Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

Maintenance Made Easy With GPS Tracking

September 20th, 2012

The maintenance industry is as diverse as it is important. The people employed within this industry are tasked with the duty of making equipment available, and because of that, they are often on the road. As someone managing a fleet such as this, it’s important that you keep the fleet and yourself organized and informed at all times.

GPS = Accountability & Efficiency

GPS fleet tracking, a large format version of generic GPS tracking, is a great way to manage and keep a consistent structure at the same time. With a long list of features, you are sure to find the resources your business needs to make everyone’s job easier.

Employee Management

Managing a fleet of 20 drivers seems like a daunting task. Each one heading in a different direction, you could be conversing with employees across the country. To ensure that you are able to complete standard annual tasks, such as employee reviews, as well your day to day job of tracking the trucks, you want to have the right tools in place. GPS fleet tracking has everything you need, and more.

Live tracking: Keep an eye on trucks throughout the day. Know when they’re on the road, off the road, and for how long.
Historical reporting: When it comes time to review employees, it’s important that you have an accurate picture of the work they’ve done up until that point. Historical reporting is an easy way to see how many hours they worked, how many trips they took, their driver behavior, and much more.
Real-time alerts: Your GPS tracking will have alerts for any number of things, from the truck’s first movement of the day to idle time and speed. You can be there, without actually being there.

Fleet Productivity

Managing a fleet is like managing virtual employees. You can’t always be there to ensure they are staying on top of their job and remaining productive throughout the day. However, you can give them the means to do their job easily, efficiently and effectively.

Landmarks: GPS software allows you to creative custom, mapped landmarks. This is beneficial for every driver, especially those new to the route.
2 way messaging: While cell phones are ideal for messaging, many states have made them illegal to use while driving. Instead, rely on your GPS to communications. With 2-way messaging truck drivers can talk amongst one another to collaborate or ask questions if necessary.
Maintenance reminders: Even employees in the maintenance industry have to have their equipment maintained. Set up reminders for oil changes, tire rotations, and part swaps. Planning ahead will allow them to keep on schedule while keeping the truck in good shape.

GPS fleet tracking is an integral tool for anyone in the maintenance industry. With so many people to manage, not to mention equipment and trucks, it’s integral that all the right resources are available. Instead of investing in multiple programs, use the many features of GPS fleet tracking to do it all in one, easy to use, and convenient place.

Bio: Jessica Sanders is an avid small business writer. As the marketing copyeditor of Resource Nation, she touches on a range of topics such as commercial vehicle insurance and skid loaders.

Your Privacy: What Does It Really Mean to You?

November 30th, 2011

An article on a Dallas, Texas, news site (KDAF-TV) puts an interesting spin on GPS tracking technology. Right now, the Supreme Court is trying to decide whether or not warrantless GPS tracking is illegal. Yet (as the article points out), Americans allow themselves to be tracked regularly without much concern at all. You may even allow the world to track you regularly. How? Social networking sites are the main culprits here.

Think about sites like Foursquare and Facebook. These sites allow users to log into a tracking feature via cell phone. When you “check in” to one of these sites, you are allowing governments, friends, and family members to know where you are at all times. Even though this is a form of warrantless tracking, many people are willing to give up privacy rights in order to use this new technology.

Based upon this fact, why is the Supreme Court trying to decide if warrantless tracking is illegal or not? Could it be because Americans want the right to log in and out of a tracking program freely? The term “free” here may be something of a joke though. Even if you haven’t logged onto Foursquare of Facebook, your smartphone is always tracking you — especially if you allow an app to find your current location.

The truth of the matter is that we’re so wrapped up in technology as a society, most of us would have a hard time living without those social networks and smartphone apps. Sure, these sits and apps cross the privacy line every day, but does anyone really care?

Photo Courtesy of Digitpedia

Man Accused of Tracking Woman Via GPS, Killing Her: Pleads Not Guilty

May 24th, 2011

A man from Surrey, British Columbia was recently charged with stalking and killing a woman he met online. According to prosecutors, the man, Dmitry Smirnov, tracked the woman via a GPS tracking device he put on her car. After he tracked the woman, he reportedly killed her.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Assistant State Attorney David Bayer seeks a sentence of 100 years in prison for the shooting. Making the case against him even more solid, Sminov apparently researched the Chicago death penalty before committing his crime. He bought his gun in Seattle and committed the crime in Oak Brook; a suburb of Chicago.

