Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

Maintenance Made Easy With GPS Tracking

September 20th, 2012

The maintenance industry is as diverse as it is important. The people employed within this industry are tasked with the duty of making equipment available, and because of that, they are often on the road. As someone managing a fleet such as this, it’s important that you keep the fleet and yourself organized and informed at all times.

GPS = Accountability & Efficiency

GPS fleet tracking, a large format version of generic GPS tracking, is a great way to manage and keep a consistent structure at the same time. With a long list of features, you are sure to find the resources your business needs to make everyone’s job easier.

Employee Management

Managing a fleet of 20 drivers seems like a daunting task. Each one heading in a different direction, you could be conversing with employees across the country. To ensure that you are able to complete standard annual tasks, such as employee reviews, as well your day to day job of tracking the trucks, you want to have the right tools in place. GPS fleet tracking has everything you need, and more.

Live tracking: Keep an eye on trucks throughout the day. Know when they’re on the road, off the road, and for how long.
Historical reporting: When it comes time to review employees, it’s important that you have an accurate picture of the work they’ve done up until that point. Historical reporting is an easy way to see how many hours they worked, how many trips they took, their driver behavior, and much more.
Real-time alerts: Your GPS tracking will have alerts for any number of things, from the truck’s first movement of the day to idle time and speed. You can be there, without actually being there.

Fleet Productivity

Managing a fleet is like managing virtual employees. You can’t always be there to ensure they are staying on top of their job and remaining productive throughout the day. However, you can give them the means to do their job easily, efficiently and effectively.

Landmarks: GPS software allows you to creative custom, mapped landmarks. This is beneficial for every driver, especially those new to the route.
2 way messaging: While cell phones are ideal for messaging, many states have made them illegal to use while driving. Instead, rely on your GPS to communications. With 2-way messaging truck drivers can talk amongst one another to collaborate or ask questions if necessary.
Maintenance reminders: Even employees in the maintenance industry have to have their equipment maintained. Set up reminders for oil changes, tire rotations, and part swaps. Planning ahead will allow them to keep on schedule while keeping the truck in good shape.

GPS fleet tracking is an integral tool for anyone in the maintenance industry. With so many people to manage, not to mention equipment and trucks, it’s integral that all the right resources are available. Instead of investing in multiple programs, use the many features of GPS fleet tracking to do it all in one, easy to use, and convenient place.

Bio: Jessica Sanders is an avid small business writer. As the marketing copyeditor of Resource Nation, she touches on a range of topics such as commercial vehicle insurance and skid loaders.

GPS Tracking Device Critical in Boat Accident Rescue

January 20th, 2012

GPS tracking devices have been responsible for scores of happy endings, from lost dogs being returned to their owners to stolen possessions being recovered to Alzheimer’s patients being found after wandering away from home. Perhaps one of the most exciting of these stories occurred off the coast of Sydney, Australia when a GPS-equipped EPIRB beacon saved the lives of four people after their fishing boat sank.

Two boys and their dads were out on a fishing excursion when, for unknown reasons, the boat was compromised and began sinking rapidly. In less than a minute, the four passengers were left floating in icy water, kept afloat by their life jackets and a cooler. Scott Smiles, one of the dads, also grabbed an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) which alerted rescuers that they needed help. The beacon sent a signal to the NSW Police marine area personnel, pinpointing the group’s location and ensuring their rescue in less than an hour.

EPIRB beacons are safety beacons which, when activated, broadcast the beacon’s location to search and rescue teams. They are commonly installed on boats, with many countries requiring commercial ships to carry them. Owners of pleasure boats and yachts often take advantage of the safety reassurance offered by the devices as well. While not all EPIRBs have GPS tracking devices installed, those that do can broadcast an exact location to a network of search and rescue satellites, enabling rescuers to identify the position of the beacon and send help immediately. This information often proves vital in reducing the amount of time needed to find survivors and increasing the chances of survival. Without the technology, a rescue such as the one near the Australian coastline could take days.

Search and rescue teams credit GPS-equipped EPIRBs with enabling them to perform their jobs more efficiently. By pinpointing the location of the carrier, the beacon can give rescuers the information they need to save lives while reducing search time by hours or days.

The remarkable rescue in Australia can be attributed both to the forethought of the boat owner in equipping the craft with the safety beacon and the quick thinking of Mr. Smiles in grabbing and activating the beacon before the boat went down. With the aid of the EPIRB, a story that could have ended tragically resulted in another happy ending that can be added to the accomplishments of GPS tracking devices.

The Winner of the Smart Tracker Vehicle Recovery Device from Rocky Mountain Tracking is……

November 16th, 2010

Rocky Mountain Tracking would like to thank everyone for joining us on Facebook and for all of your many comments throughout the last few weeks.

