TacDesk vs RotaCloud
RotaCloud is a solid UK rota tool — but security companies need more than a rota. TacDesk adds SIA compliance, real-time operations, and 15+ features built for the security industry.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
RotaCloud is a well-regarded UK rota and HR management tool. Here’s how it stacks up against TacDesk for UK security companies that need more than a rota.
| Feature | TacDesk | RotaCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Built for UK Security | ✓ | ✗ General UK SMB tool |
| GPS Clock In/Out | ✓ | ✓ GPS-based clocking |
| Real-Time GPS Tracking | ✓ Live map | ✗ Not available |
| Scheduling | ✓ Drag & drop + shift marketplace | ✓ Drag & drop rota builder |
| Incident Reports | ✓ Photos, video, GPS, PDF | ✗ Not available |
| Patrol Reports and NFC | ✓ Route tracking + NFC | ✗ Not available |
| SIA Licence Tracking | ✓ SIA Public Register auto-sync | ✗ Not available |
| Compliance Module | ✓ | ✗ Not available |
| Payroll Integration | ✓ Payroll API on request | ✓ Native payroll integrations |
| Leave & Holiday Management | ✓ Fixed or 12.07% accrual | ✓ Core leave management |
| Client Portal | ✓ Full portal with reports, footage, maps | ✗ Not available |
| Body-Cam Footage Management | ✓ | ✗ Not available |
| Dispatcher Mode | ✓ Real-time coordination | ✗ Not available |
| Digital Occurrence Book | ✓ ACS-compliant | ✗ Not available |
| BOLO Alerts | ✓ Broadcast with photos | ✗ Not available |
| Shift Marketplace | ✓ Guards self-serve | ✓ Open shifts feature |
| White-Label Branding | ✓ Your domain and logo | ✗ Not available |
| Fleet Management | ✓ DVLA API, MOT tracking | ✗ Not available |
| Kit and Inventory Tracking | ✓ Serial numbers, conditions | ✗ Not available |
What TacDesk Offers That RotaCloud Doesn't
RotaCloud handles rotas and leave management well. TacDesk does that — plus everything a security operation actually needs.
SIA Public Register Sync
Automatically check every guard's SIA licence against the official Public Register — daily, automatic, and zero admin.
Compliance Module
Built-in compliance support for ACS, Martin's Law, and upcoming SIA licensing regulation — not a third-party add-on. Audit trails, document management, and evidence packs included.
Real-Time GPS Tracking
Live map of your entire workforce — not just a clock-in location. See who's where, right now.
Incident Reporting
Geo-tagged incident reports with photos, video, and PDF export — built for evidence chains, GDPR compliance, and client reporting.
Patrol Reports & NFC
NFC checkpoint scanning with route tracking — prove every patrol to clients, in real time or as a PDF report.
Client Portal
Full portal giving clients live access to patrols, incidents, footage, and GPS maps — a contract-winning capability.
Dispatcher Mode
Real-time operational command — see all guards on a live map, dispatch tasks, and coordinate incidents as they happen.
Digital Occurrence Book
ACS-compliant occurrence book replacing paper logs — searchable, tamper-evident, and auditable.
RotaCloud vs TacDesk: Who Should Switch?
RotaCloud is a well-built UK rota and HR tool that works well for hospitality, care, and other shift-based industries. If all you need is a rota and leave management, it’s a solid option.
But UK security companies have specific, non-negotiable requirements that RotaCloud wasn’t designed to meet:
- SIA licence compliance — deploying a guard with an expired licence is a criminal offence. RotaCloud has no SIA integration
- ACS accreditation — if you hold or are pursuing ACS, you need compliance tools baked into your operations platform
- Incident documentation — clients and insurers increasingly require geo-tagged, photo/video incident records that RotaCloud can’t produce
- Patrol evidence — NFC checkpoint scanning and route tracking to prove coverage is standard in UK security now
- Client transparency — a client portal showing live patrols, incidents, and footage wins and retains contracts
- Real-time operations — dispatcher mode and BOLO alerts for live operational coordination that RotaCloud doesn’t offer
TacDesk gives you everything RotaCloud does for scheduling and HR — plus the entire security operations layer on top. No setup fees, no contracts.
Comparison based on publicly available information at time of writing. We recommend verifying current competitor offerings directly.
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