Have you heard about some of the new technology that makes GPS tracking for cars accessible to normal people like you and me? GPS technology is becoming increasingly available to consumers at every level of life, and one side effect of this is that GPS has become available for many different applications. Today, parents can have large amounts of information about the location and driving activity of their teens with ease.
The Basics of GPS Tracking
Right now, as you sit and read this article, there are at least 24 satellites orbiting the earth 11 nautical miles above its surface. They are continuously broadcasting signals that specialized receivers are able to pick up. The data that is transmitted by the satellites is processed by the GPS unit to give the user some type of fix on their own location. The specific items that the receiver is going to need is the place in the sky that the satellite transmitted the data from and when exactly it sent it.
A GPS receiver then processes this data and calculates its distance away from the satellite in question. The device will begin by taking the speed of the signal and multiplying it by the amount of time it took the signal to reach the GPS device. The equation for this looks something like this:
Speed x Time = Distance Traveled
This will tell you just how far away you are from one satellite. However, since the tracker only knows how far away it is from one satellite it cannot tell where it is in the world. One satellite just isn't enough. You really need at least two, but more like three, satellites to be able to get a true picture of where you are on the earth's surface. You might know this principle by the name of trilateration and it is very much like triangulation, except that trilateration is about finding an objects position in three dimensional space while triangulation is about finding an objects location in two dimensional space.
Having calculated its own position, the tracker stores that information on its hard drive and then it does one of two things with that information - keeps it or sends it out. A data logger is what a GPS tracking device for cars is called when it commits the position information to its own internal memory system. This type of device is unable to provide real time GPS tracking. For real time updates you need a data pusher. This device will transmit the information that it processed from the satellites to a central location. Here the data will become available to anyone with access to it - it could be a boss seeking to find the location of a company car or a city employee monitoring worker productivity.
The justifications that some will come up with to use GPS tracking for cars are many and valid. Being a technical whiz is not a requirement if you are trying to use one of these devices. All you need is the money to buy the device and the service. The company that you go with will be able to do the rest. Getting a handle on the company you are going to use is crucial, check them out at the Better Business Bureau or talk to customers of the service. If this type of service is up your alley then you should certainly try GPS tracking for cars.
*by: Steward Smith
Kamis, 19 November 2009
What if your mobile phone stolen??
As people progress with their lives they see the need to communicate with each other more often. This means that technology has to advance. This advancement brought about the emergence of cellular phones (or cell phones) commonly known to many as mobile phones. As the name suggests, mobile phones can be carried to various places and can be used anywhere where there is network coverage. Mobile phones are like walking directories as one can have the cell phone numbers of many other people.
The disadvantage of mobile phones is that with the advancement of technology come risks involved. Being portable these mobile phones may get stolen and may even fall and get physically crashed. This is especially disastrous for people who have to communicate regularly such as businessmen. Many people become attached to their mobile phones because they become very important devices for them. So if your mobile phone gets stolen, what do you do?
Thanks to some wonderful programmers, they have been able to develop software that works together with satellite technology to be able to track your mobile phone wherever it is. The technology behind it is that you can have certain software installed on your phone. (Am sorry to say this but this will work well only for 3G phones). So if, for example, you get mugged and the mugger goes with your phone and sell it to someone else who sells it to someone else….and the chain continues, you will still be able to track where your stolen mobile phone is.
What happens is that when you download the software, part of the details that you will have to fill in would be the cell phone number of another person (make sure the person is trustworthy). As soon as the person who took your phone removes your sim card, an sms (short message service) will be sent to the number you had registered with the exact details of location of the phone, even if the phone is beyond the geographical boundaries of the country.
*by: Aggrey Mullwani
The disadvantage of mobile phones is that with the advancement of technology come risks involved. Being portable these mobile phones may get stolen and may even fall and get physically crashed. This is especially disastrous for people who have to communicate regularly such as businessmen. Many people become attached to their mobile phones because they become very important devices for them. So if your mobile phone gets stolen, what do you do?