The Smart Tracker is different from any other vehicle recovery anti theft device in that you never have to active it or pay any fees unless you need locate your vehicle. In the event that you do need to locate your vehicle, the cost would only be a few dollars.

For those who did not win the Smart Tracker, we want to offer you a special discount for a limited time. You will find more information about it at the bottom of this posting.

The winner of the Smart Tracker from Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc. is John Stelplugh. Congratulations Mr. Stelplugh!!! Not only did you win a Smart Tracker, but we are going to throw in a FREE one year of activation service and 15 locates. You can email us with your mailing address: Sales@RMTracking.com.

Please take a moment to read one of the comments from Mr. Stelplugh:

“I am a single man, raising my 11 year old son, on a semi truck. This is our only home. When we go inside of truckstops I do get a little nervous. These days, you just never know. While inside, someone could steal my truck, our home. I cannot afford to lose the only means of support for my son and myself. This isn’t jus…t a job. It’s my livelihood, and our home. With one of these devices the chance of recovery would be much greater, because I would know the second that it happens, be able to call the police, and they could track our home, and recover it much quicker. This sounds like a great detection and deterrent device. I would feel much safer knowing that even when I am not around my vehicle, it is safe.” – John Stelplugh

We applaud you for the job you are doing as a single parent, and we hope the Smart Tracker will benefit you and your son in some way.

Now, for those who did not win, we are offering you a 20% discount. The discount is only valid for 72 hours. To take advantage of the discount, go to www.RMTracking.com. After you add your item(s) to the shopping cart, you will enter the discount code which is: RMT.

We hope you will continue to follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RMTracking, and we look forward to your participation in future GPS giveaways.

The Winner of the Tracking Key from Rocky Mountain Tracking is…….

October 1st, 2010

First, we want to thank our Facebook friends for your participation. Great comments! If you didn’t win Tracking Key today, you will have many more chances to win one of our devices as we will be hosting another giveaway again very soon. The NEXT GIVEAWAY will be our Smart Tracker vehicle recovery device.

The winner of this contest was selected using The Hat, a tool that shuffles all of the names and picks one random name out of the hat. The winner of the Rocky Mountain Tracking Facebook contest for a GPS Tracking Key is JENS-PETER ENGELUND. Congratulations Mr. Engelund!!! Please send your mailing address to Sales@RMTracking.com. Your device will be shipped out immediately.

For all of our Facebook friends who didn’t win and would like to purchase a device, we are offering you a 24 HOUR SPECIAL DISCOUNT of 20% off each device you purchase. You can order online at our website http://www.RMTracking.com or call us toll free at 888-242-0500. The discount code is “RMT”.

We also wanted to give a special thanks to Ronald Wilson for the most comments. We don’t currently have a prize for this, but maybe we will on the next giveaway.

We want to sincerely thank all of our Facebook friends for your participation, and we hope you will continue to participate in our giveaways, quizzes, and reading our articles at www.Facebook.com/RMTracking.

Supply Chain Managers Embrace GPS Tracking

July 13th, 2010

The business activity known as global supply chain management has at its core the managing and monitoring of goods and products as they move through the manufacturing process to the end customer.

GPS & Supply Chain Management

This business activity is being integrated with real-time ERP processes more and more. What this means is that Enterprise Resource Planning at the business is chopping the processes down into small parts so that it can be monitored at more places along the line. This system of checks helps in many ways.

Quality

First, and maybe foremost is quality. Not only can the manufacturing process be watched closer, quality standards can be monitored better, too. This helps manufacturers find and fix issues with quality it turns into even larger problems later on after the product has been made. Giving quality a preeminent position like this is good for customer satisfaction.

Speed of Manufacturing

Most businesses build to order. There are very few warehousing operations that hold finished goods that are waiting to be ordered by end customers. Because of the emphasis on real-time processes, the speed at which products are produced can increase (all things being equal). Being able to maintain quality at the same time helps businesses get products into the hands of customers sooner.

Customer Service

Customers can now be kept in closer touch with the manufacturing of the products that they order. Some companies even provide a portal from which a customer can monitor product manufacturing and their specific order as it moves along the way. This can be both good and bad in that the customer can see stops in the process which raises concerns about delivery dates, etc. Strong communications must exists between the two so that this does not turn into a disaster.

It does not end there, however. Once the manufacturing process is completed, then the deliver process begins. But, it is a seamless operation in that GPS Tracking takes up where RFID left off in the monitoring of the logistics process.

Semi trucks and trailers are the first step in the monitoring process. Trucks and trailers both include GPS Tracking systems to help monitor their progress. And, it is helpful to be able to track these units should they become the targets of thieves (which is happening in greater numbers these days).

