Be Prepared and Don?t Panic

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/OJziW)
by Greg Bartlett

In times of crisis, a minute—even a few seconds—can mean the difference between life and death.  It can mean the difference between recovery and permanent injury.

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Anyone who has ever had experience with first aid or CPR training knows the vital importance of quickly dealing with emergencies.  Emergencies can happen at any time, at any place, to any person.  It can be the collapse of a building during a earthquake; it can be the moment when an elderly adult crosses the line between independence and dependence; it can be the two seconds when a child is left unattended; it can be that one second of drowsiness that hits the driver on the highway.

One way that you can help to close that vital time gap in an emergency is with the use of a GPS tracking device.  Many GPS tracking devices now have an emergency button that allows the wearer to send an alert in a dangerous situation.  Most devices have a battery life of up to 30 days (some even more), and some even receive signal even indoors or in obstructed areas.

If you work on construction sites, or live/work in areas that are prone to earthquakes or other disasters that cause buildings to collapse, you should consider this type of tracking device.  Knowing exactly where you are in the rubble in event of disaster can mean the difference between life and death.  The emergency button sends immediate panic alerts to spread the word that you need help right away.

Other scenarios include car trouble far from home, or assault/robbery.  It could be something as simple as a safety feature and backup for a first-time babysitter—just press the button.  It is also a good feature to use for elderly loved ones who aren’t quite ready to transition into assisted living, but are at some risk for falling or experiencing health problems at home.

GPS tracking devices utilize satellites in outer space, which allows for accuracy in determining location.  This can save time if the victim of an emergency is unable to give direction as to his or her location.  It can simply be determined by the GPS device.  It may seem like taking these precautions may be going to the extreme, but when an emergency strikes, it is always better to be safe than sorry.  You will never regret finding your loved one in time to prevent serious injury and death.

Supply Chain Managers Embrace GPS Tracking

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/TugQu)
The business activity known as global supply chain management has at its core the managing and monitoring of goods and products as they move through the manufacturing process to the end customer.

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This business activity is being integrated with real-time ERP processes more and more.  What this means is that Enterprise Resource Planning at the business is chopping the processes down into small parts so that it can be monitored at more places along the line.  This system of checks helps in many ways.

Quality

First, and maybe foremost is quality.  Not only can the manufacturing process be watched closer, quality standards can be monitored better, too.  This helps manufacturers find and fix issues with quality it turns into even larger problems later on after the product has been made.  Giving quality a preeminent position like this is good for customer satisfaction.

Speed of Manufacturing

Most businesses build to order.  There are very few warehousing operations that hold finished goods that are waiting to be ordered by end customers.  Because of the emphasis on real-time processes, the speed at which products are produced can increase (all things being equal).  Being able to maintain quality at the same time helps businesses get products into the hands of customers sooner.

Customer Service

Customers can now be kept in closer touch with the manufacturing of the products that they order.  Some companies even provide a portal from which a customer can monitor product manufacturing and their specific order as it moves along the way.  This can be both good and bad in that the customer can see stops in the process which raises concerns about delivery dates, etc.  Strong communications must exists between the two so that this does not turn into a disaster.

It does not end there, however.  Once the manufacturing process is completed, then the deliver process begins.  But, it is a seamless operation in that GPS Tracking takes up where RFID left off in the monitoring of the logistics process.

Semi trucks and trailers are the first step in the monitoring process.  Trucks and trailers both include GPS Tracking systems to help monitor their progress.  And, it is helpful to be able to track these units should they become the targets of thieves (which is happening in greater numbers these days).

Cargo containers are also being outfitted with GPS Tracking so that they can be tracked separately from the trucks and trailers.

Finally, many products that are banded together in the shipping process have a GPS Tracking device hidden among the boxes.

Not only is this good insurance for getting products where they need to be, but it allows for minute tracking which keeps the end customer and the shipper aware of the precise location of important deliveries.  Schedules can be coordinated and marketing plans can be shifted to accommodate any delays or advances in shipping time lines.  GPS tracking is a "must-have" item in the supply chain managers arsenal of customer service tools.

Don?t Let Outdoor Activities End in a Tragedy

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/gNjU2)
Outdoor activities and extreme sports are enjoyed by a group of people who find living life on the dangerous side very exciting.