Whether or not he tracked the woman via GPS is not relevant _per se_. In other words, whether he did or he didn’t will not incriminate him in and of itself. However, if he _did_ track the woman via GPS, then, combined with the fact that he was researching the death penalty in Illinois, a rock-solid case will have been built.

Before he killed the woman, he allegedly tracked down her address and glued a GPS device to her vehicle. Certainly creepy, but whether or not it is proof of murder remains to be seen.

Smirnov is being held in the DuPage County Jail.

Article Written by Greg Minton

Where are your Company Work Vans Right Now? Find Out!

August 5th, 2010

You need to use every advantage that you can find to run your business lean and mean these days. If not, you’ll find yourself stuck in a bind financially in a hurry. Technology is a great place to look for ways to run an efficient operation and here are five of the best reasons to implement GPS Tracking to help you run lean while maximizing profits.

Employee Safety and Responsibility

Driver safety is of the utmost importance and once you have installed GPS Tracking devices into your fleet of vehicles it will send a message to them that you care about their safety. But, with their position comes responsibility while they perform their job. They are on the streets and roads for hours at a time. The ability to ‘look over their shoulder’ with GPS Tracking helps them maintain a heightened sense of awareness to the task at hand and gives you an advantage not heretofore realized in being able to monitor their location, direction of travel and speed.

Compliance with Traffic Laws

Ever notice that when one is being followed by a police car they instantly turn into the best driver ever? That is essentially the same thing that happens when GPS Tracking devices are on-board with your fleet drivers. And, they know that adhering to traffic laws is mandatory, but unless there is a way to make sure they do, they won’t. So, GPS Tracking does this job for them. They become better drivers, you notice that there are fewer incidents with moving violations.

Better Route Management

Monitoring routes via remote mapping helps managers discover things about the routes that might be hampering the speed at which a driver can make his or her rounds. One of the main things is traffic flow. While fleet businesses are powerless in getting traffic signals changed, it might be worth a try to see if that can happen. Making the point that is would be good for all traffic (including public transportation like buses) just might get traffic managers to lend assistance. If this is not possible, then routes can be modified to make sure that it happens.

Accounting and Insurance Advantages

Information that goes into billing customers is crucial in the delivery business. With GPS Tracking systems, reports can be generated to show the positive things that are done to help insure the best of service. Accurate billing systems in place keep your accounting costs lower as well! Knowing your vehicles can be found if a theft occurs will give you a lower insurance rate. Don’t forget that it is not just the vehicles themselves that would be stolen, but also the valuable tools and equipment inside the vans need to be recovered! Wouldn’t you sleep better knowing that gps tracking was always “on the job?”

Provide Evidence of Activities

Has your firm ever been accused of not delivering on time? Was your truck and driver where it was supposed to be? Now you can provide that information in court-admissible form from your system. Peace of mind? Now you’re talking. Factual data speaks for you and tracking data has been proven in court many times.

To top this all off, customer service goes through the roof. When clients realize the amount of time and effort that is expended in making their satisfaction a top priority, they will stay with you for a long time to come. Consider that you will be doing a lot more than your competition. It’s a great feeling and it is made possible by your GPS Tracking device.

Recorded GPS Tracking Data Verifies Your Actions

July 30th, 2010

Police investigations into automobile accidents are very time consuming and often are subject to a certain amount of speculation. Even if there are witnesses, those accounts can differ significantly. This is all the more reason that GPS Tracking devices should be installed into your vehicles. Providing verification services is one small, but important part that these units can have during your travels. Here are the important ways that they can help you:

Verifying Location

Were you where you said that you were? Do you remember the details of your accident? Most people’s minds black out the actual events of an accident. The chances of you remembering the exact location of your car is very low. GPS Tracking can provide that information to within a few feet. This accuracy can mean the difference between liability on your part or on the part of another driver.

