In a previous article on TLC School Transportation, a transportation provider for special-needs children, we mentioned how GPS tracking enables TLC to give accurate arrival estimates to parents, settle disputes over time waiting for the bus and so forth. And as it turns out, we’ve also helped the company get a better grip on its payroll.

“It’s an issue that comes every Monday, when we handle employee payroll,” says the company’s GPS fleet manager, Jackie Beauvais. “Our employees claim X number of hours, and if we weren’t able to compare those numbers against the reports generated by Track What Matters, we’d simply have to take their word for it. But the fact that we can see exactly how active our drivers were during the workweek ensures that we process our payroll as accurately as possible — and the fact that our drivers know helps keep them honest.”

The systems appears to work flawlessly in resolving payroll uncertainties, as far as Beauvais can tell: “I’m not involved in payroll myself, but I receive a payroll report every week, so if there was a problem I’d hear about it.”

Beauvais adds that a variety of competitors have made efforts to get TLC to switch GPS providers without success. “There’s always somebody trying to woo us away from Track What Matters,” she says. “That’s the nature of every business, of course — companies are always trying to tempt you to switch. If there’s one single thing that keeps us from doing that, I’d say it’s the quality of customer service we get from Track What Matters. Mike is always there to answer any questions or address any issues we might have, and that’s a very valuable point in their favor. So we’ve become happily set in our ways!”

Having just recently started working at Track What Matters as the receptionist, Kim Duplechin has quickly become a favorite. TWM hired Kim because of her excellent customer service skills that she obtained by working in the restaurant management business for the past 10 years.

“I love the atmosphere at TWM because I am surrounded by hard-working, dedicated & funny co-workers,” said Kim. She notes a time already where she saved the day:”We were switching to a new phone company & our phones were dropping calls. I began calling customers back instead of waiting for them to call us and one in particular told me he was moving onto the next tracking company, but I was able to ‘save’ him.”

Kim’s definition of a perfect weekend is Sleeping in, doing a little shopping & watching a great football game with family & friends.
As for her favorite breakfast cereal?  “Corn Pops-I could eat them straight out of the box or with milk,” she said.

What does GPS Tracking Cost?

One of the most popular searches related to GPS tracking is; “What does GPS tracking cost?”  This is a completely fair question for anyone looking to start tracking their vehicles, trailers, or equipment.

What Type of GPS Tracking?

When asking the question about GPS tracking costs, you have to ask if this is real-time or passive tracking.  Real-time tracking means that you are able to see your vehicle or asset location immediately from a remote computer, phone, or other device.  Passive tracking describes a scenario where you retrieve the device that has been attached to a vehicle and download that data to your computer.

To better understand both types, you can read: How GPS Tracking Works

Tracking Devices

The GPS Tracking industry provides many types of devices to track different vehicles and assets.  With all, you will have to pay for the tracking device.  The prices vary greatly.  Generally, real-time GPS tracking devices range from around $300 to as much as $3,000 for some applications.  I have recently seen a satellite tracking device at a cost of over $4,000.  Don’t let that scare you!  This is an extreme case.  A quick call to a provider, like Track What Matters for instance, can get you their pricing.  In general, the number of features and the physical location in which the devices are engineered will impact the price of real-time tracking units.

You ALWAYS Pay for the Tracking Devices

Recently, we have had a rash of potential customers telling us that some providers are saying “we will GIVE you the tracking units and you just pay for the service…”.  The truth is, these providers are simply charging a little more and putting you on a lease or an extended payment plan.  In almost every case, you will pay more for this convenience in the long run.  That might be just fine.  You just need to look at the economics of the entire deal.  In most of these cases you give up flexibility to quit using the service and will be tied to a 3 year contract.  Again, if you are comfortable with this, that is just fine.  We offer a lease program as well…  I would simply encourage you to make certain you are comfortable with the person selling you something as “Free” if it is not really free.

GPS Tracking Service Costs

The cost of GPS Tracking service can vary greatly.  In general, you should expect to pay more per month for more data.  Know that every service provider has a base cost they are paying to have your device(s) on the cellular or satellite networks.  On top of that, there is an additional charge for the amount of data you put through the system.

