TrackingTheWorld
Purchasing a GPS device is an important step that adds safety, security, and peace of mind to users. Many users take the opportunity to explore new parts of their communities. What happens if you are traveling in an unfamiliar location and your GPS batteries die? How would you manage getting home safely? Let’s take a look at a few ways to keep your GPS battery in top condition for longer.
Understanding Your Batteries
Before looking at how to conserve battery life, it’s important to understand the type of battery that your GPS device utilizes. While most GPS devices are rechargeable, some are powered exclusively by batteries. Take a closer look at your user manual to determine what kind of battery you will use. The majority of GPS devices use lithium ion batteries. These batteries have been formulated to hold power for the longest periods of time–even in extremely cold weather. Once you understand the battery being used in your device, consider conducting a battery range test.
Battery Range Testing
Conducting a battery range test on your device is a simple concept. It is designed to determine how you can best use your GPS unit. Much like your smartphone, some activities and settings are powerful but can quickly drain your battery power. When it’s time to optimize your GPS battery, it’s a great time to start the range testing. The process itself is easy: turn on every setting in your device and use it. Keep your GPS tracker on until it dies.
At the beginning of the test, record the time that you started using the device. When the battery dies, make note of the time before you begin to charge the battery again. While this test may not provide the most accurate results, it can help to guide you to more conservative usage. To achieve better battery life, do the opposite once the battery has recharged. Disable all settings in the device and only active the items that are actively needed. You will want to allow the battery to die again. This will allow you to see how long your battery will last in a best-case scenario.
Stay Off the Map As Much As Possible
While mapping your location is a key aspect of your GPS device, it takes a lot of battery power for it to constantly update. A simple way to improve your overall battery life is to keep your device off the map screen. Allow other settings like the compass to guide your journey. Once you know that you’re on the right pathway, take the adventurous pathway. One aspect of having a GPS device involves having a safety net. If you want to explore a new area, consider turning your GPS device off or limiting usage of it. You might be surprised at what you find in your travels. As always, be sure to do it safely. Trust your instincts and be careful.
Check Your Backlight and Your Screen Time
As we’ve already mentioned above, the amount of active screen time will reduce the overall power of your GPS unit. When using your GPS during the day, turn off the backlight feature. If you can see the screen without added power, don’t waste the battery life. Similarly, the timeout time is a setting that can help to maintain stronger batteries in your GPS unit. Much like a smartphone, the amount of time that it takes for your GPS to be idle before the screen turns off is a huge factor in how long the battery will last. Consider lowering this setting to the lowest allowable level for you–no more than five minutes is best, but the lower the better.
Enabling Battery Saving Modes and WAAS
Similarly, finding reasons to limit heavy battery-using activities can help to maintain battery life on your GPS device. Battery save mode is designed to turn the display off completely. Be mindful that you might also lose access to the WAAS system when going into battery save mode. If you want to use this feature, be sure that you can do it with a low battery usage mode. WAAS (otherwise known as Wide Area Augmentation System) is a mode that uses satellites and other stations to provide greater accuracy in location, but it does require more battery usage.
Limiting Camera App and Touchscreen Use
Depending on the model of GPS tracker you have, a camera can be a fun feature added to document and geocache your journey. As with WAAS and other modes, the camera will drain your battery. Closing out the camera app completely will help to maintain power for other parts of your trip. Similarly, turning down touch sensitivity will allow ease of use with heavier gloves, but it can be a drain to activate your battery at a feather’s touch. Turning up the touch sensitivity will make the GPS screen activate only on intentional touches–which saves battery life.
Tracking the World: Making Maintaining GPS Batteries Easy
With the tips discussed in today’s post, you can maintain your GPS batteries for even longer. If you are in need of an upgraded GPS device or are looking to purchase your first device, contact Tracking the World. Our team of skilled professionals understands the importance of keeping you and your family safe. When you put your trust in us, we can work together to design a custom solution to meet your needs. Safety, security, and peace of mind are essential to satisfaction. When you’re ready to move forward, contact us right away!
A personal GPS tracking device is a great piece of technology for many different types of people. From the lone security worker to the hiker, a personal GPS tracker provides a sense of security and safety to people in situations where they are alone. A good GPS tracker should have a variety of different features to keep people safe. These features include scheduled GPS positioning, geofencing capabilities, person-down alert, an emergency call button, and a long battery life. At Tracking the World, our personal PT-301 GPS tracker has all of these features and more! Check out more information about these features and how a tracker can be beneficial to you and your loved ones.
Scheduled GPS Position (with cell ID reporting)
A feature that every good personal GPS tracking device should have is scheduled GPS positions. This allows loved ones to track your location any time they need to by viewing the scheduled reports. The timing of the position reports is preset by the user. Also, the device has scheduled GPS position updates as well as cell ID reporting. The cell ID reporting makes the position even more accurate. In addition, the PT-301 personal GPS tracker has a position accuracy (CEP) of <2.5m autonomous and <2.0m SBAS. The device works on GSM frequencies 850/900/1800/1900 MHz. It also has the ability to do a real-time location query.
