Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

Truancy is a serious problem in many school districts. Traditionally it has been a difficult problem to deal with since neither the parents nor the teachers monitor students at all times. In some states, however, that situation may be about to change. A recent pilot program in Texas experimented with equipping students who have truancy records with a GPS tracking device to help keep them in school. So far, the program has been a success.

GPS & Truancy

The GPS tracking device carried by students in the pilot program allows them to be monitored at all times during the school day. The transmitter sends signals at intervals to a computer and the information can be viewed in real time or as a report at the end of the day. So far, the schools using the devices have been pleased with their performance and plan to expand the pilot programs to be implemented as part of the regular truancy procedures.

As other states begin to follow Texas in making GPS tracking part of their standard operating procedure for truant students, school leadership will appreciate the diverse options available when purchasing a GPS tracking device. Models and capabilities vary widely, and as the technology develops, GPS units will become smaller and smarter. Current models allow operators to set up zone perimeters, which, when crossed, will send an alert to the receiving software or to a cell phone. If a student tries to leave the property during the school day, school officials will know immediately.

Knowledge that their whereabouts can be determined at any point seems to give students with a tendency toward truancy a reason to stay in school. A truancy judge determines which students need to wear the devices and for how long. Parents of students in the pilot programs have backed the program as well, recognizing the need for their kids to stay in school in order to get the best start in life. With nearly one-third of high school students nationwide dropping out of school before graduation, the use of a GPS tracking device for truants could represent a significant shift in the ability of school officials to encourage attendance.

The data for high school dropouts is sobering: high school graduates earn approximately $10,000 less than their counterparts each year once they enter the workforce, adding up to nearly $319 billion in wages lost over the course of their careers. If equipping students with a GPS tracking device can alter those numbers even a small amount, the investment will be well worth it.

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 Harriette Halepis

Source Acquired via San Antonio News — In January of 2010, certain schools within Bryan, Texas, began tracking truant students using GPS tracking devices. Due to a decree handed down by Justice of the Peace Tommy Munoz, those students who were considered truant were slapped with GPS bracelets and tracked throughout the daylight hours.

GPS Tracking & Truancy

Many were sceptical as to whether or not this GPS tracking system would work, but as the months passed the class attendance within those Bryan, Texas, schools began to rise. This prompted other schools throughout the Texas area to adopt similar methods. San Antonio is one area that quickly adopted the GPS tracking system, and (as the San Antonio News reports) it’s one system that is proving to be highly effective.

Districts within the San Antonio area were simply “…looking for a solution…” when they came across the Bryan, Texas, case. Shortly thereafter, “…they tracked down a pilot program that gave them 25 GPS units and 12 weeks to try them out….” The result has been astounding. For the first time in a long time “…the students have been going to school…”

Which students get to carry GPS bracelets with them at all times? Well, that’s up for the counts to decide. Those students who prove to be more truant than the rest will find a court ordered GPS sentence, while students who attend class daily will go without being tracked.

The students who are forced to carry the GPS tracking device with them must check-in with an authority figure at different points during the day, and lying about one’s whereabouts won’t work - different codes tell authorities where a student is at all times, so there’s no escaping the GPS system.

Texas is proving to be a flagship state as far as tracking truant students goes, but it’s only a matter of time before other states begin to adopt this way of keeping kids in class. Thus far, nothing is working better at keeping kids in school than the constant electronic watchdog that is the GPS device.

By Greg Bartlett

Fleet vehicle theft can provide huge payoffs for the criminals who make it their business. When tractor trailers and their contents are stolen, it’s difficult for police to recover them, and traditionally the rate of returned vehicles has been low. That is, until the advent of GPS vehicle tracking. Fleet vehicles that have been equipped with GPS tracking devices can be monitored from a company computer and their whereabouts determined at any time. That means that as soon as a theft occurs, police have access to data that will show them the exact location of the missing vehicle, enabling them to find not only the vehicle but usually the perpetrator as well.

GPS Vehicle Tracking & Businesses

Companies who have installed GPS vehicle tracking in their fleet vehicles have reported an excellent return on their investment. When dealing with large, expensive vehicles that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each, the savings of recovering just one stolen vehicle can make the purchase of GPS tracking devices worth it, since that’s one less vehicle that has to be replaced. If employers suspect their drivers of performing personal business on company time, they can monitor individual drivers as well. Whether the employees are selling company products for personal gain, operating a personal side business on company time, or simply using the company vehicle for personal driving, managers can nip these behaviors in the bud by having the information they need to confront employees with specifics.

