The core idea: prove presence at a place and time
A guard tour system exists to make patrol verifiable. Each checkpoint holds a unique identifier that cannot be altered; the reader records that identifier together with the exact time it was read. A supervisor can later see not just that a round happened, but which points were visited and when.
How the data moves, end to end
- The guard reads a checkpoint — touching an iButton or bringing an RFID reader near the tag.
- The reader stores a record: the checkpoint ID, the timestamp, and the guard ID from the reader.
- After the shift, the record is downloaded to the management software via a downloader or USB.
- The software matches records against the route and schedule.
- It produces a report: on-time, missed, or exception for each point.
Contact (iButton) vs contactless (RFID)
| Aspect | Контактная (iButton) | Бесконтактная (RFID) |
|---|---|---|
| Как считывает | Physical touch on the button | Bring reader near the tag, no key press |
| Energy | No RF energy — safe in explosive atmospheres | Uses radio frequency for reading |
| Download | Requires a downloader cradle | Many models connect by USB, no download station |
What one record contains
- Checkpoint ID — which point was visited.
- Timestamp — exactly when it was read.
- Guard ID — who made the read.
- Optional event — a preset incident the guard selected at the point.
- Reader serial — which device was used.
What the software turns records into
Raw reads alone are not useful. The management software converts them into patrol reports (should vs actual), schedules, and exception alerts, and it also tracks guard attendance. That is where verification becomes action — a supervisor sees a missed point the same day, not weeks later.
Offline vs real-time
Most guard tour systems are offline: the reader stores records and the guard downloads them after the shift. Real-time systems add a GPRS, 4G or WiFi module so records upload the moment they are made. Offline is simpler and cheaper; real-time gives immediate visibility when a site needs it.