Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

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.

Gps Tracking Keeps Thieves Away from Construction Sites

July 10th, 2010

Theft of equipment from construction sites is occurring at an alarming rate. So much so, that construction firms have embraced the use of GPS Tracking devices to help them recover expensive equipment quickly.

Construction & GPS Tracking

The poor economy is partly to blame for the rise in incidents of theft. But beyond that is the fact that there are more opportunists out there that are looking for ways to make a quick dollar – even on larger expensive items. GPS Tracking systems are playing a large part in helping to solve these incidents. Here are the ways that they are helping.

Web-based Locate is Accurate and Efficient

With a device attached to an asset, the location can be viewed on a computer screen at any time (as long as it is a device that is on all of the time, an active system, and can be tracked in real-time.) This alone is a good feature, but there is one better: geo-fencing. With this feature enabled, you can get a text alert or email message if your asset is moved outside of a boundary that you set on a map on your computer. Since early morning thefts are common, these boundaries protect your assets while you sleep. Stealth and quickness are the two biggest advantages of using these devices. Getting your equipment back fast helps you to keep your business running and will ultimately result in less damage to the asset.

Manage Multiple Assets with the Click of your Mouse

If you are a large contractor, then you are more vulnerable than smaller ones. The more pieces of equipment that you are required to watch and maintain, the more chances that theft can and will occur just by sheer numbers. Now you can manage all of your equipment from one computer. Perform a simple inventory in minutes. Know where your equipment is and who should be using it by location.

Many Types: Battery, Hard Wired, Magnetized Installations

If the equipment is big enough, it can be tracked. Many tracking devices have batteries that can run for days between charges. Others can use existing 12 volt systems to keep them under power (and use the internal battery as a backup). Vehicles are the most popular items to track but also heavy duty equipment like tractors, graders, bulldozers, skid loaders, etc, can all be outfitted with a device. And, since these devices are relatively inexpensive compared to the price of the item, it is worth the time and trouble to protect it. The problems theft brings can slow down the whole project and put you thousands of dollars behind schedule!

Reducing Theft Risk Reduces Your Insurance Premiums

Risk reduction is important to insurance companies and with GPS Tracking devices, they can achieve that goal better than ever right now. So, chances are high that your insurance premiums will go down as a direct result of implementing these units on your equipment. Making the decision to outfit your entire fleet of assets with GPS Tracking devices is one that you will not regret. Knowing expensive asset locations helps manage projects, keeps insurance companies happy and keeps thieves away. GPS Tracking plays a large role in protecting construction sites. Smart firms embrace Gps technology and are proactive against thieves!

Smart Business Owners Embrace GPS and Increase Profits

July 6th, 2010

When difficult economic times hit, most businesses that were hanging on by a thread folded. The ones that remain have learned how to cope by making significant changes in their operations. Is there more than can be done? Certainly, there is always room for improvement.

Smart Businesses Save Money with GPS

Now that businesses have taken every conceivable action to stay in business, attention turns to the little things. Taken together, these can help keep the wheels turning for a long period of time.

Avoid Hiring

Payroll is the biggest expense for most businesses. The need to bring another person on must be weighed against the expense. There is not only the pay, but also the benefits. And future consideration must be given to health care costs. That uncertainty alone makes it worth holding off on hiring. If you must have a real person to help you consider two alternatives: part-time help or contractor assistance. Neither of these require payment of benefits and you can terminate the arrangements much easier.

Watch Small Expenses

Every expense must be scrutinized. Right down to the utilities that you consume. If you own your own building, put in water-saving toilets. Make sure electrical items that are not necessary to run the business are turned off while you are done for the day or weekend. Turn down your water heater so that it supplies water temperatures that are slightly above warm. Shop for a new bank account that charges lower and/or fewer fees. Credit unions are a good place to look for that. Print fewer documents on your printers. All of these together make up significant savings to your bottom line.

Downsize Major Expenses

Is it time to move into a smaller space from which to run your business? Consider that rent payments often make up thousands of dollars per month. Calculate how much a move would cost you, and then compare that to what a smaller location would compare to your current rent. This would allow you to see how long it would take to make up that money that you spend to move and then begin to save over time. If you own or lease major assets, think about downsizing those or getting rid of some that you no longer use regularly. If you have vehicles, look into used versus new.

Implement Technology

There are two technology implementations that you should consider. First, is an 800 number and associated PBX (phone answering) system. These are so common today that most people do not mind using them. And, once they are programmed correctly, they allow callers to route their own calls and leave messages on voicemail boxes and send pages, etc. You can replace a full-time receptionist with one of these at a fraction of the cost.

