GPS fleet tracking has been around for a few years now, yet some businesses have been reluctant to embrace this type of service and the benefits it provides. If you’re one of the businesses lagging behind, you need to take a moment to wonder what it means for your business if your competition has these advantages and you do not. These are just a few of the benefits your competitors gain with GPS fleet tracking.

Improved Customer Approval Ratings

Not only does GPS fleet tracking allow your competitors to provide customers with accurate appointment windows, but it also gives them the opportunity to allow customers to track them, in real time, to see about how long it will be before their deliveries or service providers arrive. This makes customers really happy as it allows them to plan their days better. It also lets them feel as if your competitors care enough about the customers to allow them the ability to track their furniture, appliances, or furnace technicians in the cold of winter.

Eases the Burden of Fluctuating Fuel Costs

Chances are good that you feel every spike in fuel costs keenly. The dips are welcome but the spikes can be harmful to your business. While no business likes to pay more for the things that are necessary, fuel expenses are felt far less keenly when GPS fleet tracking is used successfully. Below are a few ways GPS tracking services are assisting your competitors when it comes to fuel costs: Read the rest of this entry »

The city of Boulder is considering attaching GPS tracking device collars on a few bears in the next year to figure out where they explore and what their habits are when they do show up in the town.

While at this point they are just exploring the idea, there is still an advocacy group that is concerned about the idea. This past November, Val Matheson, Boulder Urban Wildlife Conservation’s Coordinator, talked with the city Space Board of Trustees and the advocacy group, Boulder Bear Coalition about the plan which is still being introduced and might not even happen.

According to Matheson, it is time to collect data about the reason the bears are in town so they can concentrate their efforts in the right location.

If this study moves forward this year, five bears would be captured, tranquilized and equipped with GPS tracking collars. The Colorado Parks & Wildlife personnel would be involved.

The whole purpose of the study is to protect the health and safety of humans and so that bears don’t have to be put down. Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you have been dealing with a quickly-evaporating budget or simply want to think ahead, saving money with regular business practices can be difficult. One thing you should consider when you start this endeavor is what modern technology will be useful. In this case, GPS tracking devices can actually be a great help. Here are some ways to use GPS trackers to help save your business money.

Save Money on Fuel for Fleet Vehicles

When you have a business with fleet vehicles that are used daily, one of your biggest expenses is fuel. GPS fleet tracking can help you reduce your fuel consumption in a number of different ways. One way is by using the tracking devices while you delivery drivers are working and to re-route them as needed. The re-routing is based on changes in their schedule, and gives them the fastest or shortest route. This can help to avoid unnecessary driving as the GPS tracking device can provide you with the best route.

GPS tracking devices can also help when you track individual vehicles or divers. You might notice that a certain vehicle is using up too much fuel, much more than your other vehicles, so you need to address that problem. There could also be a driver that uses the most fuel, perhaps due to high speeds or too much time sitting in idle when it isn’t necessary. Read the rest of this entry »

Although the captivating species of the harbor seals are fairly stable in many parts of the world and can be seen in just about every zoo, when it comes to southeastern Alaska, there is a decline. The harbor seals rest and breed at nearby glacier icebergs; however, since the availability of the ice is changing, it affects the seals’ behaviors, which are important for their reproduction and survival.

There are two different studies that have been conducted, one through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) and the other through the National Park Service (NPS). Both found the seals could be changing their behavior and distribution in order to acclimate with the changing locations of ice because of the glaciers retreating.

Jamie Womble, who is leading the Glacier Bay NPS research, is working closely with her team to figure out the precise movements and distribution of the seals and how it relates to the glacier ice.

One particular method being used that is working effectively is Aerial tracking. This involves flying above the ice and counting the seals. Another method for tracking the seals movements is through the use of GPS tracking devices, which are glued to the seals. There is little risk to the seals since during the following summer’s molt season, the GPS tracking technology will come off safely. Read the rest of this entry »

Municipal agencies are necessary to keep large cities and small towns alike operating effectively. The average city couldn’t function without the valuable services you provide. However, you are operating on the taxpayers’ dollars so it’s important to do whatever is possible to keep expenses low while offering the most efficient possible services. GPS fleet tracking systems can assist with both these criteria and more.

Simplifies Dispatch Responsibilities

A busy municipal dispatcher has a lot of balls in the air at any given time. Dropping even one of those balls can be costly for the city. GPS fleet tracking allows dispatchers to instantly see the location of all vehicles on a map so they can quickly identify which vehicle is closest to the target location. This shaves miles off the day for drivers, is a more efficient process for dispatching, and ultimately leads to tasks being completed faster without the wasted hours of labor while drivers cross paths throughout the day.

Promotes Safer Driving Habits

Safe driving is important – especially for municipal agencies who need to strive to set safe driving examples for the general public in your city. GPS fleet tracking for municipalities allows you options to receive notification whenever any of your vehicles are going faster than the speed limit, accelerating too quickly, braking hard, or driving aggressively. This allows you to deal with the behavior of drivers and take appropriate disciplinary action to discourage these types of behaviors behind the wheel of city vehicles. Read the rest of this entry »