The vehicle-mounted solution allows security companies to track individual patrol officers from the moment they take ownership of their vehicle at the start of a shift right through to booking off. The system records every site visit made while the officer is on duty, and can even confirm which check points the officers have visited.

"For the first time this new system can give service providers and customers real-time confirmation that a site visit and tour is taking place," explains Darren Marsh, MD of BConnected. "You can prove that an officer has arrived at the site within the specified time frame and that he is visiting the check points specified in the assignment instructions."

The system combines the robust iTrac Proxim handheld reader and iTags with an enhancement of the iTrac real-time tracking service, which is already used by numerous guarding companies and end-users throughout the UK as an improvement over traditional guard-tour solutions.

The patrol officer gets into his vehicle and books on duty by entering his unique PIN code. When he leaves the vehicle to begin his patrol at each site he first enters the PIN code then takes the hand-held reader from the vehicle-mounted cradle. Simply by placing the reader next to the iTag checkpoints, mounted strategically around buildings and perimeters, he makes an exact log of his patrol.

This data is automatically uploaded as soon as he replaces the reader back in its car-mounted cradle. The data is then viewable in less than a minute via an internet portal.

The system will also proactively manage missed or delayed tours by sending an alert text message or email. These alerts can be sent to the patrol officers themselves, to the control room supervisors, or to any other specified managers.

"The proactive nature of the alerts further enhances the health and safety protection of lone worker patrol officers," explains Darren Marsh. "If they do not return from their patrols within a specified time the control room supervisors can be automatically alerted."

This patrol monitoring process can be repeated as many times as necessary during the shift. When the officer reaches the end of his duties he simply enters his PIN number to book off.

With a simple upgrade the service not only tracks the officers patrol activity - by activating the integrated global positioning system (GPS) Modem, the exact route and current location of each vehicle may also be logged.