Look into GPS Tracking systems. If you own assets that are used outside of the physical confines of your business, tracking them with these devices makes a lot of sense. Should you need to know where a vehicle is (for example), you can look it up on any Internet connection. If one is stolen, you can recover it quickly. Plus, your insurance company might provide a cut on your premiums.

All of the above are not hard to implement. It takes time and will power to make it happen. But, you can make it happen and that might be all it takes to keep your business solvent until better economic times bring more sales.

The Business Cost Saver – GPS Tracking Devices

July 3rd, 2010

We may as well get used to being tracked as employees. It is happening more often than we realize and is getting more attention in the news. In fact, you are vulnerable if you wear a simple badge that unlocks a door for you when you pass in and out of your work place on a daily basis. These systems are already tracking your presence in the buildings. And, even some systems are going further than that in that they have the ability to track the badge in real-time as you move throughout the facilities. That includes the restrooms. GPS Tracking devices in businesses are being used to help cut costs, reduce employee “waste” time and ensure that staff is basically productive on the job.

GPS Tracking & Employees

Businesses are turning to GPS technology in greater numbers to help get more productivity out of their lean staff. But, these systems are also being used to make sure that you are complying with company rules and regulations as well as laws. Should you violate any, be prepared to be caught and for the disciplinary action that follows.

But, there is a good side, too. The information gathered from these GPS Tracking devices can also confirm an employee’s actions that are in question when there is no factual basis for the scrutiny. For example, verifying the speed at which a driver is driving a vehicle can be used in a court of law to prove innocence in a moving violation case.

Watching from Afar

Fleet tracking is the most common use for GPS Tracking, but employees are quickly becoming a close second. The main concern however, is privacy. When does the best interest of the company take precedence over personal privacy? The middle ground is where these two issues clash. Company rules and regulations are legitimate and must be enforced. So are common laws that everyone must submit to every day. But, personal privacy must be protected, too. It appears that the pendulum has swung too far towards invasion of privacy.

In the pursuit of profit, businesses are playing a bit loose with personal privacy. If you have concerns at your place of business address them with Human Resources and be an informed employee. By speaking up you will know the company position and you will send a signal to management that you are aware of their policies. Indirectly, you may just keep them honest!

Jamie O’Neal is a creative writer for LandAirSea Systems, a Woodstock, IL-based manufacturer and distributor of GPS tracking systems, software and accessories.

GPS Devices Get Smaller – Providing Better Protection

July 2nd, 2010

Nanotechnology notwithstanding, many electronic devices are getting so small that it is almost unbelievable. Consider the cell phone, the watch, and even GPS Tracking devices.

Smaller and Smaller Devices

The need for a small footprint in a tracking device is driven by several factors.

First the smaller size allows one to better conceal a device. This is important in tracking things and even people.

Some GPS tracking devices are sewn into clothing for children which provides parents a better method for keeping track on their location.

Some of these are hidden in product that is being shipped for the purpose of being able to track it and make sure that it reaches its intended destination. If it becomes stolen, it serves as a beacon for law enforcement officials for recovery purposes.

Next, the smaller the unit, the less battery consumption takes place which allows it to last longer than larger counterparts. Consider that cell phone batteries have shrunk to almost nothing, yet provide days of activity between charges. In small dedicated units the power consumption is not nearly as great a drain on the battery as are cell phones and smart phones.

Some of the products that are being manufactured to meet the demands of smaller applications include the following.

GPS Watches. The ultimate trick for fooling a predator that they have taken or injured someone and think they will never be caught. But, beyond this is the data capabilities that help athletes and runners track and monitor their workouts and races.

GPS Tracking Devices for Children. Need to keep a closer eye on where your children are and what they are doing? You can choose one of several products available in this market to accomplish this goal. What you will find are varying degrees of usability and features as well as pricing. Is it worth it? Only you can be the judge.

GPS Tracking Systems for Products. Professional businesses offer these systems to help secure cargo and product shipments to their destination. Pricing varies by company, but the bottom line is that if you handle expensive and highly sought out product by thieves it can save many hours of frustration and customer relationships. These are best used with other GPS tracking methods by the shipping industry to help insure that your business runs like it needs to – safely and theft-free.

GPS Tracking for the Banking Industry. Devices are being used and installed into bank bags which allow police to track bank robbers before they even realize that they are being tracked. More of these devices are being used every day.

