London-based guarding company Shearforce Security has improved its operating efficiency, and service level to customers, using the ITrac real-time staff monitoring system.
ITrac, developed by bconnected Ltd, has now been adopted by Shearforce company-wide after an initial pilot project proved so successful.
The system is now providing the company's managers and customers with live tracking of all security guard clock-in and patrol events.
They can monitor activity the moment it happens, and afterwards get full, customised management reports in a range of formats.
Security officers using the system simply enter their 4 digit PIN code into the wall- or fence-mounted ITrac keypads; this authenticates their identity and specific location.
The moment the data is put into the keypad it is uploaded via GPRS and processed instantly at the ITrac data centre.
Following a trial of the new technology over the summer, Shearforce has now rolled ITrac out through most of its London client base, including sites such as storage depots, rail and transport, and construction sites.
"It's a really practical system that's easy to use. We have not shown it to a single customer who hasn't seen its value," said Shearforce director Joseph Ojumu.
"For the trial, we supplied one of our major transport sector clients with the ITrac system. As soon as they started using it they thought it was excellent." The technology has been designed as an improvement on traditional guard tour systems and is particularly suitable for monitoring individual staff patrolling extended grounds.
The ITrac system can deliver instant alert notifications if a patrol is missed, or if a team member is unexpectedly absent - allowing managers to take action without delay.
"Real time notification is the most important advantage of the ITrac concept," says bconnected MD Darren Marsh. "In critical guarding applications both the client and service provider should be informed immediately if a security officer fails to arrive for work, or complete a required patrol. This new technology can make that happen."
Managers can specify exactly how, and when, they want reports - for example on any internet-enabled device, PC or laptop, or as a printed, faxed or emailed report.
For Shearforce Security the detailed attendance and activity reports have also proved useful in speeding up payroll processing, adds Joseph Ojumu.
Meanwhile bconnected Ltd is working with a number of major organisations to develop further new solutions for release over the next six months.
