Colombia. A round control system is a method used to record the tasks performed by certain personnel, such as: security guards in property protection, field sales force, service technicians in visits, medical personnel assisting patients, among others.
Round controls help ensure that staff perform their tasks at the correct time intervals and allow complete recording of data for statistical tasks, legal reasons and service compliance. These systems have been around for years, having started with mechanical watches. Computerized systems were first introduced in Europe in the early 80's and in North America by 1986 [1].
A latent need for round control applications is the immediate notification of round events to a control center and, eventually, simultaneously to administrative or security personnel interested in the fulfillment of tasks. In this sense, IP technology, through the provision of GPRS networks and online software, have made it possible to open a new world of business opportunities where the most important thing is to have information in real time.
Thanks to the real-time communication offered by IP technology, identifying the exact position of the personnel executing the rounds is also possible, which is why the new round control systems integrate GPS tracking devices. In cases where gps location cannot be easily resolved (due to being inside buildings with no line of sight to the sky), assisted GPS is an essential option [1] [2].
All of the features mentioned above are found in a novel round control device called ActiveTrack [3]. This device is an effective solution to satisfactorily fulfill supervision and control tasks, obtaining information and position in real time.
"With real-time information, real decisions are made"
ActiveTrack takes information from various sources: position from GPS system satellites, codes from reading RFID dial buttons, internal button events such as panic and call request, plus internal protection functions such as impact detection, intentional microwave damage detection, device opening attempt, battery status, among others.
ActiveTrack is made even more robust by integrating with the Kronos monitoring center platform [4]. The integration of both products has allowed companies to optimize staff performance and increase the quality of services offered to their customers.
Kronos and ActiveTrack allow you to know the exact position, historical of the routes made, obtain speed information, control the displacement areas, know the compliance status of the rounds, create alerts and automatic notification schemes via SMS and email. In addition, Kronos allows full integration with alarm and IP video systems.
The benefits and business opportunities are very clear:
- - Business model based on services.
- - Economy in the integration of several technologies in a single device.
- - Optimization of resources in personnel management processes.
- - Improvement and new levels of service in the performance of security schemes.
- - Online communication to the monitoring center. Immediate and automated notification of events to people of interest.
- - Remote access via web or through specialized client interface, for the verification of events, current position and historical position.
New services for monitoring centers and/or private companies:
- - Care of people: Elderly, minors and sick people.
- - Protection of organized groups – Tourists and children.
- - Protection of people who work independently.
- - Banking applications: Transport of securities and supervision of ATMs.
- - Escort schemes for VIP people.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_tour_patrol_system
[2] http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Asistido
[3] http://www.solutecltda.com/index.php/producto/item?op=21
[4] http://www.solutecltda.com/index.php/producto/item?op=1
