While almost everyone has heard of GPS tracking systems, some may be wondering how the units are actually used. Ranging from wilderness hiking to improved customer service, here are five of the most popular ways people are using GPS tracking systems today.
Outdoor Sports
GPS tracking devices are often utilized as an added measure of security for enjoying outdoor sports. Not only do the units allow family members to track excursions using GPS tracking software, they also provide invaluable location information in case of an emergency situation. Some GPS tracking devices feature panic buttons which activate a rapid series of location updates and automatically alert specified cell phone numbers.
Improved Customer Service
Ask anyone in the service industry, and they’ll tell you that today’s digital age consumers expect instant and reliable access to the information they want. From real time tracking of shipments and deliveries, to knowing if public transportation is running late, GPS tracking allows management to deliver in-demand information on a silver platter.
Teenager Tracking
Oh, the parental worries that seem to arrive hand-in-hand with every child’s teenage years! Any teen driving a car, dating, and having the freedom to come and go is enough to make any reasonable parent nervous. As a result, parents are now using tracking devices and GPS tracking software to monitor teens’ driving habits, including speed and idle time.
Asset Protection
Construction contractors, business owners and individuals use GPS tracking to protect valuable assets such as heavy equipment, tractors, lawn mowers, vehicles and central air conditioning units. In addition to allowing for speedy recovery of stolen items, GPS tracking may also qualify users for an insurance discount depending on the provider.
Employee Tracking
One of the most painful and hidden costs of doing business is waste caused by unscrupulous employees. Administrators are now using GPS trackers and software to determine if employees are effectively managing their time, obeying the rules of the road, or abusing the use of company vehicles. GPS tracking software quickly provides the answers employers need to operate their businesses as efficiently as possible.
From tracking teenage drivers to identifying sources of financial waste in business, the use of GPS trackers has increased exponentially over the last decade. And, as technology continues to advance, we can only expect that GPS tracking will be used in an ever-increasing number of ways. How could you use GPS in your business or home life?
One of the many ways GPS tracking devices are used for fleet tracking is city bus tracking. Over the last decade, communities have found that the utilization of GPS tracking systems not only improves efficiency in public transportation operations, but also encourages citizens to take advantage of the transportation resources available to them. Here are the top four reasons why GPS tracking improves public bus systems:
Location and Schedule Monitoring
Transportation dispatchers using GPS for fleet tracking are easily able to monitor the location of each bus in real time through the use of GPS tracking software. If a particular route or driver is causing delays within the transportation system, the problem is easily isolated and fixed in a manner that saves time, financial resources, and maintains satisfaction for the public.
Increased Ridership
Simply stated, every public transportation system wants more commuters. Some community bus systems have found that GPS tracking systems which allow patrons to monitor the location and estimated arrival time of their bus via a smartphone application actually increase the overall ridership within the system. For example, if rushed commuters can verify their bus is running on time, or know it is running late, they are much more likely to align their schedules with bus arrival times, resulting in more riders overall.
Fuel Dollars Saved
With fuel costs rising, bus system administrators are becoming increasingly aware of this threat to their bottom lines. As an industry dramatically affected by fuel costs, public bus systems possibly have the most to gain from the use of GPS tracking systems allowing them to identify and remap the most inefficient routes within the system.
Pleased Riders
GPS tracking provides an effective tool for maintaining a city-wide bus system that is hassle free and reliable for patrons, resulting in satisfied, returning public transportation customers.
Today’s business owners are utilizing GPS tracking systems as an effective business management tool for cutting costs and operating more efficiently. If you currently use GPS trackers, or you are interested in purchasing them for your daily business operations, here are a few suggestions for helping you get the most from this technology investment.
Extended Life Battery Packs
Understanding the benefits of GPS tracking battery packs will allow you to benefit more from your GPS tracking investment. Many trackers now come with the option of purchasing an extended life battery pack, which typically consists of a self-contained, magnetic case containing a larger battery and space for housing the tracking unit. By connecting your tracker with this supplemental power source, you will dramatically increase the amount of time your GPS tracker can operate without a charge.
For those using GPS for covert tracking, such as private investigations or law enforcement operations, battery packs for GPS tracking systems provide a compact and discreet method of powering trackers, entirely unattended for days or even weeks at a time. This extended “up time” conserves financial resources by requiring less manpower and reduces the likelihood of an investigation being compromised.
GPS Tracking Software
Understanding what GPS tracking software can do for your business is an important factor in getting the most from your GPS tracking systems. From generating reports on the location of each vehicle within your fleet to automated mileage reporting, GPS tracking software can change the way you do business. Understanding features such as historical data archiving, reporting options, and geo-fencing can help you determine how to best utilize GPS tracking devices.
Selecting GPS Trackers
To get the most benefits from GPS tracking systems, it’s key to understand how you plan to use them. For example, it is important to know whether or not you need a tracker that can be used in extreme temperatures, if you need a waterproof tracker, how often you expect to receive position updates, how accurate you need the tracker to be, and if accessories such as extended life battery packs are available.
GPS trackers are an excellent investment for many businesses. By understanding their features, tracking software, and determining how you plan to use GPS before you purchase, you can assure that you will make the right choice for your business.
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about GPS tracking technology, here is a great place to start. With a history that goes back to the 1970′s and the U.S. Department of Defense, GPS tracking can be easily researched through the government’s official site on GPS tracking technology: GPS.GOV. The site provides an abundance of GPS tracking articles and information, including common questions about GPS tracking systems, current GPS tracking issues such as LightSquared, feature stories on GPS tracking, the future of GPS tracking, and more.
And, don’t forget to check out TrackingTheWorld’s product line of versatile GPS tracking systems and accessories for vehicle tracking , AVL, fleet tracking, business GPS tracking, and more.
