Alternative Uses for GPS Tracking Service: Increasing Revenue through New Markets

By Greg Bartlett

Social workers assist persons with developmental disabilities. One of the great challenges faced when working with this population is how to balance safety concerns with the client’s right to be independent. Issues that need to be evaluated are the client’s propensity for wandering/getting lost and also the possibility that a client will be taken advantage of by a member of the community. GPS tracking, combined with continued work with the client, could aid in allowing a client more self-determination in their life.

GPS tracking services have seen a huge increase over the past several years; however there is more this technology has to offer than protecting stolen merchandize. Or rather, it can be used to protect assets that are more valuable than items. As GPS tracking devices continue to become smaller and more discrete they are increasingly becoming a viable option for protecting people.

Currently the literature offered by the companies which offer a GPS tracking service focus on the “things” in our lives, with protecting children thrown in almost as an afterthought. This is missing out on several grew areas for future growth. If on the other hand, these companies chose to introduce new brands into the marketplace they could market to specific segments of the population and improve revenues.

The re-branding of services is necessary, as care-givers want to think of caring for someone, not spying on them. This is the opposition I have received personally, when putting forth the idea of attaching GPS trackers to clients that are prone to getting lost. In many ways, these objections are valid however, I believe that when safety is concerned we have a responsibility to do all that is possible and use any available technology.

It is really about rewriting the marketing literature, as the services and devices currently being offered by these companies would remain largely unchanged. Thus these companies would be creating a new market niche with a minimal investment of capital.

Companies that are looking to adopt the ideas contained in this article would do well to start by targeting state-run institutions. This would serve two functions: 1. Provide lucrative contracts and 2. Set a precedent that the company could use to market to the third party (non-government) agencies. The first company that establishes a foothold within the government in this capacity will have built itself instant credibility and clout when approaching these smaller, local services.

One important consideration prior to embarking on this path is the need to respect these individuals. It is not enough to create a “Child Safe” branded service to be a cover-all solution to person protection. While that is an avenue for specialized attention, products geared towards adults with developmental disabilities should take their status as adults into consideration. A GPS tracking device will meet these needs.

Tags: adults, challenge, children, lost, responsibility, safety, service