One thing that is making overseas travel more attractive is the growing number of location-based services that use GPS and act as a travelers very own tour guide.

For example, you could be walking down a street in Manhattan with no clue about where you are or nearby attractions. But with your personal GPS device in hand and a location-based app, in a matter of minutes you could be listening to a walking tour of the architecture you’re standing next to or viewing a list of adjacent restaurants offering special discounts. Later in the day you decide you need to organize some accommodation. And once again you turn to your handy GPS device and start up an app that lists all nearby accommodation options, with prices, current offers and walking directions.

There’s no doubt that GPS has revolutionized the way travelers get around foreign cities and access food, accommodation, and attractions. If you’re looking to take advantage of the digital travel revolution, here are ten tips to make sure you get the best GPS experience.

1 – Get a GPS education

While there is a range of different personal GPS devices available to consumers, by far the most popular is the smartphone. Whether it’s an iPhone, an Android-powered smartphone or Windows Mobile, with built-in GPS the smartphone becomes a powerful tool in the hands of the traveling tourist.

When it comes to GPS it’s worth taking the time to understand how it works, times when it may not work, and its limitations (such as time taken to get a fix on your location, improved with the use of Assisted GPS).

Understanding how GPS works will help you to know what to expect and how to get the best from your GPS experience.

2 – Save on data charges – preload your maps

Most GPS smartphones allow you to connect to a Wifi hotspot, allowing you to save on data charges (which can be outrageous when you’re overseas – buying a SIM card locally can help).

When connected to a Wifi, download any map data you may be using in the near future. Most map apps today allow the data to be cached to your phone, which means you can save on data charges and also battery life, if you switch off your 3G connection.

3 – Don’t always rely on your GPS

It can be tempting to have total faith in your GPS device but do this at your own peril. Map data, particularly outside of main centers, can be incorrect and potentially dangerous (such as sending you down a one-way street the wrong way).

While GPS is a very handy tool it does have its limitations, such as losing satellite signals or showing a less-than-accurate position (see point 10 below).
Some location data is also unverified, added by enthusiasts but sometimes incorrect or outdated. If in doubt resort to common sense or ask a local.

4 – Get the biggest screen and best battery life you can afford

GPS not only chews through the juice but it also works better when you can see the big picture. Splash out on the biggest screen and best battery life to maximize your GPS experience, as well as installing apps that help you to manage the amount of juice your phone is using.

If you’re not using them, switch off unnecessary services, such as 3G (if you’ve cached your map data), and turn off the phone when it’s not in use.

5 – Have paper guides for backup

For most things in life it’s good to have a plan B. Allow for worst case scenarios to avoid being stranded in unfamiliar surroundings. What if your smartphone is stolen, lost, damaged, or runs out of juice?

Having some paper guides or maps can be a lifesaver in situations like that. It doesn’t have to be much – just enough to get you back to safety – or somewhere to recharge your phone.

6 – Get familiar with your phone before you go

While you may be waiting for prices to drop before you buy your personal GPS smartphone, it’s best to allow at least a couple of months before you depart. Not only does this allow time for any faults to become evident (so you can return the device) but it gives you lots of time to get thoroughly familiar with your phone in an unpressured environment. There’s nothing worse than trying to figure out how to get walking directions to the train station when you’re running late!

Play with all the features in your phone. The touch gestures, the soft buttons, and customizing it to suit so you’ll have fast access to the key features you need. You’ll also get a good idea of the actual battery life of your device (it often varies from the printed phone specifications) so you’ll know how long you can go between charges.

7 – Browse available travel apps (and get recommendations from other travelers)

Search the web for travel apps available for your device. This is one of the definite advantages of a smartphone over a dedicated GPS unit so make the most of it. New apps are coming out all the time, and while some are not worth the time it takes to download them, there are plenty of valuable apps out there that can improve your travel experience, and save you money too.

While iPhone apps had a definite head-start in the market, Android apps are gaining quickly, and other phone makers (such as Nokia with their Ovi Maps) also provide a range of travel apps.

Most apps offer users reviews which can be valuable. You can also post questions on traveler forums as Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree or FlyerTalk to get opinions from actual travelers.

8 – Tap into the wisdom of the crowds

While the internet can be a source of collective stupidity, crowdsourcing information can be a valuable way to ‘triangulate’ and verify locations, attractions or destinations.

