Posts Tagged ‘Wear And Tear’

Using GPS Tracking Devices to Monitor Employees

February 5th, 2010



GPS vehicle tracking systems can go a long way toward helping business owners manage vehicle use and employee productivity.

Your operations will be much more efficient if you employ GPS technology. Being able to have a route mapped out will allow employees to get work done much faster. It is highly likely that each one of your company vehicles could make at least one more stop, job, or delivery each week. If you have several vehicles, do the math. More deliveries means more satisfied customers and more business. For companies that are growing and have felt a little strain in getting things out to customers, a GPS tracking device can help. Your employees will be able to get more done in less time. You will be able to handle a recent surge in business and feel confident in seeking even more business.

A GPS tracking device also monitors vehicle speed and usage. Certainly you have taken the time to hire trustworthy individuals, but no one is perfect. For example, speeding can raise fuel costs. A well-meaning employee who speeds out of habit probably doesn’t think about what this costs the company. A GPS tracking device tracks speeds so managers can be alerted to speeding. This way, they can talk to the employee and let this person know that they need to stick to the speed limit to keep costs down.

You can set up alerts on the software that accompanies a GPS tracking device to inform managers of infractions that you feel need to be addressed. That could be speeding, idling, or traveling beyond certain boundaries. Some employees cannot handle the temptation to make a side trip here or there in a company car. Managers can be made aware of this and take appropriate action as necessary. Again, the employee is probably not thinking about the costs in fuel or added wear and tear on the company vehicle, but as a business owner, you must think about these things.

By: Nancy McCord

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GPS Security And Privacy – Pros Vs Cons

December 22nd, 2009



As you may well be aware, there are many important benefits to consider when using the Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS). It is invaluable when trying to navigate in unfamiliar areas, but some people think it is an invasion of privacy. Security and privacy have been openly debated, and most adults believe that it is more beneficial than detrimental.

GPS tracking devices can provide monitoring data on a vehicle such as total miles driven, speeds that it was driven, traveled routes, as well as its current location. The sophistication and quantity of available monitored data varies depending upon the system and the make and model of the GPS device and vehicle of installation.

This is also widely regarded as an invasion of our personal privacy. To give one example, a standard rental car contract will often stipulate that if you go over 79 miles per hour, you will have to pay extra for the wear and tear that the car suffers. The car rental company can find out if you are going too fast by receiving information from the GPS tracking devices that are attached to the vehicle. Thus, if you go over 79 miles per hour, they will know, and you will be billed.

Frequently, parents believe that GPS security and privacy issues are minimal in comparison with the security of knowing the location of their child. In fact, some parents use GPS devices to monitor their child’s location and activities. If their child fails to follow the parents’ guidelines, these parents may opt to suspend driving and socialization privileges.

GPS cell phones no longer require people to purchase expensive hardware to track a loved one. Cell phone companies now offer this option. However most cell phones do not offer the user direct access to the GPS data. Accurate location determination requires the assistance of the wireless network, and the GPS data is transmitted only if a 911 emergency call is made.

Cellphones raise lots of privacy issues. Consumers are often not aware that their movements are recorded and tracked. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) reveal a person’s location. This type of location data helps police with their investigations, such as tracking down a criminal or even someone who is lost or missing. They can act as a safety device to protecting your family and loved ones. Location technology also helps locate stolen cars. The technology for these tracking devices is constantly improving. However, there is some potential that tracking data can be misused.

By: Brad Seabourne

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