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Category Archives: Vehicle Tracking

Your Friendly Neighborhood GPS

September 25th, 2010
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Imagine this scenario: you have a brand new car. You’ve wanted this car for years and worked hard to afford it. The vehicle lives up to your dreams; it handles well, has good mileage, and looks great. However, you run into one problem: you’re not the only person who likes your car. The vehicle is stolen from your driveway or a parking lot and now you’re left wondering how to get your expensive investment returned to you. Enter GPS tracking!

We’ve all become increasingly familiar with GPS directional devices over the years. It seems they’re popping up everywhere. Most people are starting to consider the devices as a part of everyday life and wouldn’t go anywhere without their satellite-operated map. However, finding a car outfitted with a GPS car tracking device can be more difficult. Few people realize the benefits of having such a unit.

GPS Can Prevent Crime

So what are these benefits? While a traditional GPS guide helps with direction, GPS tracking devices can be used as a theft recovery tool to aid in finding your car after a theft. Without a GPS tracker, it could be anyone’s guess as to where the vehicle may be, and you may not recover your car.

Consider an incident in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Three teens stole a car and likely used that same car while performing other break-ins. When the police finally hunted the trio down, the teens led them on a chase through several stop signs and red lights, finally crashing the vehicle into a local plant nursery. Had the owner had enough foresight to install a GPS, this accident and the nine other break-ins by the same teens may have been prevented. Police could have tracked down the car sooner, taken the teens into custody, and prevented any future crimes.

GPS Can Protect Your Neighborhood

Installing a GPS tracking device on your own car will help keep your own property safe. However, it may do more than just that. As seen in the story above, it could help you protect the safety of others, bring criminals to justice, protect minors from their own irresponsibility, and keep everyone’s property safer. Without such a device, however, you may find yourself putting you and your property, as well as other lives and property in jeopardy. Protect yourself, protect your property, and help protect your neighborhood with GPS.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

Find Your Fleet With GPS

September 22nd, 2010
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Fleet ownership comes with some very real problems. Aside from the constant possibility of theft, employee management can also be a challenge. Are there any issues with the drivers and bad habits such as speeding? Is time being wasted with stops and idle times? Until now, the fleet owner has basically been in the dark, but GPS tracking provides immediate information that can save time and money and allow better fleet management — as well as theft recovery.

Chicago Relies On GPS

The city of Chicago has installed GPS tracking in city-owned vehicles to improve the accountability of their employees and to better address needs through faster response times. When a night investigator and his crew recently stopped for a bite at Taco Bell, their truck was stolen. The good news is that the truck was recovered near the airport a few hours later. The bad news for the investigator is that he is facing disciplinary action for making the unauthorized 3 a.m. food stop when he was supposed to be working eight hours straight.

Increase Efficiency With GPS

GPS tracking is able to store the complete history of location, routes, stops and speed of each vehicle in the fleet in one database. For a particularly large fleet, some GPS tracking systems do not require manual downloads, but download stored information automatically as the vehicle approaches the base station. As an extra benefit, independent contractors and salesmen could easily generate a trip record for reimbursement purposes, thereby saving precious time that could be better spent.

Fleet owners would be wise to protest their investment with GPS technology. It will reduce their costs through lower insurance rates because the vehicles will likely be recovered if stolen and through more efficient labor when employees realize they are being held accountable. Increasing efficiency and reducing downtime are very real ways that businesses can save money in trying economic times. GPS can ensure that your business will be around when the recession is over.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

GPS On and Off the Dealership Lot

September 21st, 2010
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Article Written by Greg Bartlett

Buy-here-pay-here car dealerships have been a staple of the automobile industry for decades. Customers enjoy them because they can offer lower prices and more personalized service than large chains. In addition, they offer an excellent opportunity for someone with an entrepreneurial bent to start a business and earn a good living. Such dealerships are not without risk, however. Buyers at these dealerships tend to have fewer financial resources and less than ideal credit, meaning that dealers face more risk of the buyer defaulting on his loan. In addition, thefts tend to occur more often at smaller dealerships since they may seem to provide an easier target. GPS tracking offers a solution to both these problems, as well as offering the buyer a way to protect his new purchase once he leaves the dealership.

