The verdict in three sentences
For a security company with 600 guards in Libreville, scheduling and patrol software costs between FCFA 12 and 25 million (about EUR 18,300 to 38,100) in 2026 and deploys in 3 months. It replaces blind trust in shift leaders with QR code or NFC check-in on site, geolocated patrols and a digital logbook the client can read. The return comes from contract penalties avoided, controlled overtime and renewed contracts.
The real cost of an abandoned post
In Libreville, guarding contracts with banks, embassies, Port-Gentil oil sites or Bord de Mer residences carry penalties of FCFA 50,000 to 250,000 per unmanned post found. When the client discovers the absence, the penalty comes with a loss of trust, and sometimes termination of a contract worth FCFA 8 to 15 million a month.
Without a tool, the operations director depends on calls from shift leaders and logbooks filled in after the fact. The software requires guards to start their shift by scanning a QR code or NFC tag fixed on site, with a photo and geolocation. If the guard has not checked in within 15 minutes, an alert goes to the supervisor, who dispatches a replacement from the standby pool.
| Monthly indicator (600 guards, 140 sites) | Without software | With software | Monthly gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unmanned posts found by the client | 18 | 3 | 15 incidents avoided |
| Contract penalties paid | FCFA 2,700,000 | FCFA 450,000 | FCFA 2,250,000 |
| Patrols actually completed | 61% | 94% | +33 points |
| Overtime hours paid | 9,600 h | 6,200 h | 3,400 h |
| Overtime cost | FCFA 9,100,000 | FCFA 5,900,000 | FCFA 3,200,000 |
| Payroll preparation time | 6 days | 1.5 days | 4.5 days |
These values are 2026 orders of magnitude for a Gabonese company of this size, with an average loaded overtime rate of about FCFA 950 per hour.
What the software must do
The schedule is built per site and per shift (day, night, 12 or 24 hours), respecting legal rest periods under the Gabonese Labour Code and the qualifications each client requires (dog handler, fire safety, armed for cash transport). Patrols are defined as a list of checkpoints to scan in a given order and time. The digital logbook replaces the paper book: incidents, visitors, photos, signature, with read access for the client.
| Module | Function | Budget FCFA |
|---|---|---|
| Shift scheduling and standby pool | Assignment, legal constraints, qualifications | 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 |
| Guard mobile app, QR or NFC check-in | Shift start, photo, geolocation, offline mode | 2,500,000 to 5,000,000 |
| Patrols and checkpoints | Routes, time limits, missed patrol alerts | 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 |
| Digital logbook and client portal | Incidents, PDF reports, client access | 2,000,000 to 4,500,000 |
| Payroll export and client invoicing | Actual hours, night bonuses, invoice per site | 1,500,000 to 3,500,000 |
| Training, NFC tags for 140 sites, go-live | Field rollout | 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 |
| Total | 12,000,000 to 25,000,000 |
The app works offline and syncs as soon as the Airtel or Moov network returns, which is critical on remote sites. Then budget FCFA 250,000 to 600,000 a month for hosting, alert SMS and maintenance.
Mini case study
Mr Nzé, operations director of a 600-guard company in Libreville, invests FCFA 18 million. Avoided penalties amount to FCFA 2,250,000 a month and reduced overtime to FCFA 3,200,000, FCFA 5,450,000 a month in total. After FCFA 400,000 of maintenance, the net gain is FCFA 5,050,000 a month: the project pays for itself in under 4 months. The shared logbook also lets him answer a bank tender that required real-time reporting.
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FAQ
QR code or NFC, which to choose?
A QR code costs almost nothing to print but can be photographed and scanned remotely. An NFC tag, around FCFA 3,000 to 6,000 each, requires physical presence and suits sensitive sites.
What happens without mobile coverage on site?
The app records the check-in with the phone time and GPS position, then syncs when the network returns. A clock check prevents the guard from changing the time.
Can clients read the logbook?
Yes, through a read-only portal per site, with weekly PDF reports. Companies that offer it renew on average 15 to 20% more contracts.
Does the software run payroll?
It exports actual hours, night and Sunday bonuses to your payroll software. Preparation drops from 6 days to about 1.5 days a month.
Does every guard need a smartphone?
No, an entry-level Android phone at FCFA 50,000 per post, left on site, is enough. For 140 sites, plan about FCFA 7 million of hardware.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of guards, sites and current penalties, and we will price scheduling and patrol software between FCFA 12 and 25 million delivered in 3 months. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