Cargo containers are also being outfitted with GPS Tracking so that they can be tracked separately from the trucks and trailers.

Finally, many products that are banded together in the shipping process have a GPS Tracking device hidden among the boxes.

Not only is this good insurance for getting products where they need to be, but it allows for minute tracking which keeps the end customer and the shipper aware of the precise location of important deliveries. Schedules can be coordinated and marketing plans can be shifted to accommodate any delays or advances in shipping time lines. GPS tracking is a “must-have” item in the supply chain managers arsenal of customer service tools.

Don’t Let Outdoor Activities End in a Tragedy

July 12th, 2010

Outdoor activities and extreme sports are enjoyed by a group of people who find living life on the dangerous side very exciting.

GPS Tracking & Outdoor Activities

But, even the casual outdoor lover can find themselves in some precarious positions if they are not careful. Recently a group ventured into the Elkhorn river Near Omaha, Nebraska, and was unprepared for the waters that they encountered and ended up with a capsized water craft and a near drowning.

Fortunately for them, one in the group had a smartphone with GPS Tracking enabled which helped local fire and rescue to pinpoint their location and assist in the recovery of the group members.

This incident underscores two very important things about going out into unfamiliar places at particularly dangerous times.

Proper Preparation is Mandatory

There are certain things that need to be done to help make sure that there are no disasters that could have been avoided with proper preparation.

First, investigate the area into which you are going. Get a map of your destination and note specific spots on the map that can help you: fire/rescue facilities, hospitals and police stations. Take the map with you when you go.

Next, make a trip itinerary and give it to those you leave behind. Put details in it like where you are going, when you will arrive there and when you will be coming back. Also, note if you are going to be out of communications with the rest of the world and when you expect to re-connect. Leave a copy of a map that shows your intended path.

Inclusion of Technology Can Assist

GPS Tracking devices are worthy of a place among your gear because they can be helpful if you should become stranded on your trip. And that includes your treks into the wilderness where most cellular signals do not exist. GPS enabled smartphones are great, but not if there is no signal with which authorities can home in on if there is a problem.

When you arrive at your destination, find out if local authorities have the ability to track GPS signals. If so, link up with them so that if there is a problem, they can instantly view your location and respond to any emergencies that might arise.

These are the base activities that you must perform to help protect yourself. These common sense tips are available to anyone who chooses to use them. And, for those who do not, their risk is greater. Have fun, but remember to be prepared.

Be Cautious on the Net and Stay Safe with GPS Tracking

July 12th, 2010

It comes with territory, so to speak, that social networking opens users up to dangerous security issues. The two sites that are encouraging ‘checking in’ wherever you may be are gowalla.com and foursquare.com.

The first reason that these social networking sites are raising concern is because they encourage users to ‘check in’ which provides your location instantly to those in your group.

The Internet & Security

The second reason is because they are being used improperly by those who sign up.

The positive and great things that smartphone technology has brought us have created a breeding ground for potential hazards. As with anything, caution is the way to approach these sites.

A social network that encourages you to provide your location is dangerous in that not only do people know where you are, but they also know where you are NOT. Home comes to mind as the most likely place that you are vulnerable. Thieves target houses that they know are unoccupied.

And, just because your social network includes only ‘friends’ does not mean that you cannot be targeted. Social networking sites are not known for their impeccable security methods.

In their defense, site creators issue guidelines on how to use their site and where to use it. It does not include things like telling your social network that you are at home, in bed, or God forbid, in the bathroom. You are encouraged to meet up with those in your social network at public places and entertainment venues, etc. And, they include some already marked out public places.

But, you can add your own, and here’s where the problem of security comes into play. People are adding their homes, rooms in their homes and even (as mentioned) their beds. The more users tell people where they are located, the more they give out information on where they are not or, if they are in a place that makes them vulnerable.

One important guideline when using these is to only check in at public places. Keep your private treks at or from home private.

Also, one last thing to consider is to purchase a GPS Tracking device to help monitor your locations (privately) and add an extra layer of insurance from a security standpoint. These devices are much less expensive than ever, and you can find a model that will meet your needs.

When opening up yourself to potential invasions of security or privacy it is best to take extra precautions to protect yourself because you never know when you might be the target of some very bad people.

article by James Neely

Car Thieves Strike Craigslist

July 11th, 2010

by Harriette Halepis

Source acquired via Newser, July 8, 2010 – Public warnings related to Craigslist are nothing new, but this time the warning is coming straight from the New York Police Department. The NYPD has been repeatedly warning the general public to be extra careful when allowing potential buyers to test drive listed cars. Savvy Craigslist listers are quickly finding out that GPS tracking devices can do more than track stolen goods – they can potentially save lives.

