AI delivers autonomous efficiencies

February 2019 Editor's Choice, Security Services & Risk Management

Active Track is a guard monitoring service provider that has captured a large share of the market for tracking and managing people. The company has now partnered with software development specialist Sugarplum Digital to improve the back-end of its operations with software enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI).

Active Track’s management device is a robust, handheld device that can be dropped (and should be dropped in emergencies as this action sends a panic alarm to the control centre) and knocked about in the rough guarding environment. It includes RFID, GPS and GSM functionalities, panic and silent call functions, and is supported via an online portal and 24-hour call centre. It also sports a battery life of up to 72 hours.

All activities captured by the device are transmitted to the company’s 24-hour control centre where they are monitored and, when emergencies occur, the operators can dispatch emergency response teams. As is common in all security control centres, operators are often tasked with dealing with false alarms or simple administrative tasks which takes their attention away from handling real emergencies.

Using Sugarplum Digital as its development partner, Active Track has updated its software to turn the system into a full management application instead of a guard monitoring system. Guards are still equipped with the Active Track devices, but the software now handles an expanded range of tasks autonomously, without needing human input.

As a simple example, Active Track’s Danie de Villiers explains that the system used to alert the control room if a guard had not registered their device at a certain location within a set time. An operator would then have to contact the guard or a supervisor to try to resolve the situation according to the client’s operating processes (OPs). Now the system recognises the problem, learns from the environment over time and follows the OPs without requiring human intervention.

The AI enhancements go further and impact almost all areas of the company’s operations, taking the boring tasks such as submitting reports to clients. It provides customers with a higher level of visibility into their security operations, tailoring its reports and communications to the person in question.

Sugarplum Digital’s Gerhard Furter says the AI system is not simply programmed to do routine jobs. It collects data and analyses it in real time, and is continually learning what is normal, what is out of the ordinary and what constitutes a real emergency – it’s like an occurrence book that is continually being monitored, updated and analysed. It then deals autonomously with the non-critical events, leaving trained human operators to focus on responding to important events and alarms. It is able to detect patterns emerging over longer periods of time in each environment Active Track manages in order to provide additional insights to the operators and/or the client.

Also designed and built by Sugarplum, Active Track is also in the process of building its own voice controlled chatbot. People will be able to communicate with the bot by speaking, and once again the AI system will automatically handle routine questions and tasks without needing human input. Sugarplum is rolling out a similar application to a manufacturer that will soon be able to take and fulfil orders autonomously.

For more information contact:

• Active Track, +27 11 551 1687, [email protected], www.activetrack.co.za

• Sugarplum Digital, [email protected], www.sugarplums.co.za





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

SSG Holdings acquired by Fidelity Services Group
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Fidelity Services Group has successfully acquired a majority shareholding in SSG Holdings. The acquisition builds on Fidelity’s track record of strategic expansion, including previous high-profile acquisitions.

Read more...
Get the AI fundamentals right
Editor's Choice Surveillance AI & Data Analytics
Much of the marketing for CCTV AI detection implies the client can just drop the AI into their existing systems and operations, and they will be detecting all criminals and be far more efficient when doing it.

Read more...
The role of drones in farm protection
Agriculture (Industry) Security Services & Risk Management
Laurence Palmer reminds us of the role drones play in agricultural security and offers a free security risk assessment template for downloading (link at the end of the article).

Read more...
SMART Surveillance Conference in Johannesburg
Editor's Choice Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management Logistics (Industry) AI & Data Analytics
SMART Security Solutions hosted its annual SMART Surveillance Conference in Johannesburg in July, welcoming several guests, sponsors, and speakers for an informative and enjoyable day examining the evolution of the surveillance market.

Read more...
Your Wi-Fi router is about to start watching you
News & Events Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management
Advanced algorithms are able to analyse your Wi-Fi signals and create a representation of your movements, turning your home's Wi-Fi into a motion detection and personal identification system.

Read more...
South African fire standards in a nutshell
Fire & Safety Editor's Choice Training & Education
The importance of compliant fire detection systems and proper fire protection cannot be overstated, especially for businesses. Statistics reveal that 44% of businesses fail to reopen after a fire.

Read more...
LidarVision for substation security
Fire & Safety Government and Parastatal (Industry) Editor's Choice
EG.D supplies electricity to 2,7 million people in the southern regions of the Czech Republic, on the borders of Austria and Germany. The company operates and maintains infrastructure, including power lines and high-voltage transformer substations.

Read more...
Standards for fire detection
Fire & Safety Associations Editor's Choice
In previous articles in the series on fire standards, Nick Collins discussed SANS 10400-T and SANS 10139. In this editorial, he continues with SANS 322 – Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Hospitals.

Read more...
Wildfires: a growing global threat
Editor's Choice Fire & Safety
Regulatory challenges and litigation related to wildfire liabilities are on the rise, necessitating robust risk management strategies and well-documented wildfire management plans. Technological innovations are enhancing detection and suppression capabilities.

Read more...
Cybersecurity and insurance partnership for sub-Saharan Africa
News & Events Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Sophos and Phishield Announce first-of-its-kind cybersecurity and insurance partnership for sub-Saharan Africa. The SMARTpod podcast, discussing the deal and the state of ransomware in South Africa and globally, is now also available.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.