Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
GPS Cuts Transport Costs
(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/e3MYO)
GPS Reduces Fleet Tracking Costs
A GPS tracking device attached to a vehicle can monitor that vehicle in one of two ways. Active tracking involves sending a signal directly to the Internet, which enables someone to view information in real time. Passive tracking includes stored information that can be downloaded to a computer at a later time.
Either way, managers can use this information to determine where their drivers are at any given time. With GPS technology, it becomes possible to track:
With this information in hand, companies can teach employees how to make better use of a vehicle, and of company time, resulting in reduced fuel costs and a reduction in employee working hours.
GPS Tracking Devices Equal Efficiency
As the economic recession drags on, companies who use GPS to monitor their fleet vehicles have been able to continue operating efficiently by reducing the amount of fuel they use and the miles they cover. Even after employees understand how to find the most efficient routes and how to conserve fuel while they’re out on the road, the devices can still make a difference by enabling the company as a whole to operate more efficiently.
For instance, if a driver contacts dispatch in need of a repair, a fleet manager can pinpoint a vehicle's exact location. This allows dispatch to send the nearest service person to a driver's location, which, in turn, can save a company time and money. The vast majority of fleet managers who have implemented GPS tracking have reported satisfaction with this decision --Â as well as saving thousands of dollars.
As businesses large and small continue to recognize the need for efficiency wherever possible, tracking devices prove cost effective. Efficient personnel, vast reductions in company costs, and a decrease in employee overtime are all viable results of GPS tracking technology.
Article Written By Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking
An Efficient Way for Transportation Companies to Save Money
As the economy continues to flounder, more and more companies that maintain a fleet of vehicles have started looking to GPS tracking to help them reduce expenditures. The cost of fuel, man hours worked, and wear and tear on the vehicle all add up over time, and most managers feel the squeeze as prices continue to fluctuate. When it becomes possible to monitor the use of each vehicle closely (and make adjustments to routes and driver habits as needed), many managers report impressive cost savings.
GPS Reduces Fleet Tracking Costs
A GPS tracking device attached to a vehicle can monitor that vehicle in one of two ways. Active tracking involves sending a signal directly to the Internet, which enables someone to view information in real time. Passive tracking includes stored information that can be downloaded to a computer at a later time.
Either way, managers can use this information to determine where their drivers are at any given time. With GPS technology, it becomes possible to track:
- Routes: is a driver taking the most efficient route?
- Speed: how fast is a driver traveling?
- Stop Time: is a driver making unauthorized stops?
- Idle Time: is the engine running while a driver unloads or eats lunch?
With this information in hand, companies can teach employees how to make better use of a vehicle, and of company time, resulting in reduced fuel costs and a reduction in employee working hours.
GPS Tracking Devices Equal Efficiency
As the economic recession drags on, companies who use GPS to monitor their fleet vehicles have been able to continue operating efficiently by reducing the amount of fuel they use and the miles they cover. Even after employees understand how to find the most efficient routes and how to conserve fuel while they’re out on the road, the devices can still make a difference by enabling the company as a whole to operate more efficiently.
For instance, if a driver contacts dispatch in need of a repair, a fleet manager can pinpoint a vehicle's exact location. This allows dispatch to send the nearest service person to a driver's location, which, in turn, can save a company time and money. The vast majority of fleet managers who have implemented GPS tracking have reported satisfaction with this decision --Â as well as saving thousands of dollars.
As businesses large and small continue to recognize the need for efficiency wherever possible, tracking devices prove cost effective. Efficient personnel, vast reductions in company costs, and a decrease in employee overtime are all viable results of GPS tracking technology.
Article Written By Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tracking Turtles With GPS
(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/gRAWl)
Article Written by Greg Bartlett
Global positioning systems were first used by the U.S. military to help navigate military maneuvers. Â Now GPS systems are used to track vehicles, pets, and even people. Â GPS tracking is used in many industries - by law enforcement officers to track stolen possessions or keep track of parolees, by the retail industry that uses theft prevention devices, and by private individuals for safety during recreational activities. GPS technology has also been used to track small children, cellphones, and now turtles!