Thanks to some wonderful programmers, they have been able to develop software that works together with satellite technology to be able to track your mobile phone wherever it is. The technology behind it is that you can have certain software installed on your phone. (Am sorry to say this but this will work well only for 3G phones). So if, for example, you get mugged and the mugger goes with your phone and sell it to someone else who sells it to someone else….and the chain continues, you will still be able to track where your stolen mobile phone is.
What happens is that when you download the software, part of the details that you will have to fill in would be the cell phone number of another person (make sure the person is trustworthy). As soon as the person who took your phone removes your sim card, an sms (short message service) will be sent to the number you had registered with the exact details of location of the phone, even if the phone is beyond the geographical boundaries of the country.
*by: Aggrey Mullwani
Tracking a mobile phone
Cell phones have become increasingly important in this day and age. It is one of the inventions that have greatly revolutionized the communication industry. You can be able to communicate with some one as you move from place to place. They are very desirable pieces of technology, especially when they are popular models. The amazing thing is that mobile phones have no demarcation in terms of wealth i.e. both the rich and the poor can use and purchase a mobile phone.
But the risks that come with this are that they can be easily stolen or lost. Since they are small and portable you can move with it from place to place but you can get mugged or some one may pick pocket you. You will end up losing your valuable phone with all the great text messages, photos and your large collection of mp3 music. What a loss!!!
But wait, there is good news: there is mobile phone tracking software that has been created to be able to track your phone! That’s wonderful news! So you your next question would be ‘how does it work?’ Here’s how:
You first have to download the software on your phone. In the installation instructions, one of the most important pieces of information you have to give in is the number of someone else (should be someone you meet regularly, relative or someone you trust). This is because when you lose your cell phone a text message is usually sent to this number detailing location of your cell phone. Once you have the software installed you also have to purchase an activation code for the software to activate and work properly.
So when your cell phone is stolen or is lost and someone replaces your sim card, a text message is sent immediately to the cell phone number you had earlier registered with.
But the risks that come with this are that they can be easily stolen or lost. Since they are small and portable you can move with it from place to place but you can get mugged or some one may pick pocket you. You will end up losing your valuable phone with all the great text messages, photos and your large collection of mp3 music. What a loss!!!
But wait, there is good news: there is mobile phone tracking software that has been created to be able to track your phone! That’s wonderful news! So you your next question would be ‘how does it work?’ Here’s how:
You first have to download the software on your phone. In the installation instructions, one of the most important pieces of information you have to give in is the number of someone else (should be someone you meet regularly, relative or someone you trust). This is because when you lose your cell phone a text message is usually sent to this number detailing location of your cell phone. Once you have the software installed you also have to purchase an activation code for the software to activate and work properly.
So when your cell phone is stolen or is lost and someone replaces your sim card, a text message is sent immediately to the cell phone number you had earlier registered with.
Vehicle Tracking Save You Money
The initial financial outlay involved in installing a vehicle tracking system in your fleet can be considerable. However, the savings that outlay can promote in the longer term can easily outweigh the expense. As a fleet management tool, GPS tracking can be invaluable.
GPS tracking isn’t just about checking up on your employees whereabouts. A fully integrated system can provide fleet managers with a wealth of information that can help cut costs throughout the business. According to research carried out by the Aberdeen Group, almost two thirds of service organisations are now using location-based applications and vehicle tracking systems to help manage and track their fleets and despite initial hostility from those being ‘tracked’, almost all users now feel that the system has benefited their business. Vehicle tracking can provide fleet managers with information about the daily driving habits of their employees, including those who may be a little ‘lead-footed’ when it comes to fuel consumption and speed. Vehicle tracking systems can give a fleet manager information concerning speeding vehicles. One major pharmaceutical company was able to reduce their fuel consumption in one depot by 500 litres a month, just by reducing the speed of some of its drivers.
This also benefits the company in another important way – public image. The archetypal image of ‘white van man’ speeding down the motorway in excess of 100mph is not the kind of promotion that any company wants, particularly if the vehicles are sign-written with the company’s name and insignia. An ‘Overspeed’ report can indicate clearly if a driver needs to be spoken to concerning his or her driving habits. The result of this can be to cut fuel bills, reduce the chances of the vehicle being involved in an accident and maintaining the company’s image as a responsible operator.