Benefits of GPS

There are several benefits offered to both dealers and buyers when they use a GPS device (such as the Smart Tracker) to monitor their vehicles. One of the greatest benefits to dealers is the ability to locate a vehicle immediately if the buyer defaults on his loan. Because the vehicle title remains in the possession of the dealer until the buyer makes his last payment, the dealer can, and should, keep an eye on his assets.

In the case of a loan default, a dealership owner can locate and recover the vehicle in a matter of hours rather than spending days or weeks looking for a buyer who doesn’t want to be found. In addition, the devices act as an anti-theft feature for both buyers and sellers. If someone steals a car from a lot, a dealer can locate it immediately and enlist the help of local police for recovery and apprehension of the thief.

Buyer GPS Installation

Once a buyer purchases the car, he can also install his own tracking system to deter theft. In both cases, recovery will be much easier and faster with the help of the device than would be possible without it. Some models also allow the owner to disable the starter if the car has been stolen, preventing a thief from moving the vehicle.

GPS tracking offers asset protection in a notoriously difficult to monitor industry. Car dealership owners and buyers will both benefit greatly from taking advantage of the technology to monitor their vehicles, both before and after the sale.

Telling Dealership Customers About GPS

September 17th, 2010
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Installing a GPS Tracker on Financed Cars

A large number of buy-here-pay-here car dealerships have begun to use GPS tracking technology as a form of protection against high-risk clients. Most of these trackers also contain engine disruption devices that can prevent an engine from starting if a payment is missed. When these devices have been installed, repossessing a vehicle becomes a lot easier.

Yet, some dealerships are wary about using GPS technology. Even though, any way you slice it, a dealership has a right to protect their investments, many dealerships don’t want to upset potential clients by using GPS. On the flip side, thousands of dealerships throughout the world are currently using this technology with a great amount of success – and a large rise in profits.

How To Attract Clients While Using GPS

The target market for buy-here-pay-here car dealerships is people who have no, poor, or very bad credit. In a downtrodden economy, there are more of these clients than ever before. This should translate into increased profits for buy-here-pay-here dealership owners. When dealership cards have been played correctly, attracting clients while using GPS to track vehicles can be accomplished.

Buy-here-pay-here clients are usually looking for a vehicle that will help them perform daily tasks. As such, these consumers need vehicles that are reliable and affordable. These consumers are also looking for dealerships that will provide financing regardless of a poor credit history. Being upfront with clients is the best way to use GPS tracking, and still provide customers with a second chance at owning a car.

What To Tell Clients

Informing clients of GPS usage is the best way to use GPS technology. Here are some things to consider when installing this type of technology.

  • Contract: include the fact that cars are being tracked with GPS in every contract.
  • Information: train sales associates to explain GPS to clients, and provide written information to those who need to know more.
  • Legalities: make sure that clients know what the consequences of disabling a GPS tracker are. This information can be attained by speaking with your company lawyer.

All around the world, car dealerships are using GPS tracking technology successfully. Turning a risky client into a paying client is simply a matter of knowing how to approach the subject.

Post Written by Harriette Halepis

GPS Makes High-Risk Car Loans Safer for Dealerships

September 13th, 2010
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Article Written by Greg Bartlett

When you hear of a car dealership advertising “no credit checks” or “no one is turned down”, you can bet that the dealership is appealing to high risk customers. Many of these customers are unemployed, but require a car to secure a job. While offering car loans to high risk customers may seem somewhat foolish, though GPS tracking technology can now make this process a whole lot easier for car dealerships.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on a woman  from Illinois whose Buick had been giving her GPS-based late payment warnings for days. Red and yellow flashing lights informed the woman that her car payment was late. She ignored these warnings until she  heard the last chance warning — an incessant beeping that told her to make her car payment that day or the car would be disabled.

Some car owners who would not qualify for any purchase without a high risk loan feel that the trade off of having a GPS tracking device on their vehicle is fair: they are able to purchase a car but if they don’t pay, at some point the car will not start. Dealers who have installed the devices say they now have a way of encouraging on-time payments. These GPS devices also provide an easy way to locate the vehicle if necessary.

Car dealers benefit from better cash flow and, in turn, are able to offer better cars to their customers. Most car dealers don’t feel that the GPS tracking on the cars is a danger to the customer as it cannot switch the car off while it is running, and it gives ample warnings before disabling the car.