Geofencing Capabilities
You can think of a geofence as an invisible digital fence. GPS users can set a geofence boundary around the area they are supposed to be in. For example, a geofence could be a boundary around a neighborhood, a hiking area, a warehouse, etc. The idea is that if the person crosses over the boundary, there is an alert. This allows loved ones to make sure the person they are tracking is safe and has not wandered off somewhere that might put them in danger.
This is a very helpful feature for elderly family members. The device gives them freedom to do things like go on walks or visit a neighborhood friend, but if they go further than they should, family will be alerted. It is also helpful for those going on hiking or camping adventures. Loved ones can make sure their hiker doesn’t wander away from the trail/route they are supposed to be on. In addition, the PT-301 has the capability to support up to five internal geo-fence regions.
Person-Down Alert
The person-down alert is an extremely important feature for a personal GPS device to have. Using an internal 3-axis accelerometer and a motion detection feature, the PT-301 can determine if a person has fallen. In other words, this is another great feature for elderly people. Loved ones often worry about whether their family member has fallen within their home and is unable to get up and call for help. With this feature, you will be alerted as soon as the device detects a fall. In addition, the person-down alert is a good feature for those adventurous family members who enjoy hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc. These activities are fun – but don’t come without risks. The person-down alert will let you know if your loved one has fallen, meaning they could potentially be injured and need help.
Emergency Call Button
All personal GPS trackers should have an emergency call button. The purpose of this button is that a person can easily press it in case of an emergency to get help ASAP. The PT-301 device has one configurable emergency call button. In addition, it has 4 configurable speed dial buttons so that the user can call other preset numbers as well. The device also has an SOS button, which will sound an emergency alarm.
Long Battery Life
Another important GPS feature is battery life. It is crucial that a personal GPS tracker has a long battery life. What is the point of having a tracker that is always dying? The PT-301 uses an Li-ion 1000 mAh internal battery. Without reporting, the device has a standby time of 480 hours (that’s 20 days!) As a result, users won’t have to worry about having to charge it every day.
Who Can Benefit from a Personal GPS Tracking Device?
There are many situations where a personal GPS tracker is a great idea to keep a loved one safe. Here are some people/situations where a personal GPS tracking device is helpful:
- Elderly people living alone
- Night shift security guards
- Hikers
- Campers
- Rock climbers
- Mountain bikers
- Runners
- Teenagers venturing off by themselves for the first time
- Family members on vacation to prevent getting separated
- Family member at a nursing home
- Lone workers
As you can see, the list is full of people who would benefit from these trackers. Therefore, consider purchasing a few for your family; that way, you can use them whenever a situation arises where a tracker would be helpful.
A personal GPS tracking device is more than just a helpful piece of technology. It can be a lifesaving tool. Imagine your elderly mother falling alone in her home, only to be found thanks to the person-down alert and the emergency call button on her personal tracking device. Consider your spouse, hiking remote trails on the weekend and getting lost, only to be found by scheduled GPS reporting from his personal device. A personal tracker gives loved ones a moment to breathe and rest easy, knowing that this piece of technology provides endless safety features. From a long battery life to geofencing capabilities, it is important that the GPS tracking device you choose is full of important safety features.
At Tracking the World, we have created the PT-301 personal GPS tracker to keep your loved ones safe even in their most vulnerable moments. For more information about this tracker and how it can help you and your family, contact us today.
The use of global positioning systems (or GPS) has been expanding substantially over the last several years. With the use of cellular phones, the limitations of location have been greatly reduced. There are many industries that would benefit from adding GPS tracking systems to a business model. Here’s a closer look at these five groups that might surprise you.
GPS Tracking System Industry #1: Colleges and Universities
As the world continues to grapple with the impact of COVID-19, one of the most impacted industries has been education. While K-12 institutions have control over how students will behave when on school grounds, the same cannot be said for colleges and universities. In some cases, institutions of higher learning have remained in virtual teaching models. However, many others have begun shifting back to fully or partially face-to-face teaching. The usage of GPS tracking systems can go beyond location services. In the case of college students, smartphone applications can be used to trace contacts on campus.
Colleges and universities can use the data collected from GPS devices to develop response plans quickly. When students, faculty, or staff are asked to quarantine due to illness, access to campus services can be continued with low-risk, low-contact usage. For example, quarantined students can place orders for meals to be delivered by dining services. Notifications can be shared with applicable campus personnel to update them confidentially about status.
