Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

Popularity of GPS Tracking Stimulates Innovations

July 8th, 2010

by Greg Bartlett

As technology continues to advance, GPS tracking devices continue to improve and evolve. Systems that were once somewhat bulky are now a very small and manageable size. And they continue to shrink, but at the same time, their applications and power continue to expand. What changes have taken place lately in GPS tracking systems?

Smaller and Better Devices

GPS tracking units are continually getting smaller. More powerful, yet smaller, batteries are also being used in tracking devices. Advanced, powerful batteries can send more frequent signals for longer periods of time. This is very important to many consumers, because it eliminates the need to continually retrieve and charge the tracking units.

There are several reasons that smaller GPS tracking devices are in high demand: for easy concealment, for use with other devices, and for privacy.

As there is a higher demand for GPS trackers that can be easily concealed, developers are making smaller and smaller tracking units. It is very important that companies who protect their shipments and equipment with GPS tracking devices have small unobtrusive devices to make sure that they are not discovered. The smaller the device is, the easier it is to hide, because it fits in more places. There is only so much room inside of a GPS tracking watch or in a thin GPS tracking bracelet. The makers of these devices know that a small size is crucial.

Although many people use GPS tracking devices for various purposes, they might not want those purposes to be widely known. Although some might think it is a good idea, some parents of young children might not want to tell their children that they are wearing a GPS tracking device, because they might decide to play with it or take it off, which would prevent the child from being tracked. Owners of a passive tracking device might be concerned that someone would try to steal their device, so they want a small device that is not noticeable.

No matter what a person’s reasoning for purchasing a small GPS tracking system, companies are continually striving to create more advanced systems in smaller packages. GPS tracking technology has come a long way in the past ten years. As people find new ways to use GPS tracking technology, innovations in the field will increase.

Car Thefts Decrease Thanks to GPS Tracking

July 8th, 2010

by Greg Bartlett

Each year, over a million automobiles are stolen, costing around $7.4 billion since few of the cars are recovered. The good news is that the vehicle theft rate has been dropping in recent years, in part because of GPS tracking systems which are designed to locate and recover stolen vehicles.

GPS & Car Theft

GPS tracking systems provide car owners – and police – with a unique way of discovering the vehicle’s location. The GPS device installed in the car will keep track of where the car is, what stops the car makes, and at what speed the car is going. It can even automatically alert the owner should the car be driven during particular times of the day or outside of preset boundaries. Even if the thief is only taking the car out for a joyride, a GPS device can assist the police in finding the vehicle before any damage comes to it.

In North Carolina, a young man recently stole a car during the night. The vehicle’s owner reported the car stolen when she discovered it was no longer in the parking lot, and the police were able to find out where the car had been driven and where it was because of the GPS tracking device in the vehicle. The thief was arrested and the vehicle returned to its proper owner.

In Oregon, a man experienced a similar situation when his car was stolen from his home. Police used the GPS unit installed in the car to locate the vehicle, and then arrested the thief and recovered the undamaged car. Since many vehicles will end up in chop shops where they are dismantled for parts, locating a vehicle quickly and finding it undamaged are important. GPS tracking can help to reduce that recovery time which is so vital and thus help to ensure minimal damage to the car.

GPS tracking systems also have other benefits to help reduce theft rates, in addition to simply monitoring the vehicle’s location. Some tracking devices can enable the owner to remotely shut down the engine or keep the engine from starting, and can even lock or unlock the car’s doors.

Taking precautions such as locking car doors, parking in well-lit areas, and removing or hiding valuables inside a car help to reduce theft rates, but GPS tracking systems are playing an increasing role in locating and recovering stolen vehicles. For car thieves, GPS is bad news, but for car owners, GPS can mean the quick and hopefully undamaged recovery of a vehicle.

GPS Tracking Reduces Prison Overcrowding While Saving Money

July 6th, 2010

The State of Indiana is grappling with a prison problem – overcrowding. The statistics bear out that because of a lack of attention to an aging criminal code and sentencing guidelines, little has changed to bring alternatives to bear in communities state-wide.