Use friends on Facebook or helpful strangers on Twitter to get answers to your travel conundrums (use the #travel hashtag to improve your tweet’s visibility), or search sites such as Yelp or foursquare to find useful location-based information, recommendations, or special offers.

9 – Geotag your photos

One useful feature of using your smartphone with GPS is when you take photos, you can automatically geotag them, which means it will record the exact location of where the photo was taken.

This can make it a lot easier when it comes to sorting out your travel photos when you return home. Some camera manufacturers are also building this feature into their products but generally only on higher-priced models.

10 – Remember the (in)accuracy of GPS

GPS technology is actually very accurate (learn more about how it works) and was primarily designed for the military. It was provided for civilian use, but for security reasons the signal was “adjusted” to be less accurate. Most devices, depending on the hardware and under optimum conditions, are accurate to within about three meters so they are perfectly acceptable for most travelers.

There will be times when your GPS device will be in less-than-optimum conditions, such as traveling underground or inside a building. Without clear line of sight to at least three GPS satellites, your device may make an educated guess about your location. If your device is fitted with A-GPS (Assisted GPS), cell-site triangulation and Wifi positioning then this will improve the speed and accuracy of your smartphone’s location reporting, even when the conditions are less than perfect.

Travel happy(ier) with GPS

A GPS device is not a necessity for travelers but it can definitely improve the experience, and with the growing number of location-based apps under development the future of travel is only going to get easier for tourists equipped with GPS.

So which speedometer is more accurate? Which one should be used to determine if you are driving within the posted speed limits? How does it relate to using speeding alerts in your telematics program?

Speeding is widely regarded as a significant contributor to fatal road accidents, and fleet owners find GPS-based speed calculations very useful in maintaining fleet safety. It’s important then that these speed calculations can be trusted to avoid drivers being falsely accused of speeding, as well as providing a reliable guide to determining a legally-safe driving speed.

How does a GPS device calculate speed?

Using GPS, a device is able to calculate a lot of information about a moving object. Using even basic time and location data, a GPS unit can quickly calculate the relative speed of the object, based on how much distance it covered in a given time.

GPS devices are positional speedometers, based on how far the device has moved since the last measurement. The algorithm also uses the doppler shift in the pseudo range signals from the satellites. It should also be noted that the speed reading is normalized, and is not an instant speed.

Speeds are updated at short intervals to maintain accuracy at all times. It uses frequent calculations to determine the vehicle’s speed. For example, using a standard movement per time calculation, if you have covered 80 feet in one second, the GPS device works out and converts that to MPH, which in this case is 55MPH.

Why does GPS speed differ from the vehicle’s own speedometer?

GPS speed calculations are more accurate than a vehicle’s speedometer since it is not affected by the same inaccuracies, including the vehicle’s wheel size or drive ratios. It is dependent however on GPS satellite signal quality but with the use of moving average calculations any errors are minimal.

Vehicle speedometers also require calibration to maintain perfect accuracy as general wear and tear, changing wheel sizes, and the manufacturers own ‘erring on the side of caution’ and setting the speedometer to read higher than the actual speed, all contribute to inaccuracies.

Generally most manufacturers claim a 0.1MPH tolerance with speed readings, however will go as far to say a 0.5MPH inaccuracy is possible, to make allowances for any satellite signal variations beyond their control.

Which speedometer should a driver use?

It really comes down to personal preference since both gauges are reliable for determining a safe, legal traveling speed. In most cases the vehicle’s speedometer will show a higher speed due to the aforementioned inaccuracies but this at least ensures the driver stays lower than the posted speed limit.

And while logged GPS data has been used to overturn speeding tickets, the cautious driver, who is keen to avoid infringements, fines, trouble from their employer or the possibility of an accident, will tend to err on the side of driving slower rather than pushing it too close to the limit.

Using GPS to record company speeding incidents

Any business that has company vehicles available for employee use is no doubt keen to avoid dangerous speeding, both from a public liability point of view, the possibility of accidents as well as infringement notices or demerit points. Using fleet management software such as Telogis Fleet, fleet owners are easily able to specify speeding notifications that can alert managers to speeding incidents in real time, or provide regular reports of this sort of activity.