GPS Tracking System Industry #2: Retirement Communities
Similarly, retirement communities have experienced an incredibly difficult period. GPS tracking systems can be used to monitor overall health and wellness, encourage healthy choices, and provide guidance in the event of illness or injury. In many retirement communities, more intensive care is provided to residents who suffer from Alzheimers, dementia, and other conditions that require around-the-clock monitoring. With enhanced GPS monitoring, caregivers can establish boundaries that will provide alerts for any residents in restricted areas quickly, preventing injury or death. Additionally, the data collected by GPS devices can be shared with family members to prepare them for upcoming visits.
GPS Tracking System Industry #3: Courier Services
Courier services have seen a significant rise in activity for customers with the advancement of smartphones. It is hard to imagine how courier services, otherwise known as “gig economy” jobs, could exist without GPS tracking tools. Gig economy companies like Uber, DoorDash, and others provide instant gratification for customers. They also provide instant money-making opportunities for the couriers. In this industry, GPS provides the customer with up-to-the-moment updates on their orders. Additionally, the worker is provided job offers, navigation, and a security net in the event of a dangerous situation.
Data can be used from GPS tracking devices to enhance the overall performance of the courier and the service as a whole. GPS data can be used to provide in-the-moment feedback to each gig economy worker. Using location information to update routes and best practices can prove incredibly fruitful on all sides.
GPS Tracking System Industry #4: Fine Arts Organizations
Fine arts organizations, like museums and other public cultural institutions, have untapped potential with respect to GPS tracking. From a logistical perspective, tracking devices can be utilized to protect priceless artifacts and other elements of the facility. Adding an ongoing ability to have instantaneous location information can assist if an item is stolen or misplaced. Many fine arts museums will purchase, trade, loan, or otherwise traffic items between institutions. Having an added safety net to protect against loss or theft can lower the overall costs of insurance and facility operations.
Additionally, using GPS tracking for patron traffic can be used to increase revenue and provide a richer engagement with the facility itself. When museums are looking for ways to develop new educational and financial streams, adding audio and video narration can enhance patron engagement. GPS devices can be issued or rented to each patron for use in the museum. As they visit a particular area, the patron can learn about the work. This will also allow employees to use it effectively without being bombarded with the same questions repeatedly.
GPS Tracking System Industry #5: Parents of Young Drivers
Parents of young drivers are always looking for new ways to ensure their safety. Installing a GPS device in the vehicle itself or on the teenager’s phone can provide that added level of support. Using GPS tracking software will maintain an ongoing log of activities that can also be used to train and reinforce good driving practices.
Many insurance companies can lower the premiums paid by young drivers using GPS data. An ongoing record of driving actions such as braking, use of devices, and maintaining a good adherence to speed limits, can be kept. Providing a foundation for responsible decisions behind the wheel can set drivers up for a lifetime of successful driving.
Tracking the World: GPS Tracking Systems Going Above and Beyond
Now that you’ve seen a few of the industries that can benefit from the use of GPS, why waste another moment? At Tracking the World, our experts actively look for new ways to keep people safe, secure, and on the move. While every business is different, we believe that enhancing your current protocols can benefit all parties involved. When you’re ready to add GPS tracking to your best practices, contact us right away!
GPS online tracking software is the means of communicating with GPS tracking devices. A GPS device holds a wealth of information. And GPS tracking software processes and translates that information to the user. Additionally, the software is how the user manages the GPS tracking device remotely.
TrackingTheWorld offers versatile and feature-rich GPS tracking software. Our software enables users to receive the most benefit from their GPS tracking devices.
GPS Online Tracking Software Maps and Bread Crumbs
TrackingTheWorld’s GPS software supports Google and Bing Maps, as well as MapQuest. In addition, our software integrates with Google Earth.
GPS tracking software allows users to remotely view the location of a GPS device ID on the online map systems. The software shows how long it’s been since the device last reported. And it even shows the device’s battery level.
GPS online software displays colored dots or “bread crumbs” that show the GPS device has reported data or an event at a set interval. On Bing Maps, hovering over the bread crumb also shows the speed and course of the device.
The software provides crucial information for anyone managing a fleet of vehicles remotely.
GPS Online Tracking Software and Geo-Fences
A geo-fence is a virtual fence that is pre-set with GPS online tracking software. When a GPS tracking device either enters or leaves the geo-fence, the software sends an email or text alert.
Geo-fences are helpful in a variety of situations. First, they keep managers assured that field teams are in place. This is an important function when managing the logistics of multiple deliveries. Geo-fencing is also valuable for tracking security or law enforcement personnel.
Another application for GPS tracking devices is to help the elderly. For example, a geo-fence can be set up to notify a family member if their loved one has wandered off. GPS devices and software provide a safety net to allow seniors to remain in their homes longer.
GPS Software and Device Polling Options
Polling is an optional feature with TrackingTheWorld GPS online software. It provides advanced management functions. Polling allows a user to send basic commands to the device, such as a reboot or reporting change. Polling also provides the location of the GPS tracking device.
GPS Online Software Provides Detailed Vehicle Reports
With GPS software, a user can pull a CSV file report. The CSV file includes the following information about the GPS device: altitude, longitude, latitude, date/time, speed, and battery levels.