As GPS vehicle tracking technology improves, transmitters are being built smaller, enabling discreet placement so that the devices cannot be easily detected or removed. The transmitter sends signals to a computer detailing the vehicle’s movements over time and this information can be viewed either in real time or as a report of activities over a given time span. Real time information helps track down stolen vehicles in as little as an hour from the time they were stolen, while data reports can help employers confront workers with hard facts if they deny misbehavior.  Some cities have begun using the devices to ensure that employees are performing their jobs as expected as well.

Businesses that have asked themselves whether GPS vehicle tracking could help improve their bottom line will be pleased with the cost saving efficiency that can be encouraged with the help of the tracking devices. It’s an excellent way to keep tabs on both employees and vehicles, while making sure they make the most of limited resources.

By Greg Bartlett

Car theft presents a genuine threat in cities across the nation. While it may seem natural to assume that only new, expensive cars are in danger of theft, statistics reveal that the primary targets are mid-range cars from the 1990s, with the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry topping the list. Perhaps because these cars are easier to sell at a profit than a more expensive car would be and are less attention grabbing, car thieves gravitate toward them and others like them. In 2006, only 12.6 percent of the car theft cases reported were closed with the arrest of the perpetrator.

GPS Vehicle Tracking & Theft

With the advent of GPS vehicle tracking, that number can change dramatically. Police departments report that cars carrying GPS tracking devices are much easier to track down, enabling police not only to recover the vehicle but also to apprehend the thief in most cases. Most of the transmitters are small enough to fit discreetly in an out of the way place that isn’t obvious in order to avoid detection by the would-be thief. Some are magnetic and can be positioned under the car. Once the transmitter has been activated, it sends signals to your computer allowing you to view the location of your car in real time. Some devices also allow you to monitor fuel usage and speed for more accurate clues as to the thief’s course of action.

In high theft areas, some police departments have begun placing “bait vehicles” that have been equipped with GPS vehicle tracking units. Once a thief nabs the car, officers can apprehend him almost immediately, taking another criminal off the streets and hopefully preventing actual thefts from taking place. This idea has also been put in place for the 2010 Winter Olympics in hopes of preventing a portion of the rise in crime that generally accompanies big events and large crowds.

With the potential for auto theft incidences to be reduced by half due to GPS vehicle tracking, it just makes sense for car owners to make sure their cars are equipped with the technology. Next to your home, your car is probably the most expensive asset you own. Locks and alarms can help, but they’ve proven inefficient in deterring criminals. GPS vehicle tracking puts you in control of your car so that even if a thief succeeds in disabling your security measures, you can still make sure he is apprehended and your vehicle is returned to you.

By Greg Bartlett

For some time now, law enforcement departments have been using GPS tracking to monitor the movements of certain paroled criminals, such as sex offenders, to ensure that they are not violating the terms of their parole. The ability to keep tabs on their whereabouts at all times reduces the likelihood that these criminals will commit additional criminal acts once they have been released from prison. As more uses for GPS tracking come to light, greater usage can be expected to be implemented by law enforcement to help them perform their duties more efficiently.

GPS Tracking & Criminals

One Maryland county is now considering a bill that would extend GPS tracking monitoring to some individuals who have a protective order filed against them. If the individual has a history of not complying with protective orders, he could be required to wear a GPS monitoring device in an effort to provide greater protection to victims of domestic violence. Officers could set up perimeters for an “exclusion zone” that would set off an alarm if crossed by the GPS wearer. Legitimate reasons to enter this area could be called in ahead of time. Protective orders have a dubious history of actually preventing domestic violence from occurring, since it’s nearly impossible for police to watch the offender at all times. GPS tracking makes greater monitoring possible and puts a priority on the safety of the victim. If approved, Washington County would begin a pilot program that would last for two years before determining whether the practice should be instituted.

