How do you check whether security guards have arrived or are running late? Are you using a manual guard tour tracking way or a more modern solution?
A large number of security guards use paper patrol cards, timesheets, and manual spreadsheets because they’re easy to use. But in reality, more and more security companies have switched to guard tour systems.
You might be wondering why they did that? Does your business require some change? Is the change worth it?
Let’s find out why.
The disadvantages of manual guard tour tracking
Obtaining patrol cards and entering time and name manually on paper timesheets/online spreadsheets seem to be easy at first. But they can rapidly become a mess when more security guards and sites join, or you simply don’t have time for some admin work that day.
Let’s dig further into the disadvantages of manual guard tour tracking.
1) Risk of human error
We’re all human and we can easily make errors when collecting data manually.
Security guards don’t always punch at the correct date and time. You don’t always enter the correct data into the patrol spreadsheets.
You may encounter such situations in which security guards come to you asking why they obtain less than the hours they’ve worked, or you may lose thousands of dollars without even knowing it.
2) Security guard time theft
Time theft happens when security guards try to get paid for the time they don’t work. It can be in the form of buddy punching, writing a time ahead or making up for missed time to obtain the on time money, etc. You know the consequences: paper patrol card frauds decreases workplace morale and costs your business a lot of labor money.
3) Time-consuming
Collecting paper patrol cards, verifying them, and processing them for payroll is surely time-consuming, especially when you manage a larger security team.
Every time there are errors or issues regarding their patrol, security guards will flood in to ask you to make adjustments. Admin work will soon suck more hours in a week, which means you’ve lost many hours every year.
If you’re leading a security team, you certainly have a lot on your plate. Why waste time on manual patrol tracking when there are other time-saving and convenient solutions out there?
4) More paperwork
Security guard work hours need to be recorded and stored for compliance purposes. If you’re still using paper patrol timesheets, paperwork will soon drown you in boredom and irritation.
Paper timesheets aren’t cheap, take up more space, and are hard to retrieve when needed. This can be a big hassle for managers of businesses with multiple locations and security guards.
Why should you upgrade to a guard tour system?
Guard tour systems are solutions that help proprietor monitor security guards’ patrol and inspection, as well as paying security guards accurately. Why should you use those solutions? Are there any more attractive benefits to them?
1) More accurate payroll
Automated guard tour software eliminates the risk of human error, hence providing more accurate data for guard patrol. Proprietors don’t have to be afraid of compliance issues, and security guards don’t have to be afraid of being paid incorrectly.
2) Prevent time theft
Guard patrol software often asks security guards to clock in by using fingerprints, location and time stamps, taking photos of location at the patrol sites. It limits and prevents time theft behaviors such as security guards punching checkpoints for their workmates or in the incorrect time.
3) Improved engagement, productivity, and efficiency
When security guards know your guard tour system is accurate and reliable, they don’t have to be afraid of being paid inaccurately anymore. They can focus more on patrol, productivity, and efficiency instead of trying to trick the guard tour patrol system.
Guard tour tracking apps aren’t just beneficial for security guards’ performance, but for managers as well. You can spend less time checking patrol summary and more on things that require your attention.
4) More integrated features
There might be other features besides security guard tracking, such as scheduling or team messaging. Plus, you can integrate guard tour software with HR and payroll software, or have the software tailored to your business needs.
5) Just ditch manual guard tour monitoring
If you are dealing with manual security guard tour monitoring, you know it’s a tedious and time-consuming practice that often involves a great deal of human error.
Just ditch all those manual paper patrol timesheets, and start using a cloud-based, automated system like ZOOY guard tour management system, bring you convenience, time and cost saving.
Post time: Jul-23-2022