Verifying Speed

How fast were you traveling at the time of the incident? GPS Tracking knows and will tell you. Your speed is recorded as a standard part of real-time tracking events. This can help you avoid a ticket for a moving violation.

Verifying Direction of Travel

Where was your vehicle headed at the time of the accident? GPS Tracking reveals this information. Combining this information with your own account of the incident puts the issue to rest for good. Pinpoint locates helps police with accuracy.

Verifying Evidence

When police write up a report, it usually says that the ‘evidence shows’ or some such statement. And, if there are any witnesses, they can have differing stories as to what they saw. It is a very subjective process that needs more than conjecture and speculation. GPS Tracking devices answer critical questions that make guesses go away. When it comes time to assess blame so that the proper insurance company is contacted for coverage, using GPS Tracking is a must.

In accidents where there is a fatality, the utmost care must be given to make sure that an accurate report of what happened is as factual as possible. That can make the difference in knowing what happened so that family members can get closure and the answers that they crave. Then the ‘how did this happen’ goes away and the ‘why’ questions can be examined.

It’s a painful process but it is one that can be made better with GPS Tracking. Install one today into your vehicles and have a better verification process at your fingertips for accident investigators and create peace of mind knowing that you have the facts to recreate an incident and come to a logical conclusion of events in time of crisis. Although it is tough, knowing, makes things seem better somehow.

School Districts Increase Efficiency with GPS Tracking

July 16th, 2010

School bus operators and commercial fleet managers have the same problems in managing their fleets. It can be difficult to gather precise information about what route was driven, how long stops took, and where a disabled vehicle is located. Lack of this information limits the ability to plan the most efficient route for each fleet vehicle. Some school districts are trying GPS fleet tracking technology to keep tabs on their buses.

Fleet tracking works like any other GPS tracking. Each vehicle in the fleet is equipped with a device that communicates with satellites to determine the location and movement of the vehicle. This information can be monitored constantly or checked at regular intervals, depending on the device and software used. It can be real-time or recorded for future study. Fleet tracking puts together a system to monitor multiple vehicles at the same time and record the information so it can be evaluated and compared. Companies then use the information to keep drivers accountable, calculate costs, and plan more efficient movement of people and freight.

The Omaha public school district tested GPS fleet management on five buses for six weeks this past spring. Transportation director David Wolfe was impressed with how helpful the information was. The GPS system was then selected by the Sherwood Foundation from a list of priorities to be paid for with a large grant.

The information from the GPS system will be used to monitor a variety of things. It will record when doors open and when the stop arm of a bus is used. It will record idle times so that routes can be adjusted to be more efficient. It will estimate arrival times for buses that are running late. It will show the location of a broken-down bus.

All of this information will help the school district run efficient routes, saving on fuel and other operating expenses. It will keep drivers accountable to drive both safely and efficiently. It will keep parents informed on where their children are and when they will arrive home. Most importantly, it will keep children safer because their location will be immediately known if a problem ever arises. More school districts should try fleet tracking with their buses and see the benefits of this valuable way to manage a fleet of vehicles with GPS tracking.

Article written by Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc.

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.

Vehicle Tracking Systems

February 21st, 2010

By Greg Bartlett

Vehicle tracking systems can be used in a variety of ways. One of the most common ways is for a fleet of vehicle, usually for a car rental service or for a business that provides house calls for its customers. When a car rental uses GPS tracking on their vehicles, it is usually to protect against vehicles being stolen or lost. A business may use the vehicle tracking system to determine the amount of time its workers are spending at each house call, how much extra gas mileage they are expending, and how long they leave their vehicle running on the side of the road. Whatever the case may be, a vehicle tracking system can save you time and money in regards to your vehicle.

Vehicle Tracking Systems

GPS systems have recently become more popular as their uses have become more well-known. A GPS system is very easy to understand, but requires a few basic objects. First of all, you need a GPS tracking device. This item is attached to a car or a person either in secret or openly. Next, you must turn on the object so that it can begin recording or transmitting data. Once it has been activated, the GPS begins sending data to a series of satellites located in outer space, that then transfer the information to a central computer. This computer can analyze the data it receives and then place it in separate files as needed. Technicians will then take the data and pass it along to those that require it.

