Setting Up a Detex Guard Tour System (Page 1)

A Detex guard tour system is designed to verify that security personnel are physically present at designated checkpoints at required time intervals. The system creates documented proof of patrol activity, confirming whether officers visited specific locations at specific times. In addition to presence verification, many systems allow officers to log observed incidents related to safety, maintenance, or security conditions.

Purpose of a Guard Tour System

The primary objective of any guard tour system is accountability. Facilities such as warehouses, hospitals, campuses, industrial plants, and government buildings rely on documented patrol verification to reduce liability and improve operational oversight. The system provides timestamped records that can be reviewed by management and retained for compliance documentation.

Depending on the configuration, reports may also identify the specific officer performing the tour and include recorded observations made during the patrol.

Core Components of a Detex Guard Tour System

A typical Detex system includes the following components:

1. Checkpoints (Data Points)

Each patrol location is equipped with a uniquely coded checkpoint. In RFID-based systems, these are small RFID tags mounted discreetly at inspection points. Each tag contains a unique identification number associated with a specific location.

2. Data Acquisition Unit (DAU)

The officer carries a handheld reader known as the Data Acquisition Unit. In Detex systems, this may include models such as the Escorte (magnetic strip reader) or the ProxiPen (RFID reader). When the officer touches the reader to a checkpoint, the device records the time, date, and checkpoint ID.

3. Data Transfer Unit

After completing a tour, the collected data is downloaded from the handheld device using a Data Transfer Unit. The transfer unit connects the DAU to a computer system, where software processes the patrol data and generates reports.

How It Works in Practice

As officers complete their patrol route, each checkpoint interaction creates a time-stamped record stored inside the handheld device. At the end of the shift or patrol cycle, data is uploaded into reporting software. Supervisors can then review patrol completion, missed checkpoints, timing accuracy, and recorded incidents.

Proper installation of checkpoints and accurate route planning are critical to ensuring meaningful documentation. In the next section, we will cover planning considerations and checkpoint placement best practices.