In Queensland, Australia, the government has sponsored a study on loggerhead turtles, the largest hard-shelled turtles in the world. These turtles can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.  The number of loggerhead turtles has declined over the years, and they are now an endangered species.  One of the reasons these reptiles are in danger is because of the lack of nesting beaches. The loggerhead study, conducted on Australia’s southern coast, used GPS tracking devices to follow three turtles for almost two thousand miles.
Scientists conducting the study hoped it would help the loggerhead population by defining their migration route. One of the reasons loggerheads are in danger is because so many of them have been accidentally killed by fishing boats. By warning fishing boats of the loggerhead’s path, Australian researchers hope to decrease the number of turtles caught by fishing gear.  Researchers were also able to discover one loggerhead nesting ground from the data gathered by a GPS tracking system.
GPS devices have successfully been used to track other endangered species, enabling scientists to gather information about unusual species. Usually, a tiny tracking device is attached to an animal for a certain length of time, often a few months or even years. Some devices send regular signals to a receiver, which allows the researchers to see regular reports on the location of the animal. Other tracking devices function by collecting and storing all of the data. The GPS devices are then collected at the end of the study, and researchers examine the information collected. The information gathered about an animal’s habits and behaviors often prove useful in finding ways to protect endangered populations.
Article Written by Greg Bartlett
Global positioning systems were first used by the U.S. military to help navigate military maneuvers. Â Now GPS systems are used to track vehicles, pets, and even people. Â GPS tracking is used in many industries - by law enforcement officers to track stolen possessions or keep track of parolees, by the retail industry that uses theft prevention devices, and by private individuals for safety during recreational activities. GPS technology has also been used to track small children, cellphones, and now turtles!
In Queensland, Australia, the government has sponsored a study on loggerhead turtles, the largest hard-shelled turtles in the world. These turtles can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.  The number of loggerhead turtles has declined over the years, and they are now an endangered species.  One of the reasons these reptiles are in danger is because of the lack of nesting beaches. The loggerhead study, conducted on Australia’s southern coast, used GPS tracking devices to follow three turtles for almost two thousand miles.
Scientists conducting the study hoped it would help the loggerhead population by defining their migration route. One of the reasons loggerheads are in danger is because so many of them have been accidentally killed by fishing boats. By warning fishing boats of the loggerhead’s path, Australian researchers hope to decrease the number of turtles caught by fishing gear.  Researchers were also able to discover one loggerhead nesting ground from the data gathered by a GPS tracking system.
GPS devices have successfully been used to track other endangered species, enabling scientists to gather information about unusual species. Usually, a tiny tracking device is attached to an animal for a certain length of time, often a few months or even years. Some devices send regular signals to a receiver, which allows the researchers to see regular reports on the location of the animal. Other tracking devices function by collecting and storing all of the data. The GPS devices are then collected at the end of the study, and researchers examine the information collected. The information gathered about an animal’s habits and behaviors often prove useful in finding ways to protect endangered populations.
Monday, September 13, 2010
GPS Makes High-Risk Car Loans Safer for Dealerships
(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/gY5AU)
When you hear of a car dealership advertising “no credit checks†or “no one is turned downâ€, you can bet that the dealership is appealing to high risk customers. Many of these customers are unemployed, but require a car to secure a job. While offering car loans to high risk customers may seem somewhat foolish, though GPS tracking technology can now make this process a whole lot easier for car dealerships.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on a woman from Illinois whose Buick had been giving her GPS-based late payment warnings for days. Red and yellow flashing lights informed the woman that her car payment was late. She ignored these warnings until she heard the last chance warning -- an incessant beeping that told her to make her car payment that day or the car would be disabled.
Some car owners who would not qualify for any purchase without a high risk loan feel that the trade off of having a GPS tracking device on their vehicle is fair: they are able to purchase a car but if they don’t pay, at some point the car will not start. Dealers who have installed the devices say they now have a way of encouraging on-time payments. These GPS devices also provide an easy way to locate the vehicle if necessary.