Getting the right help…

I always encourage people to buy from people they like.  If you aren’t comfortable with a salesperson or feel you are being misled, move on to someone you are comfortable with.

Finally, remember that all services are not created equal.  Ask where the devices are manufactured.  Ask who owns the software and services you are using.  Ask who you call when you have a question or problem and if they have 24/7 service.

This is your purchase and you have to live with it…

GPS Tracking System

How GPS Tracking Works

In many ways, GPS tracking is at a stage much like cellular telephones were in the early 1990′s.  Everyone knows someone who has one and might have even considered getting GPS tracking for their own uses, but most people have yet to jump on board. Much like with cell phones then, many of us could use a little education regarding how it all works.

In an earlier post, GPS 101, we explored what GPS is.  In this post, I am going to do my best to explain GPS tracking and many of its facets.

GPS tracking comes in many forms.  These include 1) Vehicle Tracking 2) Equipment Tracking 3) Trailer Tracking 4) Asset Tracking and 5) Specialty Tracking.

Additionally, there are two main types of GPS tracking in terms of useability.  The first is a passive tracking device.  This type of tracking device has internal storage and does not communicate externally.  Therefore, the owner of the device must retrieve the tracking device and connect it to a computer to retrieve the tracking data. The second type of device is a “real time tracking device”.  These types of tracking devices might have internal storage but will definitely have a mechanism by which the acquired tracking data is transmitted frequently to a server to be consumed immediately by the owner.  The most common transmitting mechanisms are cellular and satellite networks.  Where passive and “real time” tracking differs in the subsequent cost of service.  There should be no post-hardware-purchase cost with a passive tracking device.  However, with “real time tracking devices”, you should always expect an ongoing cost for the use of the data transmission network.  For the remainder of this post, we will be discussing “real time tracking devices and service”.

In general, GPS tracking flows as such:

1. A GPS tracking device, of some sort, is installed on equipment or a vehicle.
2. Once installed and powered on, the tracking device communicates via cellular or satellite to a base server.
3. The base server decodes and decrypts the transmitted data and stores it.
4. The consumer of the data is then able to see the tracking data via a user interface such as a desktop application, web application, iPhone application, or other method.
5. Optionally, a system might transmit alerts via text message or email to customers based on specific events.  These events might include unauthorized use, door openings, geofence violations, and more…

GPS Tracking Systems

The two primary methods of sending data collected by GPS tracking devices are cellular and satellite networks.

Cellular Based GPS Tracking Systems

Cellular based GPS tracking systems are cost-effective and allow for the most data to be sent for the best price.  Given that most firm ground on Earth is now covered by cellular networks, cellular based tracking is a great option.  This is by far the most common form of communication used today.  In cellular networks, the tracking device gathers position data from the GPS satellites to get pinpoint accuracy (usually within about a meter) and then transmits that location data, as well as speed, heading, and other information over a terrestrial cellular network.  The data is collected by a server and then rendered for the consumer of the tracking data.  If you are shopping for GPS tracking service, you will almost always find that cellular-based tracking is a less expensive option and that you are able to get a lot more data for the price.  An additional benefit with cellular-based tracking systems is that they will commonly allow for reconfiguration over-the-air.  Thus, a device deployed remotely can be sent a new set of instructions to adjust the way it operates and communicates.

Satellite Based GPS Tracking Systems

Satellite based tracking differs from cellular tracking in that the transmission of data is done over the satellite network.  Thus, satellite tracking devices are able to communicate in areas where cellular service is not available.  This includes unpopulated areas and the world’s oceans.  Intermodal carriers frequently use satellite tracking devices to track containers that will sit on ships for transport. There are several satellite networks available for use.  Several companies provide satellite communication services. In most cases, satellite tracking devices work as 1-way tracking devices.  This means that the devices will send data to the server but not commonly receive data for reconfiguration.  However, it is not impossible that a satellite tracking device will receive data through the network.

Power Options for Tracking Devices

As is true with all electronic devices, tracking devices all require power to operate.  Thus every tracking device is limited in what it can do by the power it has to consume.

Powered or Installed Tracking Devices typically install in a vehicle or on a piece of equipment that has a constant source of power.  As a result, these units can gather and send large quantities of data without concern of service interruption.

