Modern Guard Tour & Patrol System
A Modern Alternative to Traditional Proof-of-Presence Patrol Systems: Reliable, Affordable & Easy Guard Tour Software for Smoother Security Operations
Before we start comparing how a modern guard tour system can serve you, your security officers, and your clients better than traditional “proof-of-presence” patrol solutions—including but not limited to the Deggy “Steel Pen”, GUARD1 “The Pipe”, DETEX “GCS/ ProxiPen system and traditional paper logs (which, actually don’t prove anything)—it is important to understand WHY a modern guard patrol system and the connected mobile Guard Tour and Patrol Apps are Safer for Your Mobile Security Workforce, and why they actually provide better security.
As you will see if you click the blue link above, a modern guard tour & patrol system is “safer” because the AccountAbility Mobile App has a “Lone Worker/ Panic Button” function that notifies who you wish when a security officer may be in trouble. Even providing coordinates if they don’t answer their phone.
The reason modern guard tour and patrol systems “provide better security” is simple:
- Traditional “proof-of-presence” patrolling requires the mobile security officer to walk to a checkpoint, or “button”, tap it, and move on. There is NOTHING motivating that user to look around and make sure the area is actually secure.
- With the right modern security guard patrol system—putting aside the real-time reporting and alerts for now—the security officer can receive instructions when they scan a checkpoint, they can collect data, and they can take pictures or video where applicable. This entire modern process REQUIRES the officer to obtain situational awareness before submitting the scan.
That is a significant difference. That is true security.
A Modern Guard Tour System and Patrol System provide better safety for you people and better security for your clients. Request a DEMO or call (800) 688-9633 to see why.
AIs role in the Modern Security Industry – A Delicate Balance
Whenever there is something big and new (and preferably confusing) in technology, software companies looking to make money are going to be all over it, whether the understand it, or its consequences.
This is now the case with AI.
AI is a buzzword being thrown around like it will magically take the human role out of the security guard business – both security officer and management’s roles, too. But AI will not and it cannot replace the human factor, as much as software companies looking to get rich quick will try to convince you otherwise. And trying to rely on AI for more than a tool that must be used correctly, like any tool, can put you and your entire business in deep jeopardy (especially if you are a security officer agency whose clients expect accuracy in your reporting).
Simple Example: I was visiting my parents, and their front door camera service was including a free weekend of AI assistance to show them what it could do. My mother was sitting on the couch when she laughed, “I went out front and picked up a delivery and the AI says, ‘Woman on porch adjusting pants’”.
Silly? Yes, in this case. But what happens when you rely on AI to write an Incident Report?! Or if AI even tries to interpret what the security officer was trying to explain? Because AI WILL interpret it, but it will often be completely off target.
And that is a HUGE liability. A lawsuit waiting to happen.
The point is that AI is a tool that must be used responsibly or it will cause damage to your business’s reputation of accountability (And yes, AccountAbility is our name for a reason).
Just do yourself a HUGE favor and steer away from “Modern” and “Future-proof” software companies touting an AI Guard Tour System, AI Guard Patrol Software, an AI Security Guard App, or anything of that non-nature.
We will use AI correctly, only when and where it best serves and protects us: Humans.
Consider going with a Modern Guard Tour System & Patrol system provider that understands A.I. must be used responsibly. Call (800) 688-9633 or request a DEMO today.
Traditional security guard tour systems were built around a simple concept: Place a checkpoint at a location, have the security officer physically visit it, have the security officer record that visit.
And that approach worked for decades.
Systems such as the Deggy Steel Pen, Guard1 The PIPE, Detex/GCS ProxiPen RFID system, and even traditional paper patrol logs document that a security officer visited a particular checkpoint or recorded a particular patrol event.
But today’s security clients need more than a record that a checkpoint was tapped. They need real-time visibility, GPS verification, Modern Security Reports, mobile workforce accountability, Incident Reporting with photographs and video, guard metrics and analytics, and real-time data that management can act on NOW.
This is where AccountAbility’s Modern Guard Tour & Patrol System rises above.
Instead of treating guard tours as a “proof-of-presence” function only, we combine patrol verification with a far broader Security Workforce Management System designed around four core priorities:
- Affordability
- Reliability
- Ease of use
- Unparalleled Support
And because AccountAbility uses the existing technology in an iPhone, Android, iPad, Mac, Tablet, PC or any smart device, you can easily move beyond hardware-dependent patrol systems while adding invaluable capabilities that traditional checkpoint-only systems were not designed to provide.
