I know you said you wanted to give them a badge, but hear me out... What about using Mobile or QR Codes or barcodes and a smartphone with a built-in camera/app to read them that will time/date stamp the read? Then you upload the data to your logging system...
http://www.i-nigma.com/Downloadi-nigmaReader.html http://www.indianweb2.com/2008/06/introducing-mobile-codes-the-next-mobile-20-buzz/ You could create your own Mobile/QR Codes for each location you want the guard to go to... Another idea... (I know you said wifi doesn't work, but if cell phone service works and you can get mobile broadband...) have each unique Mobile/QR Code send the phone to a website you specify that is uniquely linked to each individual Mobile/QR Code. The guard then has to authenticate to the site and that proves he scanned the location at the time and date via the login to the secured site. No more replacing batteries at each station, as you can apply the Mobile/QR Codes to the wall and be done. Jonathan L. Raper, A+, MCSA, MCSE Technology Coordinator Eagle Physicians & Associates, PA [email protected] www.eaglemds.com -----Original Message----- From: Gene Giannamore [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 6:41 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: [OT] Guard tracking system More info. We are replacing the fire sprinklers on 4 floors. Each floor is 60,000 square feet and divided by security corridors with locked doors at each end. The badges are ID only, for floor and building access. We are the Prime GC. We can mount stations on the walls. The whole setup will be temporary. The firewatch patrol is while we are replacing each floor's west or east side, until each section is fully operational. The data needs to be stored in the badge (or key/fob). No cabling of any kind allowed at each station (not even power), and not much success getting any wireless inside each floor to work past a few walls. I am dreaming of badges that use wireless smartcard, RFID, or other similar tech, and each station uses a battery that lasts more than 7 days. Then the person on patrol, just walks by the station, and the badge records the event, date and time. At end of shift or even end of week, we read the badges. At least if it is a badge, then they should not loose them (they seem to remember their building badges). Not wanting any kind of real time or GPS system, since we don't need that level of tracking. We just need a way to make sure the person did walk his route, during his shift. Gene Giannamore Abide International Inc. Technical Support 561 1st Street West Sonoma,Ca.95476 (707) 935-1577 Office (707) 935-9387 Fax (707) 766-4185 Cell [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Ben Scott [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 3:14 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: [OT] Guard tracking system On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 5:25 PM, Gene Giannamore <[email protected]> wrote: > Since our guard force is required to wear badges for building > and floor access, we figured one more badge for the tracking system would be > best (rather than a key or fob). When you say they have to wear badges, do you mean the badges are for an access control system (door locks)? If so, the system may already have such a feature. We just invested in a access control system, and it has a "Guard Tour" feature that purports to do just what you're asking for. I will say this: Before you buy, see if you can get hands on with the PC software which supervises the show, and ideally, the equipment itself. For our system, People Outside The IT Department(TM) bought it and then came to us, and we've discovered the software is total crap. Needs admin rights, has to have some stuff running in the foreground (no service-only), crashes and locks up a lot, slow, overall flaky, poorly documented, ugh. I suspect this is one of those industries which is forever trapped in the 1985 PC mindset. There have also been some issues with the actual door control units not quite working as advertised, and generates spurious alarms. System's been installed for six months and it still doesn't work right. Ugh. Some of all this might be the installer company, though; we also discovered they've never used this system before. Ugh ugh ugh! -- Ben ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ Any medical information contained in this electronic message is CONFIDENTIAL and privileged. It is unlawful for unauthorized persons to view, copy, disclose, or disseminate CONFIDENTIAL information. This electronic message may contain information that is confidential and/or legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and/or entity named as recipients in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete this material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message, and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information that it contains. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
