A security contract is a promise that someone was standing at a specific place for specific hours. Paper timesheets and text check-ins cannot prove that, and the gap between what you bill and what you can prove is where contracts get lost. ClockOut turns every punch into a timestamped, GPS-verified record tied to the post, so accountability stops depending on trust alone.
Where guard companies lose contracts and margin
- Posts you cannot verify. A guard who clocks in from the car, the corner store, or their couch looks identical to one standing at the post, until the client checks the cameras.
- The overnight blind spot. Supervisors are asleep during third shift. If a guard leaves at 3 am, the paper timesheet will still say 6 am.
- No-shows discovered by the client. The worst way to learn a post is empty is a call from the account you are trying to keep.
- Missed clock-outs that inflate payroll. A forgotten punch-out at the end of a double quietly becomes hours you pay for and cannot bill.
- Hours that will not split by client. When one timesheet covers three accounts, invoicing runs on guesswork and disputes run long.
What ClockOut does for security companies
GPS-verified clock-in at the post
Guards clock in from their phone when they arrive. ClockOut records the GPS position and resolved address with every punch on every plan, and Starter’s geofencing can require the punch to happen inside the boundary you draw around each post. A punch from outside the fence is blocked or flagged, depending on how strict you set it.
Overnight shifts without the blind spot
The time clock records actual timestamps, so a shift that starts at 10 pm and ends at 6 am lands as one continuous entry. If a guard leaves the geofence mid-shift, ClockOut can auto clock them out after a grace period and log an exception, and clock-outs that happen away from the work area are flagged. Third shift stops being the shift nobody can see.
No-show alerts before the client calls
When a scheduled guard has not clocked in 30 minutes past shift start, ClockOut raises a no-show exception. Shift confirmation helps you get ahead of it: guards confirm or decline upcoming assignments in the app, so you know before the day arrives which posts still need a body.
Missed clock-outs handled, not hidden
Forgotten punch-outs collect in the exception inbox alongside late arrivals and no-shows, so a supervisor reviews and corrects them before payroll instead of discovering them in an invoice dispute. Overtime-approaching alerts fire from real worked hours, which matters in an industry that runs on doubles.
Hours by client site, ready for invoicing
On Starter and Pro, job codes let guards pick the account at clock-in, and exports break hours down by job code. One code per client site is the usual setup, so billing and payroll pull from the same verified record. Approved timesheets export to CSV on every plan; Pro adds files formatted for ADP, Gusto, and QuickBooks.
Scheduling for 24/7 coverage
Build rotations with recurring schedules, post open shifts for extra coverage, and approve swaps when a guard needs off. Every guard sees their week in the same app they punch with, and the scheduling side shows availability and time off while you build.
ClockOut vs the usual setup
| ClockOut | Paper + calls | Generic time clock app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS proof a guard is on post | ✓ | ✗ | Sometimes |
| Geofence blocks off-site punches | Starter | ✗ | Sometimes |
| No-show alert 30 min past start | ✓ | Client calls you | ✗ |
| Missed clock-out exceptions | ✓ | Found at payroll | Rarely |
| Hours split by client site | Starter | Manual | Rarely |
| 24/7 rotation scheduling | ✓ | Whiteboard | ✗ |
| Cost for a 10-guard company | $30 / mo | $0 + lost contracts | Varies |
Set up post accountability in an afternoon
- 01
Create the company
Sign up at useclockout.com, free for up to 2 guards, no card needed.
- 02
Add guards and posts
Invite the roster, add each client site as a work location with its own geofence, and set a job code per account so hours land in the right bucket.
- 03
Publish the rotation
Set recurring schedules for standing posts, post open shifts for extra coverage, and let confirmations show which assignments guards have acknowledged.
- 04
Review and export
Work the exception inbox, approve timesheets, and export hours by client site for payroll and invoicing.
FAQ
How do I know a guard is actually at the post?
Every clock-in records the GPS position and resolved address on every plan. On Starter, geofencing can require the punch to happen inside a boundary you draw around the post, and a clock-out that lands outside the work area is flagged for review.
What happens when a guard forgets to clock out after an overnight shift?
The missed clock-out shows up in the exception inbox for a supervisor to correct before payroll. With geofencing on Starter, ClockOut can also auto clock a guard out after they leave the site boundary and a grace period passes, logging an exception either way.
Will I know if a guard no-shows a post?
Yes. When a scheduled guard has not clocked in 30 minutes past shift start, ClockOut raises a no-show exception. Shift confirmation also lets guards acknowledge upcoming assignments, so unconfirmed shifts stand out before the day arrives.
Does ClockOut do guard tours and checkpoint scanning?
No. ClockOut verifies presence at the post with GPS-stamped punches and geofences; it does not scan QR or NFC checkpoints along a patrol route. Companies that need tour verification usually pair ClockOut with a dedicated patrol app and keep time, scheduling, and payroll in ClockOut.
Can hours be split by client site for invoicing?
On Starter and Pro, job codes let guards pick the account at clock-in, and exports report hours by job code. One job code per client site keeps payroll and invoicing on the same verified numbers.
Do guards need to install an app?
No. ClockOut runs in any modern phone browser and can be added to the home screen. Sites with a guard house or shared desk can run PIN-based kiosk mode on a tablet instead, available on Starter and Pro.