The electronic form of a patrolling security system is used in transport, telecommunications, the chemical industry, railways, postal services and defense sectors. Hospitals and other industries in some countries today use guard patrolling systems. For instance, it is a regular sight in South Africa to see an electronic guard patrol system used by the professionals in charge of looking after security. Such systems are efficient in safeguarding personal and the organizations’ properties and the feature allow it to hold accountability in case of a mishap. While many countries are religiously using the systems, this is a new concept to many of us. So let us first understand what is a guard patrolling system.
Guard Patrol
A patroller monitors the rounds and reports them as per his findings, as his supervisor has assigned him. This action the patroller performs, please called guard patrol. A guard patrol system monitors the patrolling guard’s activities while he is on his patrolling duty. These systems are implemented to ensure that the officer performs all his patrolling duties assigned to him properly, carefully and diligently.
These patrol systems can be either manual or computerized. In a manual patrol system, the duty officer must manually input the time in which he performed the duty, the findings from the patrolling, and also mention if any further check is required.
On the other hand, a computerized patrol system requires the duty officer to scan a label using a tag or scanner. Here, they need to report and answer further questions on a device. Computerized patrol systems are the most prominent forms of patrolling system setups being used today for two important reasons – one, it provides real-time data, and second, the data can be transformed into information using various software. Saving up on time to report the incident by the workforce facilitates the management to make quick and efficient decisions backed by factual data.
How To Ensure Patrols Working Efficiency With a Computerized System?
Since computerized systems are mostly used for patrolling, it is important to understand how to use them best. We recommend you first evaluate the necessity of a computerized system for the functioning of your team before you purchase the setup. Computerized system to patrol the guards works in the following way:
The spot card marks the patrolling place. Put this card or equipment on the main point of the patrolling route. The patrolling begins after the security guard has read the patrolling inspector’s personnel card. The patrolling inspector updates the record in the patrol reader by reading the location card and time. The record is then regularly uploaded from the reader to the computer. These records are regularly updated, by which the management software can analyze the actual patrolling and compare it to find which inspections have been missed with statistical data.
Conclusion
Patrol systems record data in real time concerning the duty officer’s attendance and the duty he is required to perform for the day. However, these devices have a few shortcomings. For example, a weak network at patrolling places can cause challenges in its functioning. In another instance, some duty officers who are not comfortable using technology may find a pen-and-paper arrangement easier for reporting instead of using devices. However, weighing all sides and angles with a guard patrolling system is an efficient service device. These work well for a well-managed staff. In case a duty officer finds it a challenge to use, organizing a training session on how to use the device and a few sessions of practicing the same can serve the purpose.
