Committee of Supply debate: Ministry of Communications and Information

Going high-tech frees up time for security firm's staff

FormTeam Consultancy's (from left ) security supervisor Rezalludin Husin, 44, operations manager Mike Tan Kheng Boon, 46, and senior operations manager Eric Goh Sok Hiong, 53, have benefited from a system that enables mobile reporting, maintenance tr
FormTeam Consultancy's (from left ) security supervisor Rezalludin Husin, 44, operations manager Mike Tan Kheng Boon, 46, and senior operations manager Eric Goh Sok Hiong, 53, have benefited from a system that enables mobile reporting, maintenance tracking and Global Positioning System monitoring for security guards. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

The digital transformation of local security service firm FormTeam Consultancy started with the roll-out of a mobile reporting, maintenance tracking and Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring tool for security guards.

With this system, implemented early last year, FormTeam no longer has to send its five operation executives to the 27 condominiums and malls managed by it to take the attendance of security guards, or collect site incident reports on property damage or theft.

Attendance is taken via mobile phone, and incident reports with photos can be uploaded through an app to FormTeam's headquarters.

The operation executives can then focus on helping building management solve incidents, for instance, through surveillance footage.

"We can help our clients address their problems more promptly by freeing up our operation executives' time from meaningless tasks," said FormTeam director Tim Ho.

GPS trackers on security guards also ensure that their patrol routes are uploaded to FormTeam's headquarters without the need for them to file any paperwork.

"We obtained a 50 per cent subsidy for the technology purchase from the Government," Mr Ho said.

"If not for the subsidy, we would not have automated so many processes and would still be relying on filing paper reports and faxes."

Irene Tham

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 07, 2017, with the headline Going high-tech frees up time for security firm's staff. Subscribe