Speeding alerts can be setup to record either speeds in excess of the posted speed limit, or simply if a certain speed is reached (ideal for vehicles that become unsafe above certain speeds e.g. forklifts).

How closely the speeding alerts are monitored can be set as well, such as how long the vehicle is speeding before the alert is triggered. This can be used to avoid false positive reports due to overtaking or temporary distraction.

Since employers know that speeds calculated by GPS devices are not only more accurate than a vehicle’s speedometer but also lower, it gives employees no excuse to be caught driving at unsafe speeds. Through a combination of regular reporting and driver coaching, fleet owners can make sure they are doing everything in their power to improve the safety of their staff and other road users.

Of particular interest to fleet managers is that vehicles are defined as a ‘workplace’ and a duty of care is imposed on employers to ensure the health and safety of their mobile employees within this workplace.

Fines up to $600,000 or imprisonment

Business managers are nervous about the impact of the new legislation since failure to comply carries possible fines of up to $600,000 or a term of up to five years imprisonment. Obviously the Australian government is sending a strong message to all businesses about the need to review and strengthen their workplace safety.  for failure to uphold this duty, businesses need to put in place solid practices around fleet safety to limit their liability.

A recent blog post discussed how Australian businesses need to rethink how they manage the safety of their mobile workers. The new bill puts pressure on management to take even more responsibility for the safety of their workers, wherever they are, and for some firms with staff who work in distant, remote locations or travel thousands of miles, that creates a significant challenge.

So what can managers do to make sure they’re doing everything reasonable possible to keep their mobile workers and company drivers safe whenever they’re on the job?

Technology creating safer mobile work environments

Many firms with mobile workers are taking the prudent step of implementing safety measures now, rather than waiting for an accident or legislation to force their hand. And intelligent, location-based applications are helping managers create safer working environments and helping them sleep easier at night.

Smart telematics systems, such as Telogis Fleet, are revolutionizing the way mobile resources are managed, from workers, to vehicles, and high-value assets. The system focuses on prevention by monitoring factors that are often common causes of workplace accidents, such as dangerous driving, tiredness, poor scheduling, and missed maintenance.

• Unsafe driving – Monitor and manage incidents of dangerous driving such as speeding, swerving, hard braking or acceleration.
• Driver fatigue – Drivers, particularly for long haul routes, can often work long hours in remote areas. This increases the temptation to work longer than they should, breaking hours of service requirements and running the risk of driver fatigue, significantly increasing the chance of having an accident. GPS tracking can automate tracking of hours driven and assist workers to comply with a safe driving environment.
• Unauthorized use – Use real-time alerts to make sure assets (vehicles, construction equipment etc.) are not being used without authorization (outside of work hours or permitted areas).
• Accurate maintenance scheduling – GPS tracking ensures vehicles are maintained when needed (based on automated tracking of mileage, engine hours or other vehicle diagnostics) rather than at arbitrary intervals that sometimes get overlooked or ignored.

Legal compliance is a good reason to use technology to create a safe working environment, but the good news is that businesses that take action now stand to enjoy a range of other benefits.

Staying on top of safety has other benefits

Aside from the legal benefits of providing a safe work environment for mobile workers, there are several other benefits for firms that take steps to effectively manage fleet safety.

• Reduced insurance premiums – A record of safe driving combined with GPS tracking often leads to insurance companies offering reduced premiums. GPS tracking is an effective anti-theft device and leads to faster asset recovery, while driver monitoring reduces incidents of dangerous driving and vehicle accidents. Contact your insurance company and enquire about savings you can make on vehicle and accident insurance levies.
• Improved worker morale – When workers see changes being made to improve their safety they feel more appreciated and valued. Taking positive action backs up company claims of a safe working environment.
• Less downtime and accident costs – Safety often seems like an unnecessary expense until an accident occurs. Then businesses realize the true cost of an unsafe working environment. Smart businesses know that efforts made now to create a safer working environment are actually a good investment in the future profitability of the firm.

So if you’re concerned about keeping your mobile workers safe, learn more about the advantages of equipping your fleet with Telogis Fleet, and enjoy greater peace of mind and a safe working environment before you run into trouble with the new Work Health and Safety Bill 2011.

The news report stated that the man was eventually apprehended after causing approximately £15,000 (USD$23,378) worth of damage, and significant damage to the bulldozer, which had been driven at speeds of up to 20MPH, dangerously fast for this type of vehicle.

