Have you ever wondered how complex the job role of a security guard manager can be? Being a security guard manager means you must stay alert, report incidents, patrol large areas, and communicate within your team and it is a complicated process. Any mistakes in the process can put security at risk. However, the process would be much easier with proficient security guard patrol apps, ensuring organization and safety.
In today’s fast-paced world, traditional security methods such as manual logs, paper-based reporting, and two-way radios are no longer sufficient to manage security operations. However, utilizing a mobile-based security guard patrol solution can enhance operations by automating patrols, enhancing communication, and streamlining the overall reporting feature by integrating the latest tools and techniques.
Let’s discuss more about this in the following blog post.
What are the security guard patrolling apps?
Before delving into the benefits, you should understand the concept of mobile security patrol apps. They are specifically engineered to streamline security patrol operations using tablets and smartphones. Mostly, these apps are cloud-based.
Not all security guard patrol apps are built in the same way. The best ones come with a broad range of must-have features designed to boost security guard performance, optimize security operations, and improve overall accountability.
Whether you are a security officer looking for a better tool or a security company looking to improve your workforce management, investing in this tool can be of help.
Why does a mobile security company need a mobile guard patrol system?
Instead of hiring a manual security workforce manager, consider investing in a remote security guard system. One of the most common reasons behind this is its cost-effectiveness.
Alongside covering multiple buildings within a large area, it comes with the following benefits that can make security officers interested in it:
1. Organized Patrol Schedules & Shifts
Security officers can customize shifts and patrols, assign tasks to guards, and set checkpoints through the security guard patrolling apps to organize patrol rounds.
It’s essentially vital when there are multiple guards on duty or there are multiple buildings to cover. These apps can allow security officers to view these data easily to streamline operations.
2. Clear & Real-Time Communication
Even though two-way radios are reliable, they still cannot guarantee clear communication and include a limited range that can be affected by various factors like terrain, weather, and elevation.
Security guard patrol apps can run on both iOS and Android mobile devices, which come with a better range compared to two-way radios, making them ideal for long security patrols.
3. All-In-One Device That Improves Efficiency
Since mobile patrol security apps come with lots of features, security officers do not need to worry about carrying different devices to help them with their patrol duties.
It includes video chat, audio communication, checkpoint scanning, taking photos and videos, contacting the authorities, and more. They also do not need comprehensive training to use these applications.
4. Security Guard Tracking & Monitoring
Tablets and smartphones usually come with GPS-based tracking systems to monitor security guards, ensuring that everyone is doing their jobs well and all checks are being conducted.
Security guard patrolling apps can further increase visibility and guarantee greater accountability, ensuring that guards are doing their best in providing quality service.
5. Accurate, Detailed, & Paperless Reports
Security guard patrol apps can help you generate reports, so security guards can go paperless.
Through autofill options, these apps can further reduce human errors and save a lot of time on paperwork, allowing security officers to focus on other essential tasks that require creativity and human touch.
6. Instant Alarm/Emergency Response
Security guard patrolling apps can improve the coordination between security guards in case of emergencies and alarms through real-time and clear communication, speeding up incident responses.
It can further mitigate potential damage that may happen due to security breaches and save your business from financial losses.
7. Easy Access to Data
Unlike manual security tools, a guard patrol system is cloud-based, allowing security officers to access all security-related information like patrol reports and shifts all the time.
Alongside this, security officers do not need any PC or laptop with sufficient processing power. They can use these apps through their mobile phones, allowing them to access all the relevant data without any hassles.
What features should professional security guard patrol apps must have?
Not all security control applications are built in the same way. The best quality guard patrol system comes with a wide range of advanced features, including the following:
I. Real-Time GPS Tracking for Enhanced Visibility
Real-time GPS tracking is one of the most essential features of a security guard patrol system, allowing security managers to monitor the location of security guards to ensure that they are covering their assigned areas and promptly responding to incidents.
II. Live Notifications & Alerts for Immediate Response
Timely responses are critical to security threats. Security guard patrolling apps can ensure that the team is informed immediately about the following incidents through in-app notifications, SMS alerts, and push notifications:
- Suspicious activities
- Missing patrols
- Unauthorized access attempts
- Emergencies
III. Two-Way Communication (Chat & Voice Messaging)
Effective communication is a must for security operations. The security guard patrol apps would be helpful including the following features:
- PTT (Push-to-Talk) voice messaging as a radio replacement
- Instant messaging for text-based communication
- Group messaging features for coordination among multiple guards
IV. Automated Patrol Checkpoints (NFC, QR Code, or Beacons)
Logging patrol checkpoints manually on paper used to be a complicated process.
Remote access security guard patrolling apps can automate checkpoint scanning using QR codes, NFC tags, or beacons to ensure that the guards complete their assigned patrols on time.
This feature can:
- Prevent unauthorized route deviations and missed checkpoints
- Verify that the security guards have reached the designated patrol points physically
- Provide automated digital records for accountability
V. Guard Tour Scheduling & Automation
Managing patrol schedules and security shifts manually can be prone to errors and time-consuming.
A well-equipped security guard patrol system provides automated guard tour scheduling, which further allows the security officers to:
- Set predefined security checkpoints
- Digitally assign patrol routes
- Receive real-time notifications for missed patrols
VI. Daily Activity & Shift Reports
Security officers need a reliable method to track and analyze the performance of security guards. Adept security guard patrol apps can help them by generating:
- Shift performance reports for management insights
- Daily activity logs with timestamps
- Customized report templates for compliance documentation
VII. Customizable Reports & Data Exporting
Security managers and supervisors need a detailed report for client updates and audits. Security guard patrolling apps can help you by offering:
- Data exporting in different formats like Excel, CSV, or PDF
- Customized report templates
- Accessing historical data for analysis
VIII. Geofencing & Location-Based Triggers
Geofencing is one of the most advanced security features of security guard patrolling apps, allowing supervisors to define virtual boundaries. It further helps them with the following:
- Preventing unauthorized access to restricted areas
- Making sure that the security guards stay within their assigned areas
- Automating alerts for location-based security threats
IX. Automated Time & Attendance Tracking
Proficient security guard patrol apps come with accurate attendance and time-tracking features.
It can further help security officers with the following:
- Preventing time fraud
- Managing payroll properly
- Monitoring guard shift compliance
X. Offline Functionality for Remote Operations
Security guards often have to work in locations with no or limited internet access.
Wel-designed security guard patrol apps allow security officers to do the following:
- Automatically sync data once the internet connection restored
- Log incidents and patrols offline
XI. Incident Reporting with Multimedia Support
Investing in well-built security guard patrol apps allows security guards and officers to instantly report incidents with a combination of the following:
- Photo and video uploads for visual evidence
- Detailed reporting with text-based descriptions
- Audio recordings to alert people or capture witness statements
At a glance,
Are you still relying on manual laborers to manage your security workforce? Instead of handling these things by yourself or hiring people for these tasks, consider investing in professional security guard patrol apps to optimize your procedures. Featuring cutting-edge technologies and tools, these apps can take your security workforce to the next level. This blog post can further help you to understand everything about this. For more information on developing digital patrol apps for the security workforce, you can check out Brooklyn Computer Systems.