GPS Tracking for the Auto Industry. Small devices are installed into vehicles by owners to help track their teen drivers, and make sure that if there is a theft, the vehicle can be recovered quickly. Also, some auto dealers that finance their own vehicles are using them to locate customers who stop making payments on their cars and trucks.

All of these devices vary in price and even capabilities. It is best to perform extensive research before making a purchase decision.

Cities and Towns Turning to GPS in Great Numbers

July 1st, 2010

More cities and towns are implementing GPS Tracking to help them save money. Tax revenues are down because the lack of jobs is producing lower tax collections. This hits the bottom line and threatens the services that communities have come to depend upon for years. Now, municipalities are turning to ways to save money, but still provide essential services.

Government & GPS Tracking

A key component in all of this is GPS Tracking. Here are five ways that a government can use these devices to help keep them from operating in the red, but still provide what citizens need.

Accountability and Safety

With the right GPS Tracking device you can get real-time tracking which 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.

Evidence of Performance

When it comes to essential street services, when was the last time that you made a sweep of the city to collect downed tree limbs, etc.? 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.

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.

Justification for Leadership

Not only can you report on the whereabouts and activities performed by your fleet and drivers, 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 gps system affords your municipality.

Lost Productivity is Costly for Your Company

June 14th, 2010

By Greg Bartlett

Are your off-site consultants and servicemen actually working? Do you know for sure? Modern personal tracking systems can save your company enormous amounts of money in lost productivity, and they are uncomplicated to implement in your company. These systems work on the same basic principles of any other GPS system, but have added import for companies who regularly send personnel into “the field” to interact with customers on-site.

Businesses & GPS Tracking

The most important way that GPS tracking devices can benefit your company is in reducing lost productivity. If one worker regularly wastes even 15 minutes in a day, this can easily cost your company $1000 in lost productivity. If you multiply this amount by the amount of “on-site” workers you employ, well, the numbers can get large very quickly. GPS tracking can reduce or eliminate this lost productivity in several ways.

Sets Expectations

Studies have shown time and again that if workers know that their boss is keeping an eye on what they are doing, then they are more likely to do what they are supposed to be doing. By issuing GPS tracking to your workers, you can effectively remind them that you care what they do, and expect them to do what they are supposed to. Some companies have even noticed that the driving habits of their service workers improved, and they were able to make it to more jobs in a day than they did pre-GPS tracking. Workers are also much less likely to use company vehicles to make personal side-trips when personal tracking systems are put into place.

Prevents Random Routes
GPS tracking systems can reduce random driving patterns due to poor directions. Excessive gas and wear and tear on a vehicle is costly to maintain. One solution could be to issue GPS navigators, in addition to the tracking devices. With the tracking devices, though, the workers can call into the company, and the person who is watching the GPS tracking screen can easily guide the driver to the work site.

Reward Good Habits
With a personal tracking system in place, it is easy to tell when workers arrive and leave job sites. With this information, combined with customer feedback, it is very easy to see which workers are performing above and below your company’s expectations. Your company could then set up a motivating, objective rewarding system for workers.

Keeping employees productive and focused contributes to the success of your company. As GPS tracking devices become more advanced, the benefits of knowing valuable information about your fleet will contribute to your bottom line through excellent customer service relationships.

GPS Tracking is Technology to Build Your Business Around

June 5th, 2010

Managing assets is the same whether you have a small business or are in the accounting department of a large corporation. Keeping track of the things that are used outside of the walls of your business is a major task. That’s why GPS Tracking is an important addition to any business.

GPS Tracking & Business

For many large corporations, physical assets make up millions and millions of dollars on a balance sheet. For that reason alone, tight control and close management are mandatory. That is why GPS Tracking systems should be instituted into all businesses that are tasked with managing mobile or near-mobile assets. Anything that can easily be moved should be outfitted with a GPS Tracking device.

Protect Assets. When these systems are implemented, location is never a question. Even if the models that just allow for periodic checking on location are used, then that makes them worth the money.

Movable and Mobile. If the assets in question are vehicles, then that is all the more reason to get GPS Tracking systems. Not only can location be ascertained, but also direction of travel and speed as well. Part of managing vehicles is making sure that they are properly cared for on an on-going basis. That is what you get with GPS Tracking systems.

Lower Insurance Premiums. Lowering insurance costs means mitigating risks inherent in the managing and deploying of assets. If lower risk from theft occurs, or even if GPS Tracking systems means finding stolen property sooner, then the cost is worth the investment.

