Novagems is an all-in-one security guard management software used by 500+ security companies across the US and Canada. It combines scheduling, GPS tracking, checkpoint tours, incident reporting, and payroll timesheets in one platform. Pricing is per active user only — you don’t pay for guards on leave. Setup takes 1-2 business days with 24/7 support on all plans.
What Is Security Guard Software?
Security guard software is a platform that helps security companies manage scheduling, GPS tracking, guard tours, incident reporting, and payroll from one system. It replaces spreadsheets, phone calls, and paper logs with automated workflows that save 10+ hours per week and give managers real-time visibility into every guard and every site.
The security guard software market is valued at over $2 billion in 2026 and growing at 14.5% annually, driven by rising client expectations for transparency, real-time accountability, and digital proof of patrol.
Modern security guard software typically includes:
| Feature | What It Does | Why It Matters |
|---|
| Employee scheduling | Drag-and-drop shift assignment with conflict detection | Build weekly schedules in minutes, not hours |
| GPS tracking | Real-time guard location on a live map | Prove guards are on-site without phone calls |
| Geofencing | Virtual boundary around each site | Prevent off-site clock-ins and buddy punching |
| Checkpoint tours | NFC or QR scanning at patrol points | Verify guards completed every patrol stop |
| Incident reporting | Guards file reports from their phone with photos | Professional documentation delivered to clients instantly |
| Client portal | Clients view reports, patrol data, and coverage proof | Builds trust and justifies contract pricing |
| Payroll timesheets | Accurate hours exported to payroll | Eliminates manual timesheet calculations |
| Overtime alerts | Warnings before a guard crosses 40 hours | Prevents non-billable overtime before it happens |
Pricing
Novagems charges per active user only. You don’t pay for guards on leave, off-season, or not currently scheduled.
- All features included in one plan — no add-on modules or upsells
- 24/7 support on all plans
- No long-term contracts — month-to-month billing
- 14-day free trial — no credit card required
How Novagems Works
Novagems connects three workflows into one system: guards in the field, managers at the dashboard, and clients in the portal.
For Guards
- Clock in via the Novagems mobile app. Geofencing verifies they are physically at the assigned site before allowing clock-in.
- Complete patrol routes — the app tracks their GPS path continuously and records checkpoint scans (NFC tap or QR scan) at each patrol point.
- Report incidents directly from the app with photos, GPS location, and timestamps attached automatically.
- Clock out at shift end. The app stops tracking and records accurate hours worked.
For Managers
- Build schedules using drag-and-drop shift assignment. The system flags conflicts, overtime risks, and certification mismatches before you publish.
- Monitor guards in real-time on a live GPS map showing every on-duty guard across all sites simultaneously.
- Receive instant alerts when a guard doesn’t clock in on time, misses a checkpoint, or triggers an overtime threshold.
- Generate reports — patrol summaries, incident logs, and timesheet data are compiled automatically.
For Clients
- Access the client portal to view patrol reports, incident documentation, and GPS coverage proof.
- Receive automated reports — weekly or per-shift reports delivered directly without manager intervention.
- See the evidence — timestamps, GPS routes, checkpoint scans, and photos prove exactly what coverage was delivered.
This three-way workflow is what separates security-specific software from generic workforce tools. Platforms like Connecteam or Deputy handle basic scheduling, but they lack checkpoint tours, security-specific incident reporting, and client portals — the features that security companies need to win and retain contracts.
Key Features
Employee Scheduling
Novagems scheduling lets managers build conflict-free weekly schedules in minutes using drag-and-drop shift assignment. The system automatically checks for double-bookings, overtime limits, certification requirements, and guard availability before allowing a shift to be assigned.
- Shift templates — create reusable schedule patterns for recurring weeks
- Open shift management — broadcast available shifts to qualified guards when callouts happen
- Shift confirmations — guards confirm their shifts 24 hours ahead, with alerts for unconfirmed shifts
- Overtime threshold alerts — visual warnings at 35 hours, hard alerts at 40
Real-Time GPS Tracking & Geofencing
GPS tracking shows the live location of every guard on a map. Geofencing creates a virtual perimeter around each site — guards can only clock in when they are physically within the boundary.