The software provides reports showing daily events for a device. Another report shows fuel usage and efficiency. Companies save money with this information. If a vehicle shows a drop in fuel efficiency, a service or repair is often warranted. Having this information allows companies to maintain an efficiently operating fleet.
Another cost savings is using a year-end fuel report to make purchasing decisions for future vehicles. GPS tracking software pays for itself and the devices by saving money. In that case, companies receive the best return on their investment.
GPS Software and Driver and Lone Worker Reports
Another report type provided by GPS online software is driving records. Examples of how companies use this information are to track deliveries, potentially resolving customer issues. Another benefit of this report is in monitoring a driver’s performance. Liability risks are reduced when those operating company vehicles do so safely.
Similarly, these reports are helpful when used for lone workers with GPS devices. Lone workers are those in the field who work alone without direct supervision. GPS tracking devices and software assist in managing them and supporting their safety remotely.
How Does GPS Tracking and GPS Online Software Benefit Companies?
To show how integral GPS software is to GPS devices, consider a stereo receiver. A stereo receiver is a waste without speakers, because the speakers translate information from the receiver to the listener’s ear.
Similarly, GPS online software is a transmission tool for information from the GPS device. It makes the GPS information accessible to the user.
GPS software and GPS devices are management assets for organizations with fleet vehicles or remote workers in the field. Not only does the software provide a host of monitoring and reporting tools, but it also saves money in the long run.
GPS systems reduce some of the risks associated with fleet vehicles. If an accident does occur, the software provides hard data that is helpful for insurance claims. It also provides information that might be beneficial if an accident claim leads to a personal injury case.
In addition to helping companies, GPS software provides valuable information to help ensure the safety of seniors or other family members. The geo-fencing software feature is a prime example.
TrackingTheWorld GPS Online Software
GPS software is critical to receiving the benefits GPS devices offer. TrackingTheWorld offers superior devices and robust GPS software. Our software is loaded with features designed with the user in mind. The software’s interface is also simple and easy to use.
TrackingTheWorld is a company with 12 years of GPS experience. Our experience allows us to provide a superior level of technical support. In addition, when you work with us you receive the same high-level GPS systems used by law enforcement and the military.
We are currently seeking partnerships with GPS dealers and distributors. Our GPS tracking software offers great revenue sharing potential.
Please visit our website for more information on our GPS software, devices, and solutions.
The PT-301 is a GPS tracking device designed for seniors, family members, and lone workers. The PT-301 also functions as a simple phone and receives SMS messages. It includes the potentially life-saving Person Down Alert.
What is a Person Down Alert?
When the device detects a fall, it sends an alert. If the person down doesn’t respond to the alert right away indicating they are fine, emergency services are contacted and dispatched. Senior organizations like AARP recommend medical alert systems. A Person Down Alert System enhances the quality of life for seniors. The best solution for a senior is often to age in place at home. A Person Down Alert provides an element of safety so that they can enjoy life in their own home.
However, seniors aren’t the only individuals who can benefit from a Person Down Alert. The Person Down Alert is also applicable for other members of the family, including young children. It is also designed as part of the PT-301 for lone workers. People living alone at any age benefit from the safety of the Person Down Alert.
How Does a Person Down Alert Work on a Personal GPS Tracking Device?
The PT-301 Person Down Alert uses detection sensors to determine if a person has fallen. These sensors are accelerometers and processors that are constantly monitoring the person’s activity level. With this information, the device is able to tell the difference between normal activity and a fall.
Because the PT-301 is a personal GPS tracking device, responders are able to pinpoint the potentially injured person’s location when receiving a person down alert.
How the PT-301 Person Down Alert is a Lifesaver
One-third of seniors over age 65 experience a fall every year. And falls are the leading cause of death for seniors, according to the CDC. Falls for elderly people are increasing every year. Predictions state that by 2030, seven elderly people will die from a fall every hour.
Considering that many seniors live alone, the Person Down Alert is the only way they receive help if unconscious. Receiving emergency assistance quickly when the personal GPS device sends a Person Down Alert results in saved lives.
How a Person Down Alert Helps a Variety of People
The PT-301 Person Down Alert is for lone workers as well. The definition of a lone worker is an individual who performs their job functions in isolation from others. Examples of lone worker job categories are utility workers, forest rangers, research scientists, custodians, and security guards. Anyone working alone without direct supervision is at risk if they fall or become injured.
A GPS tracking device with a Person Down Alert keeps these workers safe. It also decreases liability risks to the employer.
Anyone living alone is at risk for a fall or injury, regardless of age. For example, a healthy middle-aged female carries the PT-301 because she lives alone without close neighbors. While painting her living room she falls off the ladder and is knocked unconscious. Paramedics are on the way within minutes because of the Person Down Alert notification. She receives treatment that prevents the injury from causing lasting effects.
