TimeKeeping Systems
TimeKeeping Systems, Inc. (Guard1) is a privately held Ohio firm, founded in 1986, that builds RFID-based proof-of-presence hardware and software for correctional, behavioral healthcare, and commercial security facilities, serving 1,400+ correctional customers and 100,000+ commercial security customers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersSolon, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What TimeKeeping Systems does
TimeKeeping Systems, Inc., operating as Guard1, is a privately held Ohio-based firm founded in 1986 that builds RFID-based proof-of-presence hardware and software for safety-critical environments. The company's flagship Guard1 platform combines four integrated modules — THE PIPE wand-based guard tour, electronic safety checks via SuperMAX mobile devices, staff/visitor duress (panic buttons with real-time location), and individual/asset tracking through beacon tags — managed centrally by Guard1 Plus software. Hardware is custom-manufactured to specifications for harsh correctional and healthcare environments, including ruggedized devices, PrisonProof wristbands with 1000+ lb tensile strength, and weatherproof enclosures for indoor/outdoor receivers.
Guard1 sells primarily through direct sales (1-800-843-7473) and a multilingual e-commerce storefront (store.guard1.com), with pricing spanning $39.95 mounting accessories to $1,795 SuperMAX kits and custom-quoted enterprise tracking servers on multi-year contracts. Customer base spans 1,400+ correctional facilities (including 20+ state Departments of Corrections, hundreds of county jails, ICE facilities, and juvenile centers) and 100,000+ commercial security customers served since 1990, with secondary penetration into behavioral healthcare (Q15 patient safety checks, real-time patient tracking). Integrations with Senstar Flare and Bosch Security Escort extend the duress functionality into broader physical-security ecosystems.
The company operates with a small team (11-50 employees, average tenure 10+ years) from Solon, Ohio, with no disclosed outside investors, no M&A activity, and no recent leadership changes beyond the public identification of Brad Thompson as regional sales manager. Recent product activity has emphasized vertical expansion — GEMS for embassies/consulates and VitalSense Wristbands for inmate vital-sign monitoring — alongside a multilingual storefront suggesting international commercial intent.
TimeKeeping Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TimeKeeping Systems
- Legal name
- TimeKeeping Systems, Inc.
- Website
- https://guard1.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TimeKeeping Systems, Inc. (Guard1) is a privately held Ohio firm, founded in 1986, that builds RFID-based proof-of-presence hardware and software for correctional, behavioral healthcare, and commercial security facilities, serving 1,400+ correctional customers and 100,000+ commercial security customers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TimeKeeping Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Security & Surveillance Systems
- NAICS
- Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Security Systems Services (56162)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Guard Tour / Lone Worker / Duress & Panic Alarm Monitoring (BPAKAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Workplace/On-the-Job Lone Worker Duress & Personal Safety Alert Services (HSAHAHAK), Mobile Patrol & Alarm Response (BPAKAAAB), Electronic Monitoring & Community Corrections Services (Ankle Monitoring, Probation Support) (BPAKANAF), Wearable Medical Alert Devices (Pendants, Watches, Bands) (HSAHAHAI)
Keywords
Where TimeKeeping Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Solon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
TimeKeeping Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of physical products including The PIPE, SuperMAX devices, beacon tags, wristbands, receivers, memory buttons, downloaders, and accessories. One-time hardware purchase model.
- Software Licensing: Guard1 Plus software and Guard1 Plus Server Edition for system management and reporting. Software activation and licensing fees.
- Systems and Bundles: Complete system packages including Guard1 Plus Mini System, Guard1 Plus Complete System, and Guard1 Plus Server Edition bundles combining hardware and software.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | SuperMAX Device Kit - Complete mobile data collection device with accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tracking Gateway Indoor/Outdoor |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tracking Gateway Indoor |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tag Reader (POE Receiver) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 48 Port POE Network Switch |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 24 Port POE Network Switch |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mounting Base for RF Devices |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Device Enclosure Polycarbonate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Receiver Enclosure Fiberglass |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Guard1 Tracking Server |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
TimeKeeping Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TimeKeeping Systems (Guard1) sells an integrated proof-of-presence platform combining RFID hardware (THE PIPE wand, SuperMAX mobile device, beacon tags, duress pendants, receivers/gateways, wristbands) with Guard1 Plus management software for documenting safety checks, guard tours, panic/duress events, and real-time location tracking. Offerings are sold as individual components or bundled systems (Mini System, Complete System, Server Edition) to correctional facilities, behavioral healthcare providers, and commercial security guard companies.
