Rocky Mountain Tracking

By DONNA SANTI / guest columnist

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-          Donna Santi is a creative writer for LandAirSea Systems, a Woodstock, IL-based manufacturer and distributor of expertly-engineered GPS tracking systems, software and accessories. For information about LandAirSea, visit www.landairsea.com. To contact the writer, email donna.santi@landairsea.com

Vehicle Tracking is finding great success in the business world. It might have even turned a corner, from being a benefit, to a necessity.

Globally, there is about $2.5 billion spent on GPS receivers and software, and by 2013, that spending will jump to about $13 billion annually, according to ABI Research in London, a marketing and consulting firm.

Now a new poll seems to back that bold prediction. A 2010 survey of transportation, service, utility and construction companies revealed that more than half of those businesses are now using GPS tracking systems; with the largest reported benefit being more efficient operations.

GPS Tracking and Business

The news should bring smiles to the faces of the many manufacturers and dealers of vehicle tracking technology. Also widely encouraging is the poll’s look at the future market: Among those companies who do not yet utilize GPS tracking systems, almost 90 percent of them said they were aware of the technology’s benefits and were considering investing in it.

One out of every two businesses is using GPS tracking in its fleet management department, and the majority of the others want it. What could be better news?

The survey was conducted by a vehicle tracking and fleet management organization in the United Kingdom. One hundred and fifty companies were surveyed with fleet management supervisors or top administrators being the respondents. The sizes of the companies’ fleets ranged from 10 vehicles, to more than 1,000; the average being less than 100 vehicles.

Fuel prices are creeping up once again, everyone’s looking for a greener way of living, and the economy is forcing many business people to make the most of the resources they have, or buckle under. GPS tracking system solutions help in all three areas.

Following is a breakdown of some of the survey responses.

What Current GPS Tracking Users Had To Say:

• 9 in 10 said they were satisfied with their choice of GPS tracking system.
• 8 of 10 said vehicle tracking helped them reduce operational costs.
• 6 of 10 said the tracking system increased productivity.
• 5 in 10 said employee performance improved.
• 5 in 10 said their tracking system resulted in better security.

What Those NOT Using Vehicle Tracking Are Saying:

• 6 of 10 thought GPS tracking would offer a good return on investment (ROI), meaning it is money well-spent.
• Four in 10 said vehicle tracking did not fit the needs of their particular business.
• Four in 10 perceived GPS tracking systems to be too cost-prohibitive to their budgets.

The surveyor conducts its poll every other year. The 2008 poll revealed that one in four businesses was using vehicle tracking technology. Theoretically, the number of GPS tracking users doubled in just two years.

Source: FleetDirectory.co.uk , CNNMoney.com

By Greg Bartlett

When you came into work this morning, your first task - after getting coffee - was to find out where your drivers are.  You do that every morning, and every morning your assistant tells you the same thing.  These drivers checked in with their location, these forgot, and these said they were somewhere but based on their schedule, they should be somewhere else.

GPS Monitoring & Fleet Vehicles

For a company whose primary purpose consists of getting vehicles to different places, whether for delivering goods or people, knowing where each driver and vehicle is located is vitally important.  You need to know whether your driver will get to a stop on time, or if by taking too long at previous stops the driver will get there late and will disappoint the customer yet again.  Furthermore, knowing the location of your vehicles means you can better manage company time, resources, and expenses.

Fortunately, GPS monitoring can keep track of your fleet for you.  When you come in work in the morning, you can just check the computer and see exactly where your drivers are.  For instance, you’ll know when a driver is late because he spent three hours at lunch the day before.  Because it records any movement the vehicle makes, GPS tracking will also let you know if employees use company vehicles for personal usage.  Some companies have found that their employees used company vehicles to take a boat to a lake or to play poker instead of mending roads.

GPS monitoring even has more advantages than just locating each of your vehicles and informing you about their location, speed, and any stops made.  For instance, some GPS tracking systems allow the user to remotely lock the doors and shut off the car if it is stolen.  One company was able to recover $300,000 worth in stolen vehicles in less than an hour because of the GPS monitoring devices they had installed in the vehicles.  You will also be able to find out if your drivers accidentally missed a stop or if they are taking less efficient routes, which translate into wasted gas and time.  GPS tracking has repeatedly saved companies money and time by helping them determine the best routes, which improves mileage, increases customer relations, and saves the company money.

Instead of guessing that your vehicles are in a particular spot, you can know exactly where they are and what stops they’ve made.  Managing your fleet effectively is possible - and much easier - with GPS monitoring.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

Fleet operations have the unenviable task of monitoring their drivers as they travel their daily routes.  It is a necessary part of the operation to help insure that their drivers are using safe and responsible activities.  A huge burden of liability rests on the companies who have many company-owned vehicles moving along the streets of most major cities and towns.