What Is a Guard Tour & Patrol System?
At its simplest, a Guard Tour and Patrol System is technology used to document and verify security officer patrol activity.
A traditional proof-of-presence system typically requires an officer to visit checkpoints and record the visit with a specialized device, then upload the data when the patrol is complete, instead of in real time.
For example:
- Deggy Steel Pen systems use a rugged electronic pen and checkpoints to record patrol activity.
- Guard1 The PIPE uses an electronic wand and memory buttons to document checks.
- Detex/GCS ProxiPen uses RFID tags and a reader to collect checkpoint data.
- Paper patrol logs rely on officers manually recording their rounds, otherwise known as the old “Honor System”, as we used to call it.
However, today’s security clients need the patrol record to become much more than a historical record. They need the data collected to be a security operations tool.
That’s the difference between simply asking: “Did the guard make their rounds during their shift yesterday?”, and asking: “Did the guard make their rounds, what did they find, what did they photograph, what incidents occurred, which checkpoints were missed, where are they now, and did the branded, professional reports go out as scheduled (as they always do)?”
Consider a Modern Guard Tour & Patrol SYSTEM instead of a checkpoint verification system. You and your clients will be happy you did. DEMO or call (800) 688-9633.
AccountAbility: A Modern Alternative to Traditional Guard Tour Systems
AccountAbility Global was built around the needs of modern security operations.
This Guard Tour System allows security officers to use modern smartphones to perform patrols, scan checkpoints, submit real-time reports, document incidents, and provide management with time-stamped and geotagged submissions.
Depending on your preferences, checkpoints can use:
- QR codes
- NFC/ RFID tags
- GPS-based “virtual checkpoints”
- Time-stamped activity
- Photographs
- Geofencing
- Speech to text
- Patrol verification
AccountAbility also provides a broader collection of workforce-management capabilities, including numerous reports, security officer metrics, custom reporting, timekeeping, and even makes available Exclusive Growth Tools for Security Officer Services.
That means that your outdated patrol system becomes a modern security operations system, largely operating on its own with the parameters you set!
AccountAbility’s Modern Guard Tour System vs. Traditional Proof-of-Presence Patrol Systems
Traditional Approach | AccountAbility‘s Modern Approach |
Specialized patrol wand | Modern mobile phone or smart device |
Physical checkpoint hardware | QR, NFC/RFID or virtual GPS checkpoints |
Primarily checkpoint verification | Patrol verification plus workforce management |
Data may be downloaded after a patrol | Real-time mobile reporting capabilities |
Primarily historical proof | Operational information management |
Separate incident processes may be required | Incident reporting integrated into the platform |
Limited patrol documentation | Patrols, reports, photos, incidents and other metrics |
Paper reports or basic system reports | Professional, customizable, branded reporting |
Hardware-centered | Mobile/ cloud-centered |
Designed primarily around proof of presence | Designed around accountability and security operations |
Modern Guard Tracking, Reporting, Alerts, and Checkpoint Verification, all in one easy, Reliable, and Affordable Guard Management System. Call (800) 688-9633 or DEMO.
AccountAbility vs. Deggy Steel Pen
A Modern Guard Tour Alternative to the Deggy Patrol Pen
Deggy has a long history in the electronic guard tour market. Its Steel Pen is designed as a durable electronic guard-tour device.
With the Deggy Steel Pen approach, the security officer carries a device specifically built for recording checkpoint visits.
AccountAbility turns the officer’s mobile device into a powerful Security Guard Tour App, patrol tracker, reporting device, officer safety, and communications tool.
This condenses the devices officers need to carry while greatly expanding what can be done and documented during a patrol.
With a modern guard patrol and tour system, a patrol can incorporate:
- Checkpoint verification
- GPS location
- QR/ NFC scanning
- Instructions when a security officer scans
- Photographs
- Videos
- Incident Management
- Daily Activity Reports
- Patrol exceptions
- Geofencing
- Time-stamped activity
- Geotagged submissions
- Custom reporting
The result is a patrol report that provides considerably more operational context than a simple checkpoint-read document. And a much more pleasing and thorough report for your clients.