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But, even the casual outdoor lover can find themselves in some precarious positions if they are not careful.  Recently a group ventured into the Elkhorn river Near Omaha, Nebraska, and was unprepared for the waters that they encountered and ended up with a capsized water craft and a near drowning.

Fortunately for them, one in the group had a smartphone with GPS Tracking enabled which helped local fire and rescue to pinpoint their location and assist in the recovery of the group members.

This incident underscores two very important things about going out into unfamiliar places at particularly dangerous times.

Proper Preparation is Mandatory

There are certain things that need to be done to help make sure that there are no disasters that could have been avoided with proper preparation.

First, investigate the area into which you are going.  Get a map of your destination and note specific spots on the map that can help you: fire/rescue facilities, hospitals and police stations.  Take the map with you when you go.

Next, make a trip itinerary and give it to those you leave behind.  Put details in it like where you are going, when you will arrive there and when you will be coming back.  Also, note if you are going to be out of communications with the rest of the world and when you expect to re-connect.  Leave a copy of a map that shows your intended path.

Inclusion of Technology Can Assist

GPS Tracking devices are worthy of a place among your gear because they can be helpful if you should become stranded on your trip.  And that includes your treks into the wilderness where most cellular signals do not exist.  GPS enabled smartphones are great, but not if there is no signal with which authorities can home in on if there is a problem.

When you arrive at your destination, find out if local authorities have the ability to track GPS signals.  If so, link up with them so that if there is a problem, they can instantly view your location and respond to any emergencies that might arise.

These are the base activities that you must perform to help protect yourself.  These common sense tips are available to anyone who chooses to use them.  And, for those who do not, their risk is greater.  Have fun, but remember to be prepared.

Be Cautious on the Net and Stay Safe with GPS Tracking

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/8PXuL)
It comes with territory, so to speak, that social networking opens users up to dangerous security issues.  The two sites that are encouraging ‘checking in’ wherever you may be are gowalla.com and foursquare.com.

The first reason that these social networking sites are raising concern is because they encourage users to ‘check in’ which provides your location instantly to those in your group.

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The second reason is because they are being used improperly by those who sign up.

The positive and great things that smartphone technology has brought us have created a breeding ground for potential hazards.  As with anything, caution is the way to approach these sites.

A social network that encourages you to provide your location is dangerous in that not only do people know where you are, but they also know where you are NOT.  Home comes to mind as the most likely place that you are vulnerable.  Thieves target houses that they know are unoccupied.

And, just because your social network includes only ‘friends’ does not mean that you cannot be targeted.  Social networking sites are not known for their impeccable security methods.

In their defense, site creators issue guidelines on how to use their site and where to use it.  It does not include things like telling your social network that you are at home, in bed, or God forbid, in the bathroom.  You are encouraged to meet up with those in your social network at public places and entertainment venues, etc.  And, they include some already marked out public places.

But, you can add your own, and here’s where the problem of security comes into play.  People are adding their homes, rooms in their homes and even (as mentioned) their beds.  The more users tell people where they are located, the more they give out information on where they are not or, if they are in a place that makes them vulnerable.

One important guideline when using these is to only check in at public places.  Keep your private treks at or from home private.

Also, one last thing to consider is to purchase a GPS Tracking device to help monitor your locations (privately) and add an extra layer of insurance from a security standpoint.  These devices are much less expensive than ever, and you can find a model that will meet your needs.

When opening up yourself to potential invasions of security or privacy it is best to take extra precautions to protect yourself because you never know when you might be the target of some very bad people.

article by James Neely

Car Thieves Strike Craigslist

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/WXK0i)
by Harriette Halepis

Source acquired via Newser, July 8, 2010 – Public warnings related to Craigslist are nothing new, but this time the warning is coming straight from the New York Police Department. The NYPD has been repeatedly warning the general public to be extra careful when allowing potential buyers to test drive listed cars. Savvy Craigslist listers are quickly finding out that GPS tracking devices can do more than track stolen goods – they can potentially save lives.

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The NYPD has picked up on a recent scam that many within the New York City (and other) area have fallen prey to. By contacting a Craigslist poster, thieves pretend to be interested in various listed automobiles. Then, upon asking to take a car for a test drive, the cars disappear entirely. Most of these vehicles wind up in chop-shops, and some are resold after identifying vehicle information has been altered.

