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SmartTask, a UK-based developer of cloud workforce management solutions, has announced the availability of its mobile operations app. Fully integrated smartphone app streamlines mobile patrols, alarm response callouts and keyholding for security officers and controllers helping demonstrate BS7984 compliance. Designed specifically for UK security services providers in collaboration with the UK security industry, SmartTask mobile operations keep field officers in contact with the control room. Compliance with BS7984 The app, which runs on Android and iOS smartphones, delivers automated run-sheets, simplifies the completion of customisable response reports, enables the control room to better manage alarm response calls, and helps prove compliance with BS7984. The new mobile application can be fully integrated with other SmartTask modules or act as a standalone solution. Application review Cara Clarke of City Security, an early adopter of the new solution stated; “SmartTask Mobile Operations enables us to do a whole range of tasks more efficiently, everything now goes through the app.” “Officers receive their run-sheets on their smartphones via the app, and the control room can see exactly what is happening on the ground in real-time.” “We expect SmartTask mobile operations to be instrumental in helping us to win more business as the greater level of operational detail will enable us to provide better customer service.” Profitable keyholding contracts SmartTask mobile operations can help security businesses of all sizes compete for more profitable, direct Keyholding contracts in the following ways. Banishing Paper Run-Sheets: App-based run-sheets and assignment instructions are sent securely to officers, replacing paper run-sheets which are time-intensive to produce, and quickly fall out of date. Once designed a run-sheet can easily be updated as required on the fly. Officers simply tick off jobs as they are completed on the app, fill out inspection forms or scan patrol tags automatically sending the information back to the control room as it happens. Smart Documents: Comprehensive information such as assignment instructions, or COVID-19 specific entry instructions can be sent securely via the app for easy reference by the officers attending, with an online audit available of who has read them. Managing Alarm Responses: When an alarm response comes in controllers can see at a glance all the site details, where keys are held and who can attend quickest. Officers can fill out alarm response reports containing photos and signatures which can be sent directly to clients or to the control room for checking. Keyholding & BS7984: All activities, timed locks/unlocks, void property inspections and randomised patrols, are tracked giving full visibility to the control room. In addition, all information regarding keys, where they are held, who had access to them and when, is monitored, providing an audit trail of seals and proving compliance with the Keyholding standard BS7984-3:2020. Duty of Care: The control room receives the notification of any missed check-in calls and if the officer fails to report the site is safe after completing their initial external patrol inspection. Reporting and Invoicing: The app stores regular charges and captures callouts, patrols, locks/unlocks and void property inspections as they happen, so detailed information can be shared with the client and invoicing is simple and accurate reflecting all the services provided. Response SLA reports make monitoring and improving performance easier while simplifying compliance with SIA audits. Regular software updates As a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, SmartTask is simple and easy to adopt, without the need of a dedicated IT department. Regular software updates and support, provided from a UK based service desk, are all part of the subscription.

Security officers will use SmartTask-enabled smartphones to scan unique NFC checkpoint tags at key locations Omni Security has adopted Skillweb’s employee scheduling and mobile workforce management solution SmartTask to monitor and coordinate its manned guarding team. SmartTask will enable the company to replace a number of existing software systems—including workforce management, patrol monitoring, and reporting tools—to create a single platform that can be used across the business to improve productivity, communications, and transparency. Reliable and cost effective SmartTask was selected following a competitive tender process based on its ability to deliver a holistic, cloud-based solution that was highly scalable, reliable, and cost effective. It will initially be rolled-out across Omni Security’s manned guarding operation, throughout London and nationwide. The system will be used by the company’s management team, along with control room and administrative staff, located at offices in Huntingdon and London. Customers will also be given access to their individual rosters and incident reports for complete real-time reporting. Security officers will use SmartTask-enabled smartphones to scan unique NFC checkpoint tags at key locations around customer sites to prove that predefined routes have been patrolled. Incident reporting will also allow them to generate notifications, input key details and attach any supporting photographs to ensure that any issue is correctly documented and responded to. All information is electronically recorded to an online portal, so can be viewed in real-time and historically by both staff and customers. Live view interactive dashboard Omni Security’s 24/7 control room will have access to SmartTask’s live view interactive dashboard, so office-based staff can monitor the attendance and safety of static teams, while have full visibility of any incidents or alarms. Meanwhile, Skillweb has worked closely with Omni Security to create a bespoke reporting capability, so the company can capture operational insight and business intelligence and share to both internal audiences and customers. “SmartTask is already proving to be a valuable management tool that is providing complete transparency to internal teams and customers” Intelligent rostering will also allow Omni Security to create work schedules for the manned guarding team across multiple customer sites. Administrative staff can now quickly and efficiently plan and communicate rosters through SmartTask, with security guards able to view their individual schedules and confirm availability using the MySmartTask app on their personal smartphones. The system will also share financial management data to support and simplify invoicing and payroll. Communicating critical operational data “SmartTask is already proving to be a valuable management tool that is providing complete transparency to internal teams and customers,” explained Peter Hale, General Manager at Omni Security. “Having the ability to access and communicate critical operational data in such a simple and efficient way, means it is benefitting all areas of our business. It will not only save us considerable time and money, but also deliver competitive advantage, simplify governance and support business development.”Paul Ridden, Managing Director of Skillweb commented: “SmartTask combined with the first-class support provided by our team has created an employee scheduling and mobile workforce management solution that meets the exact needs of the security marketplace. It is enabling companies such as Omni Security to better manage contract service delivery, improve operational control and quality, raise customer satisfaction and support duty of care to staff.”

Skillweb introduced a number of industry firsts during 2016 to take advantage of the latest smartphone innovations and better meet changing market needs Skillweb has seen record uptake of employee scheduling and workforce management system SmartTask in the past 12 months. Growing demand from the manned security marketplace resulted in the number of active users doubling to more than 10,000 as businesses seek clever technology solutions to better plan and manage their static and mobile guards. “Security companies are increasingly looking to gain competitive advantage by improving operational control and service delivery in a simple and hassle-free way,” explains Paul Ridden, Manging Director of Skillweb. “The usability, flexibility and functionality of SmartTask is making it an ideal system for these businesses, delivering an integrated tool combining intelligent rostering, live monitoring and integrated proof of attendance.” FLIR integration Skillweb introduced a number of industry firsts during 2016 to take advantage of the latest smartphone innovations and better meet changing market needs. In particular, SmartTask became the first patrol monitoring and guard management system to integrate with FLIR thermal imaging, so manned and mobile security providers can offer an enhanced service to customers and keep security officers safe against hidden threats and potential risks. Meanwhile, Skillweb teamed up with management systems and security consultants Pengelly Young to enable security businesses to meet the ongoing requirements of the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) and ISO9001. A dedicated Smart Docs module has been launched to help achieve compliance requirements and provide visibility of latest operating procedures by ensuring appropriate documents and processes are put in place and correctly managed. “SmartTask provides a highly-effective solution to improve workforce scheduling, reduce operational overheads and better service new and existing customers. As a result, it has become a system of choice for manned security organisations nationwide and is being selected to help protect some of the UK’s most well-known and prestigious buildings,” concludes Paul Ridden.