Car dealers benefit from better cash flow and, in turn, are able to offer better cars to their customers. Most car dealers don’t feel that the GPS tracking on the cars is a danger to the customer as it cannot switch the car off while it is running, and it gives ample warnings before disabling the car.
Remote disabling and tracking of automobiles is well worth the investment for car dealerships as it will increase sales, dramatically reduce late payments, help recover stolen vehicles, and serve the consumer better. Not everyone buying a car from the "buy-here-pay-here" market is a deadbeat. Some just need a helping hand to get back on their feet, and this includes reliable transportation. The installation of a GPS tracking device allows dealerships to give those in need a helping hand.
When you hear of a car dealership advertising “no credit checks†or “no one is turned downâ€, you can bet that the dealership is appealing to high risk customers. Many of these customers are unemployed, but require a car to secure a job. While offering car loans to high risk customers may seem somewhat foolish, though GPS tracking technology can now make this process a whole lot easier for car dealerships.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on a woman from Illinois whose Buick had been giving her GPS-based late payment warnings for days. Red and yellow flashing lights informed the woman that her car payment was late. She ignored these warnings until she heard the last chance warning -- an incessant beeping that told her to make her car payment that day or the car would be disabled.
Some car owners who would not qualify for any purchase without a high risk loan feel that the trade off of having a GPS tracking device on their vehicle is fair: they are able to purchase a car but if they don’t pay, at some point the car will not start. Dealers who have installed the devices say they now have a way of encouraging on-time payments. These GPS devices also provide an easy way to locate the vehicle if necessary.
Car dealers benefit from better cash flow and, in turn, are able to offer better cars to their customers. Most car dealers don’t feel that the GPS tracking on the cars is a danger to the customer as it cannot switch the car off while it is running, and it gives ample warnings before disabling the car.
Remote disabling and tracking of automobiles is well worth the investment for car dealerships as it will increase sales, dramatically reduce late payments, help recover stolen vehicles, and serve the consumer better. Not everyone buying a car from the "buy-here-pay-here" market is a deadbeat. Some just need a helping hand to get back on their feet, and this includes reliable transportation. The installation of a GPS tracking device allows dealerships to give those in need a helping hand.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
School Districts Use GPS to Keep Kids Safe
(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/qH1GJ)
As surely as fall comes each year bringing crisp air and colorful leaves, kids begin boarding buses each day to begin another year of school. And no doubt there will be reports of children left all night in buses after falling asleep and a driver neglecting to check the bus before parking or a child forgetting to get off at a particular stop. This could be a thing of the past as school systems invest in new GPS tracking technology that records students getting on and off the buses.
A Chicago suburban school district put a student tracking system into place this year that allows a transportation supervisor to track when and where each student got on and off their respective buses. Every child carries or wears an ID card that was assigned the first day of preschool or kindergarten and as he or she enters or exits the bus, there is a quiet beep and a flash of green light confirming that a child has entered or exited a school bus.
GPS tracking systems offer peace of mind for parents, reduce liability for schools, and most importantly, keep children safe. The system also allows a school supervisor to see what time the bus left school and where it is on its route. While current GPS technology only allows school officials to track students, eventually parents will be able to log into the system and check on the location of their children. This system allows parents to give students a little more freedom, but also the ability to check on them if necessary.
The cost for the system is reasonable. The Chicago school district paid $16,000 to outfit ten buses, including the ID cards for the students. This cost is minimal compared to the benefits, and parents might well be willing to share a portion of this cost once the system proves its worth. The GPS tracking system for students is an investment that is well worth it in this day and age. A school district would be wise to purchase the system, which would put parents’ minds at rest, protect students and allow schools to provide parents with instant accountability of their children. As this idea catches on, no doubt many schools will embrace this technology.
As surely as fall comes each year bringing crisp air and colorful leaves, kids begin boarding buses each day to begin another year of school. And no doubt there will be reports of children left all night in buses after falling asleep and a driver neglecting to check the bus before parking or a child forgetting to get off at a particular stop. This could be a thing of the past as school systems invest in new GPS tracking technology that records students getting on and off the buses.
