It is estimated that it cost about $500 a day to put a delivery or service vehicle on the road. If you are a business that depends on these resources you know how hard it is to manage them effectively. The advent of sophisticated and smaller GPS vehicle tracking devices now allows every fleet manager to efficiently manage their resources. Many companies have realized tremendous savings as a result of employing this technology.
Private citizens are also utilizing the new technology as well. If you own more than one automobile, boat, motorcycle, travel trailer or motor home know exactly where they are is important. In addition if you have young drivers within your house hold you will sleep easier knowing that you can at anytime find your child and your vehicle. In addition you can monitor their driving habits in order to keep them safe while on the road. The liability of owning a vehicle that is being driven by a teenager can be serious in this litigious society. The use of GPS vehicle tracking devices that feature real time uploads will go a long way in preventing any serious problems to your financial well being.
The laws concerning the use of GPS vehicle tracking devices vary from state to state. It is generally accepted that you are legally able to place a tracking device on any vehicle that you own as either and individual or a business. Placing a tracking device on a vehicle that is not under your legal ownership or control is generally considered to be illegal in most circumstances. Penalties for violating privacy laws in some circumstance can lead to serious fines and even incarceration. Many businesses and private individuals have ignored these laws because it is relatively hard to detect GPS vehicle tracking devices. Business that seek trade secrets or information that will give them a competitive edge frequently conducts illegal tracking activities. The very small size of the new real time GPS tracking devices makes it very easy to place a device just about anywhere on a vehicle.
In the same venue individuals also are violating the law by placing tracking devices on the vehicles of ex-spouses, girl or boyfriends. In addition there are several cases where stalkers have also used the technology to keep track of their victims. Many people think it is impossible catch someone doing illegal surveillance tracking but they are mistaken. Technology that detects cell phone transmissions can easily detect the tracking device uploads to the GPS service company that provides the tracking information you are receiving. Again this is a violation of the law use GPS vehicle tracking devices to track another private citizen. It is just not worth the risk.
By: Jim Kesel
Posts Tagged ‘Fleet Manager’
Using GPS Vehicle Tracking Devices
January 3rd, 2010Using Vehicle Tracking GPS Technology
December 2nd, 2009
Managing your vehicle resources is a lot easier these days with vehicle tracking GPS technology. Whether you are a fleet manager who manages a hundred vehicles or an individual who has a nspecial car, GPS tracking technology will help you keep track of your vehicle assets.
Basically there are two types of GPS tracking technology used to track and manage vehicles. The cheapest and also the one that has been around for the longest period is called “GPS Logging”. GPS logging units are generally placed in a vehicle for a set amount of time and then are retrieved. The unit is normally attached to a computer where the logging software up loads the data into a data base. The information is displayed in map and table form for analysis and use. Logging GPS units are useful due to the fact that they are generally small and inexpensive. They also are very reliable. The major drawback to these vehicle tracking GPS units is that the information is old. Never the less you can make management decisions based on the information loggers provide.
The second and newest type of vehicle tracking GPS technology is called “Real Time” GPS tracking. Just as the name implies real time GPS tracking provides relatively current tracking information on each vehicle being tracked. These tracking units are generally larger and more costly than logger units. They are comprised of a GPS unit and a communication unit. In addition you will have to use a GPS tracking Service Company to access your tracking information. Tracking information is uploaded using standard cell phone or satellite phone technology to the tracking service company which in turn makes it available to its customers.
The service company normally charges a monthly fee for this service. Many service companies provide the tracking equipment and do the vehicle installations. However you can purchase the vehicle tracking GPS equipment and do the installation yourself. If you choose this route you will have to do maintenance and repair work yourself as well.
The real time tracking information is uploaded at different intervals specified by the customer depending on their need. Cross country trucking firms normally have tracking information uploaded every 30 minutes where as a delivery service may need uploads as frequently as every 5 minutes so as to respond to customer pickup orders. As a general rule the more often you require an upload the more the GPS tracking Service Company will charge.
The service company will provide a number of mapping and data base services to the customer including the standard mapping with speed, direction, time stopped and time en route. Advanced vehicle tracking GPS systems provide information on the fuel use, engine performance and fluid levels. Other services such as geo fencing which sends an alarm when a vehicle leaves its assigned area or is being used outside of normal working hours are also available.
Again whether you are a business with a large fleet of vehicles or private citizen, vehicle tracking GPS technology will help you keep track of and manage your vehicle resources.
By: Jim Kesel