GPS & Prisons

The result is a system that is too rigid in sentencing guidelines which stacks the states’ prisons with those who really would be better off out of those institutions.

Most other states have recognized the enormous cost that is associated with incarcerating convicts on a wholesale basis. These states have begun to implement better, and more focused options to alleviate the problem.

But, it isn’t as easy as it might appear. There is the need to apply fair sentencing to cases while maintaining safety and security of the public at large.

Both of those goals can be met if a comprehensive plan is adopted which will help solve the overcrowding problem. This is a program that has three basic areas of focus.

Community Involvement

This part of the program does not mean that the public has to put up with more convicts who are on house arrest. This means prevention first and foremost and then an intelligent application of sentencing which might be slanted towards more community based sentencing options.

Citizens everywhere need to take the blinders off of their eyes and realize that crime hurts every one, and that it needs to be stopped before it starts. Doing things like paying attention to locked doors, secured personal property will help. But, so do mentoring programs that help young people stay off of the streets and involved in activities that encourage them to grow up as responsible adults. It’s a total program that must not be ignored.

Improved Probation System

Probation is more important than ever because it provides an alternative to incarceration. And, when a convicted person is allowed to remain outside of jail and still serve their time, the chances of them being a repeat offender are much lower. This is important because they are allowed to remain productive citizens of society. They can provide for themselves and their families by being able to work while serving their sentence.

Use of Technology

GPS Tracking has been around for a long time in the judicial system. But, what is happening now, is that there are so many more sentences being handed down in the form of active prisoner monitoring in other states, that the task is getting too big for existing departments to handle. The sheer numbers are overwhelming some systems in other states.

Smart guidelines need to be used to fix this problem: first, a statewide monitoring system needs to be implemented. Next, probation and parole officers need to be more involved in the monitoring system. Next, the guidelines for issuing a monitoring device need to be challenged so that only those who will really benefit from it can get it.

This problem in Indiana will eventually go away because there are very competent people running the government and making the decisions. If any state can do it, Indiana can.

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.

Smoke or Sell Pot – Get Busted Sooner

July 5th, 2010

It’s a sign of the times; police are turning up the heat on marijuana users. On one hand, this is a good thing because this ‘gateway’ drug leads to even more drug use and the evils that infect a society when it runs rampant. But now, police departments are so strapped for cash that they are increasing their activities to arrest those with the drug so that they can bring in needed revenues to their departments.

Smoke Pot - Get Busted

You will also find increases in patrols to catch and ticket those with simple moving violations such as speeding tickets.

Reasons:

Lower Tax Revenues

Because of high unemployment, decreased tax has caused a financial crunch for most city governments. Once considered essential services are now being cut in favor of trying to balance the budget. Police and fire/rescue departments are not immune from these actions, either. This reality has forced many law enforcement departments to search for alternative ways to fund their budgets.

While technologies like GPS Tracking systems have helped police solve crimes sooner and with fewer resources, even they are not enough to close the short-fall.

Federal Funding for Anti-Drug Programs

One of the main sources of income for departments is from federal programs. These include ant-drug programs (among others) which help finance the efforts to prosecute illegal drug activities. Police are turning to these programs in greater numbers by increasing the activities to find and prosecute all activities relating to marijuana use.

By putting an emphasis on prosecuting these activities, the departments get federal funding, while increasing court revenues from cases that are generated. It’s a win-win for the justice system.

The best and ONLY way to protect yourself from this type of activity is to stay away from drugs – completely.

But, beware of activities like watching more closely for traffic infractions which fall into the same category. You can protect yourself by always obeying traffic laws. In addition to this, adding a GPS Tracking device to your vehicle can help you if you are cited for a moving violation.

GPS Tracking devices can help monitor your speed, direction of travel and location. This information has been deemed admissible in a court of law and can help you defend yourself.

A sane society continues the war on drugs by fighting on a day to day basis in our communities. A sane citizen protects him/herself by using knowledge and technology to keep from becoming a victim.