Modern Patrol System & Apps vs. Guard1 The PIPE
Beyond the Traditional Electronic Patrol Wand
Guard1’s The PIPE is one of the original proof-of-presence patrol systems. Guard1 describes it as a rugged electronic data collector used with physical memory buttons to document security checks.
But AccountAbility’s approach combines the patrol function with a complete, real-time security workforce management platform we call the “Command Center”, where you set the parameters for how you want your system to function and monitor your security officers.
Instead of: Guard → PIPE/ WAND/ PEN → Checkpoint → Download → Management Generates Report
…the modern workflow becomes: Guard → App → Checkpoint + GPS + Photos + Information → Scheduled or Real-time Reporting to Client + Management/Client
The goal isn’t simply to replace one electronic wand with another device. The goal is to make the information generated during a patrol more useful to security management, supervisors, security officers, and clients.
AccountAbility vs. Detex GCS ProxiPen
A Modern Patrol Alternative to RFID-Based Guard Tour Wands
Detex’s GCS ProxiPen is an RFID-based patrol system including a handheld reader that automatically detects RFID tags when the reader comes within range and records the event. The system can then transfer collected information to its reporting software.
AccountAbility uses NFC (Near Field Communication) checkpoints, the more recently developed version of RFID that requires the user to be at exactly the checkpoint, instead of nearby.
And AccountAbility does not stop with the checkpoint event.
A Modern Patrol Checkpoint Scan includes but is not limited to:
- Instructions for the guard
- Who performed the patrol
- When the event occurred
- Where the officer was
- Whether a checkpoint was completed
- What the officer observed
- Photographs
- Incident information if applicable
- Daily Activity Reports
- Other workforce-management information
That creates a much more thorough and accountable security report for your client.
Modern Guard Tour & Patrol Software is a huge step up from traditional checkpoint verification tools like DETEX & DEGGY. DEMO or call (800) 688 9633 to see for yourself.
Modern Guard Tour Software vs. Paper Patrol Logs
It’s Time to Move Beyond Handwritten Guard Tour Logs
Paper logs are inexpensive and familiar.
They are also extremely limited.
A handwritten patrol entry generally requires someone to:
- Write the information down.
- Preserve the physical record.
- Paperclip any relevant photos
- Manually identify contradictions.
- Manually organize reports.
- Potentially re-enter information into another system.
- Deliver documentation to a client.
A modern digital patrol system automates that administrative work, all while Providing Your Client with PROOF that the security officer did the job you were hired to do.
AccountAbility provides real-time and scheduled patrol activity reports, including checkpoint information and speech-to-text security documentation so management doesn’t have to depend on handwritten records.
And when you combine that with the timestamps and geotags, you have the PROOF that the job was done.
An Affordable Modern Guard Tour System
Modern Security Technology Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
AccountAbility is designed with pricing structured around your operating model. Depending on the situation, pricing can be based on users, sites, or other business considerations.
AccountAbility Essentials may be where you want to start, with options beginning at $6 per user per month with a minimum of users, NO startup fees, and NO binding contract.
The important economic question isn’t simply, “What does the patrol software cost?”, but, “How much security capability am I getting for the investment?”
A platform that combines patrol verification, reporting, incident management, GPS capabilities, checkpoint scanning workforce-management tools will eliminate the need for multiple disconnected processes, saving you a ton of time.
You will be surprised at how affordable it is to replace outdated Pens, Wands, Pipes, and paper logs with the Best Modern Guard Tour & Patrol Apps. Call (800) 688-9633 or DEMO.
Reliable Modern Security Officer Patrol Software
Reliability Means More Than a Rugged Wand
Reliability is the MOST important aspect of any security business tool.
But reliability in a modern security operations system means more than hardware durability.
It means:
- Reliable patrol data
- Dependable Reporting – Maintaining 100% Successful Delivery of Scheduled Reports at the time of this page’s publication
- Stable software platform
- Consistent mobile operation
- Secure cloud infrastructure
- 24/7 U.S.-based Support
- Clear documentation
- Continuous development
- Accurate timestamps and location information
We also include Offline Checkpoint Scanning, allowing the mobile application to continue collecting relevant timestamp and location information when connectivity is temporarily unavailable.
For security operations, that matters. A guard doesn’t have to abandon accountability just because cell connectivity temporarily disappears.
The AccountAbility core team has invested more than 100,000 hours in the physical security and security software industries, so we have a pretty clear understanding of how to be accountable to you.