In addition to simply taking a car for a test drive and never returning, the NYPD is also warning Craigslist posters about a new carjacking tool dubbed “the jiggler.”  This tool can be inserted into certain ignitions causing a car to start up automatically. Once a thief notes the location of a Craigslist car for sale, this tool is frequently used to steal any unattended vehicle.

While it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on any car that is listed on Craigslist, it is not a good idea to go along for a test drive. Many thieves are armed and dangerous, and car owners may become injured if a thief decides to steal a car while an owner is present.

A safer option is to install a personal GPS tracking device inside of a vehicle. In the event that a vehicle is stolen, this device will lead owners and authorities directly to the automobile. Not only is a tracking key an effective way to find a stolen car, it’s also a great way to prevent an unsuspecting owner of becoming injured.

Stop High Speed Pursuits with GPS Devices

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/4jsBq)
It’s about time that we begin to find some ways to reduce high speed police chases in our communities.  These events often include serious crashes which results in injury to those being pursued, the police officers or innocent bystanders.  While one of the ways to reduce the risk is for police to pull off of these activities, there are methods that are being attempted to make this happen.

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The latest is called a StarChase system.  The system used a propelled GPS Tracking device that is fired from the pursuing police vehicle to the fleeing subjects car which will attach to the back so that the car can be tracking via GPS Tracking.

This allows the police to pull back on the chase and allow the fleeing driver to slow down.  This new development gets strong consideration because of the following reasons:

Public Safety Needs are Considered Ahead of Apprehension

One of the main cries against high-speed chases is that it puts the safety of the public at risk.  Any time a chase ensues, speed limits and traffic signals are ignored.  The mere presence of a police vehicle spurs the fleeing subjects to go even faster.  Depending on the charges that are pending against the driver, police are more resolute in the capture of the perpetrators.  This is especially true if the subjects have tried to deliberately injure an officer.

Reduces Accidents and Innocent Bystanders Involvement

If the fleeing subject slows down (after presumably eluding the police), accidents would be avoided and it also might make them think that they have succeeded in shaking the police.  And, even if they know about the tracking device, they would have to stop their vehicle to try to remove it, which would give police the opportunity they need to surround them and prevent the chase from continuing.

Assists Police and Protects the Public

Using the GPS Tracking device as a guide, dispatchers can direct police vehicles to the exact location of the fleeing vehicle.  Using a backed-off method and a surrounding philosophy, those who are trying to get away will soon learn that they cannot do so which will hopefully convince them to stop.

As gps devices become more of a standard tool for our police forces nationwide, we will all be able to rest a little easier knowing that high speed chases will become a thing of the past.  Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

Fake Cocaine Embedded with GPS Tracking Nabs Police Officer

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/30mT8)
Source acquired via Toronto Sun, July 2, 2010 – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently set up a drug sting operation called “Project Ocaper” that was meant to track down Peruvian drug dealers. What the RCMP discovered was that a fellow RCMP officer stole a brick of fake cocaine along with various other confiscated goods.

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Constable Sheldon Cook was found guilty of stealing one brick of fake cocaine and 21 MP3 players from a police building. Cook stole the fake drugs and the MP3 players while he was on duty. What Cook did not know was that RCMP police had filled numerous bags with flour and GPS tracking devices in order to arrest Peruvian drug dealers. When the drug shipment arrived at a Toronto airport (inside boxes of mangoes), police began to track the shipment.

While the GPS trackers that were inside of the fake cocaine shipment stopped working for two days, police were able to track the fake cocaine once the devices began working again. RCMP found the GPS trackers inside of a shipment that was inside of Cook’s home. Cook told a Toronto court that he had been framed by his fellow police officers, though he was found guilty. Cook will be sentenced in Toronto on August 5, 2010.

While the GPS trackers that were inside of the fake cocaine shipment did not work at first (for unknown reasons), the two trackers eventually led police to Cook’s home. Without the help of the GPS tracking devices, Cook would not have been apprehended. The Toronto court that heard Cook’s case did not believe that Cook had been set up by his co-workers. Instead, Judge Casey Hill found that Cook has acted alone when he stole both the fake cocaine and the MP3 players.