One of the greatest benefits of using GPS tracking to monitor criminals is that it allows law enforcement departments to do a better job of monitoring potentially dangerous individuals while at the same time reducing their need for additional resources. Jobs that formerly required many officers and many hours on the clock can now be accomplished by the tracking devices, needing only one officer to monitor the computer and respond to any alerts. This allows departments to make the best use of limited funds and to do a better job protecting the community at the same time.

As police departments constantly seek better ways to ensure the safety of crime victims, GPS tracking has consistently delivered stellar results. There will undoubtedly continue to be new ideas and options brought to the table and as they are, the hope is that GPS tracking can help make every community a safer place to live.

By Greg Bartlett

How many different types of tracking systems do you think there are available? While many people may think that only a few exist, the possibilities are endless and opportunities abound to exploit the advantages of a GPS tracker. GPS tracking systems can be used for a variety of things. One of the most well-known is used for tracking vehicles. Whether you want to keep track of your spouse or children, or whether you simply want to know where your car is at all times, a GPS system could suit you perfectly. Some people hide the GPS system on their vehicle, others place it in a conspicuous location, such as a standard GPS system that gives directions. Some companies, on the other hand, use GPS tracking systems to keep record of where their cars have been, how long they have been there, and their speed in travel. This can be helpful if you rent out cars or have a business that makes client calls.

GPS Tracking & Personal Safety

Another use for GPS tracking is to know where your animal is. Dog-tracking collars have made recent strides in technology and people can even have personal logins and passwords to find a lost pup on the Internet. Some people will also GPS tracking and place a device on an individual or in a pocket.

Other uses of tracking systems have been to keep abreast of what is going on worldwide. Police officers have used GPS trackers to know where criminals are at all times. Paparazzi use similar devices to know where a famous Hollywood star is or where a politician may be staying. The Olympics became well-known for tracking the vehicles that the champions were traveling in. This helped them to know where the athletes were and when they would arrive to the games.

GPS tracking is not difficult and has become very useful recently. It uses a small device that, when activated, transmits radio waves to satellites, that then pass the information to a central computer. This helps technicians know the location of the device as well as any other data it monitors. Tracking with a GPS system can be very beneficial and can provide you with much information that you would not be able to know otherwise. GPS systems are cheap and readily available for anyone who is interested in considering them further. Come see what a GPS tracker can do for you.

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

If you are in the market for an anti theft device then you should look at the Smart Tracker and NavIQ software package.  The benefits are too great to ignore.  They include:

NavIQ Software

The Smart Tracker provides on-demand and near real-time tracking from any computer through a web page interface.  You do not have to purchase a monthly subscription plan for tracking, either.  You can activate the device and then locate your vehicle as circumstances require.  You save money via this “pay-per-use” feature.

Once the device has been activated the NavIQ software provides the interface and has more features than just being able to visually inspect the movements of an asset. You can also run reports and set boundaries with geo-fencing.

NavIQ software features boast these important features:

• Request locate. Institutes a polling feature that locates the position of your asset.
• Rapid Tracking. Map refreshes every thirty seconds holds the asset on the current map view. This provides real-time tracking as long as the GPS device is set to the same interval.
• Geo-fencing. Predetermined points on a map are set which form a boundary and send out notifications via email or SMS text in order to alert the recipient that the boundary has been breached.
• Speed alert. Speed thresholds are set which are triggered when they are exceeded. The actual speed is recorded along with the location.
• Navigation or routing. Turn-by-turn directions are given for routing purposes.
• Extensive Reporting. Risk Management Reports deliver information on improper use of an asset. These uses can include speed limits, and off-hours usage. There are other more in-depth reports as well.
• Google Earth’s imagery used. You can see routes and tracking via this popular software interface.
• Long-term storage. History reports are stored off-site from your facilities for future reference for up to one year.
• History mapping. All detailed activities are contained within reports that can be accessed at any time.
• Actual mapping. All map controls on the computer are easy to navigate and move around with which provides great user interaction.

The Smart Tracker with NavIQ software gives you a “one-two” punch which helps you to actively and continuously monitor your assets.  Marrying hardware and software together in this configuration gives you the advantages of being able to keep close tabs on your assets.  Whether it is a vehicle or other large, high-ticket item, you will appreciate the benefits.

When installed to specification you can pass along information to police as to the whereabouts of your property.  Police would rather be involved in the instant recovery of an item than to have it end up in a manila folder on an investigators’ desk gathering dust.