A vehicle tracking system can help in a variety of ways. Many companies have saved thousands of dollars as a result of their investment in this program. One company created a RFID GPS system that attaches to the car and records the time that a vehicle enters and exits certain vicinities. This helps officials to know whether someone has gone over a time limit or whether he or she was there during an event. A popular use of the vehicle tracking system is during Olympics or major public events. Authorities can track the cars, planes, or trains on which athletes or other famous people are located.

A vehicle tracking system could be just the thing that you need to help your company save money more efficiently. In just a short period of time, you will be able to see the results of your investment.

The Many Types of Tracking Systems

February 19th, 2010

By Greg Bartlett

How many different types of tracking systems do you think there are available? While many people may think that only a few exist, the possibilities are endless and opportunities abound to exploit the advantages of a GPS tracker. GPS tracking systems can be used for a variety of things. One of the most well-known is used for tracking vehicles. Whether you want to keep track of your spouse or children, or whether you simply want to know where your car is at all times, a GPS system could suit you perfectly. Some people hide the GPS system on their vehicle, others place it in a conspicuous location, such as a standard GPS system that gives directions. Some companies, on the other hand, use GPS tracking systems to keep record of where their cars have been, how long they have been there, and their speed in travel. This can be helpful if you rent out cars or have a business that makes client calls.

GPS Tracking & Personal Safety

Another use for GPS tracking is to know where your animal is. Dog-tracking collars have made recent strides in technology and people can even have personal logins and passwords to find a lost pup on the Internet. Some people will also GPS tracking and place a device on an individual or in a pocket.

Other uses of tracking systems have been to keep abreast of what is going on worldwide. Police officers have used GPS trackers to know where criminals are at all times. Paparazzi use similar devices to know where a famous Hollywood star is or where a politician may be staying. The Olympics became well-known for tracking the vehicles that the champions were traveling in. This helped them to know where the athletes were and when they would arrive to the games.

GPS tracking is not difficult and has become very useful recently. It uses a small device that, when activated, transmits radio waves to satellites, that then pass the information to a central computer. This helps technicians know the location of the device as well as any other data it monitors. Tracking with a GPS system can be very beneficial and can provide you with much information that you would not be able to know otherwise. GPS systems are cheap and readily available for anyone who is interested in considering them further. Come see what a GPS tracker can do for you.

Vehicle Tracking Impacts Drivers

February 7th, 2010

By Greg Bartlett

Many people may wonder why some businesses find it necessary to install tracking devices in their vehicles. While it may seem like an unnecessary precaution to install vehicle tracking, some companies have found that fleet tracking has allowed them to better serve their customers, as well as save on fuel consumption. A company in the United Kingdom began tracing the effects of their tracking systems and found that some businesses saved up to 15% of their annual fuel costs. These savings have allowed them to quickly pay off and profit from the purchase of the vehicle tracking devices. Also, once an individual knows that they are being tracked in their car, they are much more likely to be conscious of their speed, time spent idling, and wasted gas mileage.

What is Vehicle Tracking?

GPS tracking can work in a variety of ways. Basically, the system starts with a tracker, or object which is placed onto or into a vehicle. This tracker can be passive or active, which will be explained later. Once the unit is activated, it begins transmitting signals. Currently, there are two different places where these signals can be passed along to. One option is to use the cell phone towers and pass along the signals to them, which will then pass it along to a central computer. The other option is to use a series of satellites in outer space. The information from the satellites is also passed to the central computers, where it is recorded and analyzed.

As stated before, there are two types of GPS vehicle tracking. Passive tracking involves an internal recording device in the GPS unit, which then downloads the information onto a computer when connected. The other type of tracking is active tracking, when the signals from the GPS are continually transmitted. While passive tracking is usually cheaper, the active GPS will keep you continually alerted as to your vehicle’s whereabouts.

A new GPS vehicle tracking company has started in the Philippines, with updates maps of the country, and up-to-date information on the unit at all times. Perspective Mobil Tracker claims to be able to keep you knowledgeable of all aspects of your vehicle – the speed it is traveling, whether its doors are opened or closed, how far it has traveled, and other facts. Tracking vehicles is a very new concept, but one that continues to flourish and that may be right for you.