Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

A Watchful GPS Tracking Device Keeps Employees Sharp

July 27th, 2010

You know how you immediately change your driving habits when you are being followed by a police car? You are so careful in making sure that each movement is within the law. This is also true when it comes to your work. Employees who are closely watched tend to work better and with more productivity than those who are not monitored. GPS Tracking works in the same manner. Verification of activities is one of the strongest reasons to obtain and implement a system.

Location monitoring is the most valuable of benefits. When assets are outfitted with GPS Tracking devices, monitoring location helps owners keep track of where they are at all times. For employees this means that they must make sure that they are where they should be at all times when using company cars and trucks. Personal use is no longer acceptable and long distance driving to favorite restaurants can be discovered during lunch hours.

If employees use their vehicles in compliance to rules and regulations of the company, there will be no problems, but if they deviate even a little bit, it can be discovered. Company managers can watch to make sure that drivers are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Important tasks like running efficient routes and even monitoring engine idling are now possible. Verifying employee activity keeps them in check.

Along with the implementation of a GPS Tracking system must come an employee meeting so that they know what is coming and what will be expected of them when a system is up and running. What businesses will find is that the greater part of their employees will be compliant and will live within the policies that are set forth. Then, the few that are not will find themselves without a job. And, the other benefit is that profitability will be maintained for the business (if not increased). Being able to better manage assets is a valuable exercise for any business these days, and GPS Tracking delivers. That is, especially when coupled with employee compliance and involvement. It only takes a small amount of time and effort to make this happen.

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.

Dispatching and Tracking a Police Force

May 22nd, 2010

By Greg Bartlett

Police departments can consist of just a few individuals up to thousands. Keeping track of each vehicle in the police force and where each officer is in relation to an emergency site can be difficult for any department, but especially for the bigger ones. Some police departments are turning to GPS fleet tracking to help monitor their vehicles and decrease response time.

Police & GPS Tracking

GPS fleet tracking is a good management tool which can help ensure that police officers are not misusing their vehicles, driving over the speed limit when not responding to a call, or claiming to be somewhere they’re not. The GPS units will inform the department about where the vehicle has been, what stops it’s made, and what speed it was going. In fact, a unit can even be set up to immediately alert the department if a specific speed is exceeded or if the car goes outside particular boundaries.

But the biggest benefit of GPS tracking for police departments is in dispatching. Dispatchers no longer have to wonder where each vehicle is or make hazy estimates; the GPS units will pinpoint the exact location of the vehicle. Dispatchers will be able to determine which vehicle is closest to the emergency and the GPS device can even help the driver find the fastest route to the site.

GPS fleet tracking units can be very beneficial for citizens by decreasing response time since the dispatcher can send the nearest vehicle, but it is also helpful for police officers. The department will be able to know exactly where an officer is and can send the closest backup in an emergency. In a high-speed chase or other situation where the police officer is busy but needs to keep the department and fellow officers advised as to his or her whereabouts, the GPS unit can do the tracking and location job for the officer. If backup is needed, other police officers will already be aware of the officer’s location and can immediately head out to help.

The GPS information can even be used for mapping purposes, noting where crimes most often occur and allowing department to be aware of which areas are most in need of patrol.

For police departments, GPS fleet tracking can be the answer to management and dispatching problems. By being aware of the location of each vehicle and being able to send the nearest vehicle to an emergency site, dispatchers can use GPS to provide a quicker response and thus, hopefully, decrease crime and increase safety.

When Tracking Your Employees Makes Sense

March 17th, 2010

By Harriette Halepis

All across the nation, state departments have been toying with the idea of installing GPS trackers inside of state owned vehicles. In some states, these trackers have been implemented, and in all cases the trackers have been proven highly effective. State employers have learned that employees aren’t always “on the job” when they are “on the clock.” In addition, employees have begun using work time to, well, work (for fear of being caught not working).

Tracking Employees

The same reasons for tracking state employees can easily apply to private employees. If you are one of the many people who hire various employees on a private level, then you may want to consider GPS tracking bracelets and other devices. Even though you can’t place a GPS tracker on an employee without written consent, you can ask all new hires to consider wearing a GPS tracker. Why would you even ponder this idea?

Well, the old adage that “time is money” is as true today as it ever was. When you hire an employee on an hourly basis, you expect that employee to work during those hours. However, some people may not actually be working, even though you are paying them to work. Consider how upset you would be if you found out that your housekeeper took a nap for three hours during the afternoon. Or, think about what your reaction might be if you discovered that your babysitter took your children to her boyfriend’s house while you were away.

From cleaning crews to childcare providers, asking an employee to wear or carry a GPS tracking device may save you money. In the same manner that various state departments found out that numerous state employees were attending to personal affairs on state time, you may also discover that you are paying someone an hourly wage, so that they can take advantage of your trust.

Does this notion ruin the trust that’s supposed to exist between an employee and an employer? Not necessarily. Any employee who is trustworthy would not have a problem carrying or wearing a GPS tracking device. While you may want to trust everyone you hire, this isn’t always a possibility. GPS technology makes it possible to keep tabs on your children, elderly family members, pets, and employees – tracking a private employee is no different.

If you want to make sure that you are paying someone who’s actually working, think about using a GPS tracker. Hiring someone on an hourly basis can be a great thing, but this arrangement only works if you can ensure that the person you’re hiring is completing the tasks at hand. With GPS technology, this kind of assurance has become a reality, and it’s a reality that makes a lot of financial sense.