A GPS tracking system can also be used to maximise efficiency in planning routes for deliveries and collections and this in turn can also improve customer relations by giving clients a more accurate time of arrival. One of the commonest complaints by customers is the vague ‘sometime before noon’ time estimation given in response to a perfectly valid request for an ETA. By utilising a tracking system, managers can give customers a far more accurate estimation; if necessary re-routing another vehicle that may be nearer to the customer to cover a collection at the touch of a button.
Security is one of the primary concerns for all fleet management professionals –not just the security of the vehicle, but that of the driver and contents as well, particularly if the vehicles are carrying high-value goods. This helps companies to comply with their legal ‘Duty of Care’ requirements to ensure the safety of their employees at all times, even when away from the office. Vehicle tracking systems can incorporate panic buttons, integrated into the vehicle telematics system. This can indicate immediately if a driver has had an accident – particularly important if the driver is operating in a remote location. A silent alarm can also be triggered if the vehicle is operated out of hours, indicating that it may have been stolen or that the driver is using the vehicle for unauthorised mileage. Fitting comprehensive vehicle tracking systems can also reduce the cost of fleet insurance, with many commercial insurers now offering considerable discounts for fleets that have systems installed.
All of these add up to considerable savings for the company over the long term which justify the initial outlay of purchasing a vehicle tracking system and fitting GPS devices to fleet vehicles. As the market becomes more competitive that initial cost is coming down, making fleet vehicle tracking systems more affordable for smaller fleets as well as large operations.
*by: Kent Stabbler
GPS tracking isn’t just about checking up on your employees whereabouts. A fully integrated system can provide fleet managers with a wealth of information that can help cut costs throughout the business. According to research carried out by the Aberdeen Group, almost two thirds of service organisations are now using location-based applications and vehicle tracking systems to help manage and track their fleets and despite initial hostility from those being ‘tracked’, almost all users now feel that the system has benefited their business. Vehicle tracking can provide fleet managers with information about the daily driving habits of their employees, including those who may be a little ‘lead-footed’ when it comes to fuel consumption and speed. Vehicle tracking systems can give a fleet manager information concerning speeding vehicles. One major pharmaceutical company was able to reduce their fuel consumption in one depot by 500 litres a month, just by reducing the speed of some of its drivers.
This also benefits the company in another important way – public image. The archetypal image of ‘white van man’ speeding down the motorway in excess of 100mph is not the kind of promotion that any company wants, particularly if the vehicles are sign-written with the company’s name and insignia. An ‘Overspeed’ report can indicate clearly if a driver needs to be spoken to concerning his or her driving habits. The result of this can be to cut fuel bills, reduce the chances of the vehicle being involved in an accident and maintaining the company’s image as a responsible operator.
A GPS tracking system can also be used to maximise efficiency in planning routes for deliveries and collections and this in turn can also improve customer relations by giving clients a more accurate time of arrival. One of the commonest complaints by customers is the vague ‘sometime before noon’ time estimation given in response to a perfectly valid request for an ETA. By utilising a tracking system, managers can give customers a far more accurate estimation; if necessary re-routing another vehicle that may be nearer to the customer to cover a collection at the touch of a button.
Security is one of the primary concerns for all fleet management professionals –not just the security of the vehicle, but that of the driver and contents as well, particularly if the vehicles are carrying high-value goods. This helps companies to comply with their legal ‘Duty of Care’ requirements to ensure the safety of their employees at all times, even when away from the office. Vehicle tracking systems can incorporate panic buttons, integrated into the vehicle telematics system. This can indicate immediately if a driver has had an accident – particularly important if the driver is operating in a remote location. A silent alarm can also be triggered if the vehicle is operated out of hours, indicating that it may have been stolen or that the driver is using the vehicle for unauthorised mileage. Fitting comprehensive vehicle tracking systems can also reduce the cost of fleet insurance, with many commercial insurers now offering considerable discounts for fleets that have systems installed.
