Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: GPS tracking, mobile handheld computer, vehicle tracking
Since the introduction of GPS many years ago, tracking the location of vehicles, portable assets and people has become a valuable part of the mobile solutions landscape. As consumers, we think of GPS as a means for getting driving directions from where we are now to where we want to go. But, in the business environment, mobile GPS tracking applications do much more.
Business managers want to know “where are my people/vehicles/assets right now?” along with other details about where these items were over a certain time-span, when they were at specific places (like a jobsite) and how long did they remain at a single location (long lunch-breaks, anyone?).
Tracking vehicles with GPS has been a very successful mobile application that allows real time vehicle tracking. AVL (Automated Vehicle Location) or MRM (Mobile Resource Management) solutions are usually based on a black box mounted in the vehicle, the EOBR (Electronic On-Board Recorder). The EOBR box is a lot like the flight recorder on an airplane. It records GPS data as well as a variety of data from the vehicle itself (engine on/off, speed, braking, compression, etc). The vast majority of these AVL/MRM tracking solutions move the data from the EOBR to a central administrative console wirelessly using the cellular data networks. Value is obtained by having all this data at the fingertips of the person running the central console (e.g. a dispatcher or unit manager).
If you haven’t yet deployed a vehicle tracking solution yet, consider instead a durable handheld computer with GPS capability. Why? Because you can get much more value from the handheld computer. The AVL/MRM solution is just tracking the vehicle. A mobile handheld computer, with GPS aboard, can provide GPS-based tracking information and much more, like:
- Line of business applications (e.g. Proof of Delivery, Mobile Work Orders, Inspections, Timesheets, etc.) – replacing paper and data entry costs, with significant productivity enhancements to the mobile worker.
- Automated date/time/location stamping when specific actions occur (e.g. when a Delivery is completed, or a field work order is started/finished)
- Take a photo to verify the condition of a field asset or delivered product.
- Voice traffic – use this device instead of your cell phone or 2-way radio.
- Use bar code scanning to speed entry of information, as well as improve data accuracy
- Exchange two-way text messages between field worker and dispatcher/manager
- Find the location of the nearest company truck or supplier warehouse where the part currently needed is available.
Yes, the handheld-based tracking solution will not provide vehicle data that an AVL/MRM solution includes. But, it offers so much more than the traditional AVL/MRM solution. In most cases, the line-of-business application for your mobile workforce will return more ROI itself than a vehicle-tracking solution. Knowing where your workers and vehicles are AND having real-time business data in use at the point-of-activity means increased value.
So, if you’re looking for a GPS-based real time vehicle tracking solution, look closely at the value of accomplishing that with a durable mobile handheld computer, equipped with GPS.
Product Spotlight: Honeywell’s Dolphin 9700
Maximizes productivity and reduces operating costs with reliable and easy to use multi-modal communication and data collection. Visit our rugged mobility microsite for more information>>
 |
|
It’s not often that you get something for free, but we like to take care of our customers and make things convenient. That’s why we are offering a free backup unit when you buy a coupuon book! This offer is only good until December 1st, so think of it as an early Christmas present. When you buy a Ryzex repair coupon book, you also get a FREE spare device to use while yours is being fixed. That’s equipment you’ll have in-stock, ready to keep your data collection operation up and running, even when your other unit’s in the shop. Of course, not all models are available, but you can call Ryzex to double check this offer includes your unit. Enjoy savings on repair and reduce downtime – now that’s a great present!
Saturday October 27th was National Make a Difference Day where thousands of people set aside time to volunteer in their community for various organizations. Ryzex proudly promoted the day and encouraged employees to take time out of their busy weekend to volunteer in our community. Ryzex employees embraced the idea and took part in painting the Red Cross building, Distributing fliers for the Arthritis Foundation, and planting trees for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. One volunteer employee openly shared that his highlight was “having my eldest son with me experiencing the joy of contributing towards making mother earth beautiful.” Thank you to everyone who volunteered on Saturday and who volunteers on a regular basis!
Filed under: Sustainability
The Ryzex corporate office isn’t located within walking distance of many restaurants, so I like to salute any employee that brings their lunch from home instead of hopping in their cars to drive to the nearest fast food chain for lunch. In addition to reducing air pollution, they are eating healthier and saving money, too. So, congratulations if you are one of those dedicated brown baggers! Here are some additional tips and suggestions on how to make your brown bag a little greener:
1. Do you pack your lunch in a disposable plastic or paper bag? If so, why not consider upgrading to a reusable lunch box or bag. There are so many options available right now made from a variety of materials and in a range of sizes, and most are practical and affordable.
2. What about the packaging of the items inside your lunch bag or box? Do you typically pack food in throwaway baggies or purchase goodies in individually packaged servings? There is also a wide assortment of reusable containers on the market that will accommodate everything from your sandwich to all your sides. You can buy your sides in larger packages, or better yet in bulk, to reduce packaging and then fill individual serving-sized reusable containers for grab-and-go lunch packing.