The PT-310 GPS tracker is an option for parents with young children. If a child is not yet old enough for a cell phone, the PT-310 is a safe substitute. Carrying the GPS device in a backpack is helpful to check if a child was picked up from daycare, for example. And when young children begin exploring their boundaries, the Person Down Alert makes sure they receive care if injured. It also provides parents with peace of mind.
A Real-Life Example of How a GPS Tracking Device is Essential
Finally, the importance of a person down alert and GPS Tracking Device is illustrated in the true story of 76-year-old Robert Bennett. Mr. Bennett went on a hike in Northern California, which was not unusual for him. However, it was unusual and very concerning when he didn’t return for four days.
Mr. Bennett’s concerned family members contacted the authorities. Then, the authorities initiated a massive search of the area.
A police dog discovered Mr. Bennett. Having suffered a stroke during his hike, he fell and hit his head. When he regained consciousness, he was disoriented and unable to find his way back. After being rescued, Mr. Bennett recovered in the hospital from his ordeal. Fortunately, this story resulted in a happy ending.
However, with a GPS Tracking device and Person Down Alert Mr. Bennett’s life-threatening ordeal would have been less harrowing. A Person Down Alert would have brought help guided by the GPS tracking device.
Additional Benefits of the PT-301 Personal GPS Tracking Device
The PT-301 acts as a very simple emergency phone. The son or daughter of an elderly parent programs their cell phone number in the PT-301’s speed dial memory. The speed dial allows up to 4 numbers. When the son or daughter checks in on the parent, their call is automatically answered when a parent doesn’t pick up. The unit’s speaker and microphone are activated when the adult child checks on the parent.
When the call is terminated, a text is sent to the adult child’s number listing the GPS coordinates of the parent’s location. The SOS button stores an additional number that is dialed when the elderly parent presses the button for help. And the GPS tracking device’s location is accessible on a website 24/7.
Another great safety feature of the PT-301 is geofencing. Geofencing sends an alert to a preset number if the device leaves specified GPS coordinates.
The PT-301 GPS Tracker is a valuable tool for the safety of many types of individuals. And it provides peace of mind for many others. Click here for more information on this amazing device.
GPS trackers have a variety of uses for home and the office. Since their initial creation, GPS technologies have expanded beyond simply monitoring locations. Today’s GPS trackers are significantly more versatile and the software used is adaptable to the unique needs of any user. Partnering with the team at Tracking the World can help your organization develop a GPS tracking program. It’s our goal to meet or exceed your expectations for efficiency.
Here are four ways that your company can use GPS tracking to improve overall operations.
GPS Trackers and Business #1: Reporting Hours Worked
As businesses continue to move forward with technological advantages, employees will have flexibility to work in new ways. 2020 has been a clear indicator that working remotely is possible and has a lot of benefits. The novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has presented some unique challenges for businesses of all shapes, sizes, and organizational structures. One of the struggles that has arisen amidst the pandemic has been tracking time and attendance with remote working.
By integrating a GPS tracking program, your leadership team can observe how employees work in their own homes or smaller offices. Requiring a clock-in and clock-out using the device can verify when employees are doing work and when they are addressing other needs. 2020 has made it more complicated for employees to work and for families to function. Using GPS tracker technology to ensure employees are working will allow for adaptability as business needs dictate. On a legal level, using ongoing tracking as a performance metric can help adapt human resources policies.
GPS Trackers and Business #2: Managing Fuel Costs and Safety
Some businesses cannot slow down because they keep the world moving. In these kinds of businesses, fuel costs account for a large amount of their regular expenses. While many employees drive company vehicles honestly, a small percentage of drivers will cause problems. GPS tracking devices provide ways of actively monitoring driving patterns and costs in real time. New-hire employees will often benefit from coaching and corrections done in the moment.
Pinpointing key metrics can help your management team understand how things move on an ongoing basis. Driving behaviors like speeding, hard braking, and idling are reported at any moment in time. Using these ongoing reports can assist in reducing the level of waste–eight gallons of fuel can be saved for every vehicle on a monthly basis. Additionally, real-time reporting on employee actions can alert employers to potential problems with routes or damage to vehicles.
GPS Trackers and Business #3: Increasing Accountability
Using the concepts above, all members of your organization can increase their own accountability to the entire team. Many businesses possess a lot of expensive equipment like trucks, machinery, and other valuables. You can create a tracking program using GPS tracking devices. Using GPS trackers for managing inventory can improve employee accountability. They also provide clues to leadership about how to make improvements to the overall process of getting operations completed more smoothly.
In addition, GPS tracking systems can also provide opportunities to reduce waste, mitigate unnecessary wear and tear on equipment, and better streamline processes. With GPS as an added job aid, stakeholders can get a clearer picture of what is happening at any moment without being on the property. Finding places that can lead to stronger earnings and lowered expenses has become vital as the ways that businesses operate have shifted significantly over the last several years, with or without a pandemic in play.