Product overview
TimeKeeping Systems (Guard1) offers a proof of presence platform that works with correctional agencies, behavioral healthcare facilities, and commercial security teams. The product portfolio consists of four integrated modules: THE PIPE (wand-style guard tour system), Electronic Safety Checks (mobile RFID tracking via SuperMAX), Staff and Visitor Duress (panic buttons with real-time location), and Individual and Asset Tracking (beacon tags for real-time tracking). The core Guard1 Plus software platform manages all modules, while hardware products include SuperMAX mobile devices, THE PIPE wands, Memory Buttons, Downloaders, Login Fobs, and LaserPrint Wristbands. Infrastructure includes Tracking Gateways, Receivers, and various mounting accessories. Specialized solutions include GEMS for embassies and consulates, and Access Control Module for additional integration. Products are available as individual components or in complete system packages (Mini System, Complete System, Server Edition) for enterprise deployments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Guard1: The primary brand name for TimeKeeping Systems' proof of presence platform, serving corrections, behavioral healthcare, and commercial security sectors.
Products and services
- THE PIPE Guard Tour Wand Wand-style guard tour device requiring staff to touch the tip to wall-mounted memory buttons to document that rounds and safety checks were completed; used by corrections officers, behavioral healthcare staff, and commercial security guards for proof of presence.
- SuperMAX Mobile Data Collection Device Rugged mobile device with snappy RFID reading and hand strap, custom manufactured to rigorous specifications, used by staff for real-time mobile data collection and electronic safety checks in corrections, healthcare, and security environments.
- Guard1 Plus Software (Standard & Server Edition) Core Windows-based software platform for the Guard1 proof-of-presence system, managing guard tours, electronic safety checks, duress alerts, and real-time tracking data with reporting; available as standard and enterprise Server Edition for centralized multi-facility deployments.
- Guard1 Plus Mini System Bundle Entry-level complete system package combining Guard1 Plus software with hardware components for a small Guard1 implementation.
- Guard1 Plus Complete System Bundle Full hardware-plus-software system package for comprehensive Guard1 implementation in mid-sized to large facilities.
- Guard1 Plus Server Edition Bundle Server-based enterprise deployment of Guard1 Plus with centralized data management across facilities, sold under multi-year contract.
- Duress Device (Wearable Panic Button) Wearable panic button for staff and visitors that transmits a signal once per second; pressing the button signals supervisors with real-time location for prompt emergency response.
- Duress Pendant Pendant-style wearable duress device for staff and visitors offering panic button functionality with real-time location tracking.
- Beacon Tags (Individual Wearables) Individual wearable devices (and asset tags) that transmit a signal once per second to receivers in each zone, enabling real-time location and movement logs of people and equipment with approximately two years of battery life.
- Tracking Gateway Receivers (Indoor/Outdoor) Receiver infrastructure devices (indoor $825, indoor/outdoor $895) that capture beacon tag and duress signals via cabling to provide zone-based real-time location throughout facilities.
- Tag Reader (PoE Receiver) PoE-powered receiver ($695 unit pricing) used to add new beacon tags and tracking devices to the Guard1 system.
- LaserPrint PrisonProof Wristbands Durable hypoallergenic wristbands with over 1,000 lb tensile strength, designed for comfortable extended wear on inmates and patients in correctional and behavioral healthcare settings.
- Asset Tags Beacon-based tags placed on important equipment such as keys, kitchenware, and medical equipment to enable asset tracking within the Guard1 system.
- ScanPoint Wall Tag (RFID Wall Tags) RFID wall tags mounted throughout facilities that staff scan with the SuperMAX mobile device during rounds and safety checks.
- Guard1 Mobile (Mobile RFID Tracking Solution) Mobile RFID tracking solution where staff use a mobile device (SuperMAX) as a digital logbook to record checks and activities by scanning RFID Wall Tags and/or individual wearables such as wristbands or ID badges.
