exact time a guard executed the guard tour?
- How many checkpoints were missed and for which reason?
- Are there any missed inspections that are not mentioned on the paper reports?
- Which are the exact time intervals a security officer accomplished the checkpoints scans?
- Are the reports delivered in the predefined time?
- How will a scheduled guard tour will be supervised without reliability issues arise?
- How easy would it be to search for guard tours and patrols executed six months ago?
- What if there is a device (e.g. hard drives, USB sticks) damage or archive loss?
All of the above provoke trouble. It is obvious that there cannot be a trace of accountability. Even if there is some, the data acquired is totally non- reliable, and you need so much time to index, record, log and search for documents and reports.
Accountability is the second key reason you need a guard tour system. All of your data can be stored in secure databases and retrieved at any time and from any location (in case of a cloud based guard tour system). You can track activities, organize schedules and create digital footprints of your officers in order to validate that guard tours are executed properly in time. Turning into a guard tour software configuration for your daily needs, you will add value to your work. Accountability and documentation will also make your life more simple, eliminating time consuming and complicated tasks.
"OUT OF CLUTTER, FIND SIMPLICITY"
Enhancing all your guard tours with an up to date guard tour software should be in your immediate concerns. Stop wasting your time with pen and paper, unreliable information and complex processes. Guard tour systems are easy enough to use and offer simple documentation and largescale accountability.