Remote disabling and tracking of automobiles is well worth the investment for car dealerships as it will increase sales, dramatically reduce late payments, help recover stolen vehicles, and serve the consumer better.  Not everyone buying a car from the “buy-here-pay-here” market is a deadbeat. Some just need a helping hand to get back on their feet, and this includes reliable transportation. The installation of a GPS tracking device allows dealerships to give those in need a helping hand.

GPS Helps College Students Remain Safe

September 8th, 2010
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Article Written By Greg Bartlett

Parents sending their kids off to college for the first time, or even for a second or third year may be a little nervous about their child’s safety.  Whether a college student is living in the dorms or off campus, staying safe is important. There are many ways to protect valuables from being lost and stolen, but one fairly recent technology many people use is GPS theft prevention devices or alarm systems.  GPS tracking devices can be attached to items of value like computers and vehicles.

These tracking devices allow the owner to monitor the location of their valuable possessions at all times.  If a student is worried about his laptop computer or cell phone being lost or stolen, a GPS tracking device may be an option to consider.  Many students simply use locks for their laptops, which is a cheaper option, but GPS theft prevention devices have proven to be quite effective.  GPS can also be used to track vehicles. Usually a small tracking device is placed in or on the car in an inconspicuous place (so that a car thief will not see the device and remove it).  This amazing technology allows the owner (or police) to track the vehicle’s exact location and speed.

Some devices send signals that can be tracked online, while others send signals directly to a cellphone.  GPS tracking devices can also be used for bicycles, sine hundreds of bicycles are stolen from college campuses every year.  In a dorm room or apartment, students can install a GPS security system.  Although many security options are available, these security systems  are becoming more and more popular.  These systems can include cameras as well as GPS devices, and they have proven to be very effective.

Unfortunately, personal safety for college students is a big issue as well.  In the last several years, there have been several cases of murdered students that have made the national news.  Most of these students were killed by acquaintances, usually fellow students.   GPS devices can also be sewn into clothing, and various devices can be slipped inside a backpack or folder. On a less serious level, GPS technology can also be used during extracurricular activities like shopping or trying out new restaurants around town.  Navigational devices are also very helpful in reaching an unfamiliar destination quickly and easily.  Whether for fun or safety, GPS can give parents of college students peace of mind.

Prevent Vehicle Theft with GPS Tracking

September 5th, 2010
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Motor vehicle theft happens every day and not only is it a nuisance, messing up your daily schedule and causing much hassle, but it also could run into a bit of money and time, depending upon how well the car is insured and how high the deductible. There is a solution to this common problem and it comes in the form of a GPS tracking device. They come in a variety of sizes such as handheld or small and magnetic to be unobtrusively attached to an object or placed in a suitcase.

A GPS tracking device uses the Global Positioning System, a constellation of twenty-seven satellites orbiting the Earth and maintained by the U.S. Military, to determine the coordinates of a receiver on earth. The way the GPS receiver works is to locate four or more satellites, calculate distance to each, and then figure its own location based on that information.

In a recent case, Mississippi State Senator Terry Burton’s Impala was stolen. When he realized what had happened, he contacted On-Star so that they could activate the GPS unit in his car. They verified the theft with police and then provided officers with the exact location of the vehicle. It was quickly recovered with no damage or loss to the senator. The usual course of events would have been that the car ended up in a chop shop, parts shipped out to various locations, abandoned somewhere or even purchased by someone else who had no knowledge of its history. Because GPS is built into many newer car models, the police are given a huge advantage in making a quick recovery and thereby minimizing possible damage to the vehicle.

There are many advantages to having a GPS tracking device in your personal vehicle. Aside from the obvious navigational reasons, insurance companies love them and will give you better rates accordingly. They not only considerably raise the odds of recovering your stolen vehicle which insurance companies always like, but they allow your driving to be monitored for safety purposes. If you’re a good driver, you’ll have more proof than just your word and the fact that you’ve managed to avoid speeding tickets. So, while your primary purpose for installing a GPS  may be to thwart a thief, it will prove beneficial in many other ways.

GPS and Electronic IDs Spark Schoolbus Concerns

September 3rd, 2010
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Many school districts across the nation are playing a grown up game of “I Spy” using GPS tracking technology and electronic Identification tags. In addition to the numerous GPS tracking devices that have been installed in many school buses throughout the nation, some districts now require students to carry electronic identification cards.