An Easy Modern Guard Patrol System
If Your Guards Won’t Use It, Affordability & Reliability Don’t Matter
One of the most important facets of any guard tour system is usability.
A system can have tons of sophisticated features, but if officers find it complicated and confusing, it’s a non-starter.
AccountAbility emphasizes simplicity in everything we do.
Security officers can use familiar smartphones or tablets with the simple “AccountAbility Mobile” App—downloadable from Apple Play, Google Play, and as a WEB-app for other smart devices.
Functions and app buttons are labelled, so an Incident Report form reads INCIDENT REPORT. And the user manuals, literally at the fingertips of the mobile security workforce and for management in you “Command Center”, are highly illustrated and contain short video tutorials so there is NO confusion.
And, since the app is the most customizable we have ever encountered, we even give you the ability to activate or deactivate functions according to your operational needs, helping keep the mobile and Command Center interfaces focused on your needs, rather than overwhelming security officers and staff with features they don’t need.
This means a small security company can start with basic guard tours and checkpoint scanning if that is all you initially need, then scale as you grow; saving time and money along the way!
Easy & Reliable Modern Guard Patrol & Tour System Software will smooth your security operations while making your clients happy. Schedule a DEMO or call (800) 688-9633.
Features of the AccountAbility Guard Tour & Patrol System
This is the evolution from a proof-of-presence system to a complete security workforce accountability platform.
Depending on your selected configuration, we provide capabilities including but not limited to:
- Real-time guard patrol tracking
- Guard tour management
- QR-code checkpoint scanning
- NFC checkpoint scanning
- Instructions for mobile users
- Virtual GPS checkpoints
- GPS patrol tracking
- Geofencing
- Time-stamped activity
- Incident reporting
- Daily Activity Reports
- Photographs and documentation
- Security officer metrics and analytics
- Custom reports
- Branded client reports
- Post orders and SOP access
- In-app messaging
- Visitor management
- Vehicle reporting
- Time and attendance
- An Award Winning Scheduling Partner
- Mobile security applications
- Cloud-based workforce management
The AccountAbility platform therefore functions as both a modern guard tour and patrol system and a security workforce management system.
Call (800) 688-9633 now or request a DEMO to see these awesome security workforce management system features in action.
Why Security Teams Are Moving Beyond Traditional Guard Tour Wands
Traditional guard tour technology solved an important problem, proving that a guard visited a particular checkpoint.
But security operations have changed. Technology and client expectations have evolved.
Clients increasingly expect:
- Faster information
- Better communication
- Professional reporting
- Photographic documentation
- Greater transparency
- Real-time visibility
- Measurable performance
- Digital Reporting
- More responsive security management
A dedicated checkpoint wand is designed around the patrol checkpoint.
A modern security workforce platform is designed around your entire security operation.
That is the reason to consider AccountAbility.
A Modern Deggy, Detex, Guard1, or Paper Log Alternative
If your people currently use:
- Guard1 The PIPE
- Deggy Steel Pen
- Detex/GCS ProxiPen
- RFID patrol wands
- Electronic proof-of-presence systems
- Paper guard tour logs
- Basic checkpoint systems
…you don’t need to abandon the Function of Checkpoints.
AccountAbility will preserve the core idea of verifiable patrol activity while improving what happens before, during and after the patrol.
The result is a modern guard tour and patrol system that combines checkpoint verification, GPS, reporting, incident management and workforce accountability in one affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use platform.
Bottom Line: Modernize Your Guard Tour & Patrol System
Traditional proof-of-presence systems established an important standard for the security industry, and the function of checkpoint verification remains important.
But you can now have better.
Instead of simply proving that a guard tapped a checkpoint, a modern guard tour and patrol system will provide a clearer, more accountable picture of security operations.
AccountAbility combines patrol verification with modern mobile technology including GPS, checkpoint scanning, incident reporting, photographs and video, professional branded reporting, guard metrics and analytics, and workforce management capabilities.
For organizations looking for an affordable, reliable and easy-to-use alternative to traditional guard tour systems such as Guard1 The PIPE, Deggy Steel Pen, Detex/GCS ProxiPen and paper patrol logs, AccountAbility offers a modern guard patrol option.
This isn’t about simply replacing an old patrol wand. AccountAbility makes the entire security operation easier.