All of these add up to considerable savings for the company over the long term which justify the initial outlay of purchasing a vehicle tracking system and fitting GPS devices to fleet vehicles. As the market becomes more competitive that initial cost is coming down, making fleet vehicle tracking systems more affordable for smaller fleets as well as large operations.
*by: Kent Stabbler
Reputable Supplier for Tracking Systems
The supply and maintenance of vehicle tracking systems for fleet management has become big business in the last few years. With the advent of more up to date GPS tracking and smaller, vehicle mounted GPS devices, it is now easier than ever for a fleet manager to keep an accurate log of the whereabouts of all of the vehicles on their fleet. However, choosing a reputable dealer has become increasingly hard because of the inevitable attraction of a fast buck to some less than honest vehicle tracking system suppliers.
To make sure that the dealer you choose is the right one for your business, there are a few questions you can ask first before selecting your provider.
Are they here for the long haul?
Ask your potential vehicle tracking system supplier for a list of other customers. Recommendations from existing customers are gold in any business, and it’s just as important in modern GPS network supply as in any other field. From talking to other customers you can find out what their after-care service is like, whether the company is flexible and has an established research and development programme (making sure that they’re not going to use your fleet as a ‘guinea pig’ to try out a new system) and that they’re reputable.
Show me the money…
Ask to see their accounts. This is a sure way of knowing if a company is reputable or not. Just looking at their advertising literature isn’t enough – anyone can have a glossy brochure printed up – is the company behind the blurb reliable?
TrustMark
The major players in vehicle tracking and GPS tracking devices are currently lobbying the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to introduce a ‘TrustMark’ initiative for the industry. The TrustMark initiative has been used successfully in other industries such as building, raising standards and marking out companies that take on the initiative as reliable and dependable. The vehicle tracking industry has attracted some unscrupulous businesses, all looking to make a quick profit from customers who are ill-informed and perhaps a little over-eager to join a technological revolution they know little about. Approved operators would have to meet strict criteria concerning hardware quality and after-care service standards. Although not yet inforced, questioning your supplier on their opinion of the scheme may give you a little insight into their commitment to provide a comprehensive and quality service.
Where’s the warranty?
Both hardware and software should be covered by a warranty that includes generic updates and continuing after-sales servicing. If the warranty has ‘escape’ clauses, the provider (and the equipment) may prove to be unreliable, which can be costly.
At the next junction, turn left…
Don’t get mesmerised by a wonderful collection of onboard maps, moving location dots on a screen and fancy software. That’s only a small part of the capabilities of good vehicle tracking devices. A good system should be able to provide you with a wealth of additional data including such features as unauthorised mileage reports, out-of-hours activity, speed of vehicles, programmable route planning and even silent alarms that are activated when the vehicle is supposed to be stationary (indicating possible theft).
Is it right for your business?
It is essential that you stay in control of the solution offered to you. Fleet management is a complex business, and you know the requirements and needs of your fleet far better than the GPS vehicle tracking supplier. An off-the-shelf system may seem like a cheaper option, but it could tie you in with a supplier who cannot grow with your business and cannot provide you with the information you want. Know exactly what you want from your system before you begin the search for a supplier.
The emphasis is on the fleet manager to research carefully beforehand and draw up a business plan indicating exactly what they expect a GPS system to achieve for your business, how much you are prepared to invest and a list of potential suppliers. Only then can you make an informed choice as to which is the best supplier to choose.
*by: Kevin Stebbler
To make sure that the dealer you choose is the right one for your business, there are a few questions you can ask first before selecting your provider.
Are they here for the long haul?
Ask your potential vehicle tracking system supplier for a list of other customers. Recommendations from existing customers are gold in any business, and it’s just as important in modern GPS network supply as in any other field. From talking to other customers you can find out what their after-care service is like, whether the company is flexible and has an established research and development programme (making sure that they’re not going to use your fleet as a ‘guinea pig’ to try out a new system) and that they’re reputable.