GPS & Safe Drivers

More of these businesses have turn to GPS Tracking systems to augment their driver safety policies.  Here is how properly outfitted devices can help in this arena:

Awareness

This is true not only when the driver is on the road, where they need to be the most aware of their surroundings and the things happening in front of them, but when they are on their own time as well.  Paying attention to details is always a good choice in remaining focused on any task.  Driving a vehicle, especially a large delivery truck or even semi, requires a constant focus.  But there are always too many distractions.

Responsibility

When a driver is part of an organization that values safety and responsibility, they feel like a part of something bigger than just making deliveries every day.  This is what motivates people to become heroes when they assist others who are involved in traumatic situations.  In fact, the training that they receive often kicks in without them thinking about it.

Safety Alignment

By emphasizing safety, it becomes a part of their everyday routine.  From making sure that their vehicle is operating correctly, to driving with added ownership of their actions at the wheel they are immersed in safety activities.

Encourages Positive Behavior

When drivers value safety and responsibility, they make better decisions on the road.  Knowing that lives are at stake helps a great deal, also.

A GPS Tracking device helps the driver realize that they are being monitored not only for business purposes, but to also ensure that rules of the road and laws are being obeyed at all times.  This will help make sure that the incidents of moving violations are low while driving up customer satisfaction.  Drivers will be more productive as well.  This is a decision that you will not regret making for your business.  Check out one of these systems today.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

It has been identified as one of the best applications for GPS Tracking among all businesses.  We are speaking of fleet management operations.  Any business in which you have multiple assets on the streets at the same time screams for a system that affords the control and management of a GPS system.

GPS & Fleet Operations

Here are the best fleet management tips that involve implementing GPS Tracking into your operations:

Safe Drivers

Good drivers are hard to find.  And, even when they are employed, it is only human nature to take advantage (even just a little bit) of the rules and laws by cutting corners just to get the job done quicker.  With GPS Tracking, drivers are held accountable in a by closer monitoring.  It is no doubt that when people are being watched, they change their behavior.  Fleet drivers are no different.

Safe Driving

Speeding, unsafe lane changes, lack of signaling, and other infractions of posted traffic laws gets drivers in trouble, and puts your business at risk.  And, they put the public in danger as well.  These types of activities need to be addressed and monitored daily.  Notifying your employees of the existence of GPS Tracking devices is a judgment call, but once they find out that they exist, it will affect how their performance and the acts of indiscretion will dwindle.

Excellent Performance

How are your drivers doing in getting to their appointed stops?  Are they consistently late and always blaming traffic?  Do you suspect that they are taking too long at stops or are making unauthorized stops along their routes?  Now you can know, and you can make changes in schedules when there are real problems with getting routes completed in a timely manner.

Excellent Route Performance

Making sure that schedules are realistic will help you insure that your customers are happy with their service level.  Watching for pick-ups and deliveries as they come in and making instant changes in schedules based on what vehicle is closest helps you cement your commitment to service in the eyes of your customers.

Performance Validation

The most important business activity for your operations is executing near flawless performance for your clients.  A GPS Tracking system will provide you with court-admissible evidence that can show compliance with laws and contracts.

Making GPS Tracking a part of your fleet business is like having a silent partner that keeps you in line and on the road to profitability.  Get one today and watch it go to work for you.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

Creating an environment in which your business can succeed is very important.  That is especially true in the economic climate in which businesses are operating today.  Once you establish a baseline of activities that you must perform to help your business succeed, then you can add the tools that you need to make it happen.

Building Your Business

These tools include a fully integrated GPS Tracking system.  Here are four ways that it can help you build your business:

Managing Growth

You know what the most difficult part of managing your business is?  Growth.  Your day-to-day operations are running smoothly and then all of a sudden you are asked to increase your service area or offerings.  If your business uses mobile or movable assets, then GPS Tracking systems will help you with the growth process because of the ability to manage them in a timely and efficient manner.  No longer will adding additional assets produce a sinking feeling on the part of your managers.

Increasing Customer Response

Being able to respond with instant feedback from a GPS Tracking system will help you turn your operations with ease to help keep profitability at the forefront of what you do.  When you track assets with GPS Tracking systems, you can know instantaneously where assets are located.  If they are missing or stolen, authorities can be notified to their exact location and they can be recovered within hours, not days, weeks or months.  You are able to keep running without having to sacrifice because of an incident of theft.

Keeping Service ‘Priority One’

GPS Tracking systems put customer service at the highest levels of business operations.  This is especially true if you are involved heavily in the delivery of goods or products via fleet solutions.  Other businesses that can benefit from these systems are people transportation systems as well.  There is no better way to manage routes than with a GPS Tracking system.

