Patrols 

SMART has a powerful subsystem for managing and billing security patrols,  Cash in Transit runs, and other regular runs. 

Unless otherwise specified, this documentation will use the term 'Patrol' to refer to scheduled visits to a location on a regular or semi-regular basis.

Concepts

Patrols are carried out by Service Providers. Your industry may also use the term 'run' or 'car'.

A permanent patrol continues each day, week or month until terminated by the customer.

A casual patrol continues for a short period (usually a day to a week) and the termination date is known when the patrol is booked.

To set up a permanent patrol, go to the Locations window.  You can add a patrol in the Patrols tab below the list (if it's not visible, check the 'Show Details' box at lower right) or by opening the Location Details window and going to the Patrols tab.

To set up a casual patrol, create a job in the Job Dispatch window with a service type of Patrol. A casual patrol job can specify patrols for any period. However, as a rule of thumb, if it is going to continue for more than a week or two until the customer requests termination, you should make it into a permanent patrol. 

If you are charging for the permanent patrol, choose Charged Patrol when creating the patrol, and Smart will automagically create a Periodic Service record for you. You can also find, create, and edit a Periodic Service record in the Periodic Service window, accessible from the Main Menu.

A Periodic Service is a template. Before you can enter operational details (i.e. on/off site times, done, verified, etc)  and/or bill for the patrol, you must Generate Periodics by pressing the button in the Periodic Charge or Service window, or right clicking in the Patrol Management screen and selecting 'Generate'.

If you are billing for your patrols in advance, change the Periodic Service to a Periodic Charge by changing the setting at right in the Periodic Details window. (A Periodic Service must be completed operationally before it can be billed, while a Periodic Charge is billed regardless of whether operations have been completed.)

Usually, a number of patrols are grouped on to a single job. In the case of a permanent Charged Patrol, one job is generated each time the periodic is generated (each week, month, etc). Two or more jobs may be grouped onto the same invoice.

Smart work areas

Depending on your job function you will use a different work area in Smart to deal with patrols.

If you are entering permanent patrols into the system or modifying their details, use the Location List or Periodic Charge/Service List.

To create a casual patrol, go to the Job Dispatch window or Field Monitor window.

To print patrol run sheets and reassign patrol runs on a temporary or permanent basis, go to the Patrols Management window.

To monitor patrol activity in real time, go to the Field Monitor window.

To change settings which affect the way patrols operate across the system,  go to the General Configuration window, Patrols tab.

Patrol billing is handled in the Invoicing window.