Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

GPS — Your Essential Buy-Here-Pay-Here Gear

September 23rd, 2010

In the “buy here, pay here” auto market, GPS tracking is becoming essential to keep up with the competition. Given the current economic situation, buy-here-pay-here is an extremely popular option for consumers. Auto dealerships are finding that to keep up their business, this is an option they need to offer. However, financing a car opens a whole new set of problems that the bank used handle. What do you do when a customer stops making car payments and a vehicle disappears? The dealer is out of a lot of money with a small likelihood of getting it back. This is where GPS tracking comes in.

How GPS Tracking Works

GPS tracking works by connecting devices with satellites and computers to show the location of the device at any time. A tracking device (such as the Smart Tracker Elite) can be attached to virtually anything, including a car, and then satellites use latitude and longitude to determine the precise location of the device. That location information is passed on to a software system that alerts the user to what they want to know. It can tell the owner where the device has been, where it is at the moment, how fast it’s moving, and additional related information. Some of these devices are also designed to perform other functions in addition to tracking, such as allowing the user to disable the vehicle that is being tracked with a device.

Dealer Possibilities

The possible benefits for the auto dealer, especially a dealer offering buy-here-pay-here, are incredible. The dealer can attach a car tracking device to any vehicle in the lot. A business owner does not have to continually track all the vehicles; the device can be activated only as needed. Repossession companies often offer discounted rates to dealers with these GPS systems because it makes finding a vehicle so much easier.

Using GPS can aid dealers in more than one way. Getting customers who make payments on time is a top choice for an auto dealer, and having a tracking system can be an extra incentive that causes buyers to think twice before attempting to hide a vehicle.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

GPS Prevents Car Dealership Inside Theft

September 16th, 2010

Recently, a large car theft ring involving car dealers, brokers, exporters, and garage personnel was disbanded by New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut police. Those involved were taking orders from customers in Senegal, stealing cars from car dealership parking lots, and storing the vehicles inside of shipping containers until the cargo could be sent overseas. While shocking, this is not the first story of its kind, though it could be the last for dealership owners who invest in GPS tracking technology.

How Inside Theft Works

Thieving cars from dealerships is really quite simple. In this case, all it took was a few car dealers (and managers) who had keys to dealership parking lots. Those who didn’t have key copies brought master keys to locksmiths where the keys were easily duplicated. Once the thieves received an order from a customer in Senegal, the cars were driven off dealership lots during the late evening hours. The cars were then stored in cargo containers (furniture was used to cover the vehicles from port authorities).

More than 400 cars were stolen in this manner from the New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York area during a one year span. All of the cars that were successfully sent overseas are lost forever. Nearly every kind of car ranging from Toyotas to luxury cars, such as Mercedes and BMW, was included in the theft ring. Those involved in this crime circle gained nearly $25,000 per vehicle.

Preventing Inside Theft

If you own a car dealership, it’s easy to assume that all of your employees are trustworthy (and many of them probably are). However, the fact of the matter is that it only takes one or two employees to arrange an elaborate car theft scheme such as the one mentioned above. Keeping a master key on your person at all times is a good idea, but it won’t prevent a thief from making a duplicate key.

What you can do to prevent inside theft is install GPS tracking devices on all of your vehicles. These devices will track down a stolen vehicle in minutes – even if that vehicle has been stored inside of a shipping container. While police cannot retrieve goods that have been sent to other countries, you can stop thieves from ever shipping your vehicles with a GPS tracker.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis

How GPS Helps Make Your Neighborhood Safe

September 7th, 2010

Article Written By Greg Bartlett

Law enforcement departments across the country must constantly balance the demands of protecting citizens against the costs of department operations. In a perfect world, performance of duty would never suffer due to lack of funds. Unfortunately, the reality is that the costs of purchasing equipment and meeting payroll demands weigh heavily on law enforcement administrators, which forces them to make various budget cuts. That’s why many law enforcement departments across the world have turned to GPS tracking as a way to cut costs.