Show me the money…
Ask to see their accounts. This is a sure way of knowing if a company is reputable or not. Just looking at their advertising literature isn’t enough – anyone can have a glossy brochure printed up – is the company behind the blurb reliable?
TrustMark
The major players in vehicle tracking and GPS tracking devices are currently lobbying the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to introduce a ‘TrustMark’ initiative for the industry. The TrustMark initiative has been used successfully in other industries such as building, raising standards and marking out companies that take on the initiative as reliable and dependable. The vehicle tracking industry has attracted some unscrupulous businesses, all looking to make a quick profit from customers who are ill-informed and perhaps a little over-eager to join a technological revolution they know little about. Approved operators would have to meet strict criteria concerning hardware quality and after-care service standards. Although not yet inforced, questioning your supplier on their opinion of the scheme may give you a little insight into their commitment to provide a comprehensive and quality service.
Where’s the warranty?
Both hardware and software should be covered by a warranty that includes generic updates and continuing after-sales servicing. If the warranty has ‘escape’ clauses, the provider (and the equipment) may prove to be unreliable, which can be costly.
At the next junction, turn left…
Don’t get mesmerised by a wonderful collection of onboard maps, moving location dots on a screen and fancy software. That’s only a small part of the capabilities of good vehicle tracking devices. A good system should be able to provide you with a wealth of additional data including such features as unauthorised mileage reports, out-of-hours activity, speed of vehicles, programmable route planning and even silent alarms that are activated when the vehicle is supposed to be stationary (indicating possible theft).
Is it right for your business?
It is essential that you stay in control of the solution offered to you. Fleet management is a complex business, and you know the requirements and needs of your fleet far better than the GPS vehicle tracking supplier. An off-the-shelf system may seem like a cheaper option, but it could tie you in with a supplier who cannot grow with your business and cannot provide you with the information you want. Know exactly what you want from your system before you begin the search for a supplier.
The emphasis is on the fleet manager to research carefully beforehand and draw up a business plan indicating exactly what they expect a GPS system to achieve for your business, how much you are prepared to invest and a list of potential suppliers. Only then can you make an informed choice as to which is the best supplier to choose.
*by: Kevin Stebbler
And the winner is Paid Vehicle Tracking System
The advent of freely available GPS devices and vehicle tracking systems has meant that fleet managers have been able to keep a closer eye on the exact location of all of their vehicles quickly and easily. As GPS tracking has become more popular, free tracking systems have made an appearance, such as Google’s ‘Latitude’ and the independently operated ‘Locatea.net’. So if there are free vehicle tracking systems now available, why pay for a system?
Put simply, the free systems are not specifically designed for business users. Google’s Latitude in particular is more of an extension of the social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, enabling those who choose to participate in it to see the location of friends and family across the world. Although a very good (and fun) system, it really doesn’t have a practical application for the modern fleet manager who wants to incorporate an accurate vehicle tracking system into their business plan. In the same vein, Locatea.net allows those who are members of the site to see the location of those who wish to be tracked, and herein lies another weakness in the two sites’ application as a business tool. Participation is voluntary and those who do not wish to be tracked simply remove themselves from the database, effectively becoming invisible to the tracking system.
A paid-for system that is tailor-made to a business model design is far more accurate and reliable. Paid vehicle tracking systems are set up for the individual user, enabling them to track and monitor all vehicles in their fleet to within a few metres. But it’s not just a case of ‘Big Brother is watching you’ with vehicle tracking systems. Their use is also beneficial in many other aspects of modern fleet management, including optimising delivery route planning, providing protection for vehicles, reducing a fleet’s motor insurance levels, improving customer care levels and minimising the risks of unauthorised mileage or speeding offences. Once GPS devices have been fitted to a fleet the information can be relayed back in real-time to a central control point, through which the transport or fleet manager can then update drivers of any changes to scheduled routes or additional pickups or deliveries. This ensures that the nearest available vehicle can be despatched to a customer, reducing waiting times and improving customer relations.