A Chicago suburban school district put a student tracking system into place this year that allows a transportation supervisor to track when and where each student got on and off their respective buses. Every child carries or wears an ID card that was assigned the first day of preschool or kindergarten and as he or she enters or exits the bus, there is a quiet beep and a flash of green light confirming that a child has entered or exited a school bus.
GPS tracking systems offer peace of mind for parents, reduce liability for schools, and most importantly, keep children safe. The system also allows a school supervisor to see what time the bus left school and where it is on its route. While current GPS technology only allows school officials to track students, eventually parents will be able to log into the system and check on the location of their children. This system allows parents to give students a little more freedom, but also the ability to check on them if necessary.
The cost for the system is reasonable. The Chicago school district paid $16,000 to outfit ten buses, including the ID cards for the students. This cost is minimal compared to the benefits, and parents might well be willing to share a portion of this cost once the system proves its worth. The GPS tracking system for students is an investment that is well worth it in this day and age. A school district would be wise to purchase the system, which would put parents’ minds at rest, protect students and allow schools to provide parents with instant accountability of their children. As this idea catches on, no doubt many schools will embrace this technology.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
GPS Can Keep An Eye on Your Teen
(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/cQRuV)
Article Written by Gregg Bartlett
When a child turns sixteen, parents step into a whole new world. Teen tracking can help them make the adjustment from youth to teenage years with less upheaval in the family and emotional status quo. Teens like to assert independence, and a driver’s license is their ticket into the world of adulthood. Americans traditionally value cultivating that independence, but changes in the world means that parents face many fears that cause them to hold back. GPS tracking technology is a positive change that can parents keep an eye on teenagers.
Teenagers may not like to admit it, but their parents do influence them, and surveys reveal that the greatest influence on teen driving habits is their parents. If parents can convince their teens that they really do believe safe driving is important, their teens will listen. Reforming their own driving habits is the first critical step for parents, who need to give their teens a good example. The next step is monitoring their teens and rewarding good driving, and this is where GPS teen tracking comes into play.
Tracking devices can be easily attached to any car, and the information collected can be extremely useful for parents. The device becomes a miniature chaperon, allowing the young person to go places and spend time with friends while still keeping their parents updated on their activities and whereabouts. The GPS tracking device communicates with satellites to record where the car is at any given time. Then software coordinates that information and relays to parents what they choose to be alerted to, such as when the car exceeds the speed limit or when the car goes to particular locations.
Like any technology, a GPS tracker only does good if it is used properly. Parents should increase or decrease the intensity of their monitoring based on their child’s performance. If the teenager shows consistently that he can handle a certain level of independence, parents can ease up on the frequency of when they check in on their son or daughter. On the other hand, if the teenager is breaking traffic laws or going to off-limits places, parents may need to monitor more closely.
Keeping children safe while allowing them to expand their horizons is a tricky balancing act for parents. GPS teen tracking can assist parents as their children move through a, sometimes scary, but always-exciting stage of life. It’s a less-intrusive way to keep tabs on young drivers, leading to rewards for parents and teens alike.
Article Written by Gregg Bartlett
When a child turns sixteen, parents step into a whole new world. Teen tracking can help them make the adjustment from youth to teenage years with less upheaval in the family and emotional status quo. Teens like to assert independence, and a driver’s license is their ticket into the world of adulthood. Americans traditionally value cultivating that independence, but changes in the world means that parents face many fears that cause them to hold back. GPS tracking technology is a positive change that can parents keep an eye on teenagers.
Teenagers may not like to admit it, but their parents do influence them, and surveys reveal that the greatest influence on teen driving habits is their parents. If parents can convince their teens that they really do believe safe driving is important, their teens will listen. Reforming their own driving habits is the first critical step for parents, who need to give their teens a good example. The next step is monitoring their teens and rewarding good driving, and this is where GPS teen tracking comes into play.