The incident is a stark reminder to owners of construction equipment, or any asset left at a building site, that they are often an easy and appealing target for thieves or vandals. It can be a major headache for construction companies that can face increased insurance premiums, the cost of equipment repair or replacement and public liability claims.

Protecting building sites a challenge

It’s not easy for building site managers to protect their on-site equipment from unauthorized use. Construction sites are often remote, have easy access and are generally unmonitored after-hours. The vehicles are not always fitted with high-tech security or anti-theft devices, lowering the barrier for opportunistic criminals to wreak havoc with your gear.

And, for some errant types, like the one mentioned earlier or even a James Bond wannabe, the sheer thrill of tearing up the road in a piece of heavy equipment is just too much of a temptation to ignore.

Construction managers are fighting back with the help of Telogis fleet management software. Tired of rising insurance premiums and costly downtime caused by repeated incidents of vandalism and theft, construction fleet owners are fitting their high-value assets with GPS tracking devices.

How do these tracking devices work to protect construction equipment? What benefits do they offer and is it improving ROI in the construction industry?

GPS tracking making construction firms more profitable

While there is an initial cost for setting up GPS tracking, it is soon outweighed by the benefits provided to fleet managers. In fact, most fleets experience a positive ROI within 120 days of implementing a telematics solution.
Aside from the financial benefits, fleet managers are also switching on to telematics for the peace of mind it provides, knowing GPS tracking is monitoring their equipment around the clock, seven days a week.

Telogis telematics improves the bottom line for construction fleets in several ways.

• Work site compliance – Efficiently comply with restricted access areas, noise ordinances and hours of operation. Easily monitor start and stop times, worker activity or equipment use and receive instant alerts for any exceptions.
• Increased productivity – Crews are often more productive when supervisors are on-site. With Telogis you can monitor how much time supervisors are spending at the work site, as well as keeping an eye on excessive congregating.
• Improved asset security – Monitor unauthorized use in real-time, regardless of where or when it happens. It doesn’t matter whether your equipment is old or new, non-powered or even outside the cellular network, asset tracking can prevent misuse and, in the event of theft, assets can be recovered faster, saving you downtime and insurance costs.

There are plenty of benefits for construction firms to be running Telogis telematics, and if the owner of the building site mentioned at the start had been using it, thousands of dollars worth of damage could have been prevented, not to mention the endangerment to public safety.

Don’t wait until after someone goes crazy with one of your bulldozers before you take action. Find out more about Telogis Fleet today!

The growing number of ‘rental car abuse’ videos on YouTube continues to highlight the potential loss faced by car rental firms, with much of the damage hidden from inspection on the vehicle’s return.

The videos might be entertaining, the renters are obviously enjoying themselves and in some ways it’s almost become a running joke that rental cars get driven hard. But for insurance companies it’s no laughing matter, and literally costs them millions in lost value and extra maintenance work.

So what are car rental companies doing to protect themselves from renter abuse, and helping to keep costs down for responsible renters who don’t want to be paying for the few who ruin it for the rest of us?

Rental car companies fighting back with tracking technology

The days for miscreants to abuse rentals cars are numbered as companies turn to sophisticated tracking technology to monitor driver behavior. GPS fleet tracking is offering hire companies a range of options to track and report on unwanted driving styles, including certain types of abuse that was previously difficult to detect. The types of activity Telogis telematics is helping monitor include:

• Harsh braking or acceleration
• Speeding
• Excessive revving
• Swerving
• Moving violations
• Vehicle used in prohibited areas such as off-road or high-risk zone

It can be setup to report historically and email the drop-off office, or generate instant alerts to relevant staff. It provides an indisputable record that can be used to show the renter has broken the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.

It can also be used as a way to deter would-be rental car abusers by advertising the fact that extreme driving is monitored and can constitute breaking the rental agreement.

Not just used by car rental firms

The technology is not just used by rental car companies. Other industries that rent, hire or insure vehicles are also investing in Telogis telematics to protect their assets and improve the safety of the fleet. This includes:

• Insurance companies
• Fleet leasing
• Heavy equipment including crane rental
• OEM (vehicle manufacturers)

In fact, vehicle fleets from a huge range of industries are switching on to telematics to improve overall management, control costs, monitor safety and cut down on asset damage.