Paid systems also benefit from regular updates and servicing by the provider - something that free systems do not offer. Although free services may update their mapping functions, for example, these are still only designed for general use and have no route-plan function availability. Although Locatea.net does offer a courier route planner, again it is only a general map-based GPS system rather than a specialised function that can be customised to suit an individual company’s needs.
Fitting a fleet with GPS tracking can also lower the cost of fleet motor insurance, making the company a considerable saving in the long term. It offers a greater degree of security and should vehicles be stolen, a silent alarm can be triggered informing a central control point of the theft. This gives a fleet manager the ability to respond more quickly to a vehicle theft, alert the Police and consequently have a greater chance of recovering the vehicle undamaged.
For professional and business use, a paid vehicle tracking system is a worthwhile investment and although the free systems are perhaps a fun and even useful addition to the general public’s GPS tracking network, for businesses they do not offer the comprehensive features that a paid-for system does.
*by: Kent Stabbler
Put simply, the free systems are not specifically designed for business users. Google’s Latitude in particular is more of an extension of the social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, enabling those who choose to participate in it to see the location of friends and family across the world. Although a very good (and fun) system, it really doesn’t have a practical application for the modern fleet manager who wants to incorporate an accurate vehicle tracking system into their business plan. In the same vein, Locatea.net allows those who are members of the site to see the location of those who wish to be tracked, and herein lies another weakness in the two sites’ application as a business tool. Participation is voluntary and those who do not wish to be tracked simply remove themselves from the database, effectively becoming invisible to the tracking system.
A paid-for system that is tailor-made to a business model design is far more accurate and reliable. Paid vehicle tracking systems are set up for the individual user, enabling them to track and monitor all vehicles in their fleet to within a few metres. But it’s not just a case of ‘Big Brother is watching you’ with vehicle tracking systems. Their use is also beneficial in many other aspects of modern fleet management, including optimising delivery route planning, providing protection for vehicles, reducing a fleet’s motor insurance levels, improving customer care levels and minimising the risks of unauthorised mileage or speeding offences. Once GPS devices have been fitted to a fleet the information can be relayed back in real-time to a central control point, through which the transport or fleet manager can then update drivers of any changes to scheduled routes or additional pickups or deliveries. This ensures that the nearest available vehicle can be despatched to a customer, reducing waiting times and improving customer relations.
Paid systems also benefit from regular updates and servicing by the provider - something that free systems do not offer. Although free services may update their mapping functions, for example, these are still only designed for general use and have no route-plan function availability. Although Locatea.net does offer a courier route planner, again it is only a general map-based GPS system rather than a specialised function that can be customised to suit an individual company’s needs.
Fitting a fleet with GPS tracking can also lower the cost of fleet motor insurance, making the company a considerable saving in the long term. It offers a greater degree of security and should vehicles be stolen, a silent alarm can be triggered informing a central control point of the theft. This gives a fleet manager the ability to respond more quickly to a vehicle theft, alert the Police and consequently have a greater chance of recovering the vehicle undamaged.
For professional and business use, a paid vehicle tracking system is a worthwhile investment and although the free systems are perhaps a fun and even useful addition to the general public’s GPS tracking network, for businesses they do not offer the comprehensive features that a paid-for system does.
*by: Kent Stabbler
Free vs Paid Vehicle Tracking
The advent of cheap (and even, in some cases, free) GPS tracking systems has revolutionised how the general public move from point A to point B. The days of paper maps are regarded as numbered by many. However, GPS has far more applications than acting as mere electronic maps and GPS tracking has become an important business tool in fleet management. Vehicle tracking enables fleet managers to keep a close eye on the exact location of all their vehicles and also allows them to gather information on how the fleet is operating, optimum routes and even incidences of speeding.
Recently Google and Locatea.net have thrown a new ingredient into the mix – free GPS tracking. Google has launched ‘Latitude’ – a free access system showing participants their exact (to within a few metres) location on the planet and the location of all their friends and family who sign up to the system. More of an extension of their highly successful ‘Google Earth’ package, Latitude is a fun way of keeping in touch with friends and family, but it doesn’t really have a practical application in the business world. The same is true of Locatea.net, which gives an accurate portrayal of the locations of everyone who wants to be involved in the programme. And herein lies the problem with free vehicle tracking systems. They are really more of an addition to social networking collectives and do not as such have a practical application as a business tool. Free vehicle tracking is also voluntary, so it’s easy to exclude yourself from the system should you so wish to.