Precise GPS Tracking Increases Farming Profits

July 4th, 2010

GPS Tracking for the farming industry has been around for years now, but what is new is that the technology is improving so that its benefits are stronger than ever. When it first hit the market, GPS Tracking was thought to be a fad by some in the agriculture industry. It took a while for farmers to understand the end goal of such new technology because crop farming had remained unchanged for decades. Sure, advances in seed science were making an impact, but nothing on the technique for planting was available.

GPS Tracking & Farming

Soon, farmers began to see the fruits of the labors of using GPS Tracking systems to map out their fields and use the data to increase yields.

How is it Accomplished?

As the technology continues to advance, the benefits keep on coming. Here are the latest ones and how they will affect your farming operation right now:

Closer Tracking and Accuracy. With the newest GPS Tracking systems, the level of accuracy is improving because the systems are able to break down your acreage into smaller bits and pieces thereby giving you the ability to plant and apply fertilizer with more control. And, that equates to better yields.

Steering the Tractor. The higher-end systems actually control the steering mechanism on the planting and fertilizing tractors. The operator is there to insure that everything is running smoothly while monitoring the runs across the fields and the fuel consumption of the engine to make sure that the fuel does not run out.

Fuel Savings. With everything controlled with such precision, fuel savings are a byproduct of this type of system. You have the control down to the number of times across your fields which means no unnecessary trips.

Maintenance Savings. Because you are using your equipment less, maintenance costs will come down as a result. Wear on all mechanical parts is reduced. In farming, every small thing that you can do to reduce the possibility of having to spend money on equipment is a direct increase to profitability. What you are doing is increasing the interval between maintenance stops which cuts down on mechanical failure.

Repeat the Process. The beauty of these GPS Tracking systems is that they allow farming operations to use and reuse the data and information over and over, season after season. Once the data has been captured, it is saved for future use as well. Consistency becomes the byword for the farming operations.

Better Crop Yields and More Profit

Today’s farms are no longer operated by spreadsheet and best guesses as to how to plant and fertilize. The precision and accuracy are build into the GPS Tracking systems. In just five years, gps tracking innovations have resulted in better crop yields and more profit for farmers actively engaged in using this precise technology.

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

Houston Police Put On Demonstration

July 3rd, 2010

Car Safety

When discussing car safety and auto-theft protection many experts will usually discuss GPS tracking systems, car alarms or more simple steps such as parking a vehicle in the garage or locking doors. The experts will usually share statistics about the increase in car burglaries, and some helpful tips on how to prevent the problem.

GPS & Auto Theft

Taking a more hands-on approach to the problem with car-theft and burglary, the Houston Police Department decided to give people a demonstration on how quickly and efficiently the bad guys operate. With the assistance of State Farm Insurance, who provided the police a demo vehicle, the Houston Police staged a mock break-in.

How the demonstration worked was outside of city hall some city officials gathered in a parking lot. An officer, dressed as a civilian, played the role of a car burglar. As the pseudo car burglar approached the vehicle he tapped the passenger windshield with a tool that caused the window to spider web crack. This made little to no noise, surprising many of the people viewing the demonstration. The pseudo car burglar then quickly brushed away the glass and stole items that were inside the vehicle, showing the audience how quick and easy it is for a bad guy to enter a vehicle without causing a scene.

The Houston Police also stated that the car burglar could have easily hot-wired the vehicle and stole the automobile just as easily.

The point of the demonstration was to draw attention to the fact that in Houston nearly half of all burglaries are auto-related incidents. Car burglars will often spot laptops, computer equipment, GPS navigation devices or other valuables. They then target these vehicles late at night.

Although police have stated that it can be difficult to completely stop these acts of criminal behavior, they have expressed that the use of GPS tracking devices and car alarm systems can help prevent the likelihood of the vehicle being stolen.

Ryan Horban is a guest author who specializes in writing about GPS technology and monitoring devices for Tracking System Direct.

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.

