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>>

3.5G GSM/HSDPA and 802.11a/b/g for real-time data and voice High performance barcode scanning Automated assisted GPS technology Windows Mobile 6.5 Color Camera with automated programming

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!

The Fest’s website pretty well sums up their mission and is one that many of us at Ryzex fully support:

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.   

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.