GPS Trackers and Business #4: Growth Opportunities For Employees
As we take the first three ways into account, it’s important to consider how companies stay in business. Happy employees will take pride in their work, and they will want to work hard to help the company to grow. Using GPS tracking and the accompanying reporting, managers and employees can work together to develop plans for both company and individual employee growth. Understanding the metrics that make your business run efficiently can keep things moving smoothly. If an employee is meeting or exceeding expectations, this can help by finding ways to support their growth into a promotable position.
Using peer mentoring and coaching will provide more leadership opportunities and ways for members of your team to become stronger. When your team members feel comfortable working with each other, it will free up your leadership team to handle more pressing issues.
Tracking The World: Providing GPS Options Since 2008
Now that you’ve seen a few ways that your company can improve operations, it’s time to work with us. Our team has years of expertise in designing personal and business strategies to meet your needs. Asset management, personal security, and cost-saving methods are the easiest ways to maximize income and minimize costs. When you’re in the market for added GPS tracking tools, contact us right away!
The issue of requiring employees to use global positioning systems or GPS tracking devices can be controversial. 2020 has been the year to expect the unexpected. This year has experienced unprecedented challenges associated with the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With such a widespread and easily transmittable virus, it’s more important than ever to know where employees and equipment are at all times. Here’s a look at the top five industries that need to add GPS tracking as a part of their protective protocols.
GPS Trackers and Trucking
No matter the time of year or the world situation, trucking and logistics jobs cannot stop. If they do, the business of many industries comes to a standstill. Commercial logistics and trucking is an important part of what keeps the world turning. If you manage a fleet of trucks, you also manage a fleet of truckers. Truckers and their employers have a relationship built on trust.
In the past, paper logs, phone calls, and CB radios kept employers and truckers in sync. There has never been a better time to use GPS tracking devices to ensure driver safety and compliance with schedules. Using GPS trackers enables fleet management to actively observe driver locations, speeds, fuel usage, and other key elements. GPS can even allow drivers to avoid traffic hazards and make faster, safer deliveries.
GPS Trackers and Construction
Construction is a huge affair. From employees to equipment, there’s a lot of money involved in the process from beginning to end. Integrating GPS trackers into your construction operations can lead to greater security, less loss, and a stronger end process.
On a construction site, a lot of expensive equipment moves in and out on a daily basis. By integrating a GPS tracking program, your leadership team can have instantaneous oversight of employees and equipment. This adds a higher level of accountability and a greater amount of security to construction jobs.
GPS Trackers and Package Delivery
Even in times like these, customers expect to receive their mail and other parcels in reasonable amounts of time. For instance, most larger mail delivery companies are already using GPS tracking protocols. But what about your small business? Imagine how actively you can manage your team, your packages, and your overall success with this type of technology.
From a customer perspective, there is an expectation of a high level of service. In other words, customers expect to receive their packages in a timely manner. In addition, this is also true for shippers. They want assurance that products will arrive safely every single time. As responsible partners, it’s important that all hands that touch a package from point of origin to its final destination understand their obligations to the customer and to each other. GPS tracking tools allow evaluation of each step in the process. All members can work together to find ways to plug possible holes and to enhance all processes–from safety to packaging.
GPS Trackers and Public Transportation
Another industry that could use some extra protection during the current climate is public transportation. Trains, buses, and taxis are popular means of transportation from point A to point B and back again. The trouble of using them during the COVID-19 pandemic comes down to their heavy usage, increased risks of exposure to disease, and an ongoing need to remain visible at all times.
As protocols have changed, public transportation systems are experiencing marked delays as a means of reducing illness. CDC guidelines recommend social distancing, frequent sanitation, and other safeguards. As a result, bus and train systems are unable to meet their normal schedules and full loads of passengers. Leaders will understand how drivers perform and how vehicles are being used. As a result, real-time data can be shared with customers to anticipate delays and arrival times.
GPS Trackers and Gig Economy Jobs
Like public transportation, the rising use of gig economy jobs for services like food delivery and ridesharing has made life easier in many ways. Utilizing gig workers for these tasks minimizes the need for customers to leave their homes, thereby reducing the risk of expanding illness. Interestingly enough, gig economy occupations have been using aspects of GPS tracking since their inception.
Gig economy workers receive recommended routes to maximize efficiency and provide customers with up-to-the-second updates on their orders. For instance, GPS tracking devices provide backup for the company employing the workers and the workers themselves in the event of an accident or another dispute. Additionally, drivers and employers have an on-demand way to track ongoing metrics for driver success, customer satisfaction, and overall development.
Tracking the World: Keeping Your Industry Safer
In each of these industries, adding new or additional GPS tracking devices can create new opportunities. In the current climate, finding new ways to keep employees safe without breaking the bank is vital. At Tracking the World, our team is focused on finding a solution to meet your unique needs. We have a wealth of knowledge and a wide variety of options that can be adapted to your industry. Keeping your employees safe is our number-one priority. Above all, there’s no need to take any risks when it comes to safety and security. When you’re ready to learn more about the devices we offer and how we can assist you, contact us right away!
