Abstract: A system that utilizes wireless devices as guard tour checkpoint data collection and checkpoint data communication devices is disclosed. The wireless devices have the capability of reading various types of checkpoints and communicating the collected checkpoint data with a computer via a cellular telephone communication system and either a land-based telephone network or the Internet or a cellular data communication device. Alternatively, a Wi-Fi network or the Wi-Fi network and the Internet can be used to communicate collected checkpoint data with the computer. The computer stores and processes the data according to guard tour expected performance parameters, such as rules, schedules, and exceptions, and then generates the necessary commands to produce exception notifications and reports at various types of peripheral equipment.

Abstract: Displays for exhibiting guard tour data are disclosed. The displays are arranged in a manner such that the data can be easily analyzed and readily acted upon. The displays use a combination of colors, graphics, and text, arranged in the cells of a table or spreadsheet, to present large volumes of guard tour data in a compact and easily analyzed manner. Each row of the table or spreadsheet represents one location within the guard tour. Each cell within that row represents one visit by a guard to the location. Cell background color or pattern, graphic symbol shape and color, and/or text color within each cell indicate whether the guard's visit to a specific location fell within predetermined parameters for that location. Additional graphics appear within the cell if the system has additional information regarding the visit to the tour location that cannot fit within the area of the cell.

Abstract: A system utilizing a graphical interface for configuring an enterprise-wide computer system is disclosed. The system operator “drags” graphic icons from a repository by using a mouse or other pointing device and places the icons in a workspace area to produce a graphical representation of the network utilized by the computer system. The icons represent network components, software components and interconnections of the system to be configured. The properties of the components are then defined and links representing connections or the flow of data are created by drawing lines between components or by “dragging” icons representing such connections into the workspace area. When the graphical representation of the network utilized by the computer system has been completed, a program is initiated using the graphical representation to properly configure the software required for same.