REAL TIME REPORTING GIVES PATROL MANAGER THE EDGE
02/06/2009

A valuable new manned guarding reporting system - the first to offer guaranteed and auditable proof of presence combined with proof of service - has been launched by security industry software specialist Logosoft.

Patrol Manager, which integrates with Logosoft's well known Roster Manager and Operations Manager software modules, gives security companies a unique monitoring and tracking capability and offers real value added benefits for their clients.

For the first time, security companies will be able to establish the who, where and when of their operatives in real time, as well as transmitting and gathering data which can be used to provide guaranteed proof of service.

The software operates via a simple touch tag device which enables the guard to 'log on' at predetermined locations and times. And unlike other systems which rely on weekly reports for omissions to be noticed, Patrol Manager immediately flags up lack of pre-arranged contact with a warning on screen at the control room.

The tag is activated by the guard according to the pre-arranged schedule using a mobile phone fitted for NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. If the contact is not made, the reason can then be investigated. This could simply be because the guard has been unavoidably delayed - but because the lack of contact is highlighted straight away, other, potentially more serious reasons can be investigated and ruled out.

Leading security firm C UK Security Services Limited has started using Patrol Manager and, according to its chief executive Rog Hatlem, the benefits were immediately apparent.

"Many of our clients are in the rail industry and security is a crucial issue for them. We need to know what's happening and when - and, more importantly, be able to respond immediately should a patrol not be carried out," he said.

"In our opinion, Patrol Manager is the most effective system to provide us with this crucial 'live time' information."

C UK provides security to a very high standard and many of the company's officers are working alone at night in potentially vulnerable situations, so health and safety is a big concern.

"On a railway station an officer needs to patrol each platform touching a designated number of tags according to a schedule," Mr Hatlem explained. "There is perhaps a ten minute window for reporting from each platform. If an officer fails to touch a tag, the control room is immediately alerted.

"The beauty of this system is that it will enable control to produce an exception report instantly through the system thereby allowing them to identify the problem and carry out an investigation without delay. Another important feature is that control would know immediately should a tag be tampered with or be removed.

"Equally, should an incident arise, the officer can report back via his mobile and use the camera to photograph the damage - again, giving instantaneous reporting. The control room can then communicate back with instructions."

The communication between the phone and the client's user network is direct and not web based, so completely secure.

Patrol Manager offers a simple, easy to read reporting system which integrates with Logosoft's portfolio of workforce management technologies developed for the security industry, as well as other industry-leading software packages such as Sage Payroll.

"Patrol Manager is the system we've always wanted," added Rog Hatlem. "Our officers know straight away that their movements are more closely monitored and their health and safety is being taken seriously. And our clients can rest assured that the security reports they receive are based on live, guaranteed and 100% auditable information."

For more information on Patrol Manager and the Logosoft family of workforce management software, click here