Unlocking new efficiencies in private security

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Unlocking new efficiencies in private security

August 2024 Security Services & Risk Management, Transport (Industry), Smart Home Automation, Logistics (Industry)

By Justin Manson, Sales Director at Webfleet

Justin Manson

At Securex South Africa 2024, experts from various safety fields converged to leverage their capabilities to unlock new efficiencies and insights driven by integrated data and technology applications.

For Webfleet, as an established fleet management solution provider, this year’s event offered an opportunity to not only expand the specialised use of smart vehicle management systems beyond transportation efficiencies, but also to potentially save lives.

Telematics are well-established as having the ability to enhance route optimisation, improve road safety, save on fuel and maintenance costs through the use of AI dash cams, on-board devices and advanced driver behaviour monitoring systems. Now, by integrating Webfleet solutions into third-party systems, users can yield even more benefits that extend beyond mobility. These benefits include flexibility, data transparency, and cost optimisation for third-party providers.

A recent example of this is the continued integration of telematics solutions into residential security alarm monitoring platforms, like the Webfleet system. This allows homeowners to receive real-time updates and alerts from their security system on their devices, ensuring that they are always aware of any issues. Security alerts are sent directly to homeowners’ mobile devices, improving the speed and reliability of notifications. The system can also trigger automated responses, such as alerting the security company or activating cameras when an alarm is triggered.

By integrating the fleet management system into these platforms, much of the subjective human decision-making is removed from the security asset deployment process, drastically reducing response time.

Security companies typically have set standard operating procedures that they follow in the event of an alarm being triggered at a business or home. Firstly, a control room operator must establish whether there is a real incident. A call is made to the property owner, and if the correct password is given to indicate an accidental alarm, the call is cancelled.

If the password is wrong, or the owner does not answer the call, the operator must then dispatch a security vehicle. To do this, they will typically open a live map on their monitoring system that shows all active vehicles in the security fleet.

The operator then visually locates the closest vehicles to the alarm location and calls each one to see which can respond the fastest. The available vehicle is given the address, and only then, does the driver begin travelling to the scene. Even with the fastest, most diligent operator and responsive driver, this entire process could take valuable minutes, which could mean the difference in a critical event.

With the Webfleet system now integrated into these alarm monitoring platforms, the entire human component is removed from the equation. When an alarm is triggered, the monitoring system communicates directly to the fleet management system, instantly selecting a vehicle to respond and tracking the entire incident in real time.

With constant monitoring of the vehicle’s diagnostics, including driver condition, tyre pressure, engine state, and precise route movement, all the guesswork is removed from the process.

Business managers and homeowners can also download an app onto their phones, linking them directly to responding vehicles and allowing them to relay vital incident information as it happens. This better equips security response teams to make more effective preventative and reactive tactical decisions, saving lives and even serving as a potential deterrent against criminals targeting protected areas.

Domestically, the security market is significantly shaped by the economy. Security market insights from Statista show that as the economy improves, both individuals and businesses are more likely to invest in these security systems to safeguard their homes, businesses, and other properties from theft and other risks.

From surveillance to communication security services will continue to lead the way in unlocking new efficiencies in operational management that can even be carried over into other sectors.

Unlocking new efficiencies in private security - August 2024 (2024)

Unlocking new efficiencies in private security

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