- Live map dashboard — see all on-duty guards across every site at once
- Geofenced clock-in/out — eliminates buddy punching and off-site clock-ins
- Patrol route recording — GPS path is recorded continuously during each shift
- Missed clock-in alerts — notified within 5 minutes if a guard doesn’t show up
Checkpoint Tours (NFC & QR)
Checkpoint tours verify that guards physically visited specific patrol points. NFC tags or QR codes placed at key locations (entrances, stairwells, parking areas, perimeter gates) create a time-stamped digital record when scanned.
- Proof of patrol — each scan records the guard, location, and exact timestamp
- Missed scan alerts — managers are notified immediately if a checkpoint is skipped
- Route compliance — verify guards follow the correct patrol sequence
- Client reports — checkpoint data feeds directly into automated client reports
Incident Reporting
Guards file professional incident reports directly from the Novagems app — with photos, GPS coordinates, and timestamps attached automatically. No more handwritten reports or delayed documentation.
- Photo and GPS-stamped reports — filed in real-time from the field
- Customizable report templates — general incident, trespassing, theft, property damage, medical emergency
- Instant delivery — reports reach managers and clients immediately
- Searchable history — all incidents logged and filterable by site, guard, date, or type
Client Portal & Reporting
Give clients direct access to patrol data, incident reports, and coverage proof. Automated report delivery eliminates the hours managers spend building manual client reports.
- Self-service portal — clients log in to see reports on their schedule
- Automated delivery — weekly or per-shift reports sent automatically
- Branded reports — your company name and logo on every report
- Coverage proof — GPS routes, checkpoint scans, and timestamps in one view
Time Tracking & Payroll Timesheets
Geofenced clock-in ensures accurate time records. The platform calculates regular hours, overtime, and break compliance automatically, then exports payroll-ready timesheets to your existing payroll provider.
- Geofenced clock-in/out — precise time records, no manual entry
- Overtime calculation — automatic 1.5x flagging after 40 hours (or custom thresholds)
- Break tracking — verify compliance with state break laws
- Payroll export — one-click export to your payroll system
Who Uses Novagems?
Novagems is built for security companies managing 10 to 1,500+ guards across multiple sites. The platform serves:
| Company Size | Typical Setup | Key Value |
|---|
| 10-50 guards | 5-15 sites, 1-2 managers | Replace spreadsheets, win contracts with professional reporting |
| 50-200 guards | 15-50 sites, 3-5 managers | Prevent overtime, reduce no-shows, automate client reports |
| 200-500 guards | 50-150 sites, 5-10 managers | Scale operations without adding admin staff |
| 500-1,500+ guards | 150+ sites, multiple regions | Enterprise visibility across every site and every guard |
Industries served: contract security, in-house (proprietary) security, mobile patrol, event security, construction site security, commercial property security, and cleaning companies.
How Novagems Compares
| Feature | Novagems | Typical Competitor |
|---|
| All features in one plan | ✓ | Often add-on modules |
| Per-active-user pricing | ✓ | Per-seat (pay for inactive users) |
| GPS tracking + geofencing | ✓ | ✓ (most platforms) |
| NFC + QR checkpoint tours | ✓ | Some platforms |
| Client portal | ✓ | Some platforms |
| Incident reporting with photos | ✓ | ✓ (most platforms) |
| Payroll-ready timesheets | ✓ | ✓ (most platforms) |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | Often business hours only |
| Setup time | 1-2 days | Days to weeks |
| Free trial | 14 days | Varies (some require demo) |
| US + Canada | ✓ | Varies |
Getting Started: Setup in 1-2 Business Days
Most security companies are fully operational on Novagems within 1-2 business days. The process:
- Sign up for a 14-day free trial — no credit card required
- Add your sites — enter addresses and set geofence boundaries
- Add your guards — import from CSV or add manually
- Place checkpoints — stick NFC tags or QR codes at patrol points (tags cost $0.50-$2.00 each)
- Build your first schedule — drag-and-drop shifts, publish, and guards receive notifications
- Go live — guards clock in via the app, and you see everything on the dashboard
Need help? Novagems provides dedicated onboarding support on every plan — including a walkthrough of your specific setup.