Metro Protective Agency optimizes security operations with GuardTrax™, Intergis GPS Tracking Solution

Metro Protective Agency is a private security services firm that offers customized, protective services to businesses, government, and residential locations in Salt Lake City, Utah. From concert and event security management, to providing security officers for building, asset and theft prevention, the agency works closely with local law enforcement to provide a valuable service to the community.

Metro security personnel were monitored by using standard industry guard tour wands that record time and location information at fixed checkpoints. Using the wands, the security officers touched key points around a property then uploaded the recorded data at the end of each day. Managers reviewed the “after the fact” information to observe if guards were performing their duties as required. The lack of real-time incident reporting was a constant problem for customers who were requesting new solutions that would provide better feedback on officer performance.

Metro also found that guard tour wands were inconsistent, unreliable, and wouldn’t record information if the security officers didn’t properly touch each checkpoint chip, if at all. The system frequently crashed resulting in the loss of valuable information.

According to Assistant Operations Manager, Aaron C. Theriault, “In the last crash, I lost all our information for 2008. After losing literally tens of thousands of tracking points, I decided I’d had enough.”

After a thorough search to find a better guard management solution, Metro selected Intergis and its tracking and reporting solution for security organizations - GuardTrax Security Force Locator (SFL). GuardTrax provides tracking and management with real-time monitoring capabilities and a customizable coding system.

GuardTrax SFL is a handheld GPS locator that enables supervisors to pinpoint the exact locations of their entire field workforce at any time through a secure Web site with a graphical user interface (GUI). Now, with GuardTrax, Metro supervisors are able to see real-time location information as well as historical information from the past year. Metro security personnel notify supervisors of significant incidents or events by using the four button keypad to input user defined codes relating to incident types. A supervisor is then notified immediately of any event the officer reports.

The GuardTrax device also has limited cell phone capabilities which allow security officers to communicate solely with managers, as well as a panic button that can dial out directly to emergency numbers. This protects guards from being stranded in dangerous situations. And if the GuardTrax device is motionless for a predetermined period of time, usually 5 minutes, or if it’s removed from a predefined area, an e-mail or SMS message regarding the event is immediately sent to supervisors notifying them of the issue.

In addition to monitoring the activities of field security personnel, Metro supervisors also use the GuardTrax solution to manage payroll. The GuardTrax-generated data details the exact hours each guard worked, eliminating disputes and ensuring officers are compensated correctly.

“GuardTrax has greatly improved Metro Protective Agency’s ability to manage its security personnel, since administrators can monitor officers in real-time to identify and correct problems as they occur,” says Theriault. “If there are any discrepancies, the data is immediately available as to the location of security officers and exact times. It also enables us to reduce management and supervision costs since fewer personnel are now required.”

“GuardTrax has been an extremely valuable tool in client relations and in proving that guards are performing their duties based on data reports,” adds Theriault. “As a result, Metro’s customers are thoroughly satisfied due to improved guard behaviors from being monitored, as well as immediate corrective procedures in the event of displaced or ill-behaved officers.”

Since implementing GuardTrax, Metro Protective Agency has greatly improved its security operations and increased its number of satisfied customers, leading to a significant competitive advantage. In the future, the company plans to roll out additional devices that will include all new services.

To learn more about GuardTrax and other Intergis Mobile Resource Management solutions, click on Contact Us.