Top five car rental abuse videos

If you work for a car rental company you may want to stop reading here. The following clips are some of the highest viewed video clips of rental car abuse and destruction. Whether the abuse ever caught up with the perpetrators it’s unknown but if these rental cars had been fitted with Telogis telematics they wouldn’t have got away with it. Please note some language in these YouTube videos may offend.

Download your own GPS mapping kit

Location-based services and mobile commerce = Big opportunities

It’s no surprise Google are talking up the future of LBS, particularly since it wasn’t that long ago they announced the launch of Google Wallet, an electronic payment method using NFC (Near Field Communication) to pay for purchases. Google knows that LBS presents a huge opportunity for both value-added services to end-user consumers as well as massive marketing opportunities for businesses who operate retail outlets.

It’s not just Google that are seeing the amazing potential of LBS and how it can generate sales, create new customers, improve customer loyalty and increase convenience and efficiency for the end-user. Other technology providers are also tapping in to the big opportunities that LBS and other related technology offers from social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare to hardware makers like Apple and Nokia.

These opportunities are only now becoming reality as the different technologies evolve and start to penetrate the mainstream. This is another example of how GPS systems are continuing to grow and adapt along with other developments such as NFC and increasingly widespread internet connectivity (hopefully not at the expense of disrupting GPS) to create user-friendly applications that take advantage of the one thing GPS can tell them – your exact location.

So how can you take advantage of this growing interest in GPS-based applications, and profit from this exciting software goldmine?

Did you know you can build your own LBS application?

If you thought that building a revolutionary LBS application was limited to the smart guys in the Google labs or technical wizards working in Silicon Valley then think again. Telogis have made available a free Software Developers Kit (SDK), known as Telogis GeoBase, to allow anyone to build their own mapping application.

It currently has map data for over 40 countries and a sample application is included to make it easy for even hobby developers to get started and create their own GPS-enabled map application.

Using GeoBase, developers have created software applications worth millions of dollars, simply by tapping in to the power of GPS and the growing popularity of LBS applications.

Download Telogis GeoBase

You might already have an idea for a ‘killer app’ or you might be waiting for that million dollar idea to hit you, but all that’s limiting you is your imagination. Brainstorm away, and if you need some help or inspiration, browse the list of technology partners who can work with your GeoBase application to create a valuable application for end users.

Location-Based services will drive the future of retail

GPS is evolving and smart technology providers are continually seeing increased opportunities to tap into location-based services, as both a useful service to consumers (“Where’s the closest clothing store that will give me a discount on my Smith’s card?”) and a great way for retailers to draw in extra customers (Broadcast to all subscribed mobile devices to check-in to a nearby store for an exclusive bonus).

Exactly how this technology will be used remains to be seen, but with SDKs such as Telogis GeoBase allowing anyone around the world to build their own mapping application the future is wide-open!

So what exactly is this danger that threatens to rob us of GPS? And what would a world without GPS be like?

LightSquared broadband service threatens GPS

In an effort to bring broadband internet to remote areas, LightSquared developed a satellite-based wholesale broadband service. This MSS (Mobile Satellite Service) is set to transmit in the L-Band (1.5GHz – 1.6GHz frequency zone).

The concern is that when the service begins broadcasting from their estimated 40,000 land-based (terrestrial) stations it will effectively “drown out” the relatively weak GPS signal. In fact, it is said the signals will be a “billion times” stronger than the current GPS transmission, which highlights the danger of the new service.

The threat level has escalated to the point where both the Pentagon and DOT have waded into the fight, writing to the FCC (the government group tasked with approving new communication channels) to voice their concerns and request LightSquared change their technology to make sure there is no possibility of it interfering with GPS signals.

What is being done to resolve the threat?

Now that LightSquared’s plans have been determined as a ‘clear and present’ danger to GPS, battle lines have been drawn, with LightSquared claiming that they can coexist with GPS devices, and a new coalition dubbed ‘Save our GPS’ warning that the failure of GPS will severely impact on critical services such as aircraft aviation and military operations.

There has been some movement on LightSquared’s part. In late June 2011, LightSquared offered to use a different slice of the airwaves located far away from GPS frequencies and also made a commitment to making sure their technology worked with existing GPS devices.