Battery Powered Tracking Devices have multiple challenges to overcome.  Length of service, size of battery, temperature, and replacement/recharging options are the most daunting.  Any GPS tracking device that depends solely on battery will have to balance the frequency of transmissions of data and acquisition of location with the length of the battery life.  As is always the case, the size of the batteries used is of great concern.  Though the tracking devices are engineered to consume minimal power, the devices are still either cellular or satellite modems and must have ample power to connect to satellites and cellular networks.  Generally, this requires creativity and understanding on the part of the consumer and manufacturer.  Most tracking devices allow for configurations that are based on movement or other actions.  Thus, a device can consume the least power possible and thus extend the battery life.  It is most common to see battery tracking devices with a single charge lifespan of about 2.5 years for cellular devices and up to 7 years with satellite devices depending on the configuration of the devices.  Of course, with more frequent communications, batteries will deplete their charge more quickly.

Getting Help

If you are new to GPS tracking or are simply looking for other options to achieve your needs, you are best to call an expert.  Track What Matters offers tracking services with multiple device and service options.  The easiest way to learn more is to call 1-800-293-0420.

“GPS” has become such a common household term that we don’t really think about the underlying technology itself. It’s everywhere — in our cars, on our phones, and in the workplace — so it’s easy to just dismiss it as a sort of “magic wand” that just gives us the information we want, when we want it. But what exactly is it? How does it perform that magic?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, also known as NAVSTAR. It is a network of 24 satellites that orbit the Earth twice per day at an altitude of 12,000 miles and a speed of 7,000 miles per hour. The satellites receive signals from Earthbound transmitting units and then relay them back to the Earth’s surface, where a GPS receiver picks them up and uses them to figure out the precise location of the object sending out the signal. But one signal by itself doesn’t provide enough information — the receiver must take the same signal from at least three different satellites. It then compares the relay times of all three signals to determine the object’s latitude, longitude, and direction/speed. And there it is — you’re tracking an object with GPS! If you add yet another relayed signal from a fourth satellite, you can also determine the object’s altitude.

GPS was originally developed for the U.S. military. The 24 satellites didn’t all make it into space at once — the first unit achieved orbit in 1978, and Number 24 completed the set in 1994. In 1996 the satellite network was declared “dual-use” so the public could use it too. Ever since then, we’ve been finding new and more innovative ways to enhance our everyday lives through GPS technology. It can enhance your business as well — contact us to learn more!

As we noted in a previous post about transportation of hazardous materials, GPS tracking can  prove invaluable in helping you prevent or get control over a dangerous situation. So it’s no small wonder that firefighters have begin to incorporate the technology into their work. From local outbreaks to enormous forest fires, GPS can play a vital role in savings lives, property and the environment.

When you think about it, the addition to GPS navigation units to firefighting vehicles brings obvious immediate benefits to firefighters in the field. Dispatchers can pull up the local geographical and roadway information instantly on their computer screens and supply the drivers with the shortest possible route to the fire, saving precious minutes when every second counts. They can also pinpoint the nearest water hydrants, electrical lines and gas pipes in the area while they’re still en route, so they can just set up and go as soon as the firetruck reaches its destination.

The bigger the fire, the bigger the need for GPS technology. A large one out in the middle of nowhere might require multiple firefighting units from surrounding cities, and every one of the units could be unfamiliar with the terrain or available roadways. GPA tracking gives them an instant satellite’s-eye view of their surroundings so they can work more safely and efficiently. They can also communicate with each other by sending satellite uplinks showing their position and movement.

What does the future hold for GPS technology in firefighting? Well, in theory it wouldn’t be impossible to attach asset tracking units to each individual firefighter. A trapped or injured firefighter could flash a request for assistance over the GPS network — and the other firefighters would know exactly where to find their teammate.

What can GPS technology do for your industry? Let’s discuss it!

If your company delivers hazardous materials such as explosives, poisonous chemicals and so forth across town across the country or even overseas, you’re all too aware of the potential dangers and liabilities. These substances regularly travel through major population centers or sensitive environments, and a single mishap due to incomplete communication or poor driving habits could spell disaster. And in this age of global terrorism, thefts and hijackings of such substances could lead to an unthinkable outcome. Fortunately, Track What Matters’ Asset Trackers and other GPS tracking technology can make the transportation of “HazMat” safer than ever before.