Repeat Customers

The most efficiently operated business invited use and customer satisfaction that keep them coming back for years.  Making use of the GPS Tracking system benefits helps your company stand out from your competition and makes you almost impossible to beat with it comes to delivering customer satisfaction.

Implementation of a GPS Tracking system has never been easier or more affordable than it is right now.  Adding one to your operation is no longer a nice thought or gesture.  It is mandatory and it is time to get on board.  Here’s to your success.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

By Greg Bartlett

Although many people may think that fleet tracking could never apply to them, they could never be further from the truth. While fleet tracking is usually provided to companies that have a large number of vehicles in distribution, this is not always the case. Also, if you choose to use one of the vehicles that come from these companies, it will be good for you to know how your actions are being monitored, so that you can drive safely and carefully. Many rental car companies have lost vehicles through bad drivers or thieves that manipulate the system. Often, these businesses are unable to find the lost machinery and they lose a lot of money. Fleet tracking is the answer, to help you know where your vehicles are at all times.

GPS & Fleet Tracking

GPS tracking is a relatively new technology that is continuing to see more uses as more individuals understand the science behind it. Basically, you start with a small device that you can attach to your car, plug into your computer, or even just carry with you in a pocket. That device, when turned on, emits waves that transmit to a series of satellites that circulate the earth. These satellites are able to determine the location, the time, and often even the speed of the item that is being monitored. This information is sent to a set of computers that are then analyzed by technicians, who then pass this information on to the necessary parties.

One of the most recent high-profile uses of this technology was during the World Olympics, where the locations of all the athletes were processed and recorded. This was done to make sure that they arrived at their destinations safely and on time, and was often completed by attaching the tracking device to the vehicle of use. This allowed the technicians to monitor the distance that each athlete needed to travel, to verify that they would make their events on time. This also gave the police the opportunity to keep an eye on each of these important individuals.

Fleet tracking will continue to grow in importance as its uses become more profound. Whether it is used to track high-profile criminals, or important businessmen, this type of GPS technology will never be the same as it once was. You can consider using GPS and this new tracking technology to keep your vehicles safe and on time.

By Greg Bartlett

How would you like to increase your small business’ bottom line by 7 percent while improving service and tightening your performance? One office-supply company did that very thing without completely re-making the company. Their key investment was actually quite small and simple to implement: they decided to give GPS fleet tracking a try. Here’s how it can work for you, too: install GPS fleet tracking devices in all of your delivery vehicles. No special training sessions for all of your drivers; no replacements of your existing fleet; no massive investment of capital that small-business owners can’t afford; just add a device to each vehicle.

GPS and Fleet Tracking

And just like that, you can look at a constantly updated map showing where your delivery vehicles are located at any time. In fact, you can see if they’re following their routes. You can see that one of your vehicles is falling behind, find another driver nearby and suggest a change to the schedule before any of your clients get missed. If a driver needs directions or has trouble finding a client, you can see where he is and redirect him immediately. You can even check some statistics - why did one vehicle spend so much of the day sitting still? Or why did another vehicle exceed 75 mph three times today?

GPS fleet tracking is so powerful, your employees might watch their driving, ignore distractions, stick close to the schedule, and all in all, become more profitable! And you might have to figure out how to reinvest the additional profit you start bringing in.GPS fleet tracking lets you become the master controller, with dynamic updates on where your investment is going at any time. And this is not an investment that is only possible for large companies. Since every company only needs GPS fleet tracking devices for as many vehicles as they own, the cost scales according to your size, but the benefits are huge for everyone. That’s what makes this investment so powerful; the benefit is hugely disproportionate to the investment it requires.

You’ve already made a large investment in your vehicles. Running a fleet is never cheap, and you want to make sure your investment is used to the fullest. GPS fleet tracking requires only a small initial outlay that will increase the productivity of your fleet in a huge way. Take advantage of this technological innovation and increase the profitability of your business before your competition figures it out and gets this benefit for themselves!

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

Municipal Vehicles & GPS Tracking

Managing a city or town is a daunting job.  Consider the responsibility in managing assets alone - especially assets that are on the move constantly.  That, along with all of the other tasks makes this job one that begs for help.  That is what you get when you implement a GPS Tracking system into your municipal operations.  Here’s how you can benefit:

For Accountability and Safety

Real-time tracking gives you instant feedback as to the location of your trucks and workers as they perform their jobs.  Drivers and operators are normally very responsible people, but there is always room for improvement; especially in the area of safety.  Knowing where your people are at all times provides true peace-of-mind.

For Evidence of Performance

When it comes to snow removal, when was the last time you plowed a given street or road?  If someone calls you, can you supply that information?  If you have one of these GPS tracking systems you can.  And with real-time accuracy, you can give an estimated time of arrival.  Being able to give out this data is invaluable to your sanity as well.