They also claim the problem can be fixed using five cent filters that help GPS units screen out signals, including interference from LightSquared’s MSS. But retrofitting millions of devices is not an option according to GPS manufacturers such as Garmin. They say it could also take up to ten years and be extremely costly for aviation applications.

Will GPS survive this threat from LightSquared?

With a working group setup to work alongside LightSquared as well as a powerful coalition setup to protect the GPS infrastructure, we can expect GPS will not be disappearing anytime soon.

Hopefully everyone will do their job and make sure the two services stay separated otherwise it could get ugly. Can you imagine a world without GPS? What would you miss the most? Getting those helpful turn-by-turn directions? Knowing where your kids are? Checking in on foursquare? Or knowing your plane is going to land safely? Add yours below and let us know if you think LightSquared should be allowed to interfere with our GPS system.

If you’re in business you’ll know all about quoting for a job, also known as tendering or bidding on new work. If you’ve been in business for a while you’ve probably learned a few tricks along the way, things that can mean the difference between a successful quote and one that isn’t.

And it’s not just about winning the contract either. A job poorly quoted might mean you’re the cheapest option for the customer but it can end up being an expensive burden for your business because you failed to cost it accurately, otherwise known as underquoting.

So how can you make sure your quotes win you business, rather than becoming an expensive headache? Try the following three secrets of successful quoting, secrets that tap into the power of telematics and GPS tracking, which are crucial for a mobile workforce.

#1 – Successful quotes are fast

The pace of business has rapidly increased over the last 10 years and along with that your prospects expectations of timeframes have changed. The immediacy of email, not to mention social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook, mean prospective customers will move on to your competition if you take too long to get back to them with a quote.

Speed up the quote process by having accurate cost data at your fingertips. A solution such as Telogis Route can provide you with accurate route costs in a matter of seconds, based on a wide range of business costs including fuel, vehicle use, labor and maintenance, to help you create custom quotes fast. The faster you get back to a prospect with an accurate quote the better impression you create and a better chance you’ll win the contract.

#2 – Successful quotes are accurate

For some businesses, quoting is more art than science, pulling numbers out of thin air and hoping they’re “about right”. Sometimes it works but in most cases it means you’re quoting too low to make a reasonable profit or too high and losing business. GPS fleet tracking allows you to keep accurate records of miles driven, fuel purchases and labor costs – essentially everything that goes into your costs per mile expenses.

Combining your costs per mile with your GPS route planning software allows you to quickly calculate the cost of servicing a new client and from there you can determine what your best price will be, without it being a loss leader!

#3 – Successful quotes don’t lose you money

A successful quote isn’t necessarily the winning quote – it’s the quote that is a win-win; a win for your business and obviously an attractive offer for the soon-to-be customer. That means you need to know all the costs that factor into every mile you drive – based on current running costs (not last year’s or a report done five years ago) for your fleet. Only then are you able to make sure your quotes aren’t driving your business into the ground – creating a lot of work but not much money.

With a real-time telematics solution you’ll have visibility on all your operating costs, with today’s costs, which is becoming increasingly important, particularly with fuel prices rising quickly.

A GPS solution for more profitable quotes

To start creating successful, more profitable quotes you need to have systems in place to capture the data you need to make those informed decisions. A data-driven approach helps you to know your business better and create accurate quotes using a range of recorded fleet costs such as fuel, maintenance and labor but to do that you need a reliable telematics system, such as the Telogis GPS fleet tracking system.

It might be all you need to take your quotes from hit and miss, to fast, accurate and profitable.

Telogis Route is a route optimization application that is part of the Telogis platform, a complete telematics solution that uses GPS technology. It’s used by fleets to calculate smarter routes for drivers, schedule vehicles and personnel as well as helping fleet managers calculate costs and compare routes.

What is every mile driven really costing you?

Before this GPS software can calculate savings it first needs to know what your costs are. You might not even be aware of all the costs involved in running your fleet. There are often a wide range of both direct and indirect operating expenses, as well as fixed and variable costs of running your vehicles and paying your drivers.

By identifying all costs associated with each trip you’ll be in a much better position to manage your costs and make some significant savings!

Costs can change over time as well so make sure you keep your vehicle and driver information up-to-date to improve the accuracy of your decisions.

Compare routes

Now that you’ve entered your fleet operating costs, you can start to see the real potential of a tool like this to reduce costs and improve your bottom line.