- GEMS (Guard Electronic Monitoring System) for Embassies and Consulates Specialized electronic monitoring system built on the Guard1 platform for security guard tour and patrol verification at embassies, consulates, and similar government facilities.
- Access Control Module (ACM) Access control integration module that extends the Guard1 system with identity and access control capabilities tied into the broader proof-of-presence platform.
Companies that use TimeKeeping Systems
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TimeKeeping Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature6 records
TimeKeeping Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TimeKeeping Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Motorola Solutions: Broad public-safety and security incumbent offering radio, command-center, and lone-worker safety solutions; competes broadly with Guard1 in corrections, commercial security, and embassy/government verticals.
- Axon Enterprise: Large public-safety platform expanding into corrections and inmate management technology (TASER, body cameras, digital evidence), creating overlapping buyer relationships with Guard1's correctional customers.
- Stanley Security (Securitas Technology): Large-scale security systems integrator offering guard management and electronic security solutions to commercial and institutional buyers, including guard tour and surveillance integrations.
Emerging players
- Identiv: Access control and physical security infrastructure provider that, like Guard1, sells receivers, badges, and integrated tracking hardware; adjacent overlap via Guard1's Access Control Module and real-time tracking infrastructure.
- StaySafe (StaySafe App): Mobile lone-worker safety app with panic button, check-in, and location monitoring - an emerging smartphone-native alternative to Guard1's dedicated Duress hardware in commercial security and behavioral health use cases.
Direct peers
- Silvertrac Software: Guard tour, incident reporting, and mobile patrol software for security officers - overlapping directly with Guard1's PIPE guard tour and mobile RFID tracking for commercial security guard firms.
- GuardMetrics: Provides GPS-based guard tour and checkpoint verification systems, directly competing with Guard1's wand-based and RFID-based proof-of-presence products for security guarding customers.
- TrackTik Software: Cloud-native guard tour and workforce management platform for security guard companies, directly comparable to Guard1's mobile guard tour and tracking offerings across commercial security verticals.
- Blackline Safety: Provides wearable lone worker safety monitors with real-time location and panic alerting, directly comparable to Guard1's Duress Device and beacon-tag-based real-time tracking systems.
- SoloProtect (CriticalArc): Specializes in lone worker safety devices and monitoring services, overlapping with Guard1's Duress Device and Duress Pendant for workplace/on-the-job personal safety alert use cases.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TimeKeeping Systems social profiles
Digital presenceTimeKeeping Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TimeKeeping Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
TimeKeeping Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TimeKeeping Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TimeKeeping Systems
What does TimeKeeping Systems do?
TimeKeeping Systems (Guard1) sells an integrated proof-of-presence platform combining RFID hardware (THE PIPE wand, SuperMAX mobile device, beacon tags, duress pendants, receivers/gateways, wristbands) with Guard1 Plus management software for documenting safety checks, guard tours, panic/duress events, and real-time location tracking. Offerings are sold as individual components or bundled systems (Mini System, Complete System, Server Edition) to correctional facilities, behavioral healthcare providers, and commercial security guard companies.
Is TimeKeeping Systems a public or private company?
TimeKeeping Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was TimeKeeping Systems founded?
TimeKeeping Systems was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TimeKeeping Systems based?
TimeKeeping Systems is headquartered in Solon, United States, in the North America region.
How does TimeKeeping Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing and systems and Bundles.
Who are TimeKeeping Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Motorola Solutions, Axon Enterprise and Stanley Security (Securitas Technology). Emerging players are Identiv and StaySafe (StaySafe App). Direct peers are Silvertrac Software, GuardMetrics, TrackTik Software, Blackline Safety and SoloProtect (CriticalArc).
Does TimeKeeping Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for TimeKeeping Systems.
What industry is TimeKeeping Systems in?
TimeKeeping Systems's product category is Security & Surveillance Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAFAF, Guard Tour / Lone Worker / Duress & Panic Alarm Monitoring, with a secondary code of HSAHAHAK, Workplace/On-the-Job Lone Worker Duress & Personal Safety Alert Services. Its NAICS code is 561612 and its SIC code is 7381.