Now that you know what the advantages of a Smart Tracker with NavIQ software are, the only question is when will you make the move to obtain them for your business?  Once you do, you’ll be glad you did.

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

It seems that we can always count on there being a story or two that involve high profile celebrities or organizations being the target of a stalker every few months. While a variety of industries, non-profits, research groups, and private individuals have put GPS trackers to incredible use, some still abuse the technology for whatever reason. According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics survey (note: pdf link), roughly 14 adults out of every 1,000 were victims of some degree of stalking. This could include repeated harassment at work, unsolicited personal messages online, or actual shadowing. The vast majority of victims know the stalker personally. GPS trackers play a role in very few of these cases, but the technology can certainly pose a temptation to those individuals unbalanced by events in their personal lives. Several situations have made the news recently.

GPS Trackers & Stalking

Last year, former Giants player Michael Strahan secretly placed a GPS tracker on his girlfriend’s car, accusing her of cheating when it was discovered. The couple had demonstrated serious relationship issues in the months prior, and the incident certainly didn’t help. Now short one girlfriend, perhaps Strahan could have learned from the example of MLB player Albert Belle, who in 2006 made repeated threats to his ex-girlfriend and had her monitored with a GPS tracker as well. This was a far more serious case, necessitating the involvement of the police and a restraining order. Ironically, the judge ordered that Belle be electronically monitored to ensure his compliance with court orders.

Perhaps less serious-but still illegal-are the occasional pranks played with GPS trackers. The blogosphere thought it had discovered once such joke recently, where two German artists claimed to have hidden a GPS tracker on a Google Street View van and were following it around Berlin. This comes after months of pranks on Street View vehicles-people have followed, harassed, or otherwise disrupted the camera-equipped cars since the program began. This case, however, turned out to be a hoax. The artists had hoped to raise awareness about paranoia by stirring up some themselves.

For genuine instances of stalking, there are a few things you can do to keep from becoming a victim. If you believe that you are being followed or harassed, then inform your close friends and family so they can keep an eye out for you. Keep a record of encounters, and if you feel secure enough in a public place-perhaps with a good friend-confront your stalker when possible. Be firm, and go to the police if the stalking continues. You can find other good advice here.

As businesses large and small prepare for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, many people are working behind the scenes to make sure the logistics for the games come together correctly. As athletes, fans, and truckloads of equipment prepare to converge on Vancouver, security measures will need to be heightened in order to ensure the safety and protection of all involved. For athletes, their equipment, and their vehicles, that means the implementation of GPS vehicle tracking to ensure that they reach their destination safely.

GPS & the Olympics

GPS vehicle tracking devices can be placed discreetly in a vehicle and once in place can provide accurate location information to those monitoring the devices, even if they’re hundreds of miles away. Signals sent at specified intervals from the transmitter allow each vehicle to be monitored continuously and enable immediate intervention if something goes amiss. Similar technology will be used for the Super Bowl this year as well. When high profile athletes and their entourages travel, they can be easily targeted for theft or other crimes. With GPS vehicle tracking, their safety can be assured at any point along their travel route, before problems arise.

While GPS vehicle tracking has gotten some high profile coverage this season, it is most often used to help businesses and individuals keep track of their fleet vehicles or personal automobiles. Some companies report significant savings by keeping an eye on routes that drivers take, how they conserve (or don’t conserve) fuel, and what their driving habits are. Companies with vehicles that tend to be targeted for theft such as construction companies with heavy equipment can protect their vehicle investment by placing a transmitter in each machine. Managers can also determine whether employees are wasting time on the job and whether they are using company vehicles for personal business, both of which can lead to significant monetary outlays. If a manager suspects that an employee is driving the company delivery truck over the weekend, he can use the vehicle tracking technology to verify his suspicions and stop the misuse before it costs the company too much.

GPS vehicle tracking can provide safety and cost savings solutions to any company that maintains vehicles. Although the up-front investment may seem significant, most businesses report that the system pays for itself within a matter of months by saving on fuel costs and man hours. In an economy where each business needs to invest each dollar wisely and reduce costs wherever possible, GPS vehicle tracking could be the decision that helps your company outlast the competition.