For security guard companies, one of the most vital assets involved in the organization is human resources. In other words, the guards themselves. They are the core of the business, and without them any security company would cease to exist. That’s why it’s so important for these organizations to understand their people and how they work. Then, they can follow the right processes, and use the right technologies and software to keep them safe and get the job done. That is where guard touring comes in.
What is Guard Touring?
Guard touring is the process of recording and verifying the activities of employees to ensure a number of things:
- The correct areas of a site are monitored at the appropriate times
- Pre-defined routines (or tours) are followed
- Critical tasks, goals, or checks are all completed
- And, most vitally, that the client’s location has been secured.
Of course, security companies are the main users of guard touring processes. However, those security companies have a range of clients in industries that should be aware of the importance of guard touring;
- Educational Institutes – to increase the safety of their students
- Real Estate organizations – to manage their buildings and protect them from damage
- Public transportation services – to direct activities and manage daily incidents
- Finance Institutes – to be safe from external threats
- Warehouse departments – to assure the security status of their merchandise
- Manufacturing facilities – to protect from damages and record incidents in every aspect of manufacture process
- Cleaning and maintenance services – to manage their installations and employees.
Without guard touring, it’s difficult to see a security guard organization operating efficiently. Below, you will find some important aspects of guard touring and how they provide value for any security company.
Guard Touring Reduces Administrative Burdens
When considering the role of a guard touring system, there is a lot to consider. The main goal is to document certain activities or tasks during a shift, ensuring they are complete. If anything is out of the ordinary, or if an incident occurs, it can be reported. How does this actually occur? Does a security guard bring a pen and notepad around with them and make ad-hoc notes of these activities? Possibly, but this presents a few problems. The administrative burden of documenting tasks and making detailed reports is considerable. These reports also requires verification and approval by a supervisor or manager, which is a time consuming process. It’s also an unreliable method of data capture, as it allows for inaccuracies, damaged/lost data, or tampering of valuable information.
Guard touring, when paired with the use of cloud-based software can significantly reduce the problems above, while also providing other values. A guard can execute the necessary objectives and tasks, easily noting this progress on a mobile device. This simple way of recording tasks not only saves time and effort for the guard, but also proves timely and cost effective for management too. When using cloud-based guard touring software, the supervision of guards and sites is a given.
Ensures Quality Due to Data Capture
As mentioned above, guards can easily record anything that occurs during a shift at the touch of a button on their mobile. This data, along with GPS location information, can prove to be hugely valuable for security companies. Management can see in real-time, all the tasks that are carried out, at the correct time and in the correct location.
Allowing management to generate reports to this effect will improve the quality of work done over time. By analyzing this data, processes and overall quality can be improved. For example, if a guard is underperforming by neglecting some vital tasks, this will be clearly evident in a visually simple interface. Seeing this data in a clear, simple format allows companies to cut out inefficiencies and spot opportunities for improvement or modification. This allows security companies to improve their level of quality and their reputation, ultimately leading to healthy growth in their organization.
Provides Peace of Mind
As discussed, the ability to report, review and analyze historical data from client sites improves the operational ability of any security company. Not only does this benefit management but more importantly, security company clients will have a higher level of satisfaction. The sending of regular status updates and reports, assuring them their sites are secure, will provide peace of mind. For a security company, if a client is safe in the knowledge that they are getting exactly what they’re paying for, this can only be seen as a positive.
Also, it’s important to mention that data doesn’t lie. When using a guard touring system that records data in the cloud, any ambiguity or vagueness regarding deliverables, KPI’s, or work completed vanishes. Management can clearly see what’s been done and what still needs to be completed.
Fosters a Culture of Accountability
One of the most talked about benefits of guard touring is the accountability it brings with it. Knowing that a digital record of all work done will exist within software that enables guard touring will no doubt motivate guards to make sure they complete all of their tasks. The introduction of this element of accountability is just another way that guard touring can improve the overall operation, service provided, and profitability of a security firm.
This also removes any worry from the mind of managers and eliminates any need for micromanagement. Employees who are given autonomy enjoy a higher level of job satisfaction. It can also remove the need for a supervisor on site. Less micro-management, higher quality of work, happier clients.
With proper implementation, guard touring is a valuable tool for security companies of all sizes. It’s not difficult to assess whether a company needs guard touring or not. However, choosing what guard touring software to use can be rather convoluted.
Celayix is proud to endorse our partners over at Mobileo, which enables you to automate security operations and monitor in real-time all activities of your guards, supervisors, and mobile patrols.
If you’re interested in hearing more, reach out to us and see a free custom demo!