Theft Recovery. If asset are stolen which are being tracked via GPS Tracking systems, then they can be recovered in days, not weeks, months or even years. Or , worse yet, not at all. Theft occurs not only from without, but within a company, too. So, weeding out those types of employees is a positive step, as well.

Maintenance Monitoring. Close control of assets means tracking and scheduling their maintenance. This helps increase the longevity of the assets with saves money in the long run by not having to replace it sooner because of misuse. It is like money in the bank.

Increased Profitability. GPS Tracking systems are like adding profit to your bottom line because of the savings you can realize in other areas of asset management. Fewer employees can manage more devices.

When GPS Tracking systems are added to a business, you achieve a balanced and controlled organization with accountability at its core. The more you use GPS Tracking systems, the more you realize that you cannot be successful without them.

More Companies Using GPS Tracking Globally

June 3rd, 2010

As the global economy continues to suffer, the value of business assets rises in importance in helping to keep companies afloat financially. Sometimes businesses are just one small catastrophe away from bankruptcy. That is why GPS Tracking as a tool for business operations is more valuable now than ever.

Businesses & GPS Tracking

All of this is especially true for global operations. Here is how GPS Tracking can help these companies remain profitable:

Location Information. The biggest questions to ask of these companies are: where are the assets located and under whose control are they held? With simple GPS Locator services, a company can answer these questions with no doubts. That is the best reason to implement a GPS Tracking system on a world-wide basis.

Tracking in Real Time. Real-time tracking devices offer the best solution for instantaneous tracking locating. Not only do the asset managers get information on location, but also on direction, speed and if a global fence is instituted, alarms can sound that tell of a breach of security.

On-going Monitoring. Instead of taking a periodic inventory of expensive assets, on-going monitoring can be achieved with little effort. This also helps when the asset reaches end-of-life and is ready to be retired. Locating it and bringing it home is as easy as one phone call. That is a time-saver that cannot be ignored.

Global tracking means global profits. When a business employs GPS Tracking technology, fewer people can manage many assets. This reduces expenses to a bare minimum while increasing profits. Shareholder satisfaction will be at all-time high levels.

Global asset management cannot be fully appreciated without GPS locator services on which to base the whole of the business model. Using better methods and technology to achieve a level of responsibility and success leaves no doubt that this type of business must have these devices. There is no better way to manage assets and track inventory than with GPS locator services.

Businesses must have an edge if they are going to survive globally. Partnering with other businesses can help, but mainly, they are on their own. Fortunately, GPS monitoring is less costly now than ever, so there’s no reason that even small businesses cannot take advantage of the benefits afforded by them. GPS Tracking is a silent partner that a business can employee to help them get through tough times. That is where we are right now.

The Surprise Arrests Keep Coming for Thieves Because of GPS Tracking

May 27th, 2010

by James Neely, freelance writer

In Katy, Texas, a thief stole a truck that was owned by an Air Conditioning business. Little did he know that it contained a GPS Tracking device called the Informer which is sold by Rocky Mountain Tracking.

GPS Tracking & Vehicle Theft

The thief was tracked via near real-time signals with NavIQ software from Rocky Mountain Tracking. Once the truck was located, several employees followed it at a safe distance and helped local police apprehend the startled driver. He had no clue that his location was being monitored as he drove around in the vehicle.

These are great stories that show the power that is placed into owners’ hands when GPS Tracking devices are used. Whether for business or personal application, here are the benefits that will accrue when having them installed in your vehicles.

Location Information

Once an item has been moved, it can be tracked to within a few feet of its actual location. This makes it easy for the owner to contact authorities and have the item recovered. But even beyond this is the fact that police agencies are overloaded with cases and those of theft are not very high on the priority list. They would certainly rather solve a crime instantly than have it drag on and on with no end in sight.

Deterrence for Theft

Tracking moveable assets – especially those that are very expensive – is a major way to help recover items and send a message to those who engage in these activities that it is no longer worth their efforts.

GPS Tracking is becoming a business all of its own and one that pays back those who use it. Not only because their possessions can be returned in a timely manner, but also because some insurance companies are eager to reduce premiums when the devices are used on vehicles.

This makes the choice to obtain one easy and worth the investment. It will eventually pay for itself.

What price are you willing to pay to keep your things safe or to be able to recover them quickly? Compared to the cost of replacement, a few hundred dollars for a GPS Tracking device is a small price to pay. The price is often less than the deductible on most insurance policies.

Contact Rocky Mountain Tracking today and get a custom quote. You’ll be glad you did.