On the surface, many people view GPS tracking as an invasion of privacy. Many believe that outside forces can use it to track our every movement. While this is one function of GPS devices, there are many more possibilities for their use. Here are three ways that a GPS tracking device can be used to improve security.
What is a GPS Tracking Device?
A GPS tracker is a device that works with the global positioning system to actively monitor locations. Many items, such as cars and cellular phones, come equipped with GPS technology. A careful eye can be kept on these and other items simultaneously when GPS is active. Here are some useful ways that your family can use GPS tracking devices to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Why Should You Invest in GPS Tracking?
As we’ve already established, GPS tracking technology is a contentious issue for many individuals. However, investing in global positioning software can give your family some peace of mind. It’s not about monitoring every movement, but you can verify that all family members and pieces of property are safe. At Tracking the World, it is our belief that safety and security are of paramount concern for all parties involved.
GPS Tracking Device and Security Way #1: Keeping Family Safe
When it comes to ensuring the safety of your family, there’s no better way to do it than using GPS tracking devices. There are benefits of using GPS to monitor all members of your family, from children to teens to seniors and even the family dog. Global positioning systems provide continuous monitoring regardless of the situation. At Tracking the World, we believe that tracking can be inconspicuous.
For the youngest members of your family, you can use GPS tracking to verify that they got to school in the morning and arrived home safely at the end of the day. If your home includes young drivers, GPS can be used to monitor and coach them based on their driving skills. For senior citizens, regular monitoring can verify their safety, and many GPS solutions contain an SOS function that can summon emergency assistance in the event of a fall or other injury. In addition, GPS tracking has also been used for decades to help locate and return lost pets to their homes.
GPS Tracking Device and Security Way #2: Securing Property
GPS tracking devices provide an added level of safety and security for your property as well. Imagine walking out of your home and finding your car missing. Many late-model vehicles offer tracking technology that can aid the authorities in locating your car quickly. GPS tracking devices loaded onto cars, boats, and other important assets can help locate them if lost. Imagine a dead battery on your fishing boat in the middle of the ocean. Having a GPS device will make it easier for emergency services to assist you in getting back home.
GPS Tracking Device and Security Way #3: Health During COVID-19
The world has been grappling with the novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, since early 2020. The United States hasn’t seen a wide-ranging pandemic like this for a century. The ways GPS can assist in managing the pandemic are growing by the day. While most smartphones are outfitted with health apps, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been using smartphone data to provide up-to-the-minute information on potential exposures.
Helpful reminders about hand-washing, social distancing protocols, and other concepts are often a part of these applications. It’s also a great idea to use these applications to track your personal health data. If designated to do so by an employer or health professional, this data can be very helpful. Family members who become ill can use GPS tracking devices to get help.
Tracking the World: Adding Security in More Ways Than One
Now that you’ve taken a closer look at the three biggest ways, it’s time to learn more about our team at Tracking the World. Our team of skilled professionals is constantly learning about new technologies for one reason: to share them with our customers. When you contact us, we will work together to design a unique plan that meets or exceeds your expectations. At Tracking the World, we believe that keeping you, your family, and your possessions safe is goal number one. Don’t take any risks when it comes to safety and security. When you’re ready to learn more about the devices we offer and how we can assist you, contact us right away!
Whether you’re locating a lost pet or trying to find your way around an unfamiliar city, a GPS tracking device can help navigate you toward your desired destination. Originally developed by the military, a GPS, or a global positioning system, has been adapted by people to help them pinpoint specific locations or loved ones. You can use a portable GPS device by placing it in your car or using a handheld one. Here are four different ways you can use this device during the fall season.
Traveling on Road Trips
Fall break is coming up. Pack up the kids and take a road trip to see the family for the Thanksgiving holiday, or just discover a new area over the weekend. Wherever you’re going, use a GPS system to help get you there. It’ll provide step-by-step instructions on where to turn and which exits to take. Using a GPS navigation and tracking system ensures no one gets lost on your way to and from your destination. Many of these systems are reliable and easy to view. You can easily place these systems in your vehicle and display your route right on the screen. This helps keep you on the right path without taking your eyes away from the road.
Hiking and Biking on Different Trails
On cool fall nights when you’re in the mood to camp alone or with the family, head out on biking or hiking trails. You can mark the spot of your campsite on your GPS device and it’ll remember your starting location. When you’re ready to head back, just hit a button on your system. You can then walk or bike right back to where you started. You can also record the exact trail you walked using your tracking system and play it back next time you want to venture down that same path again.
Locating Your Children
Fall weather often brings football games and bonfires, which is where your kids may spend most of their evenings with friends. GPS tracking devices help you worry a little less about their whereabouts. Install these systems in their cars or have them carry around a handheld device. Most systems make it easy to alert others of their exact location if they’re lost or their car breaks down.
