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Knowledge Base

Security Patrols: Track Checkpoints

What Does a Security Patrol App Do?

Track facility access points, safety equipment, visitors, and incidents with our security app. Capture formal records for reporting purposes.

FAQs About Tracking Security Patrols

How can I create security checkpoints?

Clients who use CodeREADr to verify security rounds will attach barcode labels or QR codes near the doors of buildings, rooms, or equipment that need to be checked. There may be hundreds of these checkpoints across a campus or facility. The mobile app user (the security guard) will scan the label at each assigned checkpoint. Also, they can optionally be prompted to take a photo or answer questions.

You can use a label printing company like Maverick Label (connie.l@mavericklabel.com) for printing your labels. Alternatively, for small volumes, you can generate QR codes with CodeREADr.

How can I prevent app users from scanning a checkpoint twice accidentally?

When creating your service, you can enable duplicate checking to alert app users that a barcode has already been scanned. You should also select a reset period. For example, you could reset daily if the checkpoint needs to be scanned daily.

How can I prevent app users from scanning a location as complete without physically being there?

There are two options. Firstly, the most common method by far is to enable GPS location tracking while the app is in use. On the Advanced Step with creating your services, you would simply check the option to capture location as a background function without interrupting the app user.

Secondly, you could use NFC tags embedded in your labels. The app would read the NFC chip’s unique device ID instead of a barcode or QR code. In that way, you would have very high confidence the security guard was actually at the checkpoint. Using NFC is described in this knowledgebase article.

Can the app user see what’s done and not done?

Yes. The app’s “Lookup” option allows the app user to search the associated database of required checkpoints. Importantly, it can be also used to show what’s done and what’s not done.

Can I include a picture of the location to be shown when the checkpoint label is scanned?

Yes. When importing or creating your database on CodeREADr, you can use Webify formatting to include photos hosted remotely. The response text can include any information you’d like to associate and display with the person you are tracking.

Can I require app users to provide pictures and/or answer questions about checkpoints?

Yes. Using our Questions feature, you can include the option to add notes, answer questions, and take a photo of the checkpoint.

Can I generate a report that shows checkpoint history?

Yes. On the “Scans” page, you can filter and view a report of codes scanned. Also, you can automatically export those records to Excel, Google Sheets, etc. Then, you can sort scans by ‘timestamp scanned’ or by the app user who scanned it.

Can I generate, filter, view, and export separate records for each app user, location, and customer?

Yes. There are many different methods to separate data into different segments. For example, you can create databases for a set of rooms to be checked and associate each list with its own service by building. You can create separate users for each employee or security shift. However, you can also use one database, one service, and one user if that best suits your needs. Finally, it’s up to you how to organize your data for your needs.

Can I see the current status of a patrol?

Yes. As noted above, you can filter and view scans on the “Scans” page.

Can I customize the app’s UI? For example, can I change the message given after a scan?

Yes. For example, you can customize the display of the response screen and change the response text. Also, there are both free and paid options for white labeling the app to include your company’s logo.

Does pricing depend on how many mobile app users we have?

No.  Our pricing model is based on the number of devices, not app users. We count a device as billable if your authorized app user signs in to the mobile app during your monthly billing period. Moreover, the monthly count is not based on concurrently used devices. Instead, it’s the total number of unique devices that signed in during your monthly billing period. Each month this count resets and each device sign-in counts towards your plan limit.

What if there isn’t a good internet connection on location?

CodeREADr works offline as well as online.

Do we need special hardware to scan checkpoint labels?

CodeREADr is compatible with most devices. For example, it works with iOS and Android smartphones and tablets as well as mobile computers. However, we do not sell any hardware. Thus, it is up to you to decide on which devices you will use CodeREADr.