GPS tracking devices act as an extra set of eyes for labor-strapped law enforcement departments. By reading reports that a tracking device sends to a computer, police officers can monitor the movements of any vehicle. In addition, the number and length of the stops being made can be monitored from one central location.

One of the primary uses for a GPS device is following suspected criminals. Rather than paying an officer for long hours of observation in a stake-out, a department can attach a tracking device to a suspect’s car, thereby keeping track of all his movements. They can also use current personnel more effectively to take care of known problems while letting the tracking device keep an eye on suspected criminal activity. Police departments across the country have used GPS tracking technology successfully and report not only cost savings, but also more effective observation since tracking devices never fall asleep or lose the trail of the criminal. Yet, despite the effectiveness of GPS tracking, the tracking practice has not been without criticism by privacy rights activists.

However, tracking criminals has just become legal. A recent judgment by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that attaching a tracking device to the car of a suspected criminal does not violate that person’s privacy (even if the car is parked in a private driveway). The ruling also stated that law enforcement officials can continue supplementing police duties with the tracking devices.

This is good news for both the cash-flow and the performance effectiveness of law enforcement in the states affected by the ruling. GPS tracking allows officers to apprehend criminals who might otherwise go unpunished for crimes such as drug trafficking or theft, enabling them to better protect citizens who might become victims of criminal activity. At the same time, those departments will require fewer personnel to perform observation tasks, enabling them to remain under budget and to allow officers to focus on carrying out other urgent responsibilities.

Prevent Vehicle Theft with GPS Tracking

September 5th, 2010

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

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?

Less Parental Stress with GPS

August 25th, 2010

It’s getting to be that time of year again, and as the beginning of another semester looms closer, parental anxiety seems to be rising. What does this semester have in store for our young people? Let’s face it, parents: when it comes to our children, no measure is too extreme to keep them safe. And while we certainly want our kids home as much as possible, the trek between campus and home can present dangers they will not face on the campus grounds. Thankfully, you can rest easy following the employment of GPS vehicle tracker.

All across the US, crime rates are rising. Just take a look at the news, and you can’t miss it. Angry Americans are exhibiting their inner rage on a daily basis, resulting in the injury and death of countless innocents. Every day, cars are broken into, young people compromised, and property stolen. Some people are tired of sitting back and watching all of this violence, and they are taking action to protect themselves and their families.

Gps Tracking Eases Parental Stress

As a precautionary measure, many people are now using car tracking to ensure not only the protection of their vehicles, but also their college age children. In the event that a car is stolen or hijacked, the installed tracking system will keep track of the location of the vehicle at all times. As soon as the authorities realize that the car or the driver has been compromised they can pinpoint the location of the incident and dispatch police.

So what does car tracking have to do with your college student? Well, if you are concerned with a long commute when it comes to weekend or holiday visits, or if you simply want to keep track of your young person’s location as she travels back to school, you will be happy to know that you can actually monitor a car’s coordinates using GPS. No more worrying about your 20-year-old being abducted during a late-night gasoline stop. Gps vehicle tracking allows you to rest easy knowing that your loved ones are safe.

The start of the school semester does not have to create anxiety and stress. If you are concerned about your college student, simply install a gps vehicle tracking system in their car, and send them to school with confidence. Let GPS simplify your life and protect your family. For the low monetary investment, GPS is a wise choice for extra personal security for all ages.

Outsource your GPS Tracking Program

August 3rd, 2010

A new growth market for GPS Tracking businesses lies in the area of offering GPS Tracking anti-theft services to companies who would rather pay to have the services performed rather than doing it themselves. And, if it makes financial sense, it is a win-win for both companies. Here are the principles that you need to know about and understand when looking for a company with which to do business in this manner.

How Long in Business?