Finding Your Parked Vehicle at Busy Events
Whether you’re attending a state fair, sporting event, pumpkin patch, or any other crowded fall festivity, you may lose sight of your car in a sea of vehicles. By placing your tracking system in your car, you can easily spot where your car is from your handheld device. Some even let you connect to the device using your mobile phone. This helps you leave the event quickly and without wandering around searching for your vehicle.
A GPS Tracking Device Helps You Navigate to and from Destinations
Many GPS tracking devices use global positioning satellites to help others find their specific location. These satellites pick up the signal of the location and the GPS system helps navigate you to that area. Contact us today to learn more about how a GPS tracking device can help successfully get you from point A to point B in no time.
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has turned the world upside down. In these unprecedented times, companies everywhere are looking for new ways to maintain business continuity while ensuring employee safety. One of these methods involves the use of GPS trackers for employees, vehicles, and other equipment. You might have some employees who hesitate to use the technology. However, explaining why it’s being used can go a long way towards gaining acceptance. Here are a few of the uses for GPS tracking during the current global pandemic.
GPS Trackers During COVID Use #1: Ensure Driver Safety
The first reason to consider beginning to use GPS tracking devices for your employees comes down to their safety. While workers may be hesitant to have their work vehicle tracked, having a clear understanding of where they are at all times can keep them safe. Imagine being able to get a mechanic or a tow truck to their location in a matter of moments because you know their exact location. Using GPS tracking also allows your management team to monitor driving habits that can be dangerous, such as reckless driving, excessive speed, and other bad driving practices. Using this data can allow you to coach employees towards better performance.
GPS Trackers During COVID Use #2: Improving Driver Accuracy
The second way to consider using GPS tracking devices with employees involves their overall performance with your organization. This is particularly applicable to service industries like delivery companies. Many GPS programs will provide the driver with a predetermined route for the day. This can work as both a training and a monitoring metric to improve efficiency on a variety of levels.
Employees can view some of the collected data to see how they’re doing during the shift. However, much of the data can be used to assess their performance in the field. When comparing the same data points for multiple employees, it is easier to determine top performers and issue incentives as appropriate. Low performers can be coached to improve their skills and adherence to best practices.
When you have a track record of success, rewarding that employee is wonderful. When you have a track record of opportunities, working with that employee to save them is a great plan of action. Of course, if it’s not working out, a digital log of attempts can make it easier to transition this employee out of your business.
GPS Trackers During COVID Use #3: Protection Against Loss or Theft
The third way to use GPS tracking devices to your benefit involves protecting your employees, your vehicles, and your company from unexpected loss, theft, or other damages. It makes it easier to verify whether a driver has made unscheduled stops or if someone has stolen the vehicle. With GPS technology, monitoring and determining how to address theft is easier than ever. Records can be pulled from the vehicle and surrounding neighborhood to assist in prosecution if a driver notices suspicious activity. Having information readily available makes it significantly easier to get the law involved. You will have accurate location information whenever the GPS is active.
GPS Trackers During COVID Use #4: Health and Wellness Aids
The fourth reason to use GPS trackers for employees on the clock involves COVID-19 itself. Since early 2020, our world has been struggling to manage moving forward while attempting to limit transmission of the virus. While it might seem strange to suggest that GPS tracking can assist with this, it is possible. Many GPS devices contain embedded applications. These applications can be used to track temperature and other symptoms for record-keeping purposes. Some models even provide the opportunity for management to view the data and make adjustments to schedules accordingly.
GPS Trackers During COVID Use #5: Long-Term Planning
The fifth reason to consider using GPS tracking involves the bleak outlook of Novel Coronavirus. While the world is hard at work on a vaccine, the pandemic isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. While your preference might be to avoid using tracking for fear of legal implications or pushback from employees, tracking can ensure the survival of your employees and your company.
GPS Trackers During COVID Use #6: Assisting With Contact Tracing
The sixth and final reason to consider using GPS tracking during the pandemic involves assisting health professionals. Maintaining accurate GPS data about where a respective employee has traveled and whom they have come into contact with can assist in the ongoing practice of contact tracing.
In contact tracing, digital records are used to follow the pathway that an infected person would have taken, which can help highlight potential people who might be sick. Contacting potentially at-risk people is one way that the nation is working to stop the spread of COVID-19. By collecting data, your organization is assisting in the process that could lead to a cure.
Tracking the World: GPS Trackers For Safety and Security
Now that you’ve seen a few of the uses of GPS trackers, it’s time to implement changes. At Tracking the World, we have been designing custom tracking solutions for businesses and families for several years. We believe that there is no better time to implement tracking protocols than during this unprecedented time. As our world moves toward a safer future, let us help you feel even more ahead of the curve. Don’t waste another moment–contact us right away to learn more!