For example, one feature can give you immediate feedback on the dollar cost of a route, based on the vehicle being used and the crew required to operate it. That sort of information can be used to make smart business decisions such as the profitability of taking on a new client, using a different vehicle on a route or changing the crew.

It also means the order or sequence of jobs that are required to be done can be put in the most efficient order. Job assignment is smarter too, minimizing out-of-route miles and unnecessary travel.

Makes decision-making easier

When you’re in the middle of a hectic dispatch office and planning for the needs of a busy fleet, it can be challenging to think clearly and analyze all the relevant factors of a particular decision. Chances are you’ll miss something, forget a truck or a driver or send someone doubling back unnecessarily. It all costs money and cuts into your overall profitability.

Automating with Telogis Route means nothing is overlooked when choosing and assigning routes and jobs to drivers. You can trust that it will be creating the most economical and efficient routes, day in and day out, without the brain strain – perfect for those days your head hurts just thinking about it all.

Review your performance for additional fine-tuning

There are always tweaks you can make to your game plan to enhance your profitability even further. Telogis Route includes a useful Actual vs. Plan feature that lets you review your fleet’s past performance to see how closely the optimized routing is being followed.

It means potential problems or needed driver training can be addressed to make sure you’re getting the full benefit of the optimized route planning created by Telogis Route.

Calculating savings – A better way to manage

So GPS is a valuable tool, not just for calculating a route to your next destination, but for providing valuable location data to calculate efficient routes for your drivers, optimize job sequencing and job assignments as well as territory planning – which all add up to valuable savings for fleets of all sizes.

How can you find the best GPS navigation system?

In previous posts we talked about the basics of what GPS is and how it works, as well as how a GPS device can be connected or disconnected. Knowing more about how GPS works can help you make the right choice when choosing the best GPS system.

With so many GPS navigation systems on the market it can be really confusing to even know where to start. So before you start looking at getting a Garmin, TomTom or a Magellan, you need to be clear about what you need your GPS tracking system to do. And with most of the talk on the internet about personal or in-car GPS devices, it can be easy to overlook other systems such as fleet management software or GPS people tracking.

What are your GPS needs?

Of course it’s tempting to buy a GPS system just because everyone else is or because you can’t resist buying the latest gadgets, but if you did you’d probably miss out on the true benefit of a GPS system. By knowing the problem you want to solve, you’re in a much better position to find the best GPS navigation system, and will get far greater value from it.

Let’s consider the different types of GPS navigation systems available.

Choosing a GPS navigation system

Now that you have a better idea of the different types of GPS navigation systems available, you’re in a better position to make a good decision on what’s best for you and your business. There’s no point spending more than you have to, so if you only need a device to help you find your way across town then a Garmin, TomTom or Magellan in-car will be adequate.

Of course, if you just want to go hiking in the San Bernardino Mountains then a lightweight hand-held GPS system, such as a Garmin Oregon 200, will most likely be all you need.

But if you need to manage multiple vehicles, a fleet of trucks or vans then it makes sense to investigate fleet management software. Even fleets of only 2 or 3 trucks find using GPS fleet management software profitable with a lot of fleets reporting that the cost of the system is covered by the savings they make within about 3 months of use.

What am I looking for in a GPS system?

The best rated GPS systems for fleet management should have plenty of grunt, offer blazing speed and be flexible enough to adapt to your specific business needs.

Check for the following attributes when shopping for GPS fleet management software:

• Compatible - The software is compatible with a wide range of GPS. This will allow you to have the freedom to choose the hardware you need to manage your vehicles effectively. For example, Telogis design their fleet management software to play nicely with devices that run on Windows Mobile, a popular operating system for GPS-enabled hardware.
• Tells you what you need to know now – Relevant information on your entire fleet is easily accessible and exception reporting alerts you immediately to anything that requires your attention.
• Intelligent routing – Route-planning that includes vehicle-specific restrictions so your drivers can avoid messy accidents like these ones.
• Online all the time – Web-based systems to provide you with the speed and flexibility of a hosted SaaS application, giving you more options to access fleet information and share that data with relevant parties.

The more you learn about GPS navigation systems and how they work, the more likely you are to choose the best GPS system for you, or your business!

If you’ve purchased a GPS device, how did you decide which one was right for you? Where did you go for advice?