Paid vehicle tracking is completely different. Designed for a specific purpose, it allows fleet managers to manage and control fleets of vehicles for business use. A paid-for system is a tailor-made business solution that is far more accurate and reliable than a free system. Not only does it allow a fleet manager to identify and locate all vehicles on the system – it also supplies vital additional information that can make an important contribution to the overall efficiency of the business. Vehicle tracking systems supply information about unofficial out of hours usage, calculate average speed of vehicles and can act as a locator beacon in the event of an emergency (particularly important if the fieldworkers are operating in remote locations). GPS devices also act as a security measure. If a vehicle is stolen, a fitted GPS tracking system will enable the fleet manager to locate it immediately, notifying police and ensuring that the vehicle is recovered as quickly as possible. Because of their use in this aspect, GPS tracking systems can also help to reduce the overall insurance costs of a fleet and so save the company money in the long run.
Another major advantage of paid-for vehicle tracking systems is the after-care and systems support that it brings with it. Updates and both hardware and software are covered by a warranty, which means that the system is always operating at maximum efficiency and running costs can be kept to a minimum. With free systems, updates are much more generic in nature and less frequent. Although the mapping functions may be updated regularly these are still only designed for general use and rarely have additional features attached that are business-specific in nature.
For fleet management and business use, a paid vehicle tracking system is a worthwhile investment. By carefully selecting a supplier that can provide you with a custom-made system which suits your business needs, the initial investment can actually turn into a business asset that will save your company money over time.
*by: Kent Stebbler
Recently Google and Locatea.net have thrown a new ingredient into the mix – free GPS tracking. Google has launched ‘Latitude’ – a free access system showing participants their exact (to within a few metres) location on the planet and the location of all their friends and family who sign up to the system. More of an extension of their highly successful ‘Google Earth’ package, Latitude is a fun way of keeping in touch with friends and family, but it doesn’t really have a practical application in the business world. The same is true of Locatea.net, which gives an accurate portrayal of the locations of everyone who wants to be involved in the programme. And herein lies the problem with free vehicle tracking systems. They are really more of an addition to social networking collectives and do not as such have a practical application as a business tool. Free vehicle tracking is also voluntary, so it’s easy to exclude yourself from the system should you so wish to.
Paid vehicle tracking is completely different. Designed for a specific purpose, it allows fleet managers to manage and control fleets of vehicles for business use. A paid-for system is a tailor-made business solution that is far more accurate and reliable than a free system. Not only does it allow a fleet manager to identify and locate all vehicles on the system – it also supplies vital additional information that can make an important contribution to the overall efficiency of the business. Vehicle tracking systems supply information about unofficial out of hours usage, calculate average speed of vehicles and can act as a locator beacon in the event of an emergency (particularly important if the fieldworkers are operating in remote locations). GPS devices also act as a security measure. If a vehicle is stolen, a fitted GPS tracking system will enable the fleet manager to locate it immediately, notifying police and ensuring that the vehicle is recovered as quickly as possible. Because of their use in this aspect, GPS tracking systems can also help to reduce the overall insurance costs of a fleet and so save the company money in the long run.
Another major advantage of paid-for vehicle tracking systems is the after-care and systems support that it brings with it. Updates and both hardware and software are covered by a warranty, which means that the system is always operating at maximum efficiency and running costs can be kept to a minimum. With free systems, updates are much more generic in nature and less frequent. Although the mapping functions may be updated regularly these are still only designed for general use and rarely have additional features attached that are business-specific in nature.
For fleet management and business use, a paid vehicle tracking system is a worthwhile investment. By carefully selecting a supplier that can provide you with a custom-made system which suits your business needs, the initial investment can actually turn into a business asset that will save your company money over time.
*by: Kent Stebbler
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