Tracking devices can be easily attached to any car, and the information collected can be extremely useful for parents. The device becomes a miniature chaperon, allowing the young person to go places and spend time with friends while still keeping their parents updated on their activities and whereabouts. The GPS tracking device communicates with satellites to record where the car is at any given time. Then software coordinates that information and relays to parents what they choose to be alerted to, such as when the car exceeds the speed limit or when the car goes to particular locations.
Like any technology, a GPS tracker only does good if it is used properly. Parents should increase or decrease the intensity of their monitoring based on their child’s performance. If the teenager shows consistently that he can handle a certain level of independence, parents can ease up on the frequency of when they check in on their son or daughter. On the other hand, if the teenager is breaking traffic laws or going to off-limits places, parents may need to monitor more closely.
Keeping children safe while allowing them to expand their horizons is a tricky balancing act for parents. GPS teen tracking can assist parents as their children move through a, sometimes scary, but always-exciting stage of life. It’s a less-intrusive way to keep tabs on young drivers, leading to rewards for parents and teens alike.
Friday, September 10, 2010
GPS - The Cost Effective Way to Repossess a Vehicle
(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/0sI9I)
With unemployment rates rising, many people are being forced to choose between paying a home mortgage and making car payments. In almost every case, car payments fall by the wayside while mortgage payments become top priority. Repossessing a car after a borrower has defaulted on a loan can be tricky. Not only does a dealership have to have all the legal paperwork in order, but many people attempt to hide vehicles that are about to be repossessed. GPS tracking technology can make this process a lot easier.
Even though it is illegal for someone to hide a vehicle that is in default, many people attempt to prevent repossession by concealing defaulted vehicles. When this happens, finding a car becomes something of a bounty hunt. In order to retrieve hidden cars, many car dealership owners hire professional "repo experts." Not only can this process take a long time, but it can also be very expensive.
The average cost of hiring a repossession specialist to track down a vehicle with a good address is $400. The cost of tracking down a hidden vehicle increases by roughly $1 per mile. Since most people hide vehicles out of state, the total cost of finding a hidden vehicle can easily reach more than $1500.
Repossession costs can be avoided by equipping all cars on a car lot with GPS tracking technology. GPS trackers such as the Smart Tracker and Smart Tracker Elite will provide car dealers with the exact location of a vehicle day or night. Whether a borrower has decided to hide a vehicle in another state or in a junkyard, a GPS tracker will locate a vehicle no matter where it has been hidden.
When it becomes necessary to repossess a vehicle, there’s no need to spend a large amount of time and money tracking down the location of an auto. GPS tracking technology is efficient, inexpensive, and ready to locate any vehicle at any time.
With unemployment rates rising, many people are being forced to choose between paying a home mortgage and making car payments. In almost every case, car payments fall by the wayside while mortgage payments become top priority. Repossessing a car after a borrower has defaulted on a loan can be tricky. Not only does a dealership have to have all the legal paperwork in order, but many people attempt to hide vehicles that are about to be repossessed. GPS tracking technology can make this process a lot easier.
Even though it is illegal for someone to hide a vehicle that is in default, many people attempt to prevent repossession by concealing defaulted vehicles. When this happens, finding a car becomes something of a bounty hunt. In order to retrieve hidden cars, many car dealership owners hire professional "repo experts." Not only can this process take a long time, but it can also be very expensive.
The average cost of hiring a repossession specialist to track down a vehicle with a good address is $400. The cost of tracking down a hidden vehicle increases by roughly $1 per mile. Since most people hide vehicles out of state, the total cost of finding a hidden vehicle can easily reach more than $1500.
Repossession costs can be avoided by equipping all cars on a car lot with GPS tracking technology. GPS trackers such as the Smart Tracker and Smart Tracker Elite will provide car dealers with the exact location of a vehicle day or night. Whether a borrower has decided to hide a vehicle in another state or in a junkyard, a GPS tracker will locate a vehicle no matter where it has been hidden.
When it becomes necessary to repossess a vehicle, there’s no need to spend a large amount of time and money tracking down the location of an auto. GPS tracking technology is efficient, inexpensive, and ready to locate any vehicle at any time.
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