3. Did you know that it’s been reported that 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown out each day in the US? Precious resources go in to making the bottles and there is usually more supply than demand for bottles to recycle so many end up in landfills. Even if we could recycle all those bottles, remember that recycling uses energy, too! Fill a Thermos or reusable bottle with your favorite beverage and pack it in your lunch. And for those trips to the water cooler, you can do your part to prevent waste with the use of a reusable hard plastic or stainless steel water bottle, or a good old fashioned mug or glass.
4. As for your utensils, there are lots of biodegradable options, but even better, keep a set of silverware in your lunch bag or box that can be washed and reused day after day. You can also pack a cloth napkin for an air of sophistication and bonus points for all of the paper towels and napkins you will avoid using! It’s amazing how such simple little changes can make a difference over time. The paper lunch sack and 2-3 baggies most people use for their lunch each day may not seem like a lot on a day to day basis, but they add up. Adopting just these few simple practices can reduce your waste considerably!
Filed under: Sustainability | Tags: festival, Sustainability, sustainable events
The Fourth Annual Sustainable Ballard Festival is this weekend. We thought that the fact that it’s the “fourth annual” bears promoting in and of itself!
The Fest’s website pretty well sums up their mission and is one that many of us at Ryzex fully support:
| Sustainable Ballard fosters new awareness of the importance of community connections and meaningful sustainability in response to excess energy dependence and consumption, and the depletion of key resources. Sustainable Ballard conducts workshops, public events, writes reports and research articles, and provides design and planning services, for community education. Sustainable Ballard seeks to empower local citizens to become leaders in collective community self-reliance and autonomy. |
Filed under: Partners/Products
We are pleased to announce that Ryzex has entered a strategic partnership with Honeywell Batteries. Under the agreement Honeywell Batteries will be one of our Premier battery suppliers. Honeywell provides premium replacement batteries and chargers for leading manufacturers such as Symbol, Intermec, Hand Held Products and Zebra. The cornerstones of Honeywell’s business are quality, customer service and attractive pricing. Honeywell liked the idea of partnering with us because of our ability to provide complete technology support to our customers, from legacy equipment, to the latest hardware, and now, Honeywell batteries.
We all know that batteries are not friends of our local landfills, and this partnership will also allow Honeywell to take advantage of our maintenance and battery recycling services for both their customers and ours.
Filed under: Ryzex Promotions
Special Pricing on Barcode Equipment Rentals
Just in time for the retail rush, Ryzex has low, low rental rates on the equipment you need to keep up with demand. We’ve got special pricing on several handheld scanners and other data collection devices from Symbol and Intermec. Now’s the perfect time to plan ahead for peak seasonal sales!Rental Rates as Low as:
$31.25/week for Symbol 6846
$48.75/week for Symbol WS 1040
Go to www.ryzex.com for additional pricing and information.
Filed under: Sustainability
Ryzex is one of four Whatcom County businesses who appeared in Inc Magazine’s September listing of the fastest growing 5,000 companies in America. Also joining us are Bellingham neighbors Logos Research Systems (ranked 3,061) and Toolhouse Design Co. (3,959) and Blaine based TC Trans (3,297). Ryzex slid in the rankings at 4,928.
Inc. bases the 5,000 ranking on the percentage of revenue growth from 2003 through 2006. Each company must be U.S.-based and privately held. Revenue in 2003 must be a minimum of $200,000 and revenue in 2006 must be a minimum of $2 million.
Ryzex posted a 24.8 percent increase during the period, and currently employs 360 team members. While lots of companies are obviously growing by leaps and bounds and many are growing more quickly than us; we are proud of the fact that we’ve been able to grow Ryzex in a profitable and sustainable way.
We are not green because it’s cool to be green, the core of our business is based on the idea of keeping our customers’ technology solutions in use as long as they need. Inc.’s Green 50 was a nod to those companies, and Ryzex landed on that list earlier this year. We think it’ll be a great day when the two lists are flipped–when Inc. publishes a list of the top 5,000 sustainable companies.
Filed under: Inspiration
According to Scolastic, Inc, today is the official birthday of the Internet. On August 1, 1990, “British physicist Tim Berners-Lee, who was looking for an easy way to share information with other scientists, first suggested what became the World Wide Web. A computer programmer from Belgium, Robert Cailliau, helped him design the first Web browser. Later that year they came up with the idea of a URL, or Web-site address.” Immagine where we would be today if we didn’t have the internet. Immagine where we will be in another 17 years!
Filed under: Sustainability
For all of you reality TV show watchers, there could be a new one hitting the tube in the spring of 2008. According to the Bellingham Herald (www.bellinghamherald.com), Blackdog Productions (www.blackdogproductions.com) will be filming “The Greenest House” from August – October. Right now, executive producer, Suzanne Blais plans to air the show on BTV10 (available only in Bellingham, WA), but is also involved in negotiations to determine if the show will be aired outside the area. Blais won’t disclose many details of the show, but it will involve families competing against each other as they try to reduce energy and water consumption. I don’t even have a TV, but I have to admit that it does sound interesting. Maybe I’ll bike to a friend’s house to watch a few episodes.
