Bluetooth Beacons for Guard Tours

If you’re responsible for operations, facilities, or security, you know the pain: chasing paper logs, deciphering illegible entries, and always wondering whether patrols really happened. In large sites, the old toolkit no longer cuts it. Valuable time is lost, equipment goes unchecked, and unverified tours undermine safety and efficiency.

Imagine a system where proof of presence is recorded automatically, accurately, and in real time—without your team ever scanning a card or pulling out a phone.

That’s modern facility management powered by Bluetooth beacon technology. This guide walks you step by step—from the core tech to practical deployment—so you get actionable data to run your operations with confidence.

The hidden costs of outdated control systems

For decades, patrol proof relied on a physical action: signing a logbook, using a clock key, or tapping a wall-mounted wand at a checkpoint. Once sufficient, these methods now carry heavy hidden costs.

• Inefficiency and wasted labor time: Every moment an employee stops to scan a QR code or tap an NFC tag is a moment they aren’t observing the environment. These micro-interruptions add up, leading to slower tours and higher staffing costs.
• Inaccurate and unreliable data: Paper logs are notoriously unreliable. “Pencil-whipping”—filling in a logbook at the end of a shift—ruins data quality. Even with digital wands, missed scans are common, leaving gaps that weaken trust in your operations.
• Limited scalability on large sites: Running security patrols across large outdoor areas like solar farms, logistics hubs, or construction sites is logistically painful with traditional methods. Distributing hundreds of NFC tags over multiple hectares is simply impractical.
• No real-time visibility: During an incident you need to know who was where, when. With manual systems, that information is only available after the tour. The lack of real-time insight slows your response.

All these challenges point to the same conclusion: you need a smarter, automated approach that delivers airtight documentation without slowing your team.

How Bluetooth beacons automate security patrols

A Bluetooth beacon is a small, low-energy radio—think of it as a digital lighthouse that continuously broadcasts a unique signal via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). It doesn’t collect data itself; it simply announces its presence.

A smartphone running the COREDINATE^® app constantly listens for these signals. When an employee enters a beacon’s range, the device automatically recognizes the ID.

This is the key to automation: The scan is 100% hands-free and automatic, with no app interaction. The capture is instantly time-stamped and sent to the dashboard—a complete digital proof trail with no workflow interruption.

Interested in learning more?

Quick start: Pairing beacons with COREDINATE

1. Log in to the app and open Administration (help article).
2. Select Pair beacon and choose the area the beacon should belong to.
3. Enable Bluetooth, then return to the app.
4. Select the beacon, name it (e.g., “Main Entrance”), and save.
5. Optionally calibrate the threshold (range) for optimal detection.

Active beacons vs. passive NFC: why it matters

Many organizations rely on Near Field Communication (NFC) tags. NFC is passive and shares many weaknesses with manual systems. Bluetooth beacons, by contrast, automate the entire process.

Real-world applications for Bluetooth beacons

Automated tour systems

• Beacons at control points document patrols automatically in real time.
• If a point is skipped, supervisors receive an immediate alert.

Large outdoor and industrial sites

• Solar and wind parks: Beacons on inverters or turbines confirm patrols.
• Construction sites: Beacons on fencing or equipment secure full night routes.
• Logistics centers: Beacons at ramps and aisle endpoints ensure full coverage.

Facility and maintenance routines

• Beacons in plant rooms or on HVAC units automatically log presence.
• Digital SLA proof verifies completed inspections.

Tracking mobile assets

• Beacons on forklifts, generators, or tools store the last known location.
• Lost equipment is found faster and search time drops.
  
  

Questions about integration or hardware compatibility?

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Choosing the right beacon hardware

Indoor beacon: COREDINATE Beacon Mini

• Compact, discreet mounting
• 30–50 m range
• Adhesive pad, tool-free installation
• Up to 5 years of battery life

Outdoor beacon: COREDINATE Beacon Maxi

• IP54 protection or higher
• Up to 100 m range
• Shock-resistant, weatherproof housing
• Screw mounting, replaceable battery

Hardware + software = full automation

Only with COREDINATE^® does a beacon become a true automation tool. The app runs in the background, detects signals, and the dashboard provides real-time proof, reports, and alerts. The result is a hands-free control system that delivers data while your team stays focused on safety.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Bluetooth beacons

More security and efficiency with automated patrols

The era of unreliable paper logs is over. Bluetooth beacons in COREDINATE^® provide precise, automated proof of presence in real time.

• Accountability: Tours are verifiably completed.
• Efficiency: No stops, no scanning.
• Safety: Real-time visibility and alerts.
• Reporting: Digital reports for compliance and clients.