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.
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