Craigslist and Auto Theft

The NYPD has picked up on a recent scam that many within the New York City (and other) area have fallen prey to. By contacting a Craigslist poster, thieves pretend to be interested in various listed automobiles. Then, upon asking to take a car for a test drive, the cars disappear entirely. Most of these vehicles wind up in chop-shops, and some are resold after identifying vehicle information has been altered.

In addition to simply taking a car for a test drive and never returning, the NYPD is also warning Craigslist posters about a new carjacking tool dubbed “the jiggler.” This tool can be inserted into certain ignitions causing a car to start up automatically. Once a thief notes the location of a Craigslist car for sale, this tool is frequently used to steal any unattended vehicle.

While it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on any car that is listed on Craigslist, it is not a good idea to go along for a test drive. Many thieves are armed and dangerous, and car owners may become injured if a thief decides to steal a car while an owner is present.

A safer option is to install a personal GPS tracking device inside of a vehicle. In the event that a vehicle is stolen, this device will lead owners and authorities directly to the automobile. Not only is a tracking key an effective way to find a stolen car, it’s also a great way to prevent an unsuspecting owner of becoming injured.

Stop High Speed Pursuits with GPS Devices

July 11th, 2010

It’s about time that we begin to find some ways to reduce high speed police chases in our communities. These events often include serious crashes which results in injury to those being pursued, the police officers or innocent bystanders. While one of the ways to reduce the risk is for police to pull off of these activities, there are methods that are being attempted to make this happen.

Police Chases & GPS Tracking

The latest is called a StarChase system. The system used a propelled GPS Tracking device that is fired from the pursuing police vehicle to the fleeing subjects car which will attach to the back so that the car can be tracking via GPS Tracking.

This allows the police to pull back on the chase and allow the fleeing driver to slow down. This new development gets strong consideration because of the following reasons:

Public Safety Needs are Considered Ahead of Apprehension

One of the main cries against high-speed chases is that it puts the safety of the public at risk. Any time a chase ensues, speed limits and traffic signals are ignored. The mere presence of a police vehicle spurs the fleeing subjects to go even faster. Depending on the charges that are pending against the driver, police are more resolute in the capture of the perpetrators. This is especially true if the subjects have tried to deliberately injure an officer.

Reduces Accidents and Innocent Bystanders Involvement

If the fleeing subject slows down (after presumably eluding the police), accidents would be avoided and it also might make them think that they have succeeded in shaking the police. And, even if they know about the tracking device, they would have to stop their vehicle to try to remove it, which would give police the opportunity they need to surround them and prevent the chase from continuing.

Assists Police and Protects the Public

Using the GPS Tracking device as a guide, dispatchers can direct police vehicles to the exact location of the fleeing vehicle. Using a backed-off method and a surrounding philosophy, those who are trying to get away will soon learn that they cannot do so which will hopefully convince them to stop.

As gps devices become more of a standard tool for our police forces nationwide, we will all be able to rest a little easier knowing that high speed chases will become a thing of the past. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

Fake Cocaine Embedded with GPS Tracking Nabs Police Officer

July 10th, 2010

Source acquired via Toronto Sun, July 2, 2010 – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently set up a drug sting operation called “Project Ocaper” that was meant to track down Peruvian drug dealers. What the RCMP discovered was that a fellow RCMP officer stole a brick of fake cocaine along with various other confiscated goods.

Drugs in Bag

Constable Sheldon Cook was found guilty of stealing one brick of fake cocaine and 21 MP3 players from a police building. Cook stole the fake drugs and the MP3 players while he was on duty. What Cook did not know was that RCMP police had filled numerous bags with flour and GPS tracking devices in order to arrest Peruvian drug dealers. When the drug shipment arrived at a Toronto airport (inside boxes of mangoes), police began to track the shipment.

While the GPS trackers that were inside of the fake cocaine shipment stopped working for two days, police were able to track the fake cocaine once the devices began working again. RCMP found the GPS trackers inside of a shipment that was inside of Cook’s home. Cook told a Toronto court that he had been framed by his fellow police officers, though he was found guilty. Cook will be sentenced in Toronto on August 5, 2010.

While the GPS trackers that were inside of the fake cocaine shipment did not work at first (for unknown reasons), the two trackers eventually led police to Cook’s home. Without the help of the GPS tracking devices, Cook would not have been apprehended. The Toronto court that heard Cook’s case did not believe that Cook had been set up by his co-workers. Instead, Judge Casey Hill found that Cook has acted alone when he stole both the fake cocaine and the MP3 players.