GPS Fleet Tracking and Business Uses

March 10th, 2010

By Greg Bartlett

Business owners whose services include types of delivery using company vehicles should consider a GPS fleet tracking system. Whether you manage a pizza delivery business, a floral delivery business, or appliance delivery business, GPS fleet tracking devices can help you make sure you and your employees are making the most effective use of time and resources.

GPS Fleet Tracking

Any business that requires employees to be out from under the direct supervision of a manager may consider such an investment to be worthwhile. In most states, employee surveillance is considered to be illegal if the employee has not been informed, and many types of employee monitoring devices (hidden cameras, e-mail and internet monitoring, etc.) have at times been called into question.

GPS devices are not considered to be as invasive and have even been upheld as legitimate by legal authorities. The benefits of GPS navigation systems are clear for companies and small businesses where employee driving and delivery is necessary. Home repair businesses, home health care services, maid services, plumbers-many types of jobs require employee travel. Navigation devices can help companies cut costs by determining the most direct routes, safest routes, routes with only right turns, etc. GPS fleet tracking devices are just as beneficial for these companies and small businesses.

In an ideal world, every employee is honest and efficient with company time and resources. Sometimes, however, the temptation to stop on a personal errand on an official work delivery might be too great. Using the company car or gasoline for personal errands en route (or maybe a little more out of the way) can be a problem. GPS will help you keep your employees accountable and honest and will conserve your company’s valuable resources.

The way GPS tracking devices work is through a series of satellites orbiting in outer space. The satellites determine latitude and longitude of the individual or vehicle wearing the receiver. There are active systems that constantly download the location of the receiver to the internet or mobile device. There are passive systems that give a detailed log of where the receiver has been. Either system would be ideal for fleet tracking. If you can’t monitor the moment-by-moment activities of your employees, then the passive system will give you a recorded log for you to examine at your convenience. If you are the owner or manager of a business that requires employee travel, then consider an investment in a GPS fleet tracking system.

If Your Company Doesn’t Have GPS Tracking Yet; Odds Are You Want It

March 9th, 2010

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

GPS Monitoring Does the Job

February 16th, 2010

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.

Lowell, MA, Police Protest GPS Trackers

February 4th, 2010

By Harriette Halepis

WBZ Boston, Lowell, Massachusetts, January 29, 2010 – The state of Lowell, Massachusetts, recently proposed that all Lowell police cars be fitted with GPS trackers. Other states that have outfitted state-owned vehicles with GPS trackers have managed to increase productivity and emergency response time. However, the Lowell police force is not allowing the installation of GPS trackers without a fight.

Tracking Police Cars

Due to planned protests, the annual awards ceremony that is usually held in the Lowell memorial Auditorium had to be cancelled. Those who are a part of the Lowell force feel that the installation of GPS trackers would be a violation of personal rights, though City Manager Bernard Lynch doesn’t quite see the situation in this manner.

Instead, Lynch argues that the city “…wants to make sure that…police officers are doing what they’re supposed to be doing… (WBZ)“ While this may sound paranoid to some, the fact of the matter is that many other states through the nation have found that city employees spend a lot more time tending to non-work related tasks then they do to work related tasks.

Further, tax payers don’t see anything wrong with ensuring that police officers are actually working for that tax money. As one resident put it “it’s tax dollars at work. You see a cruiser sitting on the side of the road, at least back at dispatch, they know where they are (WBZ).” This resident isn’t the only one, many people within the Lowell area wonder whether or not police officers are spending their time wisely.

As for those members of the Lowell police force, a press release that was sent to the Lowell Sun states that “the chief has proclaimed his lack of trust in our members by proposing the GPS system (WBZ).” At this time, no further comments have been made by force representatives. Thus, the proposal has not yet been implemented, though both state officials and city taxpayers would like to see the proposal set into motion.

GPS trackers installed in police cars across the nation would not only ensure that police officers are respecting state time, but they would also ensure that stolen police vehicles are returned in a timely manner. Also, back up crews would likely be able to reach officers in distress faster with the help of a GPS tracker.

4 Ways GPS Tracking Builds Your Business

January 25th, 2010

by James Neely, freelance writer

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.

Tracking Fire Trucks with GPS Tracking

November 19th, 2009

By Harriette Halepis

Just a few months ago, Haverhill, Massachusetts, Highway Superintendent James Flaherty (along with his son, Kevin) was charged with abusing his position. Flaherty was caught awarding city construction jobs to private companies that were, in fact, owned by the Flaherty family. In short, Flaherty was effectively stealing city funds.

GPS & Fire Trucks

This scandal sparked a lot of debate within the city of Haverhill, and recently Mayor James Fiorentini decided to install GPS trackers on city fire trucks. This decision was spawned by the numerous citizens throughout the city who have reported seeing city fire trucks parked in odd places for long periods of time.

The new GPS tracking system will track the location of fire trucks in order to discourage firefighters from taking too much free time during work hours. In addition, the city hopes that these trackers will also help to reduce response times while also conserving fuel.

Presently, the GPS trackers have been installed on all city fire vehicles – except for any department deputy or inspector vehicles. At the moment, city is hoping that the cost of the GPS tracking system ($5000) will benefit both citizens and firefighters.

This is not the first time that a major metropolitan center has decided to use GPS trackers in order to track city vehicles. Many municipalities around the globe are discovering that finding out exactly where city vehicles are during any given workday is a lot easier with the help of a reliable GPS system.