Smart Golf Course Managers use GPS Tracking

July 2nd, 2010

By James Neely (re-posted from April 2009)

The water hazards on a golf course are no place in which your expensive golf carts should be found, but it does happen. Being prepared to handle these unfortunate events is a fact of life in golf course management. But it should be minimized by encouraging responsible behavior. This can be accomplished by installing a GPS Tracking system into these vehicles and other golf course equipment like mowers and tractors.

In the operation of a golf course, one of the most expensive items is the equipment that it takes to provide transportation between holes and maintaining the near perfect fairways and greens. Adding a GPS Tracking system will help in these ways.

Where is the equipment? In an instant you can get a visual on the location of a golf cart in question. Is it near the water, or in the water? Is it out of bounds and off of the course completely? Smart course management includes the ability to follow their equipment closely. Failure to do so can end up in disaster. And if there are any injuries from accidents, the reports from these systems can provide evidence of the location at the time in question.

If you should ever encounter a situation where a cart or other piece of equipment is stolen, it can be tracked to within a few feet of its location for recovery by authorities. This can help you keep your operations running smoothly in the face of theft or loss.

How is it being operated? Most golfers are safe drivers and operate the carts in a responsible manner, right? Now you can know for sure. These GPS Tracking systems can supply information other than just location. Now you can know how fast they are being driven. And if they are being driven in circles at a high-rate of speed, then disaster is sure to follow. Evidence of misuse can be used against a customer in helping to get them to pay for damages. This evidence is even admissible in a court of law.

How long since previous maintenance? One big part of course management is maintenance. How many hours has it been since a piece of equipment has been maintained to keep it in peak running condition? A GPS tracker can provide this data. Using it can help prevent break-downs and keep your course operating smoothly.

Insurance costs can be reduced dramatically because of these systems. This can mean a healthy dose of profitability over the course of a season.

Investing in GPS Tracking to locate and maintain expensive golf carts protects the golf course from theft and may end up lowering the insurance liability as well. High-tech gps solutions keep the business of golf on track by encouraging responsible behavior.

Parenting Today Needs All the Help it Can Get

July 1st, 2010

Does anyone doubt the difficulty that parenting in today’s culture imposes? There are the cell phones – no smartphones, video game consoles, the Internet and other hand-held, portable and all-consuming attention grabbers that vie for a place in kid’s lives.

Family Safety & GPS Tracking

With these devices come dangers from exposing young and innocent lives to very bad people and situations under the disguise of connected acquaintances. Is it any wonder then that parents need all of the help they can muster?

Sources of Help

Parents need to be as aware of technology as are their children. This means that studying about the latest trends and arming themselves with information on how to protect kids from the bad that is out there is mandatory. Here are the minimum requirements that Mom and Dad should look into to protect their families.

Internet monitoring software.

If you are away from your home while kids are at home, they are probably on the Internet. It’s a matter of time before they come across some very bad things there. Monitoring software can record and log keystrokes on your PC. Go here for a review of some of the best offerings.

Ratings on Video Games.

These have been out for a very long time and can help you determine if a game is appropriate for your child, but they are very general. You also might find that a rating might not be helpful if you have different values from those that rate and recommend games to certain age groups. The bottom line: look the game over closely and look for reviews online to give you additional insights.

Security Options on Smartphones.

This is one to watch because the dawn of smartphones will bring with it new security risks. Smartphones will become like their predecessors of old, the PC, and will have to have security software installed to prevent attacks and the phishing and stealing of information. There are concerns that you should know about now that will help you be aware of the dangers.

GPS Tracking Devices.

Outfitting your family with these devices is a decision that needs to be made in determining how safe you need to feel. Adding GPS Tracking units to your vehicles has other benefits, too. Tracking for location, speed, and direction of travel can help monitor anyone who drives the car. Small, unobtrusive tracking devices can be used to keep track of where family members go.

Technology can help Mom and Dad in their parenting duties. GPS Tracking helps a busy family stay safe. It’s one of the best parenting tools today!