Monitoring your HazMat vehicles is a lot easier when you have Track What Matters technology. You can track each vehicle’s speed to ensure that safe driving practices apply to  those unsafe materials. You can also watch for sudden deviations from the planned route that might suggest a theft or hijacking in progress, alerting you to contact the driver immediately for a status report and take action if trouble is afoot.

Are you transporting containers of hazardous materials that must leave your vehicle and make the rest of their journey by ship? Attach Asset Trackers to those containers and you can make sure they reach their destination — or contact the authorities immediately if they suddenly make an unscheduled detour. What’s more, you can generate reports confirming that your shipment went according to plan and in compliance with applicable laws and safety procedures. That’s the great thing about the Global Positioning System — as long as your item is still on the planet Earth, you’ll always know precisely where you can find and recover it!

Do you need the highest degree of safety and security for the transportation of your hazardous materials?

While Asset Trackers and other GPS products from Track What Matters have proved essential for large companies employing immense fleets of vehicles, Quality Bottled Water is happy to point to out that GPS tracking can be equally helpful for small companies. Quality Bottled Water delivers its wares to customers in the Tallahassee, Florida area.

“We have three vehicles right now,” says Route Manager Trevor Hand. “That’s not a lot, and the roads here are so congested that we don’t have a lot of route options, but it’s really helpful for me to be able to keep an eye on my drivers.” Hand explains that the company originally signed on with Track What Matters to make sure their drivers were staying on top of their game at all times. “We’d had a little trouble with drivers taking longer breaks than they should, and making unscheduled stops. With Track What Matters, they know that I can see what they’re doing and how long they’re taking on their deliveries.” Hand also keeps an eye on the speeds the vehicles are traveling from time to time, just to make sure the drivers are obeying the law without dragging their feet.

Hand counts the company lucky in that it has not had any attempted vehicle thefts in the two years that it has used Track What Matters, “but if we had a vehicle go missing, we would be ready to track it down, notify the police and get it returned, and that’s good to know.” Nor has Quality Bottled Water ever had any hardware or software issues with their Track What Matters equipment of service. “We’ve never even had to call in to their customer service, not once,” says Hand. “I would absolutely recommend Track What Matters to other businesses that need GPS tracking.”

If you’re in the food service industry, nothing matters more than the quality of the perishable foods you receive or send — which depends in turn on how efficiently you can control the transportation and storage of those foods. If you need a better solution for managing these variables, GPS tracking from Track What Matters can help your business remain in the “green” instead of withering into spoiled goods.

It’s obvious that delivering perishables to market efficiently involves taking the fastest routes at the most sensible speeds. Our GPS tracking systems can ensure that your drivers tare taking the smartest routes to their destinations. (And if your drivers know that you are monitoring their rate of speed, you may see a dramatic decrease in speeding tickets as well.) GPS tracking and reporting technology can even help you follow which crates of inventory are sitting in which trucks. Perhaps most importantly, you can pinpoint a damaged or stolen vehicle immediately, allowing you to send the appropriate help as quickly as possible. Timely action can not only prevent an entire truckload of food from going bad or being carted away by thieves, but it could also save the life of an injured or incapacitated driver.

The length of time that perishables sit on the loading dock matters too. GPS tracking enables you to monitor loading and unloading times precisely, so you can see how much of an impact those times are making on your deliverable goods and streamline your procedures as needed. Some GPS devices can even monitor the temperature inside the truck bed and send a warning message when it’s getting too hold or cold for your products’ comfort.

Get that food where it needs to be — let Track What Matters help you track what matters!

This month’s employee spotlight is Holyn Bradford, our Owner/Accounting & HR Manager. Holyn started working in accounting in 1980, and has worked with multiple emergency room physicians groups for 12 years doing accounting and HR management.

Holyn enjoys the environment at Track What Matters because she gets to work knowledgeable, motivated people. She credits hiring Jeanne Denmark (last month’s spotlight) as that her “save the day” moment!
Holyn’s definition of a perfect weekend is spending time with her husband and son and going to church. (Although her real answer is cleaning, cooking and getting everything ready for the next work week.)

A true Southerner, Holyn’s favorite breakfast cereal is “Grits, because they are warm and buttery!”