For Managing Fleet Maintenance

Now you can keep track of how many hours and miles have been consumed by your fleet of vehicles.  Having this data will help you be able to monitor and schedule preventive maintenance stops.  The time and effort applied in this task can help keep your fleet running smoothly when the additional demands of poor weather conditions are placed on it.

For Justification for Leadership

Not only can you report on the whereabouts and activities performed by your fleet, you can deliver reports that give you factual records to prove the worth of the vehicles in your keeping and help provide evidence when you need to request funds to add to or replace what you have in inventory.  This information is invaluable to elected officials for this purpose alone.

For Tracking Stolen Items

You cannot be too cautious with equipment that is publically funded.  Thieves are in the business of taking items that can bring a high price on the black market.  You can stop them in their tracks by installing GPS tracking systems on all of your major pieces of equipment.  Recovering items taken can be performed in just hours, not days or months.  That keeps you operating with a complete inventory.

Cities and towns all would benefit from GPS Tracking.  Today’s economic conditions are demanding and the best way to meet those demands is with the added control that a system affords your municipality.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

As part of the push for jobs creation, the chairman of American Airlines and AMR Corporation made a pitch to the Obama Administration for funding for a new GPS-based tracking system for commercial air traffic control.

GPS & Air Traffic Monitoring

The current system is based upon radar technology from as long ago as World War II, and has served the nation well.  But, with new advances, GPS Tracking stands to be a better, more reliable system.

Here is how GPS Tracking can improve commercial airline travel:

Increased Safety

Under the existing system, pilots rely upon information relayed to them from air traffic controllers on the ground.  A new system would allow pilots to make better judgments about the track of their travel to help maintain safe distances between other aircraft.

Increased Information

Not only could air traffic controllers help direct traffic, but also airline pilots would be able to see the same views of air traffic patterns in the cockpit as well.  This would help pilots and air traffic controllers to work in concert rather than having pilots be dependent solely upon the information given to them.

Better Service

An improved system would bring with it improved service schedules to customers.  Providing better monitoring of airline traffic to the commercial carriers would allow them to use the instant information to update customers on arrivals and delays that occur from weather and other related occurrences.

Cut Costs

Being able to better manage air traffic can help save fuel costs by better planning of air traffic into and out of busy airports.  Better overall service can be delivered by fewer people.  The current air traffic control system requires multiple operators on each sector during a given shift.  With GPS Tracking systems implemented, it is possible that those numbers could be reduced because of the higher amount of and better information that is obtained from the system.

Changing the system to GPS Tracking-based makes sense on so many levels.  The current talk revolves around cost and who will pick up the bill.  Airline companies are hurting financially and want to keep their investment as low as possible.  And, with cost-cutting on the mind of most federal agencies these days, one wonders how this will get accomplished any time soon.  It will happen, but just at a slower pace than anticipated.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

By Greg Bartlett

For most people, the holidays bring excitement, joy, and memory-making moments, from reuniting with friends and family to shopping for the perfect gift to planning dazzling holiday menus. For some, however, the holidays only magnify the struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table. All around the country, struggling families rely on companies like Food Lifeline to help them feed their families. During times of economic downturn, the companies receive even more requests for assistance, and they are constantly looking for ways to cut operating costs in order to put more money toward the business of distributing food to needy families. GPS vehicle tracking provides one opportunity for charitable organizations to reduce their expenses and make sure as many folks as possible have food on their tables during the holidays.

GPS & Meail Delivery

GPS vehicle tracking allows managers to keep an eye on fleet vehicles such as delivery trucks as they make their rounds. Many models also provide information such as speed, direction of travel, and fuel consumption. By monitoring this information, food banks can ensure that drivers are taking the most efficient routes and using as little fuel as possible to reach their destinations. They can also see if trucks are left idling during deliveries or whether the drivers turn off the ignition. Armed with this information, managers can instruct drivers in ways to conserve fuel by taking more direct routes and by turning off the engine while the truck is being unloaded.

Determining more efficient routes for delivery trucks can reduce the cost of maintaining fleet vehicles by forty percent. Reductions in idling time and other fuel conservation methods such as not exceeding the speed limit can cut costs even more. GPS vehicle tracking offers an efficient way to help food bank workers conserve dollars so that they can be put to more important uses such as purchasing food and supplies for families. It can also ensure that packages make it to their intended destinations. In the event of vehicle theft, GPS vehicle tracking can give authorities the ability to pinpoint the truck’s location and increase the odds of recovery significantly.

This holiday season, food distribution charities such as Food Lifeline expect needs to be even greater than in past years. With the help of GPS vehicle tracking, they can make sure their resources are put to the best possible use, so that more needy families can focus on enjoying one another rather than wondering where their next meal is coming from.