Student ID cards work the same way that employee identification cards do, which means that a school district can keep a close eye on all children throughout the day. As soon as a student (including Kindergarten students) enters a school bus, these students are required to swipe an identification card in front of an ID machine. A quick flash and a beep means that a student has entered a school bus effectively giving some parents peace of mind. Yet, not all parents believe that this kind of identification process is necessary.

At the moment, only school officials have access to child identification information, though many districts report that this information will soon be available to parents too. While many school districts throughout the U.S. currently use GPS tracking technology in order to keep track of school buses, electronic identification cards are a relatively new type of safety measure.

Due to the popularity of these cads, it is safe to assume that electronic ID cards will soon become a part of many young lives throughout the next couple of years. Implementing an identification system of this manner will cost school districts around $16,000. Is all of this child tracking technology too much?

Go Green and Save Some Green With GPS Tracking

September 1st, 2010
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Article Written by Greg Bartlett

Times are tough in the business world. Companies continually look for ways to save money while at the same time reducing environmental impact. With gas prices swelling and the cost of doing business increasing, environmental efforts are not always as easy as they seem. Fleet managers especially need a way to evaluate how they use resources and how they can save money and incorporate green management practices at the same time. One of the best ways to accomplish both goals is to incorporate GPS Tracking devices for each vehicle in the fleet.

By equipping each vehicle in a fleet with a GPS tracking device, fleet managers can monitor driver habits and vehicle efficiency accurately. They can determine fuel efficiency, idle time, speed and routes taken. With this information in hand, they can map out a plan to reduce costs by taking shorter routes, reducing idle time, maintaining the speed limit, and using each vehicle to its greatest potential. While GPS tracking systems do require an initial expenditure that can seem daunting, most estimates reveal that companies can recoup their expenses in nine months or less. As savings continue to increase over the life of the system, most companies find that incorporating a tracking system for fleet vehicles is well worth the investment.

In addition to the direct savings garnered by monitoring drivers and vehicles with GPS tracking devices, companies can also realize greater productivity and savings by taking advantage of tracking data. If every driver in a fleet can make one extra stop every day by taking shorter routes, both the company as a whole and the drivers individually will enjoy increased earnings. If vehicles can be used more efficiently, managers can forego additional purchases, resulting in thousands saved each year.

All these cost saving measures also result in greener companies. Reducing idle time and driving fewer miles results in fewer emissions, giving fleet managers an even greater reason for incorporating GPS tracking into their vehicles. As responsible care for the environment becomes more urgent every day, companies looking to go green can take huge steps in the right direction simply by equipping themselves with knowledge. Once they have specific information in hand, it’s only a matter of incorporating new habits and practices into their employees’ training in order to create an environmentally friendly business that operates at its full potential while saving money at the same time.

Stealing a Security Vehicle? Really? Really?!

August 28th, 2010
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Vehicles are stolen every day across the United States. Often, there is little police can do to find these vehicles, especially if the thief cannot be identified. No one sees the vehicle stolen, or if they do, they are unable to follow it and quickly lose sight of it. Before long, the car or truck or farm equipment is gone, sold on the black market, and forever lost to the owner. But vehicles that are part of a GPS fleet tracking system can be recovered, often within hours.

A GPS fleet tracking system keeps tabs on a number of vehicles at once. Each vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracking unit; this unit communicates with satellites to determine the vehicle’s exact location, coordinating latitude and longitude with maps of the area’s terrain and roads. This location is relayed to a software system that shows the fleet managers where each vehicle is at any given moment. The software also records information such as speed, idle time, and route so that it can later be evaluated. This information is commonly used to increase efficiency and keep drivers accountable for their work. But it also can be used to prevent theft or locate a stolen vehicle.

The City of Melville uses GPS fleet tracking for asset management and employee safety. One of their security officers was patrolling a community suburb when he was attacked and his vehicle was stolen. The vehicle was equipped with a concealed GPS device, so the command center and police department coordinated efforts to track the vehicle and apprehend the thief. The thief showed his desperation as he rammed another vehicle in his attempt to get away and was tasered in order to be caught. He was arrested and later sentenced, and the vehicle was recovered.

Without the GPS fleet tracking unit on the car, the story may have ended quite differently. The security officer would not have received help so quickly because his location would not have been already known. The vehicle might have been sold whole or in parts and never recovered. A dangerous criminal might still be operating. If other cities and private companies want to protect their vehicles and their employees, they should follow Melville’s example and install GPS fleet tracking.

(Article written by Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking.)

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