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Guard management via cellphone

Domain Junction has developed a new programme to assist companies deploying multiple guards and managing them more efficiently with nothing more than a smartphone. Locally developed, the cloud-based application allows guards to report on duty using a GPS signal. The company says it’s a cheaper alternative compared to biometrics.

At the launch of the product, Domain Junction said the system is easy to use and set up, and is fully integrateable with EasyRoster and any other programs, such as VIP, Pastel ACCPAC etc.

In its example, Domain Junction demonstrated that the system works by creating a guard roster for each site. When the guards arrive on site, they log into the app (via a mobile Web browser) using a username and password, and clicking the check-in button. The phone will send a signal to the application confirming that the guard is on duty. If the guard is more than 30 metres away from the site the system will automatically reject the check-in and send an SMS to the guard.

The company concerned can set parameters around the start and end time of each shift, with event alerts should expected activities not occur. For example, if the shift ends at 18h00 and the guard hasn’t checked out by 19h00, the system will send an alarm to the controller instructing him to follow up. If the guard checks out when he is already more than 30 metres away from the site, it will also reject the check out and it will need to be done manually by the controller, with a comment.

If a guard reports for duty but is not rostered for that shift, the controller can either accept the shift, reject or snooze until he is ready to deal with the exception, but he can’t snooze for longer than one hour. The interface is designed in such a way that once the site is covered it is greyed out and sites that are not covered are moved to the top of the list, so that controllers are left dealing only with exception sites.

Alarms can be set for different priorities, according to each business’ needs. The actual attendance can either be exported directly to a payroll system or companies can update their existing time and attendance software with the integration module – which allows you to push and pull information between different products. This module is designed to create an affordable solution for contracting companies in place of biometrics. In high-risk areas, voice recognition can also be added at an addition cost.

The product is costed per module in the form of a once-off cost with a monthly licence fee grouped in packages of five users. A guard clocking in is deemed an ‘anonymous’ user and does not require a licence fee. Licences are for people who will physically work on the system and make changes. The licence is structured in such a way that if you have a five-user package and you have 10 people who will use the system – eg, different shifts of controllers – only five people will be able to log in at a time on each shift.

The entire application consists of 10 modules, which included, Armed Response, CIT, Operations (visits, surveys, assessments, minute meetings), a Control Room Module (electronic OB) and HR module or Disciplinary Action, Pay Queries, etc, among others. Currently only the time and attendance and the integration modules have been released.

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