While this might not be the best indicator, duration in business is still important. Start-up companies are looked upon as ‘fly-by-night’ operations that are here today and gone tomorrow. While this is an important factor that is weighed when choosing a business partner, it can be minimized by several other factors: How long have the owners lived in the community? What other business ventures might they own or have been involved in recently? The answers to these questions will help establish credibility if the duration of business operations falls short.

BBB Rating

While not completely infallible, the Better Business Bureau provides a barometer of how a business treats their customers and performs business overall. Watch out for this, however, because a newly minted business can get a good rating on the BBB if they have no bad marks against them in the early days and months of operation. Also, not everyone who has a bad experience will contact the BBB to report a business. Do not take this rating as the sole method of checking out a business. More investigation must be done.

Reference Checking

Get a listing of at least three customers that you can check with to see how they have been treated as a customer. Then, once you are finished with your interview, ask if they know of any other businesses who engage in business with the same company. This way, you will get an opinion from a business other than the one given to you. This is important and must not be skipped. Most people will be helpful and give you the good and the bad information to help you make an informed choice.

Trial Periods

Ask for a trial period to use services so that you can assess whether or not they are good at follow up and responsiveness. If you have many assets that you need to be tracked via GPS Tracking, ask to outfit one or two just to be able to see if it is going to meet your goals for monitoring. Most companies offer a sneak peak of their operations.

What Sets this Particular Business Apart from Others?

Find out what makes this business different from others that are doing the same thing. What approach do they take towards customer service? Do you have adequate and effective means for problem resolution? What other services do they offer? How good is their mapping software and is it up and running 100%?

GPS Tracking systems are here to stay and you can be successful if you purchase one and implement it yourself. But, if it makes sense, a GPS Tracking business can provide even better services at a very cost-effective price point. Check it out and see if it is right for you. Use due diligence in your research and you won’t be disappointed!

Theft of Costly Construction Equipment Can Cripple Your Company

August 1st, 2010

Ask that question to a construction company and you will get a surprising answer. With experts in the industry estimating about $1 billion in losses every year, the amount of money construction companies lose because of theft is astounding. And it seems that no matter how hard these companies try to protect their equipment, bulldozers and backhoes still disappear on a regular basis. Tired of absorbing their losses, construction companies are turning to a new source for their hope of theft protection: anti-theft devices that use GPS tracking.

Traditionally, data devices in construction vehicles have been known as “black boxes.” These boxes can do everything from record fuel consumption to keep track of the machine’s temperature. Now, GPS tracking experts have introduced the idea that black boxes could also include anti-theft devices for the purpose of tracking the location of construction vehicles.

Once a GPS anti-theft device is installed in a construction vehicle, there is little chance that the vehicle will be stolen without recovery. As soon as the company discovers that a bulldozer is missing, they can use the GPS technology held within that bulldozer’s black box to discover the exact location of their property. Satellite and cell tower technology combined will pinpoint the location and direct police to the thieves’ hiding spot. Within a short time, thousands of dollars in construction equipment can be saved. Insurance companies embrace this technology as their payouts are reduced. Think about getting a discount off your insurance policy when you install a gps tracker on your equipment.

The novelty about GPS tracking systems is that they actually are able to communicate with global satellites. And since satellites are able to track all over the world, there is literally no place to hide a vehicle if a tracker is installed in it. Finding the vehicle is a simple matter of tapping into the GPS system and writing down a few coordinates. As more construction companies use gps tracking, it will not be long before stolen construction equipment is a thing of the past.

While it seems like installing an anti-theft device in a backhoe would be a natural conclusion, amazingly, the idea is relatively new to the construction scene. The numbers obviously prove it. $1 billion in losses a year, that’s what the experts say! In addition to tracking only, the geo-fence capabilities would stop your equipment from moving too far from a paramenter. A warning text and phone call would alert you if equipment is being taken out of an area. Work slow downs can be as crippling as an equipment theft. Make full use of the technology and keep your crew working! The cost of installing GPS trackers in these expensive machines is small in comparison. It’s time to bring more and construction firms into the 21st century with GPS technology.

GPS Tracking Devices Let New Car Owners Relax

July 30th, 2010

After months of saving and planning, you’ve purchased a new car. Now you find yourself with the fear shared by most new vehicle owners, the fear of theft. Various websites offer advice on keeping your vehicle safe from thieves. However, what if these tips fail? What if your new car does get stolen? How do you or the police find it again?

GPS devices, since their invention, have had many purposes. Companies have used them to keep items safe and keep track of employees. Individuals, too, have made use of these devices. The devices help them track their family members– including their possibly unfaithful spouses or their own children and provide many other uses. Among these many uses is vehicle tracking. Vehicle tracking allows, among other uses, car owners to track down a stolen car.

Of course, most people think their car will never be stolen and they’ll never need vehicle tracking devices. Auto owners repeatedly leave their windows down, an invitation to car thieves, and sometimes even forget their keys in their cars. In addition, cars are even, at times, left running. Of course, the best way to prevent theft is to take precautions–roll up windows, turn off cars, and take keys out. However, what if you take all these precautions and your car is still stolen?

Some cities, including Houston, found that auto thefts rose in 2009. Although one can only imagine that many of these thefts were due to a lack of foresight from vehicle owners, some of these cars were probably stolen from owners who had taken all the right safeguards. Still, these car owners likely forgot one last safeguard–their GPS vehicle tracking devices. These devices allow owners and police officers to discover where the car is, what streets it’s traveled, and even what speed it’s going and what stops it’s made. In addition, the devices are easy to hide, so car thieves may not see it and think to remove or disable it.

GPS vehicle tracking is less expensive than having a car damaged or stolen. Technology has improved so that is it even less complicated than ever! Take a little extra effort and invest now to safeguard one of your most necessary possessions. You could lose it and never get it back.

Fleet Tracking Managers Love New GPS Technology

July 30th, 2010

Are you an owner of a company? Do you use tractor trailers to transport your goods or services? If so, tractor trailers are becoming targets of thieves in various places around the country. Would you like to rest easy knowing that you can track your goods using fleet tracking? It will come in handy not only to assist in the recovery of stolen goods but also allows you to monitor the truck (e.g., going the right direction, validation of time driven, etc.).

Basically, fleet tracking allows you to monitor/track any number of vehicles in real time, indicating the precise location and direction of movement of tractor trailers or other vehicles. They are helpful because they allow a trucking company to monitor and make necessary changes to routes if something unforeseen occurs (e.g., major car accident, bad weather, etc.). Fleet tracking uses GPS technology to monitor the whereabouts of a truck. GPS (global positioning system) units located on assets, people, possessions, etc., transmit a signal to one of the satellites (24 in all) located above the earth. From the satellites in outer space, the real-time movement and location of the asset is transmitted to a GPS-enabled device. This allows tracking of the asset by the person possessing the GPS-enabled device. Certain GPS tracking software allows you to examine a track later and determine the movements of an asset (i.e., tracking in historical time).

Qualcomm Enterprise Services has introduced its new Trailer Tracks 210. It will be officially added at the beginning of 2011. The TT 210 is said to have much better coverage in Mexico, solar energy, Bluetooth capability, more memory, and a more compact design. The TT 210 will allow fleet owners to monitor their assets in transit from one portal. The company also plans to offer its StarTrak Reefer Track System for refrigerated shipments. The Reefer Track system will allow its users to manage its fleet shipments via remote control. It can set alarms, timers, and begin defrosts on refrigerated products in transport. Temperatures and set points are also at the control of customers through their Reefer Track system. Additionally, this new technology on its newer line of trucks allows for tracking of and control levels of fuel consumption.

As technology advances the consumer is the person who wins. Faster delivery times, less food spoilage, tracking fuel usage – all add up to cost savings. Business owners are smart to embrace new technology. Are